Big 5 Sporting Goods

Good selection, but not very good service. Found what we needed, but most of the employees were chatting around the cash register when we showed up.

Great place for most sporty things! Would be five star if they had better basketball shoes

Friendly staff. Large store with tons of sizes. Got two pairs of water shoes for $ 22! Such a great clearance find

Probably the worst big 5 ever. Went to look for workout pants from Nike and workout gloves, they had no sizes at all except large. They need to do a better job of checking their inventory. Not going to go there again

Big Disappointment
Being a large box sporting goods store I figured why not check with them for a few items anytime I’m about to leave for a festival or camping etc. From camping stove fuel to tent pole repair kits, they don’t have it. Seems like no matter what I need, Big 5 doesn’t carry it or is out at the moment.
The most consistent thing about this place is their acute lack of knowledge over their product inventory. On more than three occasions I’ve looked up an item online, found their website to indicate where an item is located locally only to show up to said store and learn no such item exists at that location while talking with a sales associate that is all palms. I even had one of these people look up on «their» computer’s inventory tracker to find that the item appeared to be available at another store’s location, a mere 35 minute drive away. Although I had to ask in three different ways I did eventually get the sales person claiming my item was available at another location to call THAT location to verify the computer’s information was indeed accurate and guess what? Low and behold, it wasn’t! Glad I knew about their reputation for incompetence lest I make the 35 minute drive and add ANOTHER paragraph to this review.
Last visit (literally) I found myself waiting in line behind someone buying a fishing license. While not at the sporting goods counter an 11 minute conversation ensued as the register jocky poorly attempted to explain the differences and limitation of the various licenses providing full story narratives (let’s say for example you and your family decide that you want to go fishing for trout but on the way change your mind and head to the beach to dig for clams, well THEN). After watching 5 customers get checked out on the other side of the counter I made the commitment to jump lines and try to pay for my singe item. Celebrating an internal victory as I reached the register amidst what was shaping up to be another 4 minute tale quickly came to end when I placed cash on the counter to pay for my goods. The sales person looked at me as if I had asked for all the money in the register proclaiming «oh we can’t take cash at this register???» Not that there was a sign or any indicator that cash wasn’t accepted, I took my unwelcome cash and left.

What kind of sporting goods store doesn’t carry climbing chalk?
A crappy one.

I am torn with this rating. It would be a 4 because their selection, prices, and the wonderfully friendly check-​out clerk were top notch.
However, the guy stocking shoes nearly ruined the rating. Let me share the experience:
I was in need of some hiking boots. Because of some odd medical condition that leaves my ankles prone to rolling, resulting in ankle fractures, I have been told by two… yes two different surgeons I need all the ankle support I can get, including the need to wear shoes covering the ankle.
I am explaining to the person I was shopping with that I need ankle support in my footwear. Mr. Mighty Big 5 Shoe Stock Guy comes over and says that high ankle supports are no longer needed. They difference now is how sturdy the sole is.
Very good, and probably true for most people. Except the foot and ankle scars note I am not like most people. And anyways, I don’t believe I asked for his opinion.
So I tell him that I need the support. He responds by beginning to argue with me. I don’t even know what this is about since the store isn’t losing a sale either way. I’m buying a shoe there (again, prices) so what difference does it make if I go high top or flat regular style?
I tell him that I am going to have to go with my doctor’s recommendation on this one. Then… get THIS… he says (swear to my God almighty he said THIS): «I’ve taken some sports medicine classes so I should know.»
That’s right. I guess taking sports medicine classes and stocking shelves qualifies one to trump a couple of surgeons’ advise.
Bravo to you Mr. Mighty Big 5 Shoe Stock Guy. You have proven to me and about 4 other people in that immediate area of the store at the time that you, sir, have a big view of yourself in your small place in this world.
And stick to stocking shelves. You are not fit to suggest to anyone to ignore doctors’ suggestions. You’re lucky I did not call the manager on your ass.

