Barrington Sports Store

"Rude staff and terrible customer service. I was excited to get back in to hockey and went to Barrington sports as I have always shopped here for my hockey sticks over the years and I wanted to find all the essentials I would need. I was the only customer in the shop and nobody approached me or offered to help. After 15 minutes I eventually managed to get the attention of a member of staff and they couldn’t have been less interested in helping me. I explained I wanted a stick, some astros, a skirt and a gum shield. The staff member gave me one stick to try and then sat back at his computer. I liked the stick and asked to take it, to which the staff member said he would get a new one out for me. I then tried to work out the pricing of the shoes and which I would like by myself, again with no assistance. This involved walking to and from the computer to search for the shoe and for the price as no price tags are on the items. Again some help or guidance would have been nice. By this time the member of staff was back at his computer. I eventually chose the ones I wanted and having paid for the stick, which had been placed on the counter for me, and the shoes I left the store. Albeit without half of the items I wanted as it was such a painful experience to shop in there. On leaving I realised that the hockey stick was neither the size or weight I had tried and stated I would like to take. I went back inside and was told that they had no stock of the one I had wanted, so instead of explain this to me they had just sold me a completely different stick hoping and presuming I wouldn’t notice! I was utterly disappointed by the way I was treated and left the shop quite upset. I won’t be going back and I wouldn’t recommend shopping at Barrington Sports at all."

"Over the years I have gladly spent my money in Barringtons as their service is usually unbeatable. However, today I was extremely upset with the way I was treated in store. They had abnormally low stock and were exceptionally unhelpful and slow at getting my shoes from their warehouse and bringing them to me. No one asked me how I was or whether I needed anything, I was all but ignored until I approached them asking for help, 25 minutes after I arrived. To which I was told to just check their website and see if it was in stock rather than asking them behind the counter. When found the items I was looking for weren’t in stock, I asked them when I could get hold of them only to be told in an off-hand manner they wouldn’t have them until the winter and they offered me no further help. I also inquired about hockey items and was made to feel stupid by their staff for asking questions and further made me feel unwelcome. I paid £100 for my items and I genuinely felt like I was an inconvenience to them throughout and that they didn’t want to help me despite the store being really quiet. I’m really disappointed in Barringtons today as usually they are renowned for their knowledge and helpful nature, but today they couldn’t have been farther from it."

"Good selection of cricket goods. Very helpful and happy for you to try in the net at the rear. Worth checking what older stock they have in on their computer in store, as you may find a bargain of an older year bat or gloves etc. Not too much can be wrong, just not this years stickers on it."

"It's a bit out in the sticks. Not too easy to get to really. Car park is large and free just at the front door. Good selection of sporting gear within the sports they promote. Small area at back of store to practise with some of the products. It's not cheap though. Unless you can get items in sales. We have personally been waiting for a while now on kits and a specific stick."

"An update. My direct complaint to the store was handled quickly and efficiently, amends have been made promptly and ordered kit on line has been delivered. I believe (and hope) my concerns have been addressed by senior management. I will be interested to revisit the store at some future date and see the changes. Although the stock is in store (mostly) the service is appalling. Don't expect any help or interest in you getting what you want. You will need to be able to size and fit all kit yourself as the staff will only help you if forced to. Go somewhere else if you can."