Big 5 Sporting Goods

My family has been shopping Big 5 for many years, but never have we experienced customer service in a shoe dept the way we did last week. The woman was so knowledgable and advised the perfect shoes for my whole family. She was patient with my small children and saved me a huge headach in dealing with my undecisive mother in law. I just wanted to shout out a huge thanks and I hope she gets recognized for the superior customer service she provided. I think her name was Michell, great service. We will be back.
–the Millers–

Another Big 5, I suppose that I can’t complain too much. It’s a little cramped compared to the other El Cajon store and the parking is a little more messy albeit not too bad.
The selection of goods are about what you’d come to expect from Big 5 across the board, camping, athletic wear, shoes, hunting and all that good stuff.
I came to this location for a mummy bag in anticipation of potentially sleeping during a 24 hour athletic event since the other location was out of it. Not only did they adjust the price when I showed them the advertisement (in which it wasn’t clear when it expired, but apparently had) but it turned out that I never actually used the sleeping bag and returned it a week later with not issues.
Overall, the store was a bit cluttered when I came in (restocking) but I was able to get assistance for the the item quickly, and then the staff was extremely kind and polite through the price mismatch and adjustment as well as the return.
Overall, I’m pretty pleased with the experience considering all the possible points that it could have potentially gone sour.

I’ve been here ten different times for ten different things and they either don’t carry them or they won’t price match local competition. What’s the point of this place again? Employees are cool, when you can find one that’s available to help. They’re short staffed, which would be an easy fix if you brought in more revenue by price matching and ordering things you don’t have.

They’re getting more than 1 star only because I found what I needed and found a coupon online for 20% off. Other than that the people they have working here are sub par. Shayla was the one at the register. Nice when I walked in but honey when you’re checking out stop talking your drama to the manager. Him too should know to kinda hush her up in front of a customer. Not once did she look me in the eye but kept yapping about how she has to do someone else’s work. I get it work is frustrating and sometimes I agree things can’t wait but it was 7pm and I was maybe 1 of 2 people in this place. Wait 30 seconds and check me out while being friendly. not completely ignoring the fact I was right there. Come on people training!!! I feel like business are getting more and more desperate for workers or just have lack of training or screening or standards at that! If I didn’t need what I went in for I would’ve walked right out that’s how unprofessional it was.

sadly, Big 5 has lost my business. I cannot believe the attitude and remarks that the cashier AND manager made upon my return of defective snorkel equipment I had bought 3 days prior. both girls were confrontational and eager to ridicule me in front of staff and customers. unbelievable and unacceptable.

I’ve been to this location on and off though out the years.
And I see these few reviews which is not much of a sampling for a business that has been around for as long as they have that rates the poor in customer service.
For me, customer service has always been A-​1 (when I need it) and today’s service deserves a Unilocal Review.
Tracy or Tracie was at the cashiers area and noticed me as I was looking for something particular and even though I was in the correct area, I did not find it. She came out from behind the counter and pointed out the product and was quick to say if it was the smaller, see-​thru case style I was after «they were currently sold out». But, she offered (without me asking) if I would like her to call other stores and check their stock. «wow!»
Took a little while but another store within a 20 minutes drive away had them and set them aside for me to go pick up.
She made sure the other store knew I was coming right now and to have them at the front desk. She asked if there was anything else that she could help me with before she said «thank you» to me! For what? It’s me who should have said «thank you» first and foremost for the excellent service she provided.
I did have to ask her name as she did not have a name badge on hence me maybe spelling her name wrong?
And be friendly and you might get the same in return.
Tracy, I hope you get recognized for the great service you provided today in getting the water proof plastic case lanyards — you’re a natural in customer service!

Worst Big 5 I have been too. Unfriendly and unprofessional staff, staring off with the manager Chris. The store is dirty, the staff has no idea of what they are doing. Would not recommend. Don’t waste you’re time and save you’re self a trip. The Big 5 in spring valley Is night and day compared to this one, smaller but will definitely help you out, or point you in the right direction to get you what you need.

Terrible, terrible, terrible customer service in the shoe department. Two, four, six, eight minutes of waiting for the clerk to come from the back room with my shoes. Lack of knowledge, not properly trained, inefficient. I gave one male clerk two shoe choices I wanted to try on and a female returned with one shoe in a box and a totally different shoe for me to try. What happened to my choices? Needless to say I am not happy with my experience at this location. Is there a negative star rating???

I have shopped here twice in the last year.
Frankly, I got the same vibe I have gotten at most Radio Shack stores.
The staff (other than the Big 5 cashier) just don’t seem all that friendly or knowledgeable about their merchandise. When I showed the male clerk a Big 5 advertisement for Adidas pants I printed from their website and he seemed befuddled at first, it came as a bit of a surprise.
On my previous trip to this same store I was looking for a second pair of Dunlop ‘athletic’ pants after purchasing the last pair in stock at another Big 5 for a great price. When I mentioned this to the somewhat unfriendly older African American clerk he said to me in a surprisingly borderline argumentative voice, «We don’t carry that brand.» Huh? I just bought a pair at your store in Kearney Mesa. I actually had to show him the label inside my waistband to convince him. I had to laugh when I returned to my car.
Having experienced cavalier attitude toward customers at other Big 5’s (e.g., Kearney Mesa) I tend to blame this on an inferior corporate business model.
When a business like this faces perhaps its biggest competition from online sellers one would think they would put a premium on customer service and a knowledgeable staff.

