5 Secrets Dick’s Sporting Goods Doesn’t Want You to Know
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Whether you’re looking for updated fishing tackle, more workout gear, or just a pair of really comfortable shoes for a stroll around town, Dick’s Sporting Goods is a one-stop shop for shoppers looking for something even remotely sporty . The mall mainstay has grown from a small store founded in the late 1940’s to what is now the largest retailer of its kind in the US with more than 800 locations nationwide. But even if you’re a regular customer, there’s probably still a lot you don’t know about the cult chain. Read on for the secrets Dick’s Sporting Goods doesn’t want to keep from you.
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Most large companies know how valuable your contact information can be. That’s why experts say it’s important to use this to your advantage the next time you’re planning a big online purchase from Dick’s Sporting Goods by signing up for their email list. It’s an easy way to get a one-time special discount – if you time it right.
“That means you save 10 percent on your next trip, but you have to use it within a week, so don’t sign up until you know you’re getting ready to shop,” he says Julia Ramhold, Consumer Analyst at DealNews.com. “After that, Dick’s often sends out coupons to get percentage off individual items or the like, but it’s important to remember that certain brands may be excluded and you can’t necessarily stack them with other coupons.”
Online shopping can make it easy for you to get the items you need without having to take the time to walk to the store in your busy schedule. Unfortunately, this convenience can come at a price if you’re not careful.
“Free shipping at Dick’s Sporting Goods isn’t exactly free because you have to spend at least $65: otherwise you’ll be charged for shipping,” warns the consumer expert Andrea Woeroch.
However, you don’t have to spend more just to speed up the shopping process. “Choose the ship-to-store and curbside pickup option instead to avoid delivery fees. Remember, Scorecard loyalty members receive a lower threshold offer with free shipping for $49 or more, but you must be logged into your account to qualify.”
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Aside from getting the items you need right away, shopping locally can have a few other benefits. In the case of Dick’s Sporting Goods, experts say you can score some unexpected discounts by spending at one of their brick-and-mortar locations. That’s why it’s important to keep this slip and scan it for potential savings.
“There’s a chance you’ll find a coupon at the bottom of your receipt when making an in-store purchase,” says Ramhold. “It can be $20 less than $100 or so and it’s limited to a short window. So pay attention if you plan to use it.”
In the age of seemingly endless spam texts, the last thing most people want is another random message making its way to their phone. But similar to joining the store email list, there’s an easy way to score a substantial discount with minimal effort.
“If you don’t mind sharing your phone number, you can sign up for SMS to get $20 off a $100 online purchase,” says Ramhold. “Note that signing up will also give you other communications, including special offers, news about in-store events, and even new product outages. The good news is if it gets too much you can always text ‘STOP’ to be removed from the list.”
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Even the most prominent traditional retailers know they are at a disadvantage when it comes to price competition with e-commerce. Buyers can now quickly search the Internet for the dealer with the lowest price and offer their business to them. But if you want to stay loyal to Dick’s Sporting Goods, you can still get the best deal without having to go anywhere else.
“Always compare prices before buying anything online or in store at Dick’s Sporting Goods as they are true to price. They have a very generous price match policy that few people know about!” says Voroch.