Any experience with Callaway Pre-owned?

[99s]

In the little bit of time I've spenmt researching clubs it seems apparent that fakes are rampant in the used marketplace. I figure it might be safer to forget about Ebay and try to find a handful of reputable used equipment dealers online.

Would I have any risk with CallawayGolfPreowned.com? Are there other similar online retailers that "grade" used gear?

thanks,

99s

[Q.Q.Quillume]

I've bought two sets of irons from callawaygolfpreowned and have been very satisfied with the clubs, the shipping time and the prices. In both cases the irons were IMO in better condition than advertised. Also both sets of irons had been polished up, had what appeared to be new labels on the shafts and what appeared to be new or close to new grips. I have been very satisfied with callawaygolfpreowned else I wouldn't have bought the 2nd set of irons.

It is sometimes hard to compare prices between callawaygolfpreowned and ebay because it's not easy to find the exact same product in the exact same condition, but the prices at callawaygolfpreowned were IMO as good as ebay prices + I didn't have to wait around only to find I'd lost the bidding war and would need to go back and find another comparable set to bid on.

That being said, I've bought a set of irons, two or three of putters, a couple of wedges and some other stuff off ebay with no bad experiences.

The first set I bought from callawaygolfpreowned was in April 2005 and the second set I bought was in August 2008.

[Fraser]

I only bought a headcover off there but it said it was in 'Good' condition (a couple of seasons use was in the description) and frankly it looked brand spanking new! I was quite impressed!

[toogood]

I'd say you're pretty safe buying from CallawayPreOwned.com, since it's a site owned and operated by Callaway Golf itself.

[Harry Longshanks]

I haven't bought from them, but I've never heard a complaint about the quality of their goods. (One guy accidentally was shipped left-handed irons instead of right, but Callaway fixed it ASAP. And, who knows, he may have actually clicked the wrong item.)

GlobalGolf is also reliable.

If I was in the market for different irons and Callaway Pre-Owned had them at a good price, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them. IIRC, they also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

[TD22057]

I'd say they are excellent! I've traded in a couple of clubs and purchased 3 clubs. All of them were much better than the condition rating might indicate. I'd shop there again w/o any worries.

[99s]

Thanks for all the replies.

On their trade-ins...roughly what percentage of their selling prices do they typical offer? ~50%?

I mistakenly bought a stiff shaft in my T-M R580-XD driver and was thinking about reshafting it with a regular flex, but their used 580-XD prices are right around the cost of a reshaft!

[HXCarib56]

In the little bit of time I've spenmt researching clubs it seems apparent that fakes are rampant in the used marketplace. I figure it might be safer to forget about Ebay and try to find a handful of reputable used equipment dealers online.

Love it! I have bought irons, a wedge, and a putter from there... all with great success!

[MunkeyGolfer]

I use 3balls.com . Everything I have bought is in better condition than what they have said

[pcmancini]

I just bought some fairway woods and hybrids there. Conditions were all as or better than described and shipping was very fast. You get new grips and a headcover too

One nice thing about using that site is that you are assured the clubs are authentic.

Hope this helps.
Paul

[99s]

IYou get new grips and a headcover too...

Is their policy to re-grip all the used clubs they sell?

99s

[pcmancini]

If I am reading this right, yes

http://callawaygolfpreowned.com/whybuy.aspx

All the clubs I ordered (2 woods and 3 hybrids) had new grips.

Paul

[99s]

Cool!

Thanks for the info.

99s

[dakmon]

I have purchased from Callaway pre-owned with no problems. Very satisfied.

[e-man]

First, let me say that this is not a complaint, but more of an FYI.

I recently bought a set of irons from Callaway Golf Preowned that were advertised in "like new" condition (which, to me, means that maybe they've hit a ball or two, but aside from a small mark here or there, are basically indistinguishable from new). When they arrived, I immediately noticed that they had been refurbished. The white scoring lines had been repainted, and there was small amounts of white paint overspray on the faces. There were little nicks over most of the iron heads (that cannot be removed from the refurbishing process). The shaft bands and grips were brand new, although the grips were corded grips from a club that was manufactured several years before the set I bought.

When I called to voice my concerns, I was pointed to their definition of "like new", which includes refinished or refurbished clubs. I admit that I missed that when I ordered the clubs. They told me that the clubheads had been removed from the shafts, sanded down, repainted, reshafted, regripped, etc. They told me that I should have known that an older set of clubs advertised in like new condition would have been refinished.

Now, most people would be perfectly happy getting a set of refinished/refurbished clubs. However, that's not what I was looking for. It was important to me that the clubs be in their original, untampered state, just like when they left the factory. In my opinion, "like new" shouldn't include refinished or refurbished clubs. If the clubs are refinished, they should just say so in the description.

Now, all of this being said, they refunded my purchase price and shipping, but I was required to pay to ship the clubs back to them. I feel they should have covered the shipping both ways, but in the end, it was my fault for not reading the definition of "like new" carefully.

e

[pcmancini]

First, let me say that this is not a complaint, but more of an FYI.

A very good point and if refurb is not what you want then their clubs may not be for you. I also found this out after the fact when I called to get help finding the serial no. on my 3 wood.

Now, for me, a refrub is just as good (or even better) than a used club. They also seem to have expanded their offerings to include other mfgrs. http://www.prolinepreownedgolf.com/ Paul

[Harry Longshanks]

A very good point and if refurb is not what you want then their clubs may not be for you. I also found this out after the fact when I called to get help finding the serial no. on my 3 wood.

Are you saying "Proline Pre-Owned" is the same as "Callaway Pre-Owned"?

Because Callaway Pre-Owned has always (at least as long as I've known about it) "other brands" section. EDIT: Okay, I just checked the Callaway Pre-owned site an when you click the "Other Brands" option, the resulting page has a ProLine banner on it. I've never see that before. But that seems to be the only place it shows up. As soon as you select a brand, the next page has no reference to ProLine. Weird.

[pcmancini]

Are you saying "Proline Pre-Owned" is the same as "Callaway Pre-Owned"?

What I mean is within the past month, Callaway Pre-Owned - which has offered other mfgrs. clubs in the past - has apparently launched a new site not branded "Callaway". What I "hope" is that this means they will have a greater selection of other mfgrs. clubs as I think these are some of the best deals (overall) out there.

If you go to that Proline url or click on that image you are taken to the proline site. This site appears to mirror the offerings on the Callaway Pre-owned site. Paul