Academy Sports + Outdoors — Local services in College Station

The following interaction was between an employee, a manager and Kristi K Schiller, the founder of K9s4COPs, founder of Diamonds & Dirt Barrel Horse Classic™ the largest futurity purse in the Lone Star State with almost $1,000,000 in cash and prizes. She also is married to John Schiller, President and CEO of a prominent oil company in Houston. The repercussions of this rush to judgement incident will be felt by Academy as Kristi is a pillar of the community, who has 1,000's of local friends who are hunters.

Last night I stopped by Academy in College Station and decided to purchase a new Remington 700 .243 to take deer hunting today.

There was no customers at the gun counter but two sales reps. I told him what I wanted to purchase and he acted liked it was an effort. After deciding on purchase, I inquired about scopes. Again, he barely acknowledged our presence. When I inquired again (to 20 something millennial) about scopes he said “just depends on what you want I guess” I took a photo of what they had and asked a very knowledgeable friend. My friend said “skip the Nikon and go with the Leupold” I gave lazy millennial my CHL and credit card.

He said “ohhhh so you have bought a gun before?” I nodded and said “I’ve had a CHL probably as long as you have been alive”

Sales guy says “what are you going to do with it?” I said “This rifle? Well....Hunt”

He follows up with “what?” He is being very leading - I said “whitetail.... it is deer season” he walks off again (I need an IV drip of patience) yet again, ZERO help.

I asked him if they could attach the scope while I finished shopping getting some clothes” — 45 mins later I come back to be met by the manager asking why I took photos of the scopes. I said “well if I could get any assistance I wouldn’t have had to phone a friend asking scope opinions.” I reminded him that conversing via text with photos isn’t a crime.

He proceeds to ask me “why I chose higher magnification scope from my original choice” I said “well, I have been hunting for years and I have never had anything in the cross hairs come up and tap on the stand and ask to be mounted — usually they maintain a healthy distance” Not to mention when you reach a certain age - stronger magnification helps.

He said sarcastically “where have you been hunting?” I said “Texas, Africa, South America, Scotland, England."

I am still confused where this conversation is going, frankly.

He was quick to tell me “you don’t look like a hunter” I said “well, if you think I’m doing something nefarious with a bolt action - you obviously have me mistaken for someone that is into manual labor and I’m not”

He said “You have an aggressor response” I was frank and explained “I’ve been in this crappy retail hell for 2 hours w screaming kids that want candy and a toy — and I can’t get any service”.

Manager said “I am adding you to our permanent banned list from purchasing firearms”

I am stunned!

The manager tells me he thinks this is a “classic straw sale” (he’s implying I’m a front for someone that isn’t capable of purchasing their own firearm. This is a serious implication, if found guilty is 10 years in prison/ $250k fine)

In hindsight he did me a favor! I will never spend another dime in Academy...

Update: I called the store manager today, Feb 10 and he is going to make it right by providing a refund. He also agreed it should have been handled better by the assistant manager. He is going to coach the other manager. Updating this review from 1 star to 5 stars. I sincerely thank Patrick for his attention to my customer concern.

I tried to get warranty service on a 7 month old Ozone bike at the College Station Academy today Feb 9, 2020. The Operations Manager, Matt (no last name known) was completely unhelpful. I explained that the left side crank arm was slipping at the attachment point and I would like help addressing the problem. This is not a normal wear item, nor due to mistreatment by my college son. His response was that there was nothing he could do to help me. I then asked him if the ozone bikes have warranty coverage and he said No. I looked him in the eye for about 10 seconds and then said "you can at least throw it away for us", which they did. I then walked out with my son, drove to Walmart and bought a bike there. Checking the Walmart paperwork, I see, thankfully, that it comes with a 12 month warranty. So, my advice, bypass Academy for your spending. I will be calling the store manager tomorrow, and the district manager next to ensure they know of my dissatisfaction. Sadly, I had purchased another bike from Academy in September 2019 for my youngest son. I wish I could take that...

One of the absolute worst experiences I've had with shopping in general. Picked up a inexpensive pair of sunglasses from the turn racks. It was the last pair in that style and did not have a price or label. I took it up to the register and the cashier couldn't find any labeling on it or a proper sku number. The manager was called over and tried looking it up as well. I told her the sunglasses came from the $9 - $19.99 rack...and I had to get back to work but I'd go ahead and just pay $30 for them. When I told her where I got them...she questioned if I was certain that's where they came from (basically insinuating that I'd gotten them from a case and was trying to get expensive sunglasses for less money). I told her that's where they came from and I would be more than happy to pay what they thought they were worth (certainly not more than $30). She said she wouldn't sell them to me and rather than apologize...she just took the glasses and walked away without even a thank you for shopping there. I finished my check out and no one person told me thank you. I was just checked out and then ignored.

I shop at this Academy a lot and even have an Academy CC. This is hands down the worst experience I ever had in any store.

That Manager is the most rude and unfriendliest worker I've ever encountered. And to act as though I was trying to get one over on the store was so...