What Dick's Sporting Goods Is and How to Shop There

Dick's Sporting Goods is a retail chain that sells athletic shoes, apparel, equipment, and gear across hundreds of locations in the United States, plus online at dickssportinggoods.com. You can walk into a store, browse items in person, try things on, and buy at the register — or order online and pick up in-store, have items shipped to your home, or use curbside pickup depending on your location.

The store carries brands like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, The North Face, and Columbia, as well as Dick's own house brands. Departments include footwear, apparel for men and women, team sports equipment, outdoor gear, fitness equipment, and hunting and fishing supplies. Prices are standard retail — not discount or outlet pricing — though the store runs sales and clearance sections regularly.

You do not need an account to make a purchase in-store or online, but creating one lets you save items, track orders, and earn rewards through their loyalty program.

Key Takeaways

  • Dick's Sporting Goods operates physical stores nationwide and sells online; you can shop either way or use in-store pickup for online orders.
  • The store's ScoreCard loyalty program earns you points on purchases that convert to rewards certificates you can spend on future buys.
  • Returns are accepted within 60 days with a receipt or proof of purchase, and most items can go back to any Dick's location or by mail.
  • The store offers price matching on identical items sold by major competitors, which you can request at checkout or before you buy.
  • Dick's runs frequent sales on seasonal items, clearance sections, and email promotions for members, so signing up for their mailing list can save you money.

How the ScoreCard Loyalty Program Works

Dick's Sporting Goods runs a free loyalty program called ScoreCard that you can join in-store or online at dickssportinggoods.com. When you sign up, you get a membership number and can link it to your account. Every time you make a purchase — in-store or online — you earn points based on what you spend.

The points-to-rewards conversion varies, but typically you earn one point per dollar spent. Once you accumulate enough points (the threshold changes periodically), you receive a rewards certificate that you can use like a gift card on future purchases. You can check your points balance and view your rewards certificates in your online account or ask a cashier in-store.

ScoreCard members also receive early access to sales, exclusive member-only promotions, and birthday rewards. There is no annual fee, and you do not have to use a credit card — you can link any payment method to your account.

In-Store Shopping and Checkout

When you shop in a Dick's Sporting Goods store, you can browse freely, try on clothing and shoes, and ask staff for help finding items or sizing information. Most locations have fitting rooms where you can test fit multiple items at once. If you cannot find something on the floor, you can ask an associate to check the stockroom or order it for you.

At checkout, you can pay with cash, debit card, credit card, or a Dick's Sporting Goods credit card (a branded card issued by a third-party lender that offers promotional financing on large purchases). If you have a ScoreCard membership, give your membership number or phone number at checkout so your purchase is recorded toward your points. You will receive a receipt that shows your points earned and current balance.

If you are not sure about a purchase, ask about the return window before you leave — Dick's allows returns within 60 days, so you have time to decide.

Online Shopping and Pickup Options

On dickssportinggoods.com, you can browse the full inventory, read product descriptions and customer reviews, and filter by size, color, brand, and price. You do not need an account to check out, but creating one saves your address and payment information for faster future orders.

When you order online, you have three delivery choices: standard shipping to your home (usually 5 to 7 business days), expedited shipping (2 to 3 business days), or free in-store pickup if the item is in stock at a location near you. Curbside pickup is also available at many stores — you order online, choose curbside at checkout, and pick up your items from your car without entering the store. Most in-store and curbside pickups are ready within one to two business days.

Online orders may have access to for ScoreCard points the same way in-store purchases do. If you are a ScoreCard member, log into your account before checkout so your points are recorded.

Returns, Exchanges, and Price Matching

Dick's Sporting Goods accepts returns and exchanges within 60 days of purchase. You can return items to any Dick's store location or by mail — the website provides a prepaid shipping label if you choose to mail items back. You will need your receipt or proof of purchase (your order confirmation email if you bought online). Refunds are issued to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after the store or warehouse receives your return.

Items must be unworn, unwashed, and in original condition with tags attached. Clearance items and final-sale merchandise cannot be returned. If you want to exchange an item for a different size or color, you can do that in-store when ready or process it online.

Dick's also offers price matching on items sold by major competitors like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other national retailers. If you find the same item at a lower price elsewhere, bring the competitor's price (in-store, show it on your phone or bring a printed ad) or mention it when you order online, and Dick's will match it at checkout. Price matching does not explore to clearance items or sales that have already ended.

Sales, Clearance, and Finding Deals

Dick's Sporting Goods runs sales throughout the year, with major promotions around holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday) and seasonal changes (back-to-school, winter sports, spring sports). Clearance sections in-store and online feature items marked down 30 to 70 percent, though selection is limited and sizes may be incomplete.

To stay informed about upcoming sales, sign up for Dick's email list on their website — members receive advance notice of promotions, exclusive discount codes, and flash sales. You can also follow their social media accounts or check the "Sale" section of the website regularly. ScoreCard members get early access to some sales before they open to the general public.

Seasonal items (winter coats in spring, summer sandals in fall) are often discounted as inventory clears. If you are flexible on timing, waiting until the end of a season can save you significantly.

Dick's Sporting Goods Credit Card and Financing

Dick's offers a branded credit card issued by Comenity Capital Bank. The card earns points on purchases just like ScoreCard, but cardholders also receive promotional financing offers — typically 0% interest for 12 months on purchases over a certain amount (usually $250 or more). This can be useful if you are buying expensive equipment like a treadmill or a complete bike setup.

You explore for the card in-store or online. The issuer will perform a credit check, and you will receive a decision within minutes. If approved, you can use the card when ready in-store or online. Like any credit card, you are responsible for paying the balance, and interest accrues after any promotional period ends if you do not pay in full.

You do not need the credit card to shop at Dick's — it is optional and useful only if you plan to make large purchases and want to spread payments over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return items bought online to a Dick's store?

Yes. Items bought on dickssportinggoods.com can be returned to any Dick's Sporting Goods store location within 60 days. Bring your order confirmation email or receipt. You do not have to return items to the store where you picked them up if you used in-store pickup.

What is the difference between ScoreCard and the Dick's credit card?

ScoreCard is a free loyalty program that earns points on any purchase, regardless of how you pay. The Dick's credit card is a separate product that also earns points but adds promotional financing (like 0% interest for 12 months on large purchases). You can use ScoreCard without the credit card, but the credit card requires a credit check and approval.

Does Dick's ship to all states?

Dick's ships to all 50 states, but some items (like certain sporting equipment or hazardous materials) may have shipping restrictions. When you add an item to your cart online, the website will tell you whether it can be shipped to your address.

Can I use a rewards certificate online?

Yes. When you check out on dickssportinggoods.com, you can enter your rewards certificate code in the payment section. You can also use certificates in-store by providing your ScoreCard number or membership card at checkout.

What if an item goes on sale right after I buy it?

Dick's does not automatically refund the difference if an item drops in price after purchase. However, you can contact customer service with your receipt and ask about a price adjustment — many retailers will honor a price drop within a short window (typically 7 to 14 days), though policies vary by location.