Is Scheels Legit? Pros, Cons, and Reviews (With Screenshots)

“Is Scheels legit?” is a common question of shoppers, and the answer is a big yes. Over a year ago, we ordered Nike Air Force 1, New Balance 9060, Jordans Low TD, and Birkenstocks Arizona from Scheels.

Here’s what we’ve found:

Scheels is 100% legit. They’ve been in business since 1902, and run 34 huge stores across the U.S. today. The company is completely employee-owned and is getting famous for community involvement and high-quality products. They carry real brands like Nike and Garmin, and customer service is fast and helpful.

But is it really worth choosing them instead of other retailers? Worry not. We’ve got you.

In this Scheels review, you’ll find out;

• Pros

• Cons

• Customer reviews

• Comparison with other stores

Let’s begin!

Key Takeaways

• Scheels is legit. It is over 120 years old and started as a small family hardware store in Minnesota.

• The company is fully employee-owned, which means better service and real accountability.

• They run 34 physical stores across 16 states.

• Their website, scheels.com, is secure and protected with HTTPS and Norton verification.

• They carry real, authentic gear from big brands like Nike, The North Face, and Garmin.

• Scheels has a 90-day return policy and quick, easy refunds (both online and in-store).

• Thousands of customer reviews are positive, especially on their mobile apps and Google.

• Their price match guarantee means you’ll never pay more than at other trusted retailers.

Is Scheels Legit? Latest Review

Scheels is absolutely legit. It is a trusted sporting goods company that has been in business since 1902, with 34 large stores across 16 states in the United States. Each store is massive and includes unique attractions like Ferris wheels and aquariums. They are fully employee-owned, and their customer service is excellent.

They are not a scam or a risky site. They are a long-running, real, and reliable business.

We’ve ordered online from them, and we’ve been inside their stores. Let’s break down all the reasons why we feel Scheels is legitimate:

Over 120 Years of History

Scheels is legit because it has been in business for over 120 years. A company started in 1902 that still operates today with real storefronts and happy customers is not fake. It was founded in Sabin, Minnesota, by a German immigrant named Frederick A. Scheele, who turned $300 from his potato harvest into a hardware store.

That story alone tells you how deep their roots go. He dropped the “e” from the family name to make it easier to say. He then started the first store with help from his wife and two kids.

In 1919, his son, Frederick M. Scheel, came back from serving in World War I and took over. He added groceries and farm tools. The company kept growing step by step.

The most recent CEO, Steve M. Scheel, is the great-great-grandson of the founder. That alone is rare in business. He recently retired and handed the role over to Matt Hanson, who started out as a part-time cashier at their store in Mankato, Minnesota. He worked his way up from the bottom, which says a lot about how the company works inside.

Scheels Is Owned by Its Employees

Scheels is a fully employee-owned company, which means every worker owns a piece of the business. That model makes the company more trustworthy because the people who work there are invested in keeping customers happy.

When we visited one of their stores in Texas, we noticed right away how different it felt from a big chain. The workers were actually helpful. They knew the products. They didn’t pressure us into buying.

We once placed an online order of Birkenstocks Arizona. There was a small mix-up with the shipping address, and we called their customer service. A real person picked up within a minute and fixed the issue.

A lot of companies are run from the top down, where no one below the corporate level has any say or stake. Scheels is the opposite. Everyone has skin in the game. When that happens, employees do things better.

34 Large Stores Across the United States

Scheels is not a scam because it has 34 real and massive physical stores spread across 16 different U.S. states, including Texas, Iowa, Nevada, North Dakota, and Colorado. We visited the one in The Colony, Texas, and we were shocked at how big it was. There’s a Ferris wheel inside the store.

Here’s the picture of Scheels store we took from our own camera:

That’s not it.

There’s also a giant saltwater aquarium, shooting simulators, and entire sections for hunting, fishing, fitness, shoes, and even grilling. You could easily spend half a day there and still not see it all.

Fake companies or scam websites don’t build stores like that. They don’t buy land, hire hundreds of employees, or install 16,000-gallon fish tanks just to trick people. It costs millions to open and run stores like these. That alone proves Scheels is completely legit.

Here are all 34 Scheels store locations across 16 U.S. states:

The Official Scheels Website Is Safe and Secure

Scheels.com is completely safe to shop from. It uses HTTPS encryption, which means your email, password, and credit card info are secure. The official website is also verified by Norton Safe Web, and holds a high trust score from ScamAdviser. That means experts have reviewed the site for malware risks and found nothing suspicious.

