FF Employee wrote:
I worked at a fleet feet for approximately 6 months and quickly realized the brand (or at least my store) was solely out to make moneyed not helping the best interest of the running community.
The ownership would require us to always, nearly regardless of the circumstance tell the customer "you will try on socks and you will try on inserts". When I refused to sell inserts to people that didn't need them (ie almost everyone that doesn't have arch/Plantar problems) I was reprimanded. There is no scientific support that inserts work, and they would more or less tell people you will get injured if you don't buy these 50 dollar inserts on top of a 150 shoe. Frequently other sales associates would sell high school cross country runners who are still developing inserts. Our ownership were not actual runners and wouldn't be able to tell you who Steve prefontaine was if you put a gun to their head.
95% of the business consisted of old people and hobby joggers looking for walking/gym shoes.
As a runner I would highly recommend not shopping at fleet feet and do yourself a favor by purchasing your shoes for much cheaper elsewhere.
+100. My experience with them exactly.