Beach Authority

I went there with my family today. An employee named Jake helped us with picking out shirts and toys for our kids. He was real nice and catering. They definitely have the best priced souvenir tops in Lavalette. They also have a huge enormous selection of prints for you to pick from to customize your shirt. I’m a happy customer with my purchases. I definitely feel like I got a good deal and great customer service. Thanks Jake”

I’m only giving this one star because I can’t put in zero stars.
First, this place is filled to the brim with STUFF. Beach Authority sells tchotchkes tourists would use while on vacation. Although the products are appropriate for the area, they are nothing special. The products are also of a poor quality and priced unnecessarily high. For example, the Panama Jack products they sell at Beach Authority are the same products sold at CVS, only CVS has them priced about $ 5 cheaper. The people here are trying to get your money no matter what.
Beach Authority does sell bikes for rent and for sale — however, what they don’t advertise is that they’re selling the same bikes they also rent. Which means the buyer will not be purchasing a brand-​new bike. Also, when you go to rent a bike they make a copy of your driver’s license and credit card. These copies are not kept in a safe location and all the employees have access to your personal and credit card information. I asked the employee working there last summer to destroy my information after I was done renting the bike. This is a prime case for identity theft, in my opinion.
Speaking of employees, it seems as though they’ve been trained horrendously. When was the last time someone wanted to shop with the workers breathing down his/​her neck and watching his/​her every move? The employees bombard you as soon as you walk in the place to buy a cheap t-​shirt with some iron-​on decal on it (also obnoxiously expensive). That is, if they speak English in the first place. One employee, Carla, has extremely broken English. She tried to sell me a beach chair despite me telling her numerous times I wasn’t looking for one. It was incredibly frustrating and highly unprofessional. She pretty much lives in the Lavallette Beach Authority location– I would advise to go to the Seacrest location if you HAVE to go to this store.
I don’t trust the family who owns this store whatsoever. I overheard them call one of their own employees fat last year. In front of a customer? Really?
My advice, if you so choose to enter this store? Tip the employees who helped you in person (if you’re so inclined) so they actually get the money because I’ve seen the same money sit in the Tip Jar by the cash register, only to witness the owner take the money out to replenish the cash register.
Or, better yet, don’t go to Beach Authority at all. If you want good tourist-​y stuff, go to Z-​Line. If you want beach clothes and bathing suits, go to B&B or Martin’s Casuals. They have better quality products, better variety, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck.