MonkeySports Superstore

Since I have worked in retail for the past 25 years I was shocked by the overall lack of concern at the Irvine «superstore».
First I called the service center to find out about the retail locations and the coupon policy. The service agent on the phone was very nice and said that it was a store by store basis and they would honor the coupons about 9 out of 10 times on the clearance items to move product out. Since I took the time to read all of the less than positive reviews with the shipping hassles of returning. I decided to take an extended lunch and took the drive to Irvine. The store was pretty busy for a weekday afternoon. With one guy hustling to get skates for the three customers a head of me. He was super nice and extremely knowledgable. When I asked for the clearance model that I saw online he had a bit of trouble finding it then realized that one was the display. After I tried them on I inquired about the 30% off coupon. He said that should not be a problem since they were clearance display models but I needed to show the coupon up front and after they were paid for he would bake and sharpen them. At this point Hockey Monkey was trending for a top rating in my book.
Took my box to the register and presto that feeling was quickly erased. The cashier who was chatting with another associate when I walked up, made me stand there for about a minute before even looking up. Then he looked up and said how can I help you. I placed the box on the counter and began to over what the guy in the skate section told me. As I explained about the coupon and showed him my cell phone with the clearance skates and the 98.00 discount. I also went on to explain that they are clearance display models and the last ones in the store. He did not respond as he typed on the computer for a minute or two and then said no that is online only. I said ok how would you like me to purchase these clearance skates? He responded that at the location there was no discount but online they would be 30% off. I then inquired about the buy online pick up in store option. He smirked and said that they don’t do that. Remember this company started as a on line retailer and has opened brick and mortar locations that are almost completely disconnected except for the name. Since it was $ 100 and I have already confirmed that they would fit I bought them on line. Before I did so I checked to make sure there was no other place that I could purchase them from. Since this was my only option I purchased them from Hockey Monkey. I am still perplexed by the overall lack of concern and desire to even get a second point of view by the cashier. What type of retailer has a presence online that runs in a vacuum with no relation to the store front other than the shared name?
Since I teach and train associates on customer service behaviors as part of my job I was astonished that at this current «retailer» the associates were empowered to negatively impact the business without any partnership from peers or leadership.
The skates are great and I wish that I didn’t have to tell this story to everyone who asks about my new skates.
And by the way both Hockey Giant and Hockey Tron have not only honored their on line coupons at the store. They also run in store specials that make stopping there fun.

If you are looking for hockey gear it’s better to go to Hockey Giant in Anaheim. Every time I go in to this store the staff doesn’t seem knowledgeable and give the attitude that they don’t want to be there. There is always several guys chatting it up in the skates area but they all scatter like roaches when it comes to service. The vide I got from the employee today was I was inconveniencing him with his time. He ended up leaving and while walking away told me if I don’t want the skates just leave them there.

Ordered a pair of goalie skates on 10/​12/​2015. The skates did not fit so I requested an RMA number and returned the skates. Money was refunded as expected. No problems here. They don’t cover return shipping and will not refund any shipping charges you payed but I was already aware of this.
I placed an order for the proper size on 11/​12/​2015 and my order was automatically cancelled. Contacted Monkey Sports to figure out the problem, customer service tells me it was an issue on their end and to go ahead and place the order again. I place the order again on 11/​18/​2015. Later that same day (11/​18/​2015) I realize I should get a new goalie bag so I place a separate order for a new bag. Check order status within 24 hours and all orders were automatically cancelled. I try to call them to get this sorted out and am told my account was marked as fraud and to call my bank. Customer service rep at this point has become rude and writes me off as a criminal. I call my credit card company and both charges were cleared on 11/​18/​2015 and confirm no other strange charges appear on my card. I call goalie monkey back and they don’t want to talk to me at all. Manager tells agent to get off the phone with me and tell me they have no options for me and I am now black listed from all their entities. Zero recourse. I tried calling one more time and as soon as the rep puts me on hold to «investigate» they come back and can’t get off the phone fast enough and refuse to help. They literally hang up on me. I filed a complaint with
and basically «apologize» and tell me they can’t do anything. Here is the complaint:
At the end of the day I was a loyal customer with several years of purchases here but I am done with this organization. I have since ordered my items from hockey giant and total hockey with zero issues.

