S.A. Elite

4 associates and what might be a manager all joking about why SA is going out of business. They are doing a good job of flirting with a security guy and a camera man, but not a single associate is servicing customers or available for pricing questions. I bought nothing.

Had the worst customer service in the footware section on Saturday. The person who volunteered to help me threw the sneaker boxes down on the bench toward me like the contents were of no value — like she was mad at me! She also forgot to bring me a liner sock — three times. I paused before I asked a third time to borrow liner socks — I was contemplating just leaving and not trying on the sneakers that she threw my way. She also had a selective memory. I asked about 3 – 4 different pairs of sneakers and, just by looking at them and without checking the stock room, she said «we don’t have that in a 9». After 3 more responses like that about other styles I pointed out, I asked her if she could point out which sneakers she does carry in a 9. She responded with an attitude «I don’t know off the top of my head. It’s not like I have it all memorized». I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. I joked she could have had me fooled based on every pair I had pointed out! So I just left and bought sneakers from somewhere else.

We are sooooooooooo LUCKY to have this wonderful store in the North Bay! Customer service is always stellar. S.A. Elite stores are much more attentive to customers. They’re not as broad as the other stores. They don’t have to worry about camping/​hiking gear. Not only do you get the best quality shoes catered to your workout style, whether it’s running, jogging, walking, aerobics, etc., you get special one-​on-​one attention for your precious feet :) I also love the variety of exercise apparel. I mostly buy our son’s basketball shoes here, and he’s a growing boy, so he outgrows a pair of shoes quickly. He also tears them up just as quick. Will he play like LeBron James — nope!
Sometimes there are great deals, other times, not so much. Highly recommended!!!

So just before Christmas I had some last minute shopping and it was for my little cousins who are soccer players. My knowledge of soccer shoes is like a kindergarter doing 5^th grade math, I knew the numbers but not the difference. Thankfully Elaine (I hope that’s how you spell it) literally explained every shoe and size, recommended what size per shoe, quality etc. I took a long time for a few pair of shoes but could not have been more satisfied with the service but also with the «Aw no way Josh thanks for the shoes!». The smiles from my cousins and sister are more due in thanks to Elaines great patience and help that I was in great need of. Thank you once again!

been a long time customer of sports authority but found this location a little weird. Its a small hybrid of what there normal stores look like. Looking more like a clothing store then an actual sports authority location. All of the employees were very nice and friendly but the selection of items were so so. I was excited to find some nike dri fit shirts on sale which I happen to pick up a couple for myself.

Gunnar was terrific… he analyzed my gait and foot falls on the treadmill to determine best support for my ankles… patient and knowledgeable in explaining types of sport shoes… great sense of humor. All staff congenial and customer oriented. 5 stars.

I went in today to pick up my race packet and was quickly greeted by an employee who was eager to help me. They all seemed happy to be working there and the store was packed with nice merchandise. I will ship here in the future.

We received a 15% off entire purchase coupon for this store after registering for a local running race. While picking up our race packets at SA Elite we looked at running shoes. The sales associate was helpful while we tried on different shoes and used the treadmill to test them.
We discussed buying some pricey shoes since we had the 15% discount. We mentioned it more than once out loud in front of the sales associate. As soon as we got to the register and handed the sales associate the coupon, he said he didn’t think these shoes were eligible for the discount. He lamely scanned the coupon twice and confirmed the coupon didn’t apply to these shoes. Don’t you think you could have mentioned that during the 30 minutes we tried on shoes and tested them?!
We eventually looked up the fine print on the coupon by reviewing the SA Elite website. Turns out virtually every major brand shoe and clothing item was not covered on this «your entire purchase» coupon.
Bait & switch is not cool. Your sales practices are sketchy at best. Never shopping here. Ever.

