A place is deserving of 5 stars when it consistently meets or exceeds high standards in its products quality (food taste/presentation/freshness, etc) and customer service. I would also rate it 5 stars when I can recommend the place wholeheartedly, even after a first visit. For example, a restaurant that was able to deliver a love at first sight experience would be a very memorable meal where we were wow'ed by its choice of ingredients, food taste, or food presentation plus it provided excellent service. And in this case, I had been consistently impressed by Rackets & Runners' product selection and their customer service on many repeat visits PLUS I can vouch for their 5 stars rating even from my first initial visit. No sympathy stars were granted here, this is truly a place deserving of solid 5 stars for the shoppers seeking expert knowledge and patient service on rackets and runners. Good selection of tennis rackets, pickleball rackets and running shoes. I didn't look for badminton rackets here nor did I seek help on other racket sports like ping pong but they have excellent service, even over the phone, so feel free to call their store before dropping by if you have questions about what sporting goods or brands they carry. I was referred by friends to come here to rent tennis and pickleball rackets before committing to a high end racket purchase and their demo program was great! I appreciated the staff knowledge and paying a small fee to rent an expensive racket for playing on the court was helpful. Trying demo racquets made a huge difference for me in figuring out my playing style and racket preferences. Also, the staff advised me on subtle differences in various brands and were not pushy in making a sale. The staff here are helpful and patient so I enjoyed shopping here when I am looking for expert knowledge for a racket that will last me for years. In short, their expert product knowledge and genuine customer service plus helpful attitude truly sets them apart. Finally, they do carry discounts and clearance deals on rackets & runners so you could score a bargain but consider that as a bonus. Also, I would opt to buy sporting goods such as tennis balls, pickleball racket bags or ping pong rackets online or at chain sports store. Prob easy to find cheaper deals online on Amazon or sale prices on brands not carried at this store but no outlet stores or online retailers can offer such a good demo racket program like them. So I recommend this store for shoppers who would gain benefits from their demo program or for shoppers wanting to try out a racket to deem if it is the best fit. IMO, investing in a good racket is great value for improving your game in the long run. (Yup, let's end review with a play on words lol) Ps. They organize a run club for a membership fee, scan QR code in photo if interested. read more

Rackets & Runners - Scan for more info - Sporting Goods Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This place has everything you need related to rackets and runners. The staff is friendly and super knowledgeable in their products. They are outstanding on giving everyone full customer service and can help you find what you are looking for. I came here to buy sunglasses as well as a pair of court shoes. The price is on the steeper side, but I can't complain since they are great shoes. This place also strings rackets. Bonus that there are ample free street parking. read more

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Good selection and great customer service!!! Mohammed was able to accommodate our immediate stringing need. Their product selection is quite extensive. Highly recommend this business for all your tennis and pickle ball needs. read more

Great customer service. Nadia went above and beyond to help me. Thanks so much! Will be a return customer.

Rare to still find this high level of service. I will recommend this to anyone. I drive in from North Van

The best selection of tennis gear and shoes the quality of service is excellent ! The management is superb love to shop.

i have shopped for shoes for over 70 years and i have never had the kind of support, care and expertise that Nadia provided. Simply stated; Nadia is amazing!!! I am so impressed! read more

Vanda and team were truly amazing. Personal, thoughtful, and fit me well with all my needs onsite and then with expedited product delivery. Amazing team of professionals who care! read more

Rackets & Runners are the best customer focused staff! Nadia is my go to expert for finding runners that work with my orthotics. She orders me styles that cannot be found in the local stores. They do an expert job on restringing my racket & the entire staff is always a pleasure to deal with. Consistent high level of expertise & tremendous assistance. read more

David was a courteous and attentive sales person. Polite and treated us with respect it was great customer service.

