This store for Sporting Life is mismanaged. BUT after calling Head Office Customer Service Dept. I came to the conclusion that they don't care about the consumer.
Truly, if David Russell walked this store and/or went as an Undercover consumer it would shut down the store and have a restart.
Regrettably, the co-founder for the chain doesn't make it easy for anyone to communicate with him for feedback so hopefully, he reads Google Reviews.
Sporting Life is not an "opening price" point store - prices are on the higher to highest side compared to their competition. They are PREMIUM & LUXURY retailer YET service levels are trending below expectations; their promotional programs (Rewards) have more Terms & Conditions to their offers I question why have a Rewards program? Store signage for merchandising is the worst for any retailer.
Recently, we purchased Timberland boots that were on a in-store sale (20%) for the past 2 weeks. At the cash register, our boots were rung up at full price (no discount). We advised the cashier of the discount and was told that the discount wasn't in the system - the sale has been running for 2 weeks in this store!!
We proved to the cashier that there was a sale for 20% and they provided us with a price reduction of 20% and afterward we heard the staff discuss how many customers bought Timberland boots expecting to have a discount applied at the cash register and it wasn't applied.
CONSUMERS GOT OVERCHARGED!
The merchandising displays on sales & discounts are terrible.
If anyone from a Government Watchdog Agency investigated their display signage and these folks would be in a lot of trouble.
On this topic during the same shopping experience, we experienced another awful shopping setback related to socks.
Lastly, we call the Customer Service Number listed on their website.
We expressed our concerns, they replied that they are Customer Service for Online only and for the In-Store experience its a different department BUT they don't have a Customer Service Number and you can only be transferred to them.
Once transferred they can't help because they will explain that "we are working on this and/or that" responses, and so many other excuses. Forgetting to focus on the consumer and instead will blame the consumer for shopping store level instead of online,.
WELL AFTER ALMOST 34 yrs. of shopping as a Sporting Life customer with between 4-6 annual purchases of $450++/purchase for 34 yrs. I can now say I won't be returning and will shop at your competition.
I will save money, will most likely get better service as it can't get worse and when there is a pricing issue and I bring it to their attention I will be rewarded as well as not instructed to contact head office.
Sporting Life forgot that in Retail is Detail! That should apply more now than ever before.
Head Office excuses and allowing a long-time consumer to walk out with a bad experience is an indicator you have become a terrible retailer. read more