Horrible fitting experience

[Maverick]

I just came back from a local club fitter in Los Angeles. I've driven by the store numerous times and always wanted to go in but kind of intimidated also being he was a "professional" fitter and fit for some PGA and LPGA players. Anyway today I decided to go out of my way and go there during lunch. I brought my shoes and couple drivers (one I play with and one I got from Erik, R5).

Before he, the fitter, said hi or anything he told me to take my shoes off and put my golf shoes on and go to the swing monitor..which I thought was kinda' rude..but I went with it..maybe he's not used to dealing with your average player, me. I told him my basics, how I hit, my hdcp., how long I've been playing.

It was a very nice store and the swing monitor had its own 45" plasma display. Real plush. He told me to loosen up for a couple minutes which I did. Then he said to hit five balls, which I did. He then took my club and told me what I was doing wrong and that he's going to "teach" me 4 tips that a golf pro would NEVER teach me unless I paid for it..ok..thanks. He never did tell me how fast I was swinging, or anything else for the matter, but I glanced over at the monitor and it said 94 something mph (I'm getting faster..lol..it was 93 a few months ago). He then started criticising me telling me someone with my body, age, weight should be swinging it faster.

I realize my swing mechanics are not 100% sound but not bad..and I'm not here for lessons..I'm here to get his "professional" recommendations on what shaft would fit my swing. He agreed that the current shaft on the R5 was a little heavy and the FIRM flex was almost an "X" flex.

We then walked behind the monitor to where he had an assortment of shafts. He brought 4 out (Aldila NV65, GD, Fuji 565, and some sparkly gold shaft that he said was played by Arnold Palmer..which I was offended by..lol) I was interested in the Fuji Tour Platform. He said he didn't have it but could order it. He was also about $70 more than other places. I told him I'd think about it.

Here's the kicker: As I got up to walk out of the store he walks in front of me and said I need to pay him $20! I was surprised he was actually going to block my way out of the store. Mind you he never mentioned there was a "fitting" fee or was anything of the sort posted. I immediately told him it was bad business what he was doing. He said that he had "invaluable" swing data on me and that the "fitting" (the 5 swings on the monitor) was the reason he "needed" the $20. I told him he was crazy and that I can go to any bigtime store like Golfsmith and get what I got here for free.

He said "OK" this time only..thanks..like I'm coming back. But I was so pissed off by now I gave him my golf business card and told him I was also in the industry and it was bad business what he was doing. He looked shocked and started to pull the $20 out of his pocket to give it back to me..I just waived my hand off at him and said keep it..you need it more than me.

What really surprised me was for someone who looked/claimed to be legit, trying to nickel and dime me for a 20 spot. Anyway, I'm reluctant now to seek advice from "private" fitters now.

[cmarkmyers]

In this day and age with competiton being the way it is it is amazing we still hear horror stories of bad customer service. Sometimes it doesn't surprise me at a place like Dicks, where the clerks sometimes don't give a damn if you buy something or not (in fact, many hope you won't, as they have no desire to work). But at a place that really can't compete with the big businesses and has to rely on something else (usually premium customer service) to compete this is just ridiculous.

In a city as big as LA I am sure you have many options to pick from. And it looks like that is what you are going to do. Kudos for not taking his crap. Even if it costs you $10 or $20 more someplace else it will be money well spent.

[muskegman]

It may be common in a retail store to get less than perfect advice. I had a bad fitting experience at a local shop. Many (not all) times retail guys are more interested in the sale than a personal and correct fitting thus I'll avoid retail fittings from now on. Often I don't think you are going to get the kind of care that you could get from someone who is in the fitting business.

At the very least avoid that hoser from now on.

[kklick]

Man sorry to hear about that bad experience. I've been highly contemplating getting fitted for the past year or so. I've been reluctant to go to a retail shop for the reasons mentioned above. Now I'm only about 5 minutes away from the golfworks so I think thats where I may be headed. Hopefully the experience will be much better.

[Maverick]

The sad thing was he was the sole owner..it wasn't a major chain..he was supposed to be a "specialist"..a one man operation..my buddy agreed they needed a salesman and leave the craftsman doing what he does best..the guy needed a class is salesmanship..to say the least.

[iacas]

A lot of the private fitters charge a small fee and waive it if you buy from them. The Internet hasn't been kind to the brick-and-mortars.

Still, I like to buy things from people even if I pay a little more. I like to touch them. I like to call someone back and ask them a question. It's easier to resolve problems. I can get fit from someone.

In other words, the guy had a chance to sell himself, which is really what he's doing. He's not selling golf equipment - he's selling a "premium product" and that premium product is him and his services - what he can offer that you can't by buying your clubs from GolfSmith or whatever.

I am sorry you had such a shitty experience.

[670forged]

Hey Mav

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. Wish I knew someone in your area to recommend. There are good ones and bad ones, just finding the right one is sometimes difficult. Good luck in your search and if I can help in someway don't hesitate to ask. By the way, what did you decide on from Joe Kwok's recommendation?

Mike

[huphtur]

May I ask which shop this was? I live in Los Angeles as well, and want to make sure I don't get duped by them.

[Maverick]

Hey Mav

I'm going to go with the Fuji. Tour Platform 26.3 in (R) flex. It's about what I have now in my Cally 415 but I went a tip with a little more flex..and Joe recommended it to.

[NCGolfer]

The one time I got fitted for a driver was a good experience. I didn't have any of the problems you described. Maybe he thought you were jerking him around but he has to be up front about his charges are what you can expect.