I posted in the Vancouver talk boards a query re: where to get good running/walking shoes, as I recently moved here and my present-day shoes are old and worn. I"m walking 10-15 miles per day here (LOVE the seawall!!!) and my feet and ankles are really hurting. I need good shoes ASAP. This store was recommended by some fellow Yelpers so here I went. As usual, my fellow Yelpers did not let me down. Right away, I appreciated how there's a small parking lot in front of the store so I didn't have to pay for parking. I'm learning that this is a real rarity in Vancouver! It's a small thing but I appreciated it. Upon entering the store, I immediately noticed that half the shop is devoted to tennis and the other, to running. The selection of running gear might not be humongous but it appeared they stocked the best and most popular of the major higher-end brands (regarding shoes, apparel and gear and accessories). I was lucky to have Justin help me out. He may be young but he knows his stuff! And he was patient enough to watch my gait, check out my present shoes, bring out multiple models of shoes he recommended for me and discus the pros and cons of each. He advised me to go out in the parking lot to "use the shoes as you normally would" for a bit. After trying on four or five models and brands, I knew which shoe was right for me and felt confident in my decision. (I liked how there's a 30-day return period, too - although I know for sure this won't be needed in my case). I don't believe in scrimping on foot care - especially if running/walking is one's primary means of exercise. This place is great. I'll be bringing my daughters here for their shoe purchases, and will return here for my future athletic shoe needs. read more

Checked out their table tennis gear and it's definitely more like an afterthought or a token gesture. Granted, they're known for their tennis and running selection, but neither of them really overwhelmed me. I was checking out the rackets for like 10 mins and the stringer offered suggestions only when asked, but a lady did proactively offer assistance in the shoe dept. Free tennis racket demos are appreciated though. read more

Brought my pre-teen son to get re-fitted, as he has outgrown his New Balance sneakers (which he got last year, also at R&R). Vanda and staff treated him so well, like a real customer, not just a kid, asking him appropriate questions about his needs, and patiently listening to his answers. They brought out a selection of choices and he was able to find something comfortable for his high-volume feet. Thank you!! read more

The store is awesome! It has been there forever for a reason... They are highly knowledgable and very friendly with a low pressure way of recommending products. I went there to purchase running shoes and I've got the best pair I think I've ever had. I highly recommend this place read more

These are reasons why I will return to R&R for any tennis rackets, strings, tennis/running/trail/walking shoes, tennis clothes, socks (and dog pets): -they care and you matter as a customer -they pay attention to detail -they make sure you're happy and have what you need -they don't try to sell ONLY what's in stock -they remember who you are, even with a mask on! -they have the latest and greatest and spaciously displayed -they are experts on the equipment they sell -they have very fair prices -they ship instantly when ordering online (I got it the day after ordering!) -they put together a nice purchase package (and their bags are nice) -they have a wonderfully, sweet dog Thank you, Vanda and the R&R Team :) read more

I purchased compression sock's which this place carries and recommends. The product is defective and only lasted 2 weeks. I went to this store to tell them about the situation and they said they can't do anything. Why are they selling defective bad products. Be careful when purchasing anything from them. read more

Love the staff here! They are so helpful with assisting me in upgrading my tennis racquets and stringing. Store is spacious and very well laid out. Great selection of grips, specialty strings, and running shoes. read more

These guys are rocking it!!! Best customer service and awesome for social distancing and Covid protocols. Thank you for helping me and my kiddo find the perfect tennis racket! You guys are so happy and helpful. Highly recommend read more

I love this place! I recommend it to all my friends. I've been 3 times to purchase running shoes and I've had 3 different salespeople and each one was helpful, knowledgeable, patient and offered lots of useful tips. It's out of my way but I'll continue coming here. And the Run Club is awesome. I've never had so much enthusiasm for a store in my life! :) read more

Our family buys all our tennis rackets from Rackets & Runners. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Due to COVID, I made the purchase over the phone with same-day stringing service. The pick up was very efficient and safe. We even got free tennis balls. Thanks for all the advice and great service. read more

I purchased a pickleball racket which I realized was defective when I got home (as it had a small rattle inside the core). When I went to exchange it the next day, I was pleasently surprised by the level of customer service. The general manager took the time to address my concerns. He not only exchanged my defective racket for a new one of higher value, but he also gave me a pickle ball - all free of charge. Happy to support local business, and receive customer service that is unmatched by bigger corporations. read more

Excellent service. Fastest pair of sneakers (or any type of shoe, at that) I've ever purchased, and with confidence. Knowledgeable staff. I took my shoes to the orthotics place afterwards, and they told me how awesome the shoes were, too. I don't buy runners very frequently, but I've purchased my last two pairs here, even instead of going South! A bit on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for; I believe their prices are certainly comparable to any other sneaker shop and they only sell the best. They offered to exchange them for me no problem if I changed my mind. The tennis clothing looked pretty nice, too, although I didn't have much time to look. Note-the owners are athletes/runners themselves, I believe, so they should know. Comes highly recommended by me! Now, if only I could make myself work out and/or wear the damn things more frequently.... read more