We’ve also noted that the Scheels.com website is regularly updated. We’ve personally ordered gear from their site a few times, and it always felt solid.

Has a Strong Social Media Presence

Scheels is legitimate because it has verified and active accounts on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and X. Here’s the table:

Scheels Is Covered by Reputable News Outlets

Scheels is 100% legit because it has been featured in trusted media outlets. Popular ones are:

• The Washington Post

• Forbes

• Bloomberg

• USA Today

• FOX 9.

They have published full reports and detailed coverage of the company’s operations. Note that scam companies do not get this kind of attention.

Let us explain.

The Washington Post called Scheels a “retail spectacle” in the Midwest. It talked about their 331,000+ square foot megastores that include Ferris wheels, aquariums, animatronic sports figures, and even faith-based branding. That’s serious national coverage. 

Forbes listed Scheels as a historic and employee-owned retailer based in Fargo, ND. Another article from October 2023 explained how Scheels has transformed into immersive “experience stores” that draw families in. Awesome, isn’t it?

There's more.

Bloomberg also ran a company profile. It clearly states that Scheels is respected in its industry.

Real Customers Leave Thousands of Positive Reviews

Scheels is trusted by thousands of real customers who have left detailed reviews across platforms like Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, Reddit, and the Better Business Bureau. Their mobile app has a 4.9-star rating on the Apple App Store from over 7,500 users.

What about Android? Well, Scheels has got a 4.8-star rating on Google Play from over 100,000 downloads.

These are the common Scheels reviews posted by real customers:

We always tell people that reviews don’t lie. On Google, many of Scheels’ locations have ratings above 4.7 stars. When we looked through them, we kept seeing the same points come up: people love the helpful employees. On Yelp, even in big cities where reviews can be tough, customers say the staff makes the shopping experience actually enjoyable.

Over on Reddit, there are tons of threads in r/Outdoors and r/Fitness where people ask, “Has anyone bought from Scheels online?” or “Is Scheels a good place for gear?” And almost every time, the replies are full of users saying things like “I’ve ordered from them five times.

Trustpilot and the BBB (Better Business Bureau) show consistent feedback, too. There are some complaints, as with any big company, but nothing shady.

Scheels Actively Supports Local Communities

Scheels gives back to local communities through donations, sponsorships, and partnerships that support youth programs. These actions are covered regularly in local news outlets.

In Waite Park, Minnesota, Scheels helped provide 21 armor inserts to first responders through a local cycling event called Tour de Shield616.

In Kansas City, they teamed up with Hope Center KC and Chiefs players to give kids a full-on shopping spree. These were kids from tough backgrounds. Scheels gave them warm winter gear.

Over in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Scheels sponsored the Sport For All Camp at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. This was a multi-sport leadership event for students from kindergarten through 8th grade.

In Minot, North Dakota, they gave $250,000 toward upgrades for a local youth sports complex, including locker rooms, concession stands, and restrooms.

We’ve walked into Scheels stores and seen bulletin boards covered with photos and flyers of local events they support. They sponsor 5Ks, sports teams, fishing tournaments, and even teacher appreciation drives.

Has a Fair and Transparent Return Policy

Scheels is not fake, and it has a clear return and exchange policy that gives you 90 days to return most products (either in-store or by mail). You’ll get a refund to your original form of payment or a Scheels gift card if you don’t have a receipt. They even allow case-by-case exceptions after 90 days.

We’ve used it ourselves. When a pair of boots we bought online didn’t fit right, we started the return process and had our refund in three business days.

Their mail-in return system is straightforward. You have 90 days from your online purchase date to send it back. All you do is:

1. Go to their website.

2. Generate a free return label.

3. Ship the item.

If you want to exchange for a different size or color, they’ll handle that, too.

In-store returns are even easier. You just walk up to the customer service counter with your receipt or order confirmation, and they’ll process it. If you don’t have the receipt, they’ll ask for a valid state-issued ID and give you store credit for the current price. This makes sense, and it’s fair.

There are some items you can’t return, and they’re clear about those. This includes things like:

• Ammunition

• Bows

• Firearms

• Opened LEGO sets

• Autographed memorabilia.

We also looked into warranty support. Scheels will help you with product defects, especially for their own brand called “Scheels Outfitters.” 

Accepts Secure and Legitimate Payment Methods

Scheels is legit because it accepts trusted and secure payment options like Visa, Mastercard, Discover, PayPal, Klarna, and Affirm. These platforms all include buyer protection features and fraud monitoring. They do not partner with scam or unverified retailers.

