Keith's Sporting Goods

I've been here twice over a few years, and each time the service was pretty terrible. My most recent visit, I asked the guy if he had a holster for a Glock 40, 10mm, and his response was "probably not", and didn't start looking around or in the computer. I said, "Really, there's nothing, not even a more free-form holster? Doesn't have to be a perfect fit." So he kind of starts looking a little, and saying that the gun is so unique (true, but there are plenty of very general holsters) that they probably don't have it. Basically, it seemed like he just wanted to get to the next customer, perhaps someone who would be purchasing a gun instead of a hoster? This was me giving this business a second chance, I won't be giving it a third.

This story was now around a decade ago, but colored my experience on Keith's. I was helping my friend by their first rifle. We talked about what they wanted to do with it and decided on a Savage Long Range Hunter. At the time we were going to gun shows regularly and I was always impressed by Keith's selection and willingness to order guns from their suppliers for anything you were looking for. Although I hadn't personally done business with them, the reps I had spoken with at shows seemed to be stand-up individuals. We connected directly with Keith themselves, got a quote, and he handed it off to one of his employees to make the order and let us know when it came in. They had one in the store, but apparently it was already spoken for. All in all the interaction was pleasant and professional and even though it was a little more than we could order it online for, we were happy to give business to a local company.

This is when things started to go wrong.

Once the order was in, radio silence. We weren't the type to bother them, so we left it alone. We were told originally that their supplier had them in stock and to predict a two week lead time. Two months later, we checked in for the first time and were told that the order was never placed and/or that paperwork was lost, but that they would put the order in right away and to expect a short lead time. This was a little frustrating because they had enough paper to hold my friend's contact information and know what he wanted, but never contacted him to rectify the issue. After the previous call, this time we gave them a couple weeks and called to make sure things were going smoothly. They didn't return messages so we had to call several times over the course of a week or two to get through, and after we explained the situation they put us on hold so that they could get Keith. After a couple minutes Keith got on the phone and explained again that the order wasn't yet made on their end due to a stock-out, and asked for two weeks to sort out a supply. I wouldn't say he was rude, but he was his trademark curt and unapologetic.

Well whatever, things happen. We kept our big-boy pants on and agreed. A couple weeks later we got a contact from one of their reps that said they had found a new source on the rifle; that it would once again be a two week turnaround time, but that the price would be a couple hundred more than we had been quoted originally. At this point, alarm bells were going off in my head; we had already played too much cat and mouse, and now prices were going up due to issues that by all means were because they didn't hold up their end of the agreement and order either of the two previous times they said they were going to.

At this point I was effectively embarrassed that I had ever recommended this place to my friend and that he was having a very poor first gun purchase experience. I began counselling him to pull out while he could. He decided to give it one more go. He gives the go ahead to the rep at the new price who said they were putting the order in the moment we hung up. Any guesses as to what happened?

Two weeks go by again, then three, then five, and we give another call to inquire. We spoke with Keith who, when my friend expressed that this order was supposed to have been two weeks and was now running on a little over six months, Keith became defensive and rude. He blamed his employees, he blamed their suppliers, he blamed us, but I don't recall him taking responsibility for the problem. It wasn't a yelling match, but it didn't go anywhere productive.

At that point we decided that we were going to cancel the purchase. Having been burned on the experience we pivoted to a different model, chose an online vendor, and had the order bought, shipped, and picked up from a different FFL in less than 3 weeks.

In summation, I don't think Keith's are bad people, but ultimately they didn't meet my expectations or minimum requirements of actually successfully completing an order with them. The constant run-around we got was exhausting and annoying, and while we were able to keep a constant decorum, we ultimately didn't get what they agreed to provide.

So that whole experience above is one thing but in addition to this I will say the business as a whole operates under the assumption that you as a customer are an idiot. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand this mentality, and with Keith's being a big name in the area I'm sure they get a lot of first time buyers. This is a common business dilemma, but the problem is they don't pay the attention or care to tell when you do know what you're talking about, they'll just keep talking down to you. Not every rep does this, but I've experienced it a few times and seen it many more as a "fly-on-the-wall" at shows or in their storefront. It's consistent, small annoyances in this way that don't make either party look good. Things like someone saying "I'm looking at getting a Glock 22" and they'll respond "what caliber are you looking at?" I get it, they're trying to give me the option to out myself as a dummy by saying I want a G22 in 9mm or somesuch so they can better assist me, but that makes us both look dumb. It'd be nice if they gave me the benefit of the doubt and showed me what I asked after instead of doubting me; let me prove I'm an idiot before treating me like one.

My last point is one of encouragement; if you know what you want, and Keith's has it on the shelf, I could be a good place to walk in with money and walk out with a gun. Even though I didn't have that experience, I've seen a lot of people walk out with smiles and firearms. Their LEO trade-in Glocks in particular maintained an excellent value for customers for a long time (although I'm not sure what those stocks look like here in 2021). If that's the experience you're looking for, give it a try. I recommend you spend a little time in the store just listening to customer interactions and browsing before taking the plunge, see if they're a good fit for you. If you're looking for something that's not on the shelves today, I would recommend going elsewhere.

Me, on phone: "Hi, do you have the (very common firearm) in stock?"

Keith's: "Maybe. We had it this weekend."

Me: "Ooookay. I'll drive over but I don't want to wait outside an hour in the rain if you don't have it. Could you check?"

Keith's: "No. You'll have to wait in line."

Me: "Um, thanks..."

Seriously, the guy wouldn't walk over to the glass counter or spend 30 seconds searching his computer.

For such a huge shop, you'd think they'd have their inventory online (NW Armory does). It's OK they don't...many gun shops don't. But if a customer calls, spending 30 seconds to look to see if they have something so the customer doesn't stand outside for an hour (yes, sometimes the line takes that long), unsheltered in the rain, only to find out you're out of stock doesn't seem unreasonable.

But to Keith's, it is.

went there three times to do trades with Keith, last one was for a browning high power made in Belgium i've had for over 20 years sitting in my safe. I wanted to use it as trade toward another gun. The trade value he gave me was much lower (200.00) than i would have got just selling it to cabelas, and i told him that. As soon as i told him that he goes on a rant about cabelas and gun prices in general and telling me my gun is not worth what they are offering and some more trash talk i won't post. In The end i went to another gun shop who had what i wanted for the same price and gave me what i wanted in trade. I have tried three times to do business with him due to the store being less than a mile from my house but i'll never go back in there again.

quit buying there years ago they act like your wasting their time. They act like your an idiot if you ask them a question.If you want to go to a shop that treats you like they want you there go to Northwest armory. Great inventory, good prices, great people.Bought many firearms through them, always a great transaction

after spending $2600 at them over the past two months I realize now that money was really wasted. as soon as I had any problem I contacted Keiths, and was immediately inundated by yelling Angry Men really who didn't know anything at all about what they were talking about ...after letting them know that I was a veteran their attitudes still didn't change.. their are so many better places to spend money.

Used to make the drive, went in a while back stood at counter tryin to buy a $1100 bicentennial browning hi-power. Said something to two different workers they weren't busy but both told me just a min. After standing there for 10min with money in hand I went elsewhere and spent my money. Refuse to waste time on these dbags.

Unless you have a legal Ativan or Valium tablet to take an hour before entering this place, do your nervous system a favor and SHOP AT A DIFFERENT STORE!

I asked about an item and this kid just pointed in the general direction for it. I walked over and looked for the item and didn't see it so I asked if he could show me and instead of helping me he points in the general direction again so I walked out for the last time.