Periodically, I get it into my head that I need more exercise, but now as I'm cresting over 50, I dread going into those generic sporting goods stores looking for sensible "cross trainers" with music pumping and indifferent 20 something service staff. I'm sure the problem is with me, but it is what it is. This time I went out of my way to find a local shop that seemed comfortable in its shoes. This mufti-generational family run business has been In the same location on Oak St. since 1978 and, after 36 years, they've learned a thing or two about fitting running shoes. Yes, you can probably go on-line and find cheaper shoes, but wouldn't you want to pay a bit more and get the proper fitting shoes the first time? Your feet will thank you. What impressed me with Nadia, the sales person who assisted me, was that she listened to what my needs were and took the time to explain why the pair I finally chose were right for me. No up selling, just a pleasant shopping experience that left me feeling slightly elated. The best thing about Rackets & Runners in an ever changing city like Vancouver is it isn't going anywhere. Nadia mentioned they just signed a 7 year lease extension so I know where I'll be getting my running shoes for the foreseeable - I just need to use them! read more

To be honest: I dislike the "journey" of getting a pair of workoout shoes. Thank goodness Rackets & Runners offered a broad range of shoes and sizes. The prices are on the steep side for me. Since I take a long time to wear out a pair, then I'm ok with it. It's not easy finding size 5 shoes. When I walked in, a nice lady offered to help me because I looked overwhelmed by all the selection. She got a few pairs for me to try and examined how I walked. That help her narrow down choices for me. In about half an hour, I came out with a good pair of shoes. When I paid, the cashier told me the person who helped me out was the owner of the store. Cool. I'm enjoying my cute brand new blue shoes. read more

I rarely review on Yelp but had to with the excellent service I have received from this location. I'm looking to buy a new racket and the guy working Kevin has been nothing but helpful. I have demo'd numerous rackets and he gave the time to discuss each and how it can help my game, and explaining the effects of different strings on each. Ive almost made my decision and will be buying from them 100% the service they provide is worth any extra dollar I will have to pay as opposed to ordering online and moving forward knowing I will be trying new string types confident they will be helping with that! Thanks Kevin read more

More than just tennis, cricket gear too. Impressed by selection of high quality of runners, even Mizuno & Sugoi naturally. Very knowledgeable staff, this guy sure knew his stuff about compression wear, as that was what i was looking for. you won't get this from Sport Chek lol. Running wear too. You get the feeling that if you need to get shoes fitted, you;ve come to the professionals. decent sized parking lot, Oak St. too. read more

The staff sit on those shoe fitting stools and actually discusses what you want, need, price range, etc. I did not feel rushed. The staff is extremely friendly. I will definitely come back. Parking is easy because it is like a little strip mall next to subway. read more

The 3 time I had to buy running shoes for my daughters 15and 9. I'm so pleased with the customer service, nowhere else you get such great service. They look at your feet ask questions and every time I leave the store, I feel I got the right shoes. Nadia thank you so much for your knowledge and help, Crista read more

Can't say enough how impressed I am with Racquets and Runners. I have been a customer for roughly 25 years. Their staff is remarkable and the quality, price and service of their products is the best. I have been driving in for years from White Rock, to have Racquets and Runners string my Wilson RF97. The staff have gone out of their way to accommodate a quick turnaround on my racquet stringing. Thank you so much for the extra special service you provide. I will continue to be a very loyal customer. Chris... read more

I'd always heard good things about Rackets and Runners, but today was the first time I'd been in. It was one of those store visits that turns you into an instant fan. Buying a tennis racket is one of those purchases where you can pick right and be super happy, or you can completely blow $300. Keith walked us through the selection process, teaching us about balance, tension, head size, and all the things that help you choose whether you need a power racket or a control racket Keith then allowed us to check out two rackets on two different ends of the continuum, and we test drove his recommends. They were absolute game changers. Keith absolutely nailed my friend's playing style, and my friend ended up buying his first recommendation. RNR easily matched online retailers' prices, but provided boutique service. 10/10 would go again. read more

I was recommended to go to this store to buy a pair of runners by a family member. I received exceptional customer service by Vanda. She was very knowledgeable and greatly assisted with narrowing down the choices. It's been a week and the shoes that I eventually bought are awesome. I highly recommend this store to anybody it was defiantly worth the 30 minute drive and the short wait to get into the store. I also checked out the price online when I got home and I received a better price at the store then online can't say that very often anymore. read more

