Play-It Again Sports is giving sports fans a chance for a double play.
The sporting goods consignment shop that recently opened in Opelika is hoping to recycle and redistribute unused athletic equipment.
"We're doing a soft opening," said owner Casey Wade. "We're just opening to buy inventory. For the next three weeks we're going to buy new and used inventory, as well as getting our new stuff."
The store offers three options for selling sports apparel: cash payment, trade-in or consignment.
Cash sales involve more inexpensive sports apparel, like baseball gloves, and the store also offers a store credit for items that are traded in.
"Let's say you were looking to buy a new set of golf clubs," Wade said. "Let's say you had a baseball bat. You bring in a bat, and we give you $15 for trade-in. When you find a set of golf clubs for $50, it would be $35."
For higher priced items, Play-It-Again offers consignment sales.
"It's for bigger ticket items, things over $100," Wade said. "If you wanted to sell some equipment, we would take it and sell it and would give you a percentage, around 50 percent."
Wade said consignments are the way to get the most money out of old sports apparel. However, he reminded that original owners must wait until the item actually sells to receive payment.
"We'll be open to buy for now," said employee Samantha Bradshaw. "On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we will open doors to sell."
Danny Aubin, co-manager of Play-It Again Sports, said he is confident the store will be successful.
"This community is an athletic community," Aubin said. "For the stuff that is too big or too small, people have a way to get rid of it. They can get a good amount of money back than at a yard sale. It gives the community an option to buy something that's not brand new."
Aubin said customer service and location are two traits that distinguish Play-It-Again from other sport retailers.
"If Dick's doesn't have what you need, people usually go to Academy," Aubin said. "We're right in the middle. Our new stuff will always be cheaper than Dick's or Academy."
Wade also plans to invest in the community.
"Programs will be set up," Wade said. "If you want to donate sporting goods, we will write the check to an organization.
"We will also be involved with the Chizik Foundation and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We're trying to go local as much as possible, but a lot of that has to be set up."
Currently, the store is not seeing a great influx of college students.
"We're definitely going to market on campus," Aubin said. "We've already talked to basketball coaches, and word is going to get around. We're well-known in the community. We're going to get around quick."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
