Do not shop at Running Room in Canada or anywhere...

Nothing surprises me any more about this slimy business. I wish they had stayed in Canada. Good luck to you. Try to find a better store...shouldn't be too difficult to do.

If you can find a single former employee with good things to say about the Stantons or the Running Room it would be very surprising. Sorry to hear this happened to you.

John Stanton is a notorious ass of epic proportions.

If you are cute, call up the local TV station and become a big story in the running store/military community.

That sucks man. It is well known up here that Stanton is a huge douche and the walkingroom is a terrible store. Get after them in the media, call Don Cherry!

welcome to reality. I love when people like to attack a individual business but glaze over what capitalism really is. IF THEY ARE BAD THEN CAPITALISM IS BAD, IS CAPITALISM IS NOT BAD, THEN THEY ARE NOT BAD. You are looking out for yourself, they are looking out for themselves... what is the problem? I think you are the douche

I'm not sure whether this is necessarily confirmed to be he case:

grow up spoiled brat wrote:I think you are the douche

, but the tone of your post and some details in your story hint that you may not have been the model employee. Maybe this parting of ways was best for all concerned?

Just trying to tell it to you straight, calling it the way I see it on the basis of VERY limited info.

And word to the wise... the world is a very small place, so burning bridges, especially very publicly, is not generally a good idea. There's very little doubt a bunch of people know exactly who you are from the story, so you've made yourself a few long term enemies I expect. After this dies down a bit, you may regret having posted.

In any event, best of luck putting this behind you and finding something that works better for you.

The RR is a terrible employer. I don't know anyone who has worked for them and been treated fairly (and a lot of my friends have worked for them). They sell a lot of last year's models at current year's prices. They are inconsistent in their inventory selection. Their own brand of clothing is cheaply made, priced high and rarely fits well. And above all, Stanton is an egomaniac and a complete douche. I know because I've met him.

I refuse to walk in the doors of RR anymore. You will not be burning any bridges by burning RR, most people know what they are like.

If it weren't for the Running Room I would have never become a marathon runner. I've taken their clinics in every distance from the 5k to marathon, and found the support to be amazing. John Stanton has spoken at several clinics, and he even came out to one hill training session to offer tips. I've also emailed him several times and always found him to be very friendly and helpful.

That being said, I've had friends and relatives who've worked at the RR and have had terrible experiences. They were expected to know everything about the shoes, clothes and training gadgets (watches etc.) without being trained about them. They were also expected to come to a lot of the clinics and help out as pacers, during non-work hours. Although I agree that the clothes and shoes are completely overpriced, I shop at the main RR store in Edmonton quite often because they have a back room sale on shoes. I go there 2-3 times per month, and they ALWAYS have new staff working. When I was Christmas shopping and needed gift receipts, the amount of time it took 3-4 new staff members to figure out how to do this was insane. I called ahead of time in December to ask about Boxing Week sales and was told that a lot of merchandise would be discounted. But when I showed up that week, NOTHING had been marked down. I made several complaints about being LIED TO but was basically told that I was SOL.

I mentioned that I've always found Stanton to be a great person, but I live in his hometown and have heard many negative things about him as a business person. It's all hearsay but it sure makes you wonder.

Because the Running Room is a huge sponsor of the Edmonton Marathon, the pacers are all expected to use the "10 and 1" run/walk method which is ridiculous. I wanted to volunteer as a pacer last year because they were in need, but I couldn't do it because I can't stand that run/walk thing.

Manic Medic: I cannot believe your request to switch shifts was turned down, especially when it involves your commitment to our CF. I agree that you should fight this or at least go to the media. Good luck to you!

I'm of two minds on this. It wouldn't surprise me if RR is a tough employer, a lot of the successful nationally recognized chains are. Given the nature of the biz, I think they owe it to the running community to make sure their staff is properly trained, motivated and secure in their positions to be able to treat the customers properly. But it does seem that the mindset is 'retail employees are a dime a dozen so don't bother'.

As for their contribution outside of the store, it's good that they've exposed more people to running and getting out. However...I personally do not like the way so many events have become 'runningroomized', with crappy post race fare (here's your bag of unappetizing food, now please leave the area immediately) and inflated race fees.

Seriously sounds like sour grapes. I actually work for the running room, and changing shifts has never been a problem, all I've ever had to do was ask. In your post you mention some issues, so perhaps the reason your employment was terminated had nothing to do with your work with the military, but with you......I don't know what your work history has been, but unlike a lot of employers the Running Room has been more then fair in giving me options or time off when I need it, or shuffling around shifts when needed. For instance I cannot work mornings, so I've never been scheduled and have never had an issue...if I'd tried that request at my previous place of employment, at a major Canadian Transportation company, I'd be SOL........as as a consumer, I'm not going to refuse to shop at a certain store because you lost your job.....

great experience with running room both as an employee and now a customer. go spout your bunk somewhere else.

CF and RR smell like azz. your post is too long.