This is what you'll see during the checkout:

Every time we’ve shopped with Scheels, online and in-store, we’ve used different payment types. Credit card transactions go through instantly, and you always get a confirmation email with tracking updates.

We’ve also tried using PayPal once, and it felt just as smooth. The refund from a return showed up in our PayPal account three days after we sent the item back.

Klarna and Affirm are financing tools that let you split payments over time. These companies do not allow just anyone to use their service. Retailers must go through an approval process. That tells us Scheels passed all required checks to offer that kind of payment plan.

What really adds peace of mind is the fraud protection. Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal will all back you up if something goes wrong.

Scam websites usually limit you to wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment processors no one has heard of. Scheels is the opposite.

You’ll Get Real Products from Trusted Name Brands

You can trust Scheels, as it only sells authentic products from major brands like Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Yeti, and Garmin. These brands strictly control who they allow to sell their merchandise, and they do not work with unverified or untrustworthy retailers.

We bought Nike Zoom running shoes from Scheels ourselves, and we weren’t disappointed.

Keep in mind that brand partnerships don’t happen by accident. Companies like Nike and Garmin are extremely picky about who they let sell their products. Also, when we browsed the store, every section was clearly branded.

If you ever doubt whether a store is legit, just look at the brands they carry. In Scheels’ case, the lineup alone confirms that it’s a verified, trusted seller.

Has Verified Business Listings Across Multiple Platforms

Scheels is fully verified across major online directories and maps like;

• Google Maps

• Apple Maps

• Yelp

• Yellow Pages

• Better Business Bureau.

Each store location has accurate hours and working phone numbers. Here are a few real Scheels store listings with name, location, and phone for you:

On Yelp, locations are listed with real customer photos (not stock images). You can read reviews for each store and check their recent responses. They also post regular updates and announcements.

If you really want to go deep, you can even look up state-level business licenses. We verified the Fargo headquarters through North Dakota’s Secretary of State business portal. The listing confirms that Scheels is registered.

Scheels Is Registered With the Better Business Bureau

Scheels is a registered business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and most store locations are individually listed and verified. While not all branches hold an A+ rating, Scheels regularly responds to customer concerns and closes complaints. In our opinion, this shows that they operate transparently and seriously.

Scam stores rarely even show up in BBB listings. If they do, they don’t respond to complaints or provide contact details. Scheels does. They also respond to customer issues logged through BBB channels.

If you ever want to double-check a store, the BBB is a solid place to start.

Offers a Legitimate Price Match Guarantee

Scheels is legit because they offer a real price match guarantee. This means if you find a lower price on an identical item at a competing store, Scheels will match it. We asked a store associate in person about this and they explained it clearly.

Legit stores can handle this kind of policy because they control their supply chain. They also work directly with brands and have real-time inventory management. Scheels clearly does. This also tells us they want long-term customers, not just one-time sales.

Scheels Has Verified Customer Service You Can Actually Reach

Scheels is a real company with verified, working customer service channels. They offer 7-day support through phone, email, and live chat, with real people responding.

We’ve contacted Scheels support ourselves through different methods. Their general customer service number for online and order help is (701) 670‑8388, and you’ll reach a real person. If it’s after hours or store-specific, the corporate line (701) 356‑8264 connects you directly to the main Fargo headquarters.

For email support, there are several options:

• General feedback and inquiries: available through the “Email Us” form on their Help Center

• Privacy and legal matters: privacy@scheels.com

• Alternate support (as listed on Trustpilot): customerservice@scheels.com

Live chat is another feature that works well. It’s available through the Help Center on scheels.com. We’ve used it to ask about product availability and sizing help, and the responses were quick and helpful.

We once wanted to know whether Scheels had Nike shoes, and they replied instantly. Our chat:

Their customer service hours are from about 8 AM to 8 PM Central Time, Monday through Sunday. That’s a wide window, and we’ve never had trouble reaching someone during that time.

Has a Clear and Trusted Shipping and Order Cancellation Policy

Scheels is a legitimate company with simple shipping and cancellation policies. Orders are processed promptly and shipped through major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS. They also explain when and how items can be canceled or refunded (which is something scam sites never do).

For shipping, here’s how it works:

• Standard shipping is free on orders over $75 and arrives in 2–5 business days.

• Orders under $75 cost $9.99 for standard shipping.

• Expedited shipping (2–3 days) is $19.99, and Express (1–2 days) is $29.99.

• Same-day in-store pickup is free and ready in about an hour.