I was shopping around trying to find a few specific items and called Fred Meyer’s near here and they were completely clueless. I was looking for a trigger lock or a cable lock for example they had no idea what I was talking about. I called these guys and they knew exactly what I was talking about but weren’t sure if they sold them so went to check for me and turns out they do. They were super knowledgeable and were able to tell me exactly which one I would deed. I would definitely recommend the store for sporting good needs.

The staff was very helpful. They where able to answer my questions very quickly. I was looking for an item that had at best a fifty-​fifty being in. The woman was nice enough to look up when the next shipment was coming into her store for me.

If you want to go to REI then go to REI. Big 5 has great prices on sale item shoes. Sale prices on anything are pretty good. Non sales items are not so good. I gave them an extra star because they have a gun department. Since I am preparing for anarchy, social unrest and a possible shooting war with Fremont the convenience is unmatched.

Shopping for new runners is a traumatic experience — right up there with watching my neighbor’s dog eat my other neighbor’s cat poo, then try to lick his owner’s face. But when my left «wee wee wee all the way home» pinky toe finally poked a hole through my running shoes I knew it was time to get a replacement.
After years of blowing a bunch of money on top notch runners, old age, bad knees and apathy have dulled my running ambitions, which is how I ended up in a Big 5 looking for mediocre running shoes.
Big 5 doesn’t have a deep selection of running shoes/​cross trainers, but they carry a few brands. I guess this is how the store works — as *the* place for the lackadaisical or beginner sports person. Everything from tennis to running to soccer and even fishing and hunting.
People have complained about the service, but I found the guy in the shoe dept (who also doubles as the guy in the soccer dept, the guy in the clothing dept, and the greeter) to be pretty knowledgeable about running shoes and the different characteristics of various brands. However, when another sales guy was asked, «Are you helping someone?» by a customer, he only replied, «Yes», and then went about his business, completely ignoring said customer. Not a, «let me find you someone else who can help», or, «I’ll be with you in just a minute».
At the check out, a mother (the one who’d asked for help from the above salesguy and received none) asked the cashier whether the soccer ball she was purchasing (at the tune of $ 80.00) was meant for an 8-​year old. The cashier simply read the instructions on the box and said, «Says here it’s meant for 7 – 10 year olds, so it’s within the age range.»
Even after all of that, the mother purchased not only the ball, but also a small tin of candy that cost $ 1.50.
Big 5, I think you exist, because of your customers’ good nature and gullibility.
PS: I’m not crazy about my new runners, but for less than half the price of the kid’s soccer ball, I can’t complain.

Ugh… I agree with Unilocal user Taffy K. on this one… WORST customer service ever! I bought a tennis racket at the U-​district Big 5 and asked if it was returnable and the store manager and clerk both said «yes, as long as it’s within 30 days of purchase and you have your receipt». Great! And as most people do… I tried out the product to see if I liked it (who doesn’t? especially if you’re buying a tennis racket).
Well, since I live closer to Ballard I decided to return the racket to this location. When it came to my turn, the clerk called over the associate store manager who «thoroughly» examined the racket, in detail (assuming to look for any minuscule damage) and finally pointed out a tiny scratch on one side of the racket which made it «non-​returnable» and «not re-​sellable». THEN, she proceeded to say «oh, you ripped the plastic labeling off so I can’t resell it». WHAT? Couldn’t you have just said that in the first place instead of nit-​picking at the tiny, almost non-​existent scratches?
My husband wanted to ask her a few questions about the return policy and consistency across stores but without hesitation, she turned away immediately and began helping the next customer. RUDE! Finally, the clerk (bless her heart for her patience) saw that we wanted to continue speaking to the manager, called for her attention. We asked the questions. Her reply— «it is YOUR responsibility to go online and read our return policy»… and immediately turned away again.
Wow… just wow. Never again am I stepping into this Big 5 location.

Worst customer service ever! Last week I bought a pair of snow pants and gloves for my vacation that since got canceled. When I went in to return these items the store manager came out from the back room, glanced at the snow pants and turned to me to say I couldn’t return them because the had pet hair on them and they were not in resale condition. They had ONE PIECE of dog hair on them and have never been used it worn! A far cry from not re-​sellable. I took the items to another store and returned them with NO PROBLEM. Thanks for nothing Big 5 in Ballard! You’ve lost a good customer! If I could give zero stars, I would.

