SPRINGFIELD — Red and yellow signs advertise the sale in all caps.
“GOING OUT OF BUSINESS,” blares one. “EVERYTHING MUST GO,” yells another.
Sports Authority’s Springfield store is playing up the going-out-of-business sale that began this week at 21 company locations in New Jersey. The sports retailer has said its 463 stores across the country will close by the end of August.
In a news release, Sports Authority touted the “unprecedented values” it would sell its merchandise at before the store is gone for good — but are the deals really that great?
Some shoppers were not impressed. Union resident Naimah Shabazz, who was looking at bikes, folding chairs and other items Thursday, said she expects closing-down sales to offer 50 or 60 percent-off deals. Sports Authority’s sale advertises discounts of just 10 to 30 percent.
“I don’t think it’s a good going-out-of-business sale,” Shabazz said. “Some things are overpriced, and then they put the percentage off and it’s still high.”
Sports Authority referred requests for comment to a public relations firm, which did not respond to multiple phone calls.
So, to check on the true value of Sports Authority’s sale, NJ Advance Media compared the prices of five items at the Springfield store with the costs of the same products at competitors Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon.com.
The result? While Sports Authority has a few good deals, shoppers can find much of its merchandise cheaper elsewhere.
Check out the items we priced:
UnderArmour boy’s shirt:
Sports Authority: $24.99, with 20 percent off = $19.99
Dick’s Sporting Goods: $24.99
Amazon.com: $19.99
Best deal: Sports Authority or Amazon.com, by $5
Gaiam yoga mat
Sports Authority: $29.99, with 10 percent off = $26.99
Dick’s: $29.99
Amazon: $29.98
Best deal: Sports Authority, by $3
Saucony “Grid Cohesion 9” women’s running shoes
Sports Authority: $59.99, with 10 percent off = $53.99
Dick’s: $49.99
Amazon: Prices range by size, from $39.95 to $53.09
Best deal: Dick’s or Amazon, depending on the size you need
Fitbit Zip Wireless Activity Tracker
Sports Authority: $59.95, with 10 percent off = $53.96
Dick’s: $59.95
Amazon: $49
Best deal: Amazon, by about $5
Nike “Modern Tempo” women’s shorts
Sports Authority: $30, with 10 percent off = $27
Dick’s: $24
Amazon: Prices range by size, from $27.99 to $36.05
Best deal: Dick’s, by $3
Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
