Urban Athletics

15-Apr-09
Ann H

After repeated negative experiences shopping here, think I'll give this store one more shot because I'm in the neighborhood and in mood to invest in my feet.

Am only customer in store. Three employees talking behind cash register. One in his 30s is going on about When I was in jr high, I lost a spelling bee misspelling the word 'Bonbon.' Didn't know what a Bonbon was. Laughs uproariously; continues mindless story.

Meanwhile, person stuck with prospect of helping me is annoyed that I've come in to take him away from pod of staff bonding over inane chatter. He's borderline frowning at me; impatient. Says, Yes. No or gives clipped answers. Must try to drag out of him why I should consider this pair vs. this other pair/brand.

Another customer comes in, using a walker. Another employee is forced to deal with a customer! He, too, barely contains his annoyance at being torn away from club. Doesn't help seat woman, though she's having trouble navigating; makes her fend for herself, dumps boxes at her feet. She says, Could I get some help trying on these shoes? I'm having difficulties. Employee begrudgingly, silently “helps.”

Spelling bee guy says to OWNER, who's been here entire time, also in his own world, also ignoring HIS customers: Hey, Jerry [J.Macari, co-owner]. Did you hear that?! I lost a spelling bee misspelling 'Bonbon'...

I think, No! You really aren't going to make us suffer this story AGAIN?!

...I didn't know what a Bonbon was! Ha! Continues story, oblivious to customers.

Another employee--a stocker dying to be accepted into sales club gets a look like, I've got a cute comment!, snickers ingratiatingly, Good thing you didn't misspell the word 'BIMBO' haha!

I spend $300 on 2 different top-of-the-line Nike shoes (the only brand of women's running shoes narrow enough for double A foot size). Sales person never cracks smile, can’t wait to get rid of me and back to his home boys and girls. Owner Jerry still hasn't acknowledged customers. No Thanks for shopping here again. Only arrogant disdain for customers, just like every other time I've shopped here. It's freakish.

Month-ish passes. Have problem with my almost-new Gore-Tex water resistant Nikes (hasn't rained or snowed much in recent weeks and I've worn this pair maybe once, maximum twice, since other pair better for non-inclement weather): back heel support collapsed when slipping heel in. Tried to pull it back in place; still feels weird.
Call to ask if can return for replacement pair. Guy on phone unhelpful; I ask for Jerry who says Bring it in; likely we'll send away, see if manufacturer will replace. Will take weeks. Ask if he can just replace the shoes; he says, Bring it in. No guarantees. I ask if I have to dig up original receipt, or if he can look my purchase up in their computer; say can bring my credit card statement showing purchase. He says, No guarantees.
I'm annoyed. Say, I've been your customer for 6 yrs. How about being pleasant? Maybe trying to HELP your customers? Jerry snaps: I don't even know that you got them here. I say, I'm a regular; you saw me buy them; I'm in your computer, have my statement. I can't believe you're being nasty. But, fine; I'll bring them in. Goodbye.
Jerry hastily snipes--determined to one up me before I hang up--NO GUARANTEES!!

Didn't bother returning. Will go to Jerry's competitor, ask if he'll send in the shoes for me--and gain new customer.

Their website claims: Urban Athletics...home to runners for cameraderie, gear and advice. Yeah, right. Oh, and hey, Jerry! On your website, you misspell camaraderie. Ha! You're kicked out of this shopper's spelling bee--and out of my wallet. Enjoy your club.