John Reardon knew he could not miss out on saving big bucks on sports gear for his kids at Franklin Sports’ annual warehouse sale this year.
Not only did the Norwood father hear about the massive sale from his wife, but Reardon’s group chat had also been discussing it the entire week leading up to its first day on Nov. 22.
“We have a dad’s group that has been big about this. Last year, I missed it, and I probably lost a lot of money by not coming here. So this year we were on top of it,” Reardon said. “It’s quite an experience.”
Reardon scored a baseball glove, two snow tubes, several footballs and helmets, 10 practice lacrosse balls, a basketball hoop and pitch bag, all for under $200. He estimates all that equipment would have cost him $200 more, or around $400, if he bought it elsewhere.
“It’s just a special time of the year for us to be able to put this on and really support the community and be able to give people holiday gifts that are a very, very special price,” Adam Franklin, president of Franklin Sports, told MassLive during a chaotic first day of the sale.
Franklin Sports, which was started in 1946 by Franklin’s grandfather, sells more than 10,000 products across multiple sports and categories.
Every year, during the holiday season, the company’s warehouse sale features thousands of leftover — but perfectly good — products for up to 80% off the original price.
Sample deals include pickleballs sold for $1 each, while a pack of 100 is typically sold online for $259. Franklin’s signature batting gloves are also half off and street hockey balls that normally go for $4.99 a pop are just a dollar at the sale.
“The discounts are very, very steep. I mean, some of the stuff is below cost,” Franklin said while mentioning that everything at the sale is “perfectly good” or might “be a couple years old.”
He added, “You come in with a $100 bill, and you’re walking out with a huge Santa bag filled with stuff.”
Franklin Sports has been hosting the warehouse sale for roughly 20 years. The sale started after the company closed its Stoughton store, but “people were really craving for more product from us,” Franklin said.
In addition to providing holiday gifts, the warehouse sale helps to support local organizations such as schools, sports teams and community toy drives.
Eddie Rivera of Somerset made the trek up to Stoughton on a rainy Saturday morning to browse gifts for his children and contribute to a gift basket that is distributed to kids in the local community through AAU Basketball.
“It helps, like, 20-30 families,” Rivera explained. “We just get all the stuff that we can, and it’s obviously cheaper at this time, so it works out better.”
Leanne Fisher of Braintree has gone to the sale for the past 6 or 7 years to buy sports equipment for the boys’ table at her school’s holiday bazaar. She prefers to go to the sale “instead of going somewhere and buying a bunch of junk that nobody wants.”
Fisher also praised Franklin and his family for their kindness and supporting the school’s bazaar.
“I think last year, we spent maybe $1,000, and he just gave us about 20 balls for free because it was for the school,” she recalled. “The kids loved them because we shop for kindergarten through fourth grade, and it’s always a big hit. Our table is always the best.”
“It’s been really special to be able to utilize all the stuff we have here to help give back to the community,” Franklin said. “On top of that, all the folks that are coming here are really saving quite a bit of money. So in this day and age, if you can stretch a dollar, it’s really important, and we feel like we’re doing that here.”
The warehouse sale is cash-only and goes on while supplies last. The remaining sale dates and times are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 13 and 20.
The sale is at Franklin Sports’ headquarters located at 17 Campanelli Parkway in Stoughton.
Those looking for more information about the sale or to sign up for the email list can visit Franklin Sports’ website.
