Haggling

[Steaksauce]

Is it possible to haggle on used clubs? Like in a store such as Golfsmith or Golf Galaxy, can you bargain on the price like in car sales or is it only retail?

If I can get a used set of irons I would like to save some extra cash, but I don't want to look like a complete dumbass asking to lower the price. Also I'm not going to politely ask a salesman if store policy allows haggling b/c I don't know what legally sane person that would say yes.

[Lemay427]

of course!! im sure they would haggle on new clubs if you were buying enough. when my dad bought his new cobra irons and nike driver, they gave him half off on 2 hybrids. i wouldnt be a douche and be rediculous but i would def. ask a tad lower if you think its worth it.

[golf_junkie27]

You can also use the makeup up the club to seek a lower price. For example, let's say two iron sets are priced the same, however, one set is comprised of shafts that are less expensive. Ask for a discount on that set.

Remember, used clubs are like used cars. No matter the make or the year, they are not as valuable as new clubs and retailers want to get rid of them.

If that fails, there is always ebay or the like.

[lamebums]

  Steaksauce said:

Is it possible to haggle on used clubs? Like in a store such as Golfsmith or Golf Galaxy, can you bargain on the price like in car sales or is it only retail?

I went to a Golf Galaxy to get a Burner - used was 199.99. I got the guy to 179, 169, and then 159 as my credit card rejected the sale again and again (I'm on a first-name basis with most of the guys there, I'm in that store so often. You know you've got it bad when that happens.)

[Double Bogey]

Hell I asked for a discount on new clubs. With my irons (as with most new clubs) the price is set for them, but most of the time they will give you a discount on other items. I got 25% off a vokey wedge. They just show it as a "demo" club purchase. I would ask for sure... the worst they can say is no.

[TourSpoon]

  Double Bogey said:

the worst they can say is no.

If the clubs are used, there is a great possibility that they want to move them. The longer they sit on the wall, the greater the discount should be. Make them an offer and see what happens.

[shortgame85]

You may always ask for a better price on just about anything you purchase. I am in the retail business and I never mind someone politely asking if a price can be lowered. However, I can't stand those arrogant, ignorant people who start their request for a lower price by saying, " Well I know your industry and the huge markups you get....." I almost always make it my quest to make that person pay the full amount. Always be respectful and polite; the worst a salesperson can say to you is "No."

Also, as a buyer, never fear of asking a question no matter what the question. The key to a successful transaction includes a couple of things: always be polite, never fear of appearing the fool, know the most you will pay for what you're attempting to buy, be willing to walk away if the salesperson won't meet your offer, and be reasonable yourself; a retailer may or may not be able to reduce his price and you are either going to have to trust him that he's telling you the truth or trust your own instincts that he is not.

The best thing you can do is to try and establish, over a period of time and purchases, a relationship with a retailer. He should value you highly as a repeat customer ( if he has a lick of sense ) and, from that relationship, you should be able to get your best and most consistent deals.

This advice is good for almost any type of large purchases, golf or otherwise.

[jrm1493]

I bought my 3 wood at golfsmith used, and it was marked at $199 and I got them to sell it to me for $108 (this was about 6 months ago). I think they took so much off because the new 2008 models had just arrived. My putter was also used but they wouldn't let me get it cheaper so I had to pay the marked price ($99). When I got home and pulled off the price tag it had $129 under the $99 and $199 under the $129, so they had already marked it down quite a bit.

[shortgame85]

  jrm1493 said:

I bought my 3 wood at golfsmith used, and it was marked at $199 and I got them to sell it to me for $108 (this was about 6 months ago). I think they took so much off because the new 2008 models had just arrived. My putter was also used but they wouldn't let me get it cheaper so I had to pay the marked price ($99). When I got home and pulled off the price tag it had $129 under the $99 and $199 under the $129, so they had already marked it down quite a bit.

Most retailers are honest. If they are smart, they will do anything possible to get and keep your business. These are tough economic times we're in, my friends. I think that makes it a bit of a buyer's market. For those of you who are able, take advantage of it.

[SteelDriver]

Honestly....You can haggle nearly ANYTHING being sold retail, regardless of what it is.

If its being sold retail, it has a wholesale price. You wont get wholesale, but you can get somewhere inside the margin.

There has to be an incentive like one of the other guy's here said. If you're going to drop a bunch of cash on them, demand some breaks. If they wont, someone else will and they know that.

Get a hat thrown in free, 50% off on your box of balls you like, half off on some utility clubs, maybe a little off the driver but pay full price for the iron sets.

This works because of the mark up on irons.

Its easy to see what golfsmith is into their used clubs because you can go online and see what they will pay for used clubs, or what they will take it in on trade for. This knowlege is PRICELESS! i never understood why they post that chart...they will take a driver in for $99 and mark it up to $160. Offer $110 and they arent in the red on it...SOLD!

Heres a link to the chart for woods... http://www.golfsmith.com/pdf/woods.pdf

[r7 425]

You can haggle but ive never found success

[srjorion]

  shortgame85 said:

You may always ask for a better price on just about anything you purchase. I am in the retail business and I never mind someone politely asking if a price can be lowered. However, I can't stand those arrogant, ignorant people who start their request for a lower price by saying, " Well I know your industry and the huge markups you get....." I almost always make it my quest to make that person pay the full amount. Always be respectful and polite; the worst a salesperson can say to you is "No."

This is one excellent post! Read it a time or two, and then go see if you can get a better price. Rep points for Shortgame! My father-in-law is a salesman and an expert buyer. He knows how to get great deals, but more importantly he knows when to walk away. As a matter of fact, he walks into deals knowing he can walk away. Also, if you are worried about looking bad for asking for a lower price, remember most sellers have no problem asking for a higher price. If you pay it without question, they walk away with an easy deal. If you ask the question, they may come down. If they say no, you lost no money.