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March 2024 by Alden W.
Brandon was informative and has a lot of passion for snowboarding. If you're looking for boarding gear, he's the go to guy. I really appreciated his knowledge about snowboarding boots and insider knowledge.. look for the tallest guy in the building, that's him. Thanks Brandon!
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March 2024 by The Bottomless Pi T.
For those of you old enough to remember Berkeley's Iceland, the building is still standing, and it's now a Sports Basement. The artwork still adorns the walls, as does the big clock display at the back. Whatever sport you're into, they've probably got it here, including lacrosse and frisbee golf, among other things. The one thing I didn't see were snowshoes. Looked for them amongst the ski gear and came up empty. Prices are comparable to REI, but there are good discounts to be had if you're lucky. Great place to spend a rainy day browsing. I wish their parking lot were bigger.
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February 2024 by Megan N.
This review is specifically for the SB Bike Shop - I haven't done any shopping there outside of some bike services. It's worth prefacing this story with a note that there's one guy who works at the bike shop, he's on the taller side and has gray hair, who has always been somewhere between curt and downright rude to me. Every time I've interacted with him, it seems like I'm bothering him by being there, and he's always been condescending with me, questioning my choices and why I want certain services done. That wouldn't normally be a huge issue, I'm a woman and I'm used to being treated like an idiot by mechanics. But... I bought a set of fenders from SB and had them installed there. I'd read that fender installation can be tricky, and figured it was probably outside my expertise. When I picked up the bike, everything looked good, but by the time I got it home, almost all of the stay ends (small plastic covers which go over the sharp ends of the stays, which hold the fenders in place) had fallen off. That meant there were incredibly sharp pieces of metal sticking out of my bike. I called the bike shop to ask if there had been a mistake, since it didn't seem right that part of the fenders that I'd paid $100 for (parts + labor) and just had installed that day would be falling off already. The guy who's always been condescending answered the phone, and was incredibly dismissive. When I asked if the stay ends were supposed to fall off that easily, he said, "I don't know what to tell you, stuff falls off bikes all the time." What??? To reiterate, I'm by no means a bike expert. But I've been riding multiple different bikes for many years, and without fail, any time anything has fallen off my bike, it's been a problem. It was just an unbelievably rude and dismissive response to an obvious problem (knives sticking out of my bike). He then suggested that I use band-aids or duct tape to keep from cutting myself on the product I'd spent $100 on the day before. After a quick internet search, I was able to figure out the problem - the stay ends have a loop on them so that they can be screwed in place to the stays, but the stays had not been cut short enough, so the loops didn't reach the screw. I figured this out from looking at a single picture of the fenders. I brought the bike in to SB, and my usual friend (sarcasm) was there. I explained what the issue was, and he informed me with his usual charm (sarcasm again) that actually, their manager had installed the fenders, and he is an EXPERT so he's pretty doubtful that he could have done anything wrong. I had the manager's email address, so I sent him an email asking about the issue. He told me to bring it in and he'd get some new stay ends installed for me. After some scheduling difficulties that were no one's fault, I was able to bring it in and he fixed the problem, but not before I managed to cut myself twice on the stays, badly. After that, I did put electrical tape on the stays so it wouldn't happen again, but I shouldn't have had to do that. At almost every step, this experience could have been better. The fenders could have been installed correctly, avoiding the OBVIOUS problem that the stay ends would immediately fall off if they weren't attached in any way, leaving very sharp metal protruding from the bike. When I called about the problem, the response could have been "oh no, that's definitely not how it should be, please bring it in and we'll figure it out." When I figured out the problem for them, the response could have been "that makes sense, if you leave it with us we'll get it fixed right away." But it wasn't. This was such a frustrating experience. I really wanted to like the SB bike shop; they're super conveniently located right on my commute, and their prices are pretty good. I had a fit adjust done on my bike there, which worked wonders for making the bike more comfortable and f
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February 2024 by CC C.
This is in regard to ski rentals. If I could give them a negative rating I would!! This is about the level of incompetence regarding getting people ski equipment. I've skied all over, Utah, Wyoming, Montana. Etc. I usually have my own stuff, but this time I didn't have anything with me. Never in my LIFE have I had to wait in line for more than an hour. For example, one guy started to help ppl and just stood there watching them talk to each other (not asking Qs related to skiing etc.) instead of helping others simultaneously (who were finally out of the line and trying things on too). The level of stupidity having a small number of ppl helping customers during the busy time of ski week tells me so much about this place. NEVER. EVER. AGAIN. Moreover at some locations they don't even have a dedicated return area. They make you wait in a line with renters etc. they should have self scan or something. The level of incompetence is ASTOUNDING. DO NOT RECOMMEND.
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February 2024 by L N.
