Academy Sports + Outdoors — Local services in Brenham

During a visit to the sporting goods section at Brenham Academy, my wife was informed by an associate named Jordan that she was not allowed to purchase a firearm due to a supposed statement she made. While examining the firearm and not fully engaged in the conversation, Jordan asked, "Is this for you?" She initially responded, "No," but immediately corrected herself, saying, "Sorry, yes, it's for me. I didn’t hear your question clearly." Despite this prompt clarification, Jordan refused to proceed with the sale, citing her initial response as the reason for denial.

Following the incident, I contacted the operations manager, Carla, to address the situation. Carla mentioned that, according to Jordan, other associates and a manager overheard the entire exchange, even though Jordan was the only associate present at the time. Additionally, she noted that the manager who allegedly witnessed the interaction was no longer available. Carla defended Jordan's decision, citing his six months of experience in firearm sales and assuring me that he "knows what he is doing."

Both my wife and I have held a license to carry (LTC) for over 20 years and have a history of purchasing firearms at various Academy locations without issue. However, our experiences at the Brenham Academy have repeatedly failed to meet acceptable customer service standards, and this incident stands out as particularly troubling.

The day after the initial incident, I returned to Brenham Academy, where Jordan was working alongside another associate, Caleb. I expressed my interest in purchasing a firearm to Caleb, who took my LTC and instructed me to wait while Jordan completed another sale. After a 45-minute wait and having completely filled out the ATF paperwork, Caleb handed my LTC back and informed me that I was on Academy's "do not sell" list due to a prior incident, insisting that I leave the store immediately. I asked if I was being trespassed from Academy and he said yes.

Surprised, I explained that I hadn’t recently visited any Academy store. Caleb then revealed that my placement on the list resulted from my previous call addressing Jordan's refusal to sell a firearm to my wife. I had not mentioned my wife during this visit, nor had she provided her ID before Jordan denied the purchase. I requested to speak with the store manager, but Caleb claimed he was the manager and again insisted I leave the premises. I repeatedly asked for the store manager and he kept claiming he was the store manager.

At this point, I expressed my frustration, noting that I had never encountered such unprofessional handling of a situation. Caleb, Jordan, and another individual who refused to identify himself but called himself "Bob" then positioned themselves together, seemingly in an attempt to intimidate me. As I began to leave with my son, Caleb and Jordan followed us closely, and their continued presence felt threatening to the point where I repeatedly asked them to maintain a reasonable distance. Their behavior made me feel unsafe with them in such close proximity.

I called Academy corporate today to find out if me and my wife were not allowed at Academy in Brenham or any Academy and to find out for how long. Corporate said they couldn’t tell me and would have to investigate get back with us. I explained we wanted to return some items she purchased and cancel our Academy card.

This incident raises serious concerns about the professionalism and integrity of the staff at this location, especially regarding the handling of sensitive matters like...

I want to say, first off, Jordan in the hunting department was great and very helpful. My issue is with the situation I went through today (August 9th) I came in the store around 5:50 wanting to buy a shotgun for dove season and there were 4 other people in line so I expected a wait and I don’t have problem with that. I wait my turn to and the manager that verifies purchases and walks people out after their purchases asks for my ID, EXAMINES IT, and asks which gun I would like to look at. I tell him and I decide on that firearm, he then gives the tag and my ID to Jordan who proceeds to sign me up for the background check, an hour and 10 minutes into my wait time at this store Jordan tells me that my application is under review and that it normally takes 15-45 minutes to hear back so I drive off and about 10 minutes later I get a call that my application has been accepted and I can come back and purchase the firearm (so now I’m an hour and 20ish minutes into this process and I’m good, I don’t mind the wait. And I got to checking out and Jordan calls a manager back there, I believe his name was John, he looks at my ID ( to verify purchase) and slams it on the counter and asks if that’s my only form of ID, and I say yes and he says he can’t accept it because of a little crack at the corner. Now I don’t have an issue with the outcome of the situation, I understand there are certain rules and laws you have to follow, but why is it that 2 people held my ID before hand and were not properly trained on examining an ID and left me standing in line for almost an hour and a half, filling out and passing a background check only for me to be denied a shotgun because there was a little crack in my ID. Not only did you lose a $750 sale today, you lost a customer that had spent thousands of dollars at Academy and I will be going elsewhere for any of my other sports and...

Tried to return a Christmas gift (defective shirt) that was given by my son & DIL, 9 days after Christmas. Had a couple of other returns, which I had purchased and I was able to provide proof of purchase. The CSR was very polite & understanding to my issue but refused to let me “exchange” the item for the exact size and color of the item I was returning. She even went above and beyond to check your stock and there was 1 available, but was unable to complete this without a receipt. She very patient and asked if I could call my DIL for the scan at the bottom of the receipt. DIL was driving and unable to get it at that moment, because it was at home. The more I thought about this, the more it just didn’t feel right, so I investigated your return policy and it clearly states I could have exchanged my item without a receipt. I do not feel that the CSR was at fault, but either mislead of your return policy or is being instructed by management to do things differently than your stated policy. I appreciate your store being in our small town but I’m going to think twice before I purchase from here again. It just shouldn’t be this difficult to exchange (same color, same...