Big 5 Sporting Goods

Service here is generally good. I’ve always been warmly greeted upon entrance, and always asked if I need help within a few minute of being in the store.
«Why only 3 stars, then?» You ask.
Because they only have woman’s shoes up to a size 10.
I went in last night looking for some 10.5÷11 trail shoes, and while the customer service was good from a «how can I help you?» standpoint, I did get very frustrated when the shoe department associate told me they only carry through size 10, and that I should try men’s shoes.
I totally snapped at her a bit, and feel pretty bad for it – I did apologize, but still feel icky about how I treated that associate. She was very kind, and apologetic once she realized how frustrated I was.
This was the fourth location in 2 days that I was told to try men’s shoes – and I just kind of snapped. I was already frustrated on the hunt, and that was just the nail in the coffin.
Apparel retailers need to train their employees not to suggest men’s apparel when they don’t carry a woman’s size. Just apologize for not carrying the size, and move on. Being plus-​sized and having big feet does not turn a woman into a man. It is incredibly frustrating to constantly be told to shop in the men’s department. I am not a man, and if I wanted a men’s garment, I would’ve gone to that department. We *are* smart enough to figure that out on our own, FYI.
Overall, this store is a good customer service experience every time I go in – but serves little to no purpose to me if they don’t carry my size.

The morning and afternoon staff are great. They are extremely helpful, friendly, and kind. They always start good conversation with customers and make sure we’re being helped. Super nice people.
The evening staff on the other hand is another story. They are incredibly slow and they don’t provide good customer service. I came in last night and 4 of them were all crowded around the cash register. None of them were actively trying to help customers, except one gal, who seemed to be the only one doing work — shuffling between customers. There was an unpleasantly long wait to check out because there was only one cashier who was ringing people up, while all the other staff were just hanging around.
I guess it really depends on the mix of the staff, but I only have good things to say about the morning staff.

Going downnn downn oohh noo.
I should have really considered the couple just inside the door questioning a receipt as a sign.
I went in and looked around among womens sports clothes. I found a top for 11.99 I based on the bright yellow sign in front of a group of tops.
The girl (who said hello when I entered) rung it up and it is magically 14.99 with tax to 16.49. I decide oh well. I go back and find a magenta (yes bright) sign tucked amid the tops. why hide these things? it is only 5.00. Though I did an aisle try-​on. I didnt get the full picture. now Im stuck with a crummy top or going back to the U district for a refund. bad berries.

I like Big 5. There aren’t many general sporting good places available in the city and Big 5 offers a wide selection and reasonable prices on most things i’ve looked at. I think the reviews on bad customer service are outdated because they seem plenty friendly for me and I don’t go in there expecting a personal shopper.

If you are a UW student, you can use your Husky Card to get into the IMA for free. At least that was the case when I was a student there. And chances are good that if you take your sporting seriously, there will be some stuff that you need to buy here because the IMA doesn’t cover everything. It’s just too bad that the items here tend to be overpriced. I wish things were cheaper here because then I would definitely come here to buy more exercise equipment.
I’ve bought a shirt here for thirty dollars, shorts for thirty dollars, styrofoam pads for forty dollars, and a water bottle for fifteen dollars. If that doesn’t tip you off about the prices, I don’t know what will. I still kind of like this store, though. It’s in a good location on the Ave right across from the University Bookstore, and they have a bunch more stuff on the second floor that you might not want to miss. It’s a spacious store that’s fun to browse, but not so much fun to shop at unless you absolutely need something.

Super friendly, fast, polite, and helpful staff on the phone. The guy who answered my phonecall found exactly what I needed (tennis racket overgrip tape), with a better selection and better price, than Sports Authority or Dick’s.