There are quality outdoor goods stores in the Bow valley. Sports Experts is not one of them. Customer service is well below my expectations.
I have shopped at Sports Experts since 2010. My first purchase there was Columbia jacket. I paid $175. A few years ago the zipper started to catch, but I continued to wear it. The catch was about 1/3 down from the top, so it was OK to wear on warmer days. I spoke to someone at quality outdoor sports store and asked if they knew someone who could fix the zipper. They gave me the name and number for a seamstress. They also said that Columbia might do the repairs under warranty, Since I didn't buy it at that store, I took it back to Sports Experts in Canmore. I told them that I would like to know if Columbia would repair the zipper under warranty, I said that if not, I had then name of a seamstress to replace the zipper. No Problem, the salesman took my name and phone number and my jacket. I called Sports Experts two months later to see what was up. They said they had to check with Columbia, and two weeks later I stopped by the store. They still didn't know if the repairs would be made. This week I got a call from their "Warranty Manager" stating that Columbia has offered me $115 store credit. I said that I want my jacket back. The "Warranty Manager" said I can't have it back because they destroyed the jacket. WHAT! They destroyed my favorite jacket. This jacket was irreplaceable since Columbia no longer makes anything like it.
When I went to the store, the "Warranty Manger" was completely unsympathetic. His only excuse was that the decision to destroy it was Columbia's. And they had the right to do so. I said, no they didn't. That it was my Jacket and I never gave them permission to destroy my jacket.
I phoned Columbia, and said they will return items to the owner when they decide the item is not repairable. The owner has the choice to have the item returned, or receive a credit for a replacement. I learned that the decision to destroy it was based on the information they receive from Sports Experts when they shipped the garment. A decision that the Sports Experts, Warranty Manager made for me, without my permission.
I would not be writhing this review today had that Warranty Manager behaved normally. He was completely without any sympathy for my loss, and keep insisting that it was Columbia's policy to destroy items, and that it was his decision.
I insisted that they contact Columbia and get my jacket back. I was told by a store manager when I called in later that day that they would look into it. I got a call from another store manager the next day stating that they would offer $200 store credit. So I went to the store yesterday, and discovered they have nothing like my jacket for $200. Their Columbia inventory was very small, and nothing suited me. So I asked for cash.
The saleswoman who helped me yesterday was very sympathetic, and offered to call the store owner to check on a cash option. She returned with the original credit amount of $115, but would pay out cash. I was not happy with this, but my options were limited. So I took the cash.
I will never shop there again. There are many quality outdoor goods stores in the bow valley and Calgary. Sports Experts is a full price sporting goods store with a discount sporting goods staff. With the exception of the compassionate sales woman who I hope finds a better job someday soon. read more
