Ping & The Military

[CJL]

I posted this in the Ping Opinions thread as well but I don't think anyone actually saw it because it was way down the listing of threads. That...amd I find it hard to believe others read the article and had no reactions.

In any case, I was shocked to see this article about Ping. Definitely worth a short read.

[twinke masta]

**** Ping

thank god i dont have any of their sh*t

[jonnythan]

This is well known.

Ping has no problem with the military, though. Ping doesn't allow retailers to give discretionary discounts on their products, period. Doesn't matter if the discount is for senior citizens, military, white people, whatever. No retailer discounts.

[1par2win]

  jonnythan said:

This is well known.

I don't know man. I understand why price controls are in place but it seems like something like this would pi$$ a lot of people off.

[jonnythan]

  1par2win said:

I don't know man. I understand why price controls are in place but it seems like something like this would pi$$ a lot of people off.

It does seem to do exactly that doesn't it?

Speaking of diving, retailer price controls are rampant in the scuba industry as well. It's a major, major point of contention for retailers versus internet retailers and consumers. I thought that diving equipment manufacturers only really got away with it because the industry is so small... but that's obviously not the case, with one of the largest manufacturers for probably the most lucrative sport in the nation apparently doing the same thing. I don't support the practice, but I do want us to be honest about it. It's about retailer discounts for any reason, not because Ping hates the military.

[DavidFehertysBike]

  jonnythan said:

This is well known.

Correct. Every golf manufactuer expressivley tells its retailers not to markdown clubs. Its not just Ping that does this.

[Dub]

Look....I shop at Bonaventure golf a great deal.....as well as play virtually all my golf at Gordon Lakes.

I was concerened when all this came out in our local paper and the news broke.


I contacted PING and asked about military discounts and their policy. They advised me that there is no dicounting PING clubs....PERIOD....the manf. sets the price and that is it. Simular to Bose and other companies.

What Mr. Waters and Mr Fumai did was dictate their own discounts...something that seems reasonable for any store owner / manager to do. PING doesn't allow this and has been firm on this for many, many, many years....something that I'm confident Mr. Waters and Mr. Fumai were well aware of. By the way, I really like both of these gentlemen.....Mr. Waters has always been super nice and helpful in his store. Bill Fumai is, hands down, the best golf club manager in the world!!!!

That doesn't change the fact that they took risks in what they did.


The PING spokesperson took time to inform me that what PING does is provide Military rebates for PING purchases. There is a form the person fills out and mails in and is rebated the funds.


Again, this pricing is a policy of PING and will actually help store owners in some ways....for instance people will be encouraged to buy from them knowing that the price is going to be the same even from mail order.

Like I said....I play a Military course most all of my rounds and proudly game PING products. PING is a super company that is proudly operated in the USA. They make some innovative gear that has helped millions better enjoy the game.



I can understand both Mr. Waters and Mr. Fumai's desire to sell the products at the prices they choose.....but I also understand that PING has a firm policy.

[HytrewQasdfg]

As a free market guy, I'm not torn on this one. Ping and the retailer have an agreement not to discount the clubs.

And as a free markte guy (and supporter of our military), I know there are plenty of other brands of golf equipment besides Ping which do allow military discounts which I can purchase.

Ping is free to enjoy the benefits of not allowing discounts, and suffer the consequesnces of not allowing military discounts.

[jonnythan]

  HytrewQasdfg said:

As a free market guy, I'm not torn on this one. Ping and the retailer have an agreement not to discount the clubs.

It's OK to support their ability to make that decision

and think they're douchebags for actually making it ;)

[CJL]

These responses are interesting to say the least. I guess I didn't realize this was so public. FWIW I moved to Aiken, SC a couple weeks ago and caught word of this on the Bonaventure website. All I can say is it's really too bad retailers can't set their own prices, as they are the ones purchasing the equipment to be sold at prices the equipment company sets for them. Being taht I work in education not business, I guess I don't understand why this is such an issue. You'd think if anyone is going to "lose money" (or not gain as much as they could), it would be the retailer who sells you the equipment.

[woodzie264]

as a veteran, I have no problem with Ping giving military folks a discount/rebate via a method they can closely regulate rather than letting the stores fluctuate their prices willy-nilly of their individual volition.

[frogger]

I guess I can see both sides of this, but I will be buying a new putter in about a month and while I'm not ready to say it won't be a Ping, I'll say that if it comes down to two I like equally and one is a Ping, I'll probably buy the other. That, or find the Ping model on the used market.

[Dub]

  woodzie264 said:

as a veteran, I have no problem with Ping giving military folks a discount/rebate via a method they can closely regulate rather than letting the stores fluctuate their prices willy-nilly of their individual volition.

Well said.....it is highly rumored around these parts that the "military discounts" than nailed these two gentlemen were not made to actual military personell.....DOD and other.

PING has their rules....the retailers know it and also realize there will be secret shoppers....risks known and risks taken. Stuff happens....it was unfortunate. All parties are flourishing and life goes on. There are still a couple of other places in the are to get PING products. CJL.....welcome to the CSRA area!!!!!!!! You've got several really nice golf courses to play when you want......several. Aiken is a nice place, too.

[2xBoGuy]

As I was reading this I remembered back in the day, I was at a sports card shop and noticed the prices on Beanie Babies. I asked about them and the clerk told me many things including how TY was in trouble for their aftermarket price list that they were enforcing. I was trying to find a link for it, but it doesn't matter because of this:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...ce_fixing.html

[CJL]

  Dub said:

Well said.....it is highly rumored around these parts that the "military discounts" than nailed these two gentlemen were not made to actual military personell.....DOD and other.

Thanks for the welcome. I haven't been able to get out to any courses yet. With a new job come many new responsibilities and systems/protocols to get used to. I hope and look forward to the first opportunity to explore the courses around the area ASAP

[Dub]

  CJL said:

Thanks for the welcome. I haven't been able to get out to any courses yet. With a new job come many new responsibilities and systems/protocols to get used to. I hope and look forward to the first opportunity to explore the courses around the area ASAP

Good luck with the job....it's too freaking hot to golf this week, anyway!!!!

I think my favorite course in the area is the River Golf Club over in North Augusta. If you like hitting the ball a ton then Cedar Creek in Aiken is your track....plenty of length on the holes for the long drivers to let it ride. Bonaventure is a great golf shop and so is U.S. Golf just across the street on Bobby Jones Expressway...Pete will take care of you there.

[ballhog]

Bonaventure is a nice shop, and I too can understand both sides of this story. Life goes on....

By the way River club Golf Course is an AMAZING place! So is Bartram Trail in Evans

[powermatt99]

  woodzie264 said:

as a veteran, I have no problem with Ping giving military folks a discount/rebate via a method they can closely regulate rather than letting the stores fluctuate their prices willy-nilly of their individual volition.

Exactly. My friends take advantage of my education discount at the Apple Store. IMO, Apple would have every right to crack down on this. I wouldn't say that Apple is anti-teacher or anti-education. Apple chooses not to heavily regulate this action (probably for marketing reasons).