As a former employee who use to work here during the summer, I would like to leave some tips and…read morepointers to hopefully help anyone present or future.
When calling the store...
I am not sure why the phone system takes you back and forth with the calls and transfers, INSTEAD, next you call dial '0' (zero) and it will send you straight to the store phone with someone immediately, NO wait time!
Wanting to buy an item but want to make sure they have before driving to location or could be the last in stock?...
Again, when calling the store always dial '0' (zero) to be sent straight to someone who has the store phone. It was crucial a manager or team leader would have the phone and must answer at all times. Now say you want to be sure possibly the item you want is actually there, depending on the item they will transfer you to the department needed and an associate will try to check for the item straight away. (Best Tip: depending on item, it is best to have a "SKU number" handy, this will help them best see the item you want in the system and all details for it.)
Questions for online, curbside, in store pick up orders...
#1 rule at Academy, THEY CANNOT PUT ITEMS ON HOLD! They will always suggest to order online, why is it best? You order will have a 7 days period to pick up, after that it will go back on floor, payment amount will be put on HOLD, not charged, until AFTER COMPLETED pick up. If order is CANCELLED, simple reasons are the item(s) are they DO NOT have them. Regardless of what the system says, system/online is NOT always accurate. Better to call and verify. Now since order is cancelled, you will NOT BE CHARGED! Depending on bank, it will take 2-3 business days for the full refund. I will admit compared to other stores, the emails TAKE FOREVER to notify you that your order is ready/ been picked up/ or cancelled.
Merchandise info...
3 trucks arrive throughout the week, they do not know what they will get UNTIL IT ARRIVES. So any questions about certain clothes, shoes, ammunition, grills, play sets, etc. won't be truly known until they receive shipment.
Wanting items built, shipped, or delivered...
Many times people wanted their bikes, grills, and even play houses built and be ready for pick up for a certain day. Depending on item, it can be built but there is a third party builder, meaning they won't always be there and if so it will only be once a week. Certain items can be shipped or delivered to home, depending on item there may be a shipping charge, like a playground set or even a grill. IT ALL DEPENDS ON ITEM & LOCATION!
Having to wait a long time, or no one there to help...
Since the pandemic, every business has been affected one way or another, either short staffed or illnesses. In this case, many people are hired by what they know or are only trained to do for the acquired job. Meaning someone taking care of the clothing department can't say they know everything and anything about certain guns or ammunition. Or a cashier knowing every bit of information about a certain bike or athletic gear. Waiting a long time to get help will be one of the following: someone for that department is busy helping a customer or another associate with some task request, short staffed or no one is there for that department, getting held up with customer after customer. IT HAPPENS, but please be understanding many places are SHORT STAFFED, so someone can't always help immediately or be there in 2.5 seconds.
Really want to grab managers attention by how your experience went?...
After every purchase, BOTTOM OF RECEIPT! A survey to let the store know how your experience was, if you received help and if so who? (Name of employee) Was there anything good/bad about your visit, if bad then how can store improve? THESE REVIEWS ARE SEEN BY MANAGERS EVERYDAY! So they truly MATTER, even if you go for a simple purchase of a cup to a cart full of items, this will let managers know what happened and how to fix it.
If you guys experience any issues or questions let me know, I'll be more than happy to help. I'm just trying to pass along advice to help anyone in anyway.