There’s nothing wrong with this store. The people that work here are friendly and fast with their service. I’m always greeted at least four times walking through the door. Its just way too small for all the merchandize they have.

Looking for 22lr ammo for weeks now. Big 5 told me to come in on Monday AM and they *may* have some — they did so one star for that I guess. Then they guy told me it was $ 70 for a brick of Winchester White Box (555 rounds), and he could only «let» me have one box. Are you kidding me? This is a box of ammo that retails for $ 25 (and that’s too much already!).
Supply and demand, and I did buy a box. I vomited a bit thinking that the last brick I got 3 years ago ran $ 14 for the same Winchester White Box 555. Remember stores that price gouge and never shop at these retailers. Big 5 is gouging customers, Big Time.

This is a typical Big 5 there’s nothing really special but it’s alright. They have some cool stuff that I usually shop for like ammo which is always about a few dollars more. They have ears and eye protection for shooting which is great because those items are on sale a lot. I just stay in the guns and ammo section because that’s what I shop for. There’s always a sale which is awesome because most of there stuff is pretty pricey from their knives to their ammo. They do have a nice selection binoculars but I haven’t seen any camo binoculars. So overall this Big 5 is just alright and the location isn’t that great because it’s on this corner which is hard to get out of sometimes. The employees are pretty nice and helpful.

I love this place. And I also kinda hate it. They have all kinds of stuff that I like but they’re overpriced! If you’re coming for ammo show up on Monday morning an hour before they open. If you’re looking for .22lr call at 7 or 8 to see if they’re even getting any. They do have good sales on shoes sometimes. The gun prices are very close to MSRP unless on sale. The ammo is just plain expensive but what can you expect. But I do love this store, awesome customer service, wide array of survival tools, knives ALWAYS on sale. Oh and they don’t sell pistols, but they sell pistol ammo. And BB/​airsoft guns. They also carry bear spray which is cool, and machetes (got a nice one on sale for like $ 18). «Seasonal» stuff is always coming thru and sales are always going on so check the Big 5 ad online every week.

Awesome manager. Great customer service! Above and beyond! Sadly did not catch his name

Good deals but they always have a terrible selection and never keep their stock up. If your looking for something in particular call ahead or go to a different store.

This store has slot of stuff. But kinda cheaper stuff but you have Dicks across the street which has more items but they also cost more. I’d suggest to check em both out
Then get what you want.

Mike in the shoe department is the man! I stopped in here to grab some shower sandals for the gym so I don’t get any nasty foot fungus. I’ve spent some time in county so I know how important is it to protect your feet! Anyways, I had purchased some shoes a week ago at another Big 5 and they told me the shoes I bought didn’t come in a 11.5 so I got the 11’s instead. They were a tad too small and I only worn them once. Once I saw the same shoe while talking with Mike, I asked if they came in a 11.5 and he said «Yes». I was like GD it. I bought these in a 11 because the fool at the other shop said they didn’t make a 11.5. He said no problem bro bring them in tomorrow and swap them out. I said I had no receipt and no box. He said no worries. So I got there today and they had put my shoes in hold and exchanged them no questions asked with no box or receipt. The manager was really nice and I’m only shopping here from now on for new kicks. Got to stay fresh!

Pepper Spray, check!
Don’t forget the impulsive gummy worms purchase at the counter!

I had never been to a Big 5 Sporting goods store before. I was hoping to look for some sneakers there. FIrst of all, it’s not nearly as big as some of the other sports store like Sport Chalet. There is a huge sign of a sneaker on the wall that looks circa 1981. When I looked at the sneakers I thought for sure they were used. They all looked kind of yellow and dirty. I honestly don’t know would ever buy shoes here.
There seemed to be some ok sales on a few things, like I saw a yoga «kit» that looked decent. But honestly I would never come back here again unless I needed some tennis balls or something like that in an emergency. The place just seemed run down and depressing.

I was gearing up to go on my Big Bear trip when it hit me; I was probably gonna freeze to death up there. All I was planning to take was some jeans and some hoodies. I needed some clothes that was gonna keep my ass warm in all of that snow. I was on a major time crunch, so I decided to hit up my local Big 5. And as luck would have it, they were having a huge sale on all their winter clothing. I picked up some gloves, snow boots, pants, and thermals all for like 40% off. Score! That stuff really came in handy when we were hit with that blizzard. I will be sure to head here first the next time I’m in need of some sporting goods. Oh, and the cashier girl was kinda hot.