Do You Purchase Equipment Locally or Online?

[Zeph]

I bought most online earlier, but lately I've moved to buying more locally. Especially clubs I only buy something I've been fit for, and I want to buy from the place where I get the fitting. I don't want to do all the work at a fitting centre and then buy the clubs for 10% less online. I want to keep the fitting centres and shops, so I want to support them.

[krupa]

I buy almost everything locally.

[boogielicious]

I got to know the guys at GolfSmith, which became Golf Galaxy. Good people. I shop there mostly.

[Vinny Cap]

I like to shop locally for as much as possible but with the closing of the 2 Golf stores next to me, my choices are limited.

I have so much golf gear that I actually don't need much... a glove every year is usually it.

I was given 3 of the 4 golf bags I have.  All nice and I ebayed that last one as I wanted something specific that was a couple years old.

I have bought clubs on ebay, craigslist and at local shops.  Bought my golf shoes from the Golf store that closed as well as other golf goodies.

Balls and Tees I have so many that I don't think I will ever have to buy any.

Online is easy as you can shop from your desk but I prefer to hold and swing the clubs before buying. 

Would