The best part is that you can also track your order status:

Important Note: They also ship to Alaska and Hawaii with a flat rate of $19.99. Ammunition has its own separate fee, calculated at $9.99 per 10 boxes, and must ship to a physical address (no P.O. boxes).

If you’re ordering large items like treadmills, ellipticals, grills, or basketball hoops, you’ll pay a surcharge based on size and weight. These are delivered using freight partners like Estes or Pilot, and can take up to 2–4 weeks.

You can also track every order easily. Scheels sends out a tracking number as soon as the item ships, and if your item ships in multiple packages, you’ll get updates for each one.

If your package is marked “Delivered” and you didn’t receive it, they recommend checking with neighbors first. But if the package is lost or damaged, they’ll help you file a claim with the carrier. If you bought Route shipping insurance at checkout, you can file through them directly for even faster resolution.

On order cancellations, here’s the bottom line: Once your order is submitted, processing begins almost immediately. If it’s been less than 30 minutes, you can try the self-service cancel feature or contact customer support right away. After that, cancellations are usually not possible because the order is already being packed or shipped.

Why Is Scheels So Cheap?

Scheels offers surprisingly low prices because they are a large employee-owned company with direct partnerships with top brands like Nike, New Balance, Garmin, and The North Face. They also have an in-house brand called Scheels Outfitters, which helps lower costs by cutting out the middleman. Add to that their price match guarantee, and you get lower prices without sacrificing product quality.

Here’s a breakdown:

Scheels Reviews and Complaints

Scheels has overwhelmingly positive reviews, but like any large retailer, there are some complaints from real customers.

1. Long wait times on large-item shipping

Some Scheels customers report delays when ordering large items like gym equipment, grills, or ice houses. These items often ship from third-party vendors or freight carriers, which can take longer.

"I ordered a treadmill on March 3rd, and it didn’t arrive until March 22nd. I didn’t expect it to take nearly three weeks. I wish they had told me upfront it was shipping freight."
— Jessica H., Omaha, NE

2. Limited stock for popular items

When Scheels runs promotions, things sell out fast, especially online. This can frustrate regular customers who shop during peak sale events.

"I was trying to grab a Garmin watch during their weekend sale, but it was out of stock within two hours. I even called my local store, and they had none left either."
— Kevin M., Bismarck, ND

3. Gift card issues during returns

A few people mention confusion when returning items bought with Scheels gift cards. If there’s no receipt or order confirmation, they’ll usually issue store credit, not a refund to a card.

Is Scheels Nationwide?

Scheels is not nationwide in the full sense, but it does have a strong presence across several regions in the United States. As of now, Scheels operates 34 large retail locations spread across 16 states, mostly in the Midwest, Mountain West, and a few in the South. Some of the key states with Scheels stores include:

• Texas

• North Dakota

• Iowa

• Nevada

• Utah

• Colorado.

They are rapidly expanding, and each new location is massive (often over 200,000 square feet). You will also see interactive attractions like aquariums, Ferris wheels, and shooting simulators.

You can still shop with Scheels no matter where you live in the U.S. through their official online store, scheels.com, which ships nationwide and offers free shipping on orders over $75.

Is Scheels Open on Sunday?

Yes, Scheels stores are open on Sundays. Most locations follow standard weekend hours and open around 11:00 AM and close around 6:00 PM, although exact hours may vary slightly depending on the city or state. Their online store, scheels.com, remains available 24/7 for shopping.

If you're planning a visit on a Sunday, we recommend checking the store locator on their website first. Just search for your nearest Scheels and view the store’s hours listed at the top of the page. Some holiday weekends may have different hours, but they’re always posted in advance.

Their customer service and in-store pickup services also run during Sunday business hours.

Scheels vs Others: How It Compares to the Biggest Retailers

Scheels stands out from other sneaker and sporting goods retailers because of its employee-owned model. Unlike marketplaces like GOAT or StockX, Scheels only sells new, authentic items from verified brands.

Here’s how Scheels stacks up against the rest:

Conclusion

So, is Scheels legit?

After looking at everything, the answer is:

Scheels is legit. It’s an employee-owned sporting goods chain with over 30 stores in the U.S. Each store is massive and includes unique attractions like Ferris wheels. Customers praise Scheels’ excellent customer service and wide selection of outdoor gear.

They’ve been in business since 1902, so you know they’re not going anywhere. Plus, many shoppers say it’s one of the best places for reliable sporting and outdoor equipment.

All in all, Scheels is a smart place to shop.