I am disappointed every time I shop here. After waiting way too long to get some questions answered, the employee kept trying to sell me the most expensive items. When I decided on what I needed, they did not have the size I needed for my son. I finally selected a different option and went to the register to purchase. The employee at the register did not even greet me, did not offer a bag until I asked, and did not even say thank you, see you later, or apologize for the extra time it took to get the receipt printed. Then I get home to find that the pads I just spent over $ 100 for still have a sensor on them so I have to go back! I do not have time for this! If I could buy Lacrosse equipment someplace else, I definitely would.

Was my first time out to the store, since I live a bit aways but needed a new pair of skates, its been awhile. Jacob is an awesome employee, helped tremendously recommending some great skates and getting them ready for me to get back out on the ice.

I’ve been buying stuff from you guys online the last few years, but the way you treated my friend, you don’t deserve my time. Absolutely ridiculous that you go about business by blackballing a return customer of many, many years and you’re not even willing to talk with them. You don’t deserve any business if that’s the way you treat customers, who’ve spent a good amount of money over the past years.
I know you’re probably not too disappointed about losing two customers, but I’ll do my best to let all my hockey and sports friends know about your lack of concern for loyal customers.

Genuine, highly-​trained, and thorough staff make your hockey-​shopping experience 10x better! I love going here!

My girlfriend and I came in to buy some equipment for her new «Learn to Skate» hockey team. We didn’t know anything about what we should buy! Thankfully Jonathan was there to help. He was so knowledgable about the products and took the time to explain what would work best for us and why. His funny and friendly demeanor was extremely welcoming and enjoyable. We couldn’t be more grateful to have met Jonathan! He was a savior! We will definitely be coming back and I hope Jonathan is there when we come! Two thumbs up. All around awesome employee!

HUGE this is basically a Kmart for Hockey and Lacrosse.
Really helpful staff and tons of them.
I loved the indoor puck shooting galley to test sticks
and a giant wall of skates and rows and rows off all kindsa body armor.
I wish this place was closer to San Diego!

We bought an expensive softball bat here. The 1^st guy was clueless and not helpful — the 2^nd guy was alright. They have batting cages if you want to demo a bat.

Matthew helped me out with a very difficult phone order/​gift card purchase yesterday. He was very helpful and patient as we ran into some payment issue with my gift card. He helped find and ship the products I needed over the phone and ironed out all the wrinkles with my payment situation. Thanks Matthew and MonkeySports management please give Matthew a hefty promotion and raise (or at least a pat on the back)!

Been playing hockey about 20 years and going here a long time, before they were even called Monkey Sports. This business started as a pro shop across from the long-​gone Costa Mesa Ice that shut down circa 2000. One day I went into the skate shop and it was only figure skating gear, no sticks no hockey, and found out they’d moved to the Tustin business park where Goalie Monkey is now located. Two years ago they moved the Monkey Superstore to this location in Irvine and I couldn’t wait to check it out.
10 years ago, they branched out into carrying baseball gear. 5 years ago, they added lacrosse gear. They seem to do a good job servicing all three sports, but my only experience is in hockey so my review is for buying hockey gear only.
Selection: In general, they have some of the widest hockey selection around but they sometimes run out of the most popular pricepoints and brands/​models/​sizes of items. For example, I went to shop here recently and the bottom two rows of Bauer hockey gloves (14″ size) were all sold out. They seem to be a little slow on reorders for this type of thing, so call ahead if you need to find a very specific item. I also went to get new hockey laces today and they were very very thin on 108″ which is the most popular adult length for replacement laces. Hello!
Service: Sometimes you need to flag somebody down and other times 3 people will ask if you need help finding something. It’s a little hard to figure out where everything’s located the first time, so just ask if you’re confused. I tend to already know what I need most of the time, so I feel comfortable ordering sports equipment online. But I have bought both a helmet/​cage combo and shin pads at this store recently and both times someone helped me with the fit and understand the selection. For someone playing the same sport for decades, there’s fewer questions on stuff but I always get pointed in the right direction when I do. For many things, like skates, gloves, sticks, and helmets it’s less likely people can buy online with much success because of several complicated factors like fit and comfort so it’s best to buy or try them in a store if you can.
Price: Honestly, their prices are like full MSRP on everything except hockey skates, unless you buy during a specific in-​store sale or it’s a clearance item, which move fast. And if you know anything about hockey equipment, paying retail can eat a hole in your wallet super fast! Luckily I’ve been at the point I only need to replace old equipment every few years so I don’t really have a problem. But while getting some new shin pads I noticed the price in store was $ 49.99 and on their website $ 39.99 for the exact same item. So a friend said to show them this at the checkout and they would price match their online price. Granted this isn’t 100% but if it’s a lower regular price online, you can bet they’ll correct it 99% of the time. For special sales or coupons, it tends not to work.
Services: Skate sharpening they do a good job and charge $ 6 so I just take my skates here every so often, even though I bought them somewhere else and could get free sharpening if I drove a little farther. $ 6 is worth the convenience and piece of mind. They have a little goal area to the right of the registers where you can kill some time or try out some new fancy stick you’ve heard about. They also bake skates (of course).
Returns: In general you can return in 30 days with a receipt, if the item is unused which is pretty standard so nothing unusual there. Also read the warranty especially on items like sticks, and save your proof of purchase. Most stick breakage warranties are 90 days or less and have very specific terms.
Hours: Their hours are pretty decent overall, weekends 10 – 5 but they won’t rush you out of the store at closing time. My skates were still getting sharpened and I was still able to browse and pay for one more item more than 15 minutes after closing time. Satisfaction!
Note I have never ordered from their online store (which is under the same ownership, and carry the same brands, but otherwise they are two completely separate businesses). But I do know the prices online in general seem better, wider selection, and free shipping for $ 149+
Because of the separate shop in Tustin they don’t sell any goalie gear here. They’re also a little light on roller gear, except for skates, wheels, and sticks. Try Hockey Garage at the Irvine Rinks down the street for additional selection of this.
Lastly always check your receipt when leaving the store. Recently they had 40% off some t-​shirts in their store and then it rang up at full price, but didn’t know until they’d already swiped my card. I hadn’t signed the slip yet so I said can’t you just void it and do it again? They said no it was already approved. So they did another transaction to refund the difference.
Overall 3.9 /​5 stars… I’ll keep going here for most of my hockey needs as long as I live in the area.