If you needs to get your snow gears. I strongly recommend see Brandon . He's super knowledgeable and spend extra time to find the right gears to fit your needs. By far he's the best. I wished I worked with him in my last 3 snow seasons. I came to store today to get a new snow boots for my 11 years old son and myself. Brandon took his time measuring my son feet's and mine then recommended a right snow boot options for both of us. My son currently had a 8.5 size and mime 11. After Brandon got alls numbers on both of us feet's. He came up with an idea to fix my son current boot and down size on mine. We spend couple hours there then went home with 100% satisfied. Brandon customers Sers and his knowledgeable unmatchable. I'll come back next season again for new gears. You must see him if you want a good result for your visits.
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January 2024 by T L.
Brandon, in the snow hard goods department, is the most knowledgeable guy if you want expert advice on anything to do with snow gear! On top of that he is the most hilarious guy ever and really takes the time to evaluate what's best for you and your snow needs! Sports basement is so lucky to have him!
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January 2024 by Michael A.
What a lucky day to be at Sports Basement. My son needed to get a new snowboard and bindings and when we met Brandon what a guy with not only a great knowledge of the equipment and styles including types boards and how to ride them, you get a side of him that makes you want to stay and get to know him. He is great at custom service at the highest level and while you wait he will make you laugh because he is that funny. I wish he had his own show on YouTube , TikTok or Instagram. He is that FUNNY'. What a treasure Sports Basement is lucky to have him. We never knew a person who knew so much about everything snowboarding,skiing , equipment and just a all around great guy. He really took the time to go over setting up the board and bindings while talking story with us. We will remember our visit. Oh we are frequent customers. BRAVO.
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January 2024 by Talia S.
Excellent service! I found what I needed immediately and the value is high. Only great quality items here. Though the selection could have been better, I found what I needed.
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January 2024 by los f.
Disappointing experience with rentals. Went in Thursday at 1:15 PM before MLK weekend to explore ski rentals for our immediate family and grandma and niece. Our trip was for Friday-Monday and we were expecting to return to Sports Basement on Friday for pickup to get a weekend rate. The sales associate convinced us to take everything that day (Thursday) to save ourselves a trip and help staff with the expected holiday weekend rush on Friday. We were there with the sales associate for more than 45 minutes because the number of items we were getting (which would have been a bummer for anyone behind us if we had come on Friday). We ended up going back on Friday afternoon anyway to swap out helmets that were too big on our kids. Monday morning, as we are rushing around stripping sheets off the Airbnb bed and wondering why Grandma is sleeping in until 9 AM when the kids have been awake since 6, we receive a call from Sports Basement asking why are the rentals late. Umm...... what?!? Parents with young kids on vacation with in-laws will understand what receiving a call like this can do - match to a powder keg. "Kids, any toys that aren't picked up and packed will be considered a donation to the rental" Suddenly, I'm taken out of the moment (which wasn't so super - as we were loading the dishwasher anyway) and now feel like some sort of ski rental criminal on the run with Grandma's size 8 ski boots. Not cool, man, not cool.
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January 2024 by Kari A.
Sports basement has always been my favorite store since I first visited the Presidio store in SF many years ago. What a treat to have one open in the old IceLand skate rink near my house some years back. I love this location, staff are friendly, inventory is great and it's a great community space. The newly opened second hand area upstairs is such a great addition!!
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January 2024 by Jonathan C.
I love this store so much! The workers are very helpful and accommodating. Renting ski gear here is much better than up at the mountain. The used gear section is a hidden gem!
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January 2024 by Suzie N.
If I need something specific like hand weights this is the place to go. It's so large you kinda get overwhelmed. I joined to get the discounts but clothing and shoes are still pricey.
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December 2023 by Jenny J.
5 stars for Brian in the ski department and Duncan in the ski shop. One other employee in the ski department was super helpful in answering my questions. Brian patiently walked me through my ski boot options and helped me get the right fi with my older skis. Duncan assessed my skis' condition and maintenance steps. Impressed by the knowledge and supportive attitudes of all the staff. Overall, really great service! I hadn't been to sports basement in a while, and, after today, I'll be back!
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October 2023 by Berrin Y.
Security Guard has no idea how to do her job at this store. While I am leaving the store she asked if I got my shoes from there or not while immediately one of the sale person came and told her that they dont sell the shoes I was wearing She was trying to accuse me to take the shoes from the store they dont sell !!!! What the f..... was her problem. I called the store and spoke with manager and he said the have third party security company and he will make sure they will grade today's guard 0.
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October 2023 by Cheyenne Waldman
Brian Marten was the most helpful salesperson I have ever worked with. He’s extremely knowledgeable about snow sports and incredibly friendly. 10/10 would recommend getting support from him on your purchases!
