I can't vouch for the Royal Oak store, but I am not a fan of this location. Been there three times and never going back. The first time I went in, there was nothing to be impressed about as far as selection or knowledge of the salesperson, but I did try on a few different shoes. I decided on a pair of Asics but wanted a different color than they had in the store. The salesperson first told me that the shoes didn't come in the color I wanted (not true) and then when I mentioned that I had seen that color online on several different web retail sites, the sales guy grumbled something about people who only want shoes for fashion -- and then offered to order it for me but said it would take 2-3 weeks to come in. I went home, ordered them online, and had them in my hands two days later. I actually paid more but didn't care.
About a year later, I went in and bought 'The Stick,' a myofascial release tool. That sales person was very friendly but ultimately didn't know jack about this item and actually talked me into buying a smaller one than I later discovered I needed. I would have been okay with that, but when I tried to return it the next day - with the receipt - they wouldn't take it back because I had removed a sticker on The Stick. A sticker about the size you'd find on a piece of fruit - like a half an inch or smaller - with the words The Stick on it. Because clearly without it you'd think it was something else.
About six months after all that, the third and last time, I went to the store to pick up a race jersey for a friend of mine. I stood at the counter while one sales person was helping another customer, and then leapt to help another person who walked in, and then jumped to help yet another person who came in... meanwhile, the other salesperson popped a head out of the back, made eye contact with me, then disappeared. After 10 minutes, the back person came out and asked if I needed help and as he did so, the first salesperson looked at me with a bewildered expression and said he didn't know I needed help. Right because people must just come and stand at the counter all day just for kicks. Now I go to Running Fit in Northville, which is nowhere near where I live but nice folks, great selection, great knowledge base, and great events. read more
