Hitting demo clubs with hopes to make a purchase of just lusting??

[Uthinkso]

A good friend of mine used to work at a Mercedes dealership, and without fail he would have two or three people a week come test drive a car they could never afford. When it was slow he didn't really mind, but at times he saw it as a waste of time. Being in a commission sales structure, you must sell to get paid obviously. So I could see his point to some degree.

Right about now your probably asking what this has to do with golf, I'm getting there. ;) I was at our local Carl's Gofland today hitting different irons (stuck between the MX-200 and Tour Burner) and I saw several other folks doing the same as I was. When I went back in to swap out the 6i for a 4i, the salesman thanked me for not wasting his time. I kind of stopped for a second, then asked him to repeat himself. He says that so many folks come to the store hit clubs, and never spend a dime in there. Worse yet (in his mind) folks will go to the store to get fit, and then head out the door to Ebay and pick their sticks up there. He tells me that he could tell I was going to buy because of the questions I asked, etc.

Which leads me to my question. Is there is a certain code of conduct, or rather a gentlemans rule to use in this situation. Being in a service business I could never go into a store and take a man's time only to purchase the item elsewhere for a better price. The man spent time with me to earn a sale, for me to take his time and then walk out the door and go buy on Ebay is just plain rude in my book. I understand that people are trying to stretch their golf dollar as far as possible though.

Being newer to the sport (two years) I wanted to post this here for some opinion. Is this expected in the golf stores by the salesman and the like, or are some people just not considerate?

[uttexas]

Agreed, personally, I wouldn't do what you described. Some stores have separate fitting/club making sections where those employees are paid hourly (not on commission). I would purchase clubs somewhere else before hand and then go to the store with those clubs to be adjusted.

I have gone to a store for swing analysis (ball speed, launch angle, etc), and paid money (probably overpaid) for the analysis. The analysis "dude" then recommended a club......turned out they didn't have in stock at that moment.....which was frustrating.

[Sir Hack a-lot]

I can deff. see your point here. I go to the PGA superstore here in AZ and spend a TON of money in there, but there are a few guys that work with me and every time I go into the store they drop what they are doing to help me. Yes I could go on e-bay and order clubs for hundreds cheaper, but I stick with them because they provide the customer service that I could never get from E-bay. I think some of the smaller stores, the guys work off of commission (which is horrible in my opinion).

[Spackler-esque]

I would never do this at a small, local shop. However, I will definitely go into a big box store and try something out and then go to either the small shop (competitively priced) or the internet (if I find it for a good bit cheaper than the small shop).

But this is personal preference. Living in State College, PA, for 20 years I saw too many family owned or otherwise independent businesses get busted by big box stores. I have never had service begin to rival the small shops I've frequented at a big box store, so that contributes to my apathy towards inconveniencing the employees. Also, most places like Dick's let ANYONE hit ANYTHING and then they SELL those same clubs... Even if they're heavily taped, I'm not interested in (usually) damaged goods.

One last thought... Don't most places charge for a real fitting unless/even if you place an order through them?

[MI Rob]

A good friend of mine used to work at a Mercedes dealership, and without fail he would have two or three people a week come test drive a car they could never afford. When it was slow he didn't really mind, but at times he saw it as a waste of time. Being in a commission sales structure, you must sell to get paid obviously. So I could see his point to some degree.

I was at Carls Golfland demoing the clubs on thursday. I hit many irons then bought them. I noticed many people hitting clubs and then just putting them back and never buying them. I know how you feel haha.

[Uthinkso]

I was at Carls Golfland demoing the clubs on thursday. I hit many irons then bought them. I noticed many people hitting clubs and then just putting them back and never buying them. I know how you feel haha.

Yeah I was taking great enjoyment today in seeing how far the balls would bounce in the air after hitting the ice.

[PiKapp23]

I often go to local Golf Galaxy and try different clubs on simulator, although I never bother the people that work there. I hit the demo or used clubs so I do not need anyone to tape them up or anything. If someone else wants on simulator I let them in and go my own way. I sometimes spend as much as an hour hitting clubs (I'm usually there at times when there are few customers). The manager has gotten to know me well and will come over just to chat sometimes, but it's just social at that point. When I do decide to buy I usually make all my purchases at this store partly because they let me play around at my leisure. I spend enough money on stuff at that store that it wouldn't matter if I didn't end up buying new irons from there anyway. Also, at most of the big box golf stores, the employees are non-commission anway so they are just looking for a way to get through their day.