My first ever visit was a GREAT success, thanks to the store manager, Jacquie.
My personal trainer, Scott Register at Kentfield Fitness recommended S.A. Elite for some new running shorts my cardio workouts.
I walked in the store and was immediately overwhelmed with the large selection. And all of it new to me. Then I heard a voice saying can I help you? I introduced myself and met Jackie. Turns out shes the store manager.
I asked Jackie if they had shorts to replace the ones I had bought at the Gap and she said «Nope. they’re cotton and cotton absorbs sweat and gets heavy. We don’t carry any thing cotton. Then she showed me the various brands, the various length, the various fabrics. I tried a couple on. The one I wanted wasn’t in stock, she checked other stores and found one in SOCAL and said they’ve ship it to me for free. I was beginning to feel it was like Nordstrom in the old days…
Then I asked about shirts. She said «, there’s lots, let me show you a few so you have choices but you’re not overwhelmed.» I chose two I liked and bought one for now and one for my next visit.
Signed up for their rewards program and will get a $ 5 gift certificate via email.
I was expecting a COSTCO experience of wandering through a huge inventory with no help. What I got was a knowledgeable person who explained the stock and navigated the Men’s part of the store with me.
Retail service isn’t dead. It’s alive and well at S.A. Elite with Jacquie, its store manager!

Sports Authority Elite is located at the end of the center where Barnes & Noble and Umpqua Bank are situated.
Prices are high here, even when they advertise 20% off. But the inventory of the latest shoe models and selection for serious runners is unmatched. Service friendly and available yesterday. After perusing entire store, seems more like they are a shoe store more than any other item offered.
Loads of active and athletic, technical clothing available for men and women.

Ted is an excellent salesman. He was so professional, polite and helpful I felt like I was at Nordstroms. I bought three shoes and tried on ten. I highly recommend this store.

Great staff working in this location, They greet you when you enter the store and ask you if you need any help. Very friendly. Selections are good in almost any type of sports and now they carry a lot of tennis stuff compare to before. Overall a great experience shopping here. Once I called in to ask them if they carry Barbolat tennis shoes, which they don’t, but the guy who answered the phone pointed me to other store in Marin that has it.

If you don’t know how to shop for running shoes, come here. Even if you subscribe to Runners World, I still recommend that you come here to try shoes out on the treadmill. Even if you don’t want to try on shoes on the treadmill or buy shoes here, I still recommend that you come here.
I’m long winded, but will keep it short; 5 reasons you should checkout Sport’s Authorities Elite’s store (AKA SA Elite’s) running shoes here:
1) your foot balance will be analyzed thoroughly and printed out for you via their Footbalance recommendation system. This process includes photo imaging, while in motion.
2) they make custom insoles to help align your body weight, align your ankles, improve posture and make running more comfortable, whether you decide to buy them or not (generally $ 80ish dollars)
3) you won’t be rushed and can try on as many shoes as necessary
4) there is a good selection of promotions in-​store, and a Unilocal checkin discount.
5) you can use the treadmill in the store to figure out which shoes feel best for running
Cam helped me out today a provided supreme customer service — really appreciate it. While I loved the his recommendations, I couldn’t find a pair of shoes that aesthetically pleased me for the price. I don’t know, I guess retro florescent is in, but I still just want a classic looking shoes — not likely to get that here. Otherwise, this store is definitely elite.

I’ve purchased shoes here before and it was a pleasurable experience. After today though, I won’t be back.
I walked in and was greeted by a young lady, which was good, but that’s where to good stuff ended.
There was only one guy in the shoe area and he was helping a family of 3. He was busy and I don’t fault him for that, but I was clearly standing and pacing around there. He never once acknowledged my existence and said, «Hey sorry, I’ll be right with you, or let me grab someone else.»
No acknowledgement whatsoever.
After about 15 minutes hanging there, I walked to the front desk where 4 employees proceeded to go about their days right in front of me without saying anything or acknowledging me. This went on for another 2 – 3 minutes.
Maybe if I’d been vocal it would’ve gone differently, but I shouldn’t have to. I’m impossible to miss as I’m a big guy, and I’m just shocked that no one even told me to hold on a second while they finished what they were doing.
A verbal response goes a long way and I got nothing.
$ 100 walked out the door and will never be back. Terrible.

