Steve at Sportsman's Warehouse, 5215 Century Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, is a terrible person who is…read moretarnishing the reputation of Sportsman's Warehouse by promoting discrimination and abusing power. November 25, 2025, was one of the most humiliating, degrading, and disrespectful experiences I've ever had!
Upon arrival at Sportsman's Warehouse to pick up my order for a Rose, a limited-edition firearm, we walked past a man we later found out was Steve. Several other people were in the department at this time while Steve began helping other customers. When it was my turn to talk with Steve, I let him know I was there to pick up my firearm arm. He asked for my name, then went to the back. He then returned and said, "We have it, but I'm not selling it to you because you two smell like weed." My significant other and I assumed it was a joke, so we laughed it off. Steve kept a straight face, and at that moment, I realized he was being serious. I asked him to repeat himself, and he did, saying he had walked past us twice and that we smelled like weed. I immediately told him he had to be joking and that I did not smell anything like weed. He insisted we smelled like weed and wasn't giving me my order.
Thankfully, a customer in the department overheard Steve's accusations and intervened, stating that it was him and that he works at a dispensary, and that he just swung by to purchase ammunition, which is why the department smelled like weed. Steve did not do his due diligence to determine where the smell was coming from, but instead assumed it was coming from my significant other and me. We thanked the man for speaking up. Had this man not spoken up, we would have remained the victims of Steve's power trip, lack of professionalism, and ridiculous accusations. Out of everyone in the department, why were we singled out? Why were we discriminated against?
Of everyone in the department, he blamed us, and I was upset, so I expressed my frustration respectfully. I had every right to be upset. However, according to Steve, if I were upset, he had the authority not to give me my firearm unless I agreed to let it go. No law requires you to have a good attitude or tolerate disrespect to receive your firearm, but it may be in Sportsman's Warehouse's policy and procedures.
This is the primary place to purchase ammunition for our firearms due to its affordable prices and inventory. Unfortunately, I can no longer say this after spending over $1,000 on a firearm and being disrespected, threatened, and humiliated by Steve.
Steve's word against mine, I think not!
You don't have to take my word for it; listen to it for yourself. The audio recording can be found at https://youtu.be/fQE0u0UrqJg
Sportsman's Warehouse needs more people like Andrew and none like Steve! Andrew overheard Steve's nonsense and immediately came to apologize for Steve, attempting to de-escalate and diffuse the situation. He provided excellent customer service and apologized for our experience.
We are aware of the laws regarding substances and firearm purchases. What's even more important to me personally is that I pride myself on being one of the few individuals who have never done any substances other than an occasional glass of wine, so hearing that I smelled like weed was a slap in my face and an attack on my character.
I have wanted this firearm since it was released, and unfortunately, my excitement and joy have been taken from me, never to return, thanks to Steve. Every time I go to the range or show off my new firearm, I will be reminded of the horrors of Steve.
You can record a conversation in Michigan because it is a "one-party consent" state, meaning you can record a conversation if you are a participant and have consented to the recording, and I have consented.