I agree about wasting the salespeople's time for nothing (especially commission salespeople, who could be making money instead of wasting time with someone who will not be buying from them). When I do talk to these people it's either because I have questions that will lead to sale or it's just social (you know how golfers love to talk about the game and equipment) and I will make sure they are not neglecting other customers. I'm the same way at auto lot. I do not want to talk to someone until I am ready to at least consider purchase.

[imtomtomim]

I was hoping if you guys know if Dicks salespeople are paid commission for their sales. I stopped in this weekend and took a look at those irons I really wanted and it only made me want them more. The last time I was in there asking about reshafting and regripping, the guy behind the counter didn't know anything so it leads me to believe they're not even golf people. Do you think it's appropriate to go in there and try out those irons and buy off of ebay? I do want to contribute to the market and I've been trying to spend consistently but I still gotta pinch pennies where I can.

[microcrayfish]

You raise an interesting point. In today's world a lot of people seem to be out to get the best deal possible regardless. I have a friend who works in a shoe store that offers a fitting service and she's told me how frustrating it is when people walk out and straight into the big chain sports store a few stores down and buy them there. It seems less and less people value loyalty and customer service when they shop these days.

Personally, I'll happily pay a little more to get the customer service and benefits from having a good relationship the people at the store that I'm buying from. At my local range where I get my gear I know all of the guys and they know that when I ask questions about gear that I'll eventually be making a purchase and are happy to spend time with me making sure I get what I want. For example, I recently bought a new 3 wood, I didn't have the cash for it right away so I took a few weeks asking a few questions and on two occasions I took 3 or 4 and tried them out. It even got to the stage of them letting me know they had new stock in when I came in because they knew I was looking for a 3 wood and I was going to buy. I could probably have got the club cheaper somewhere else but after all the effort that they put into selling it to me I would never just go somewhere else because it's a little cheaper.

Developing good relationships with salespeople pays off. You get better service, better deals and being able to walk into a store for something and have a good chat while you're at it sure isn't a bad thing.

[aussie]

I will always buy from my local pro, it bugs me when people decide to go to golf shops and buy their golf products their. The pro's put so much effort into the club and to buy from the pro shop is not that hard. Also the Pro usually gives you a decent price.

[goblue107501]

I went to a demo day last spring and was trying out some different clubs. I was interested in the new Titleist irons and the rep there was just a local club pro who plays Titleist. Most of the companys had factory reps or regional salespeople to push their stuff. We went through a quick fitting off the lie board with different lengths and lie angles so I had a real good idea of what I needed after that. Later in the summer I went to his club to hit the demo clubs again since I had gotten locked in with my swing for the summer. He allowed me to take the shafts and heads (Titleist fitting cart) I wanted to range and let me do what I wanted. I went there 3 or 4 times trying to figure out the right combinations for me and all he ever charged me was for one bucket of balls a day. If I wanted more range ball he just gave them to me at no charge.

I was all set to figure out exactly what I wanted then go on the internet and buy there knowing I could probalby get a better price. When I finally figured it out I asked him what price he would charge. I ended up getting a great discount from him. Probably not as much as I could have got, but I was pleased since it was under the max I was willing to pay. He was so nice and helpful with everything I felt guilty not buying from him. The biggest thing was that he just let me do what I wanted. He didn't hover, or try and sell me anything. Plus when the clubs came in (it only took a week to get them) he gave me a new glove and two sleeves of Pro V1's.

I rarley buy new stuff but I love demo days because that is what they are for. I never go into a store just to hit clubs because I know I am not going to buy anything. The store is providing a service and they expect a return, but they won't get it from me. I don't think it does much good with a new club anyway because I can't see the ball flight and I am not going to base a decision hitting into a net.

[bigphil]

I agree with some of the points on hand here. I hate having my time wasted so i can appreciate it that other people feel the same. I typically go into my local golf shops with an objective in mind and already know what i am looking for because the guys that work there usually blow smoke anyways just to get a sale. I demo clubs at whatever shop has what i'm looking for and will then buy them at the best price i find (most shops have the same price anyways). If a sales person where to help me out and I didnt end up buying anything from them, as long as you are curtious and thank them for their time, I think its ok to shop for the best price elsewhere.