$250 shaft for $79 lightly used on ebay - should I be worried about a scam?

Hi Sandtrappers,

Im hoping someone with a bit more knowledge can help me.  When I got fitted for my driver, the best shaft I hit was too expensive: $250, a miyazaki stiff.  The shaft was $290 from my fitter, and $270 on most websites.  The cheapest I've ever seen it was on golfworks for $250.  However, searching ebay, I came across a guy who has a lot of 5 of this shaft for $79 each.  He claims very light use and the pictures look great.  I'd love to buy this shaft at that price.

There are no other used of this on ebay at all that I can find without heads.  Those that do have heads are in the $160-210 range for both shaft and head.  Subtracting the cost of that head type from other auctions puts the shaft valued about $95-110.  $79 seems too good to be true.  I might buy two of them and play with some different head types.

Should I pass because of scam fears?  How can I tell if its genuine, if its possible?  Is it normal to have a $180 price drop to used because of light use?

Any help would be appreciated.  If it seems to good to be true, it usually is.  $79 for this shaft is like a bolt of luck from above, I just don't want to get ripped off.

Finally, the shaft is a "tour issue" shaft.  I haven't seen this wording on any other sites or the shaft I hit with the fitter.  What does this mean?  There are many pictures, and the shafts look identical, but the auction says it is "tour issue".

Thanks,

John

Have a link to the listing?

Depends a lot on the experience and feedback rating of the seller.

Listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/350486769852?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_5246wt_1163

Its just very cheap.

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them. 60,000+ positive transactions.  This is a legit business/seller, IMO.

I did a quick search and found discussion about this seller with many personal positive feedbacks.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/397775-ebay-user-proclubs/

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/437634-the-real-deal/

I also looked at their store at a few items I have been in the market for recently, and they were in-line with prices.

I would also check that the tip diameter is right for your driver. I noticed that a lot of shafts with a .350 tip sells for a lot lower than a .335 tip. I would make sure the shaft fits your driver as well.

Excuse my ignorance but how can you have a used shaft? Don't you need to cut it off to get it off its last head?  If so you removed length from the tip?

You do, but according to the ebay ad, the shaft was in drivers measuring 45 1/2".  I play my driver at 44 1/4".  Plenty of room left after removal.

Again excuse my ignorance but I always assumed that material was removed from the handle end which would effect the shaft less.

No you do not cut the shaft off a head to remove it. It is pulled out. Also, to get your playing length, you trim it from the butt. You need to make sure it has been tip trimmed to fit your style of driver - bore through, blind bore etc.

You pull the epoxy glued shaft out of the driver head?

You heat the hosel with a torch or a heat gun until the epoxy breaks down and use a shaft extractor to force the head off.  You can do the same with steel shafts though the shaft extractor is simply a hand in a glove.

Quote:

The seller looks legit, but you should verify that it's the same shaft you tested.  Since it was pulled off an existing driver it may be a special version of that shaft that was co-produced with the driver manufacturer and not the same shaft you're seeing at 3 times the price as a stand-alone shaft.  Also as others specified, you'd want to make sure the tip size is right for the driver you're buying.

Thank you to all.  I went for it and bought it.  The driver head is a KZG head that I was fit to.  I need to update my signature once I get the new toy made!  Going to look awesome with a white VDR grip.  KZG has adaptors to fit all different types of shafts.

Hopefully it is legit.  Will arrive Friday.  Lucky day, this shaft for $79!

Ha!  They may have adapters but I'm pretty sure you there's no way you can get a .350 shaft into a .335 hosel even with an adapter.  I could be wrong though....

I called my clubfitter who is going to make it.  He said it was fine.  Claimed the clubhead he picked for me has a threaded hosel that can take any manner of adapter.

I'm not sure what type of adapter he would he use unless it's some type of adjustable driver. I thought threaded was more to help the epoxy bond better but I'm not positive on that fact. As far as I know there would be 2 ways to make a .350 fit into a .335 either sanding the shaft a big no no or boring the hosel to .350 which is also not recommended. Maybe you got lucky and bought a .335 or maybe your driver is .350 or some how your club fitter will  make it work. Good luck