DICK'S House of Sport — Local services in Town of Union

Dick’s had a chance to make destination location here in JC, and it sounded promising when they said they were opening a House of Sport. You would assume it would be full of the latest gear for the novice to the expert, loaded with experts who could advise anyone who had questions, and covering the sports that are relevant to the area.

Instead, they put in a store devoted to selling shoes, Stanley and Yeti tumblers, and overpriced clothing designed for a very narrow market. This area is surrounded by wilderness that is filled with hunters, fishermen, hikers and the like, and yet in their mind’s eye, they thought a fishing department as robust as Walmart’s, and nothing at all dedicated to hunting, either with gun or bow, in the store was a great idea. But, you can find any size Stanley cup, in any color you like! They had the opportunity to offer a good selection of bikes at various price points, along with gear, parts and equipment reminiscent of a local bike shop. Instead, it invokes Walmart yet again, but with low quality versions of high end bikes at high end prices.

You blew it Dick’s. You made a bigger gaudier version of the one in Vestal. At least that one had archery and...

They have tons of options for soccer cleats, and football cleats. They have lots of camping gear too. The customer service is great and the staff are super helpful. They have a 30 foot rock wall for $7 a person to climb, a batting net with a projector screen for $15 an hour to use. and it is conveniently placed inside Oakdale Commons, and you can't not go there if you live in Vestal or Johnson City. It is totally free to visit, and they have tons of sportswear. They can break in gloves for you (forgive me, I don't know the price). They let you test batting clubs for free, and they have golf simulators (I don't know the price for this one either). I would recommend Dick's House of Sport to anyone looking for fishing rods and bait, and anyone looking for a place to buy stanleys and hydro flasks, and anyone who...

Staff not helpful. Didn’t know where things were. Said that there wasn’t much swimming gear in stock because summer is over. Obviously does not know that in New York, swimming is a winter sport for high schools and middle schools. It’s funny that you have to go find help, they don’t come to you. And when you find staff they either don’t know how to help or don’t help at all. I’m saying that about all Dick’s, not just this one. At least Dick’s has become useful to me in one way: scouting things out. I found the swim gear I was looking for on my own, looked it up online, and purchased everything for at least 20% less. Yes, I had to wait for shipping....