I came to this store for the first time yesterday after shopping at Lombardi in San Francisco for years… and LOVED IT. I was greeted by Gloria within a few minutes after showing up and she gave me a full analysis of the shoes I needed by watching me run on a treadmill and observing my stride and ankles and landing. She then recommended two shoes, the Mizuno Wave Creation and Adidas adiZero Rush, that I love, love, love.
To be honest, I only came in to buy one pair of shoes, but Gloria was such a good saleswoman that I would have bought anything she recommended. I plan to go back soon for a third pair of shoes.
Why was she so good? Because I never felt like I was being pushed to buy something I didn’t want, because the shoes she brought over for me to try were great deals, and because I felt she was honest and knowledgeable about what she was doing. Thank you so much for being so helpful!

You get check in discounts… what’s not to love beside the fact that u can spend hella money here.lol.

My experience at SA was exemplary. I found the customer service very satisfying– a nice employee was quick to greet me, get me the pair of shoes I asked for, and even helped me check out. I went on a Sunday afternoon, and it was somewhat crowded, so it was nice to have that kind of service.
The shoe selection was good, and the prices seemed to be the same you’ll see elsewhere. The place is clean, organized, and all the gear was really on trend.
It’s a big step up from the Big Five (no pun intended) down the road.
Caveat: not the place to get sports equipment. Go for the clothes/​shoes only.

LOVE this place.
The staff here is very helpful and they are filled with lots of answers if you got lots of questions. They also have this treadmill-​type machine to analyze your foot for pronation. From there, they will also find the perfect running/​athletic shoes to fit your needs.
Their vast selection of exercise shirts/​tank tops from Nike to Under Armour to some other unknown premium brands is excellent.
If you are a serious runner, this is your place to go. If you want a fashionable good running shoe and good looking workout shirt, this is your place to go.
note that there’s only 3 of these stores in existence in California.

Extremely poor customer service. The staff spends more time chatting overly loud with each other than they do helping the customers. I went in to buy a pair of running shoes. I already knew what I wanted so it wasn’t like I was asking for the world. I stood in the shoe department for 10 minutes before I gave up and went up to the counter to ask one of the three staff members who were standing around talking to each other for help. I then waited for another ten minutes before one of them strolled over. The salesperson was super unfriendly and acted like I was wasting his time. The staff act like they are doing you a favor.
This is not the first time I have gone into Sports Authority Elite and had extremely poor customer service. They have some nice clothing, not a big selection though, and their prices are MSRP.
I will take my business over to the Marin Running Company.

I do not understand the one and two star reviews… seriously, have I visited a different elite store… I think there must be a crappy poser elite store that attracts people and somehow only I have access to the amazing awesome jewel of a sports store that is elite…
I have been to elite at least a dozen times. I have gotten two pairs of sneakers, one of which I love but would have never bought had the sales associate not taken the time to ask me what running shoes I like and than suggest a trail show that he thought would be comparable…
I bought almost all of my christmas gifts here, because I have convinced my family to run a half marathon… not so much for family time but more because it makes my shopping experience easier…
Yes the prices are high but thats because the stuff is good… you aren’t going to find nike or north face products cheaper unless you go the outlet… and I think you can still find less expensive items than lulu or athleta but yes, more expensive than say the athletic section of target…
i can’t really comment on other sports because I just run, but as a runner it has absolutely everything i could want… sure it could use more watches… and perhaps more items of the powerbar/​gu type… but please… can we stop expecting everything to be the super walmart of whatever product it specializes in…
oh and by the way, elite volunteered for a local race that benefitted two local charities and donated a ton of bags and coupons… when other places declined to do so… they are awesome in my book…