Academy Sports + Outdoors — Local services in Hattiesburg

Wanted to purchase a swing set they have displayed in front of the building. I went online and checked avail. and it showed out of stock but in stock in many other Academy's. I called to find out when they would get another one in, to my surprise they couldn't tell me. They said they had no idea what is coming in and could only know after the truck was unloaded. I have worked in retail many years and know every retail chain has a min/max of items. So I called back the next day, no swing set. I asked if I could order one, they said the only way is to order is online and pay the $89 shipping. I asked to speak to the manager, they patched me to customer service and asked why I needed a manager so I explained the situation and asked to purchase the display. I was put on hold, when she came back she said I could purchase the display but only as is and with no discount. I said I would be glad to purchase it with no discount as long as they could guarantee me that all the pieces were there. She said I would have to verify that. I asked how I was suppose to do that without a parts list. She said it's on me if I want it and that I would have to come there first to pay for it before they would make sure everything was there because they were busy. Didn't ask for my information nor offer to call me back once they weren't "busy". So I purchased a similar swing but better constructed to support more weight from Walmart for the same price but with FREE shipping. I know it's not the company and that people make up the company, that said... this store needs some better trained or more customer...

My employer no longer allows sneaker type shoes to be worn so I came to this location to buy some work boots. It was Very close to closing time so we did our best to hurry so as not to waste any of the employees time. Typically finding shoes in my size (14) is a hassle but luckily we were able to find a suitable pair and went to check out. At this point there was one lady behind the counter checking people out. Again it was Minutes to closing time and a substantial line had accumulated hurriedly waiting to check out. Instead of doing her best to check the line of customers out in a timely manner she decided to talk to one customer for an extended amount of time about what their favorite soda's were. REALLY!?!? You didn't SEE the line of people waiting to get out!? She finally completes the transaction and the NEXT customer decided it was time to hang out a bit and share Baby photos!!!! Even More people in line.

Luckily a young lady took over register one and a young man took over the other register and started checking us all out.

I didn't get the woman's name but I Promise you NOONE in line Cared about what her favorite soda was or what she thought about some random person's baby photographs.

When you're behind the register. ESPECIALLY if there is a long line of customers waiting and you're the only one working.

DO...

I walked in yesterday and noticed the selection of Costa Sunglasses wasn’t that great. They had no wrap arounds which is what I was in the market for. I asked the young lady right there behind the glass casing if this was all they had on Costa’s? She replied “yep!” Not rude or anything but certainly giving off vibes she wasn’t in the mood to immediately help me. I proceeded to check out the Oakleys which is a great second option for me but she stood right there looking the other way, totally reluctant to acknowledge me. She wasn’t doing anything and wasn’t waiting on other patrons. I stood and stood, hoping I would garner her attention but to no avail. So I walked out and went to Cavenders and dropped $350 on a pair. I have always been a loyal patron to Academy and I will continue to be. I simply wanted to create some awareness to my experience in hopes that upper management will train their employees to acknowledge potential high dollar sales when it’s standing directly in front of them. I believe a person who’s ready to drop $500 bucks on shades is worth the company’s time. I do a lot of business with Academy, I would have even ordered them there in store. But if the associates show no interest in me then I’ll go give my sunshade business to...