do not purchase from this company. (goalie monkey) they litterly ripped us off for the tune of $ 300. they sent a ripped pair of hockey pants and then turn around and say we ripped it. when in fact we never even looked at the pants and sent the box back to them unopened enough to even look at the pants. please share! they said they would provide proof and still weeks later have nothing to show. not only do they lie, they steal your money! i actually said if you show me a photo or video of the pants before packing, i will gladly pay. we never touched the pants.
rob suddeth refuses to give us money back! he should be fired.

Every time I go to a Sporting Goods store (IE Sports Authority, Big 5 and Dicks) no one is there to help you. Ever! That’s why I do most of my shopping online.
Well today I walked into Monkey Sports to get a new grip for my sons bat. The second I walked in a lady helped me, then a manager walked me to the area where the grips were and helped me pick it out. THEN! he walked me to an area where an employee re gripped the bat for me for FREE in 5 minutes. All I spent was $ 7.99 for the grip tape.
I’m still in a state of shock. This place blows doors on any place I’ve ever been too. I will definitely be back!

ANDY is the most amazing asset to this store. Came in with my son for his lil kings fitting, and Andy went above and beyond. So patient and helpful. Super friendly, even helped him practice with his new stick before we left! Give this guy a raise!

They have a huge selection of hockey equipment. There inventory is on par or exceeds Hockey Giant. There website has even more. One of the models of skates my son wanted to try on was out of stock in his size, but they were in stock on the website.
If you order from the website, be sure to pay attention to the return terms. Clearance items can only be returned for store credit. If you see a two for one deal, be sure to add two items to your shopping cart. The website will not do it automatically.

David, the store manager, went out of his way to make sure I had an excellent experience at his store purchasing new ice hockey gear. They have a great selection and I found exactly what I was looking for. I highly recommend anyone to check out this store for hockey gear.
Thanks Dave! See ya next year.

The Service: There are quite a few staffs on the floor and behind the cashier helping customers. Service is very efficient and they are all very knowledgeable about their products. Very organized and well stocked store. Very good customer service!
The Parking: Private lot (free)

One of the best hockey stores in LA. I purchased my Graf Super G’s and a ton of equipment. They have a great selection of gears in all sizes and brands as well as a giant selection of sticks. They have skate services as well. I had a few skates sharpened here and they did a great job every time. I highly recommend going there towards the end of the year as you can get awesome deals on closeouts. I have never ordered online so this review only pertains to going into the shop.

This place is awesome super friendly staff decent prices but most of all they help me with all my questions and didn’t make me feel stupid. We went to Monkeysports today for my daughter and purchased a wilson A2000… super satisfied with my product the questions answer and the sales associates and all their help… they even steamed my glove for free tp break it in… guys were awesome. …thanks monkeysports… We will definitely be back this place is a must for all your baseball softball lacrosse and hockey needs… check them out