After years of health problems I was finally in a condition to start exercising, specifically walking and running, I was, according to my fitbit going 10-15 miles a day and my runners that I bought in years and years ago were done. I went to Racket & Runners, since I hate paying for parking and they are close enough for me to walk to. Needless to say I bought a paid of shoes an was on my merry way. 2 1/2 months later the wear on the shows was so bad I ended up twisting my ankle on one foot and pulling my Achilles tendon on the other. I brought the shoes back, so that they could see what kind of abuse I do to my shoes so they could recommend a pair more suited for my orthotics and usage. My salesman Herman called over a manager to the register and after showing her the shoes gave me full credit for the previous purchase for the purchase of the news shoes. read more

This is THE place to go in Vancouver for tennis shoes. I'm a very aggressive player, with a very odd-shaped foot. This makes it super hard for me to find tennis shoes that fit me well. Michael was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable. He knows his footwear! And once he found the perfect shoe for me, he price matched! So not only did I get the right shoe, but I got it at the right price. Much appreciated. read more

Really amazing customer service here. I recently broke a string early on in a hit with a friend who had traveled 40 minutes to play. They kept the store open to let me drop of my racket for stringing and borrow a demo. The staff is super knowledgeable and takes their time to make sure you know your options. Excellent at restringing. read more

After 15 years, I decided it was time to get back into playing tennis and needed a racket and tennis shoes. I'm the type of person who is more than willing to walk out of a store if I don't like the service -- or it's non-existent. Conversely, if I walk into a store and am helped by a clerk who's knowledgeable and friendly, I'll be a customer for life even if I have to pay more than some discount store. Having no clue what I'd need as far as a racket and shoes go and wanting to stay away from a chain sporting goods store where I figured I wouldn't get expert advice, I turned to Yelp. Enter Rackets & Runners and their 5-star rating: "knowledgeable staff". "super friendly", "helpful"... I'm sold. I walked in today and was greeted warmly by a couple of staff members who were helping other customers try on shoes. "Perfect", I thought, "this is the spot." I stopped at the wall of tennis shoes and started browsing while two clerks stood by the counter. After a couple of seconds, one of them approached and asked if I needed help. He proceeded to explain what made tennis shoes different from runners, and what the differences were between the less and more expensive shoes. I told him that I was getting back into the game and would need a racket as well... At that moment, another customer walked into the store, came up to the counter, and started talking to the other clerk there. Right when the last word of "I'll need a racket as well" left my lips, the clerk helping me promptly his back on me, walked to the counter and started talking to the other customer! I was in shock. It sounded like he had dealt with the customer previously. I continued looking at the shoes for another 30 seconds or so to see if the clerk would turn around to get back to me but he never did. So I promptly walked out of the store. You only get one chance to make a good first impression and Rackets and Runners sadly failed. I'll never go back. Too bad. Ironically, I stopped by a Sport Chek chain store on my way home to see what they had and got some decent, friendly service and bought two rackets (one for my wife) on sale. read more

If you need tennis equipment this is THE place...very knowledgable staff and super friendly....

Just wanted to give a big shout out to David D. for providing me with exceptional customer service. I visited the store recently regarding a racket that he sold me in 2018 and he quickly turned a potential negative experience into a very positive one for me. I was extremely impressed with the after sales service that I received. David was totally committed to looking after me to ensure that I was happy with the outcome and that I remained a loyal R&R customer. Thanks again David ! Lee- Vancouver read more

I've bought running shoes from this store for the past two years, and have been greatly impressed with the level of customer service on each of my visits. The staff take the time to understand your needs, and ensure that you walk away with the right pair of shoes based on current shoe wear, walking gait, running gait and level of use. I feel welcome each time I visit, and always feel confident and happy with my purchase. The perfect place for running gear and advice! read more

I've only visited the store 3 times and I've been greeted with fantastic customer service each time. All of the staff were helpful and courteous. They took the extra mile to make the customer felt taken care of. A pair of my new shoes started to tear after a few wears and I brought it back to the store for an evaluation. They reviewed the defect and gave me a new pair immediately. On any future purchases of shoes or gear, I will definitely make the trip to Rackets & Runners first before any other. read more

Excellent!!! Staff are friendly, very knowledgeable, helpful...If you need good tennis, volleyball, squash, or running shoes this is the place... read more