Johnson's Sporting Goods Inc. — Local services in Brunswick

In January 2025, I went to the dive shop to start a local relationship. I purchased a Hydro X with air two, a MK 25 regulator, fins, mask, a travel bag and many accessories. I wanted to buy the best gear that I could. When I went in, I had spoken to someone with extensive industry knowledge and he suggested I get the hydros pro as I would be a travel diver. That is what I asked for, however, I was sold the X unbeknownst to me (That is totally my fault because I did not have product knowledge that I should have being new to diving). I went on one dive trip to the Bahamas when there I was shown the difference. Today after returning home I called the shop and asked if they would be willing to buy the gear back at a discount (my thought was $800, which would be a $500 loss) if I was to purchase the Hydros Pro BCD from them, so that I would have better travel gear in the future. The manager informed me that they had too much used gear. They were unwilling to buy back my BCD and that was the end of the conversation. I informed her that the reason I went to a local dive shop was to create this relationship for the future and that at the time I could’ve saved $200 online by buying direct, but I chose to spend the additional money to establish this relationship. That did not seem to affect her decision-making and we ended the conversation and unfortunately, I will not be able to support the local Maine dive shop any longer and will have my service work done while traveling on dive trips. It is unfortunate a local business can’t see past this issue again the fault does lie on me, not knowing my equipment well but their unwillingness to do anything to rectify this...

I went to Johnson's on a Friday looking for .38 Special ammunition. They sold me Hornady Critical Defense, which I've used in other calibers. The salesperson told me that this was the only choice they had in stock for .38 Special. What he failed to tell me was that this ammo is +P, which is loaded to higher pressure than SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) specifications. Shooting this ammo in a firearm that's not specifically rated for +P ammo can damage the firearm and endanger the shooter. When I got home, I noticed that the ammo was +P and can't be safely fired in my revolver. On Monday I brought the unopened ammo back to Johnson's, along with the sales receipt. They absolutely refused to issue a refund, give a store credit, or exchange it for other merchandise. I was told that this is "store policy." I could understand if I had simply changed my mind, but I was sold ammo that could damage my firearm and endanger me! My feeling is that the clerk should have warned me that this ammo isn't safe for standard .38 Special weapons before selling it to me. I'll never, ever shop in this...

Wasn't impressed with the offer I was given for a firearm, I felt that he treated me as if I didn't know what I had or I was desperate for money and gave a wicked lowball offer and then fed me a line saying what he could get that handgun for from the dealer. I worked at a shop similar to this for 4 years I've seen the books and worked with distributors I also know what I had. It's a shame too because it's one of the few places in the area where one can shoot archery. I haven't been back since and I won't recommend...