A fine selection of baseball gear for kids. You really have to know what your looking for and be willing to get it yourself as they seem short staffed and/​or just really not interested in helping. Once you get there attention, there willing to answer your questions with a smile.

In the day of the big box all-​purpose shops like Target, Fred Meyer, and Wal*Mart, and online shopping, pure sporting goods stores are becoming increasingly rare. Even the huge G.I. Joe/Dick’s in Northgate succumbed to the prevailing retail climate.
And yet Big 5 continues to hang in there, and while the Ballard location isn’t the largest, it manages to carry enough of everything to keep sticking it out against Fred Meyer a couple blocks away.
When I need anything recreational that is not overly specialized or high-​end, Big 5 is typically first to mind. You won’t find Gore-​Tex apparel, top end skis, or cycling kits, but you will find a range of gear for most day to day sporting needs: soccer, swimming, baseball, running, football, basketball, etc. They also carry seasonal goods like pool toys and sleds, plus hunting, fishing, and camping gear.
The prices are reasonable, and they usually have decent sales on seasonal wares. The staff is typically friendly and helpful, and there’s no high pressure sales atmosphere. The down sides are that the aisles are narrow and they pack as much stock into the space as they can, which doesn’t leave much room for trying out the goods, and the attire they tend to carry seems to be generally a season or two out of style. Also, the parking lot can be pretty tight, but there’s usually plenty of spots open behind the store.
When you’re in the market for something in between REI and Fred Meyer, Big 5 is probably just what you need.

Same stuff you can get other places, but at Big 5 it’s probably 30% less. Hurray! Plus the staff is pretty available and helpful considering the bargain-​basement atmosphere of the store (think über-​narrow aisles and lots of stacking. It’s a good thing that it’s a sporting goods place because I don’t know how a fat person could navigate in there).
I took off a star because they sell guns. Don’t like that? Well then go eat some raw meat or whatever it is that gun-​owners do to relieve stress. But seriously… you need a rifle in Ballard for what exactly? Sniping at your rival gang in Magnolia?

Store is not bad. It has most things one might need and has good sales every week. That staff is friendly and wants to help.
However, some of the store isn’t well laid out. I was looking for exercise bands and they had them spread out all over the place.
I have only ever had to return a couple of things and it was no-​hassle.
I’d give it 4 stars but the prices are hit/​miss in terms of matching other stores with similar offerings.

I used to shop here a lot for inexpensive running apparel. They seemed to carry quite a bit of Nike and Under Armour and it used to be on sale. Cute stuff, even.
But lately, every time I’ve been in– they just haven’t had too much for less. Most of the stuff that is on sale is horribly hideous. When Nike and Under Armour go on sale again in styles I’m not embarrassed to work out in, I’ll be a happy camper.
So why is it still A-​OK? They’ve never let me down in the ‘cleats, shin guards, soccer socks, batting gloves, socks, GOO’ departments. The prices are reasonable and they’ve always got lots of stock.
The service here? Super helpful. More helpful than any other Big 5, which makes me happy this place is in the ‘Llard.
3 stars for Big 5. Woot.

I needed a light set of weights.
It took me a while to find them in here, since the place is kind of a zoo, and once i found them I had to actually get to them, which involved climbing over wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too many boxes of yoga mats.
This place is definitely no-​frills but who cares? I got what I wanted on the cheap.
(Also points to the cashier for having a sense of humor when I responded to her «Happy Easter!» with a bitchy «Thanks, happy Passover.»)

I bought a great (and cheap!!) pair of athletic shoes here that have lasted me quite a long time. They are great for jogging and they also kept my feet in tact for my back-​to-​back 11 and 15.5 hour days at Disneyland earlier this month. So lots of stars for that!
Generally, however, prices for things can be pretty high. They have decent sales once in a while and I am a huge fan of the shoe clearance area, but prices for regular-​priced items are often far more than I want to pay.
The nice thing about this location is that it’s never been crowded. Perhaps everyone is at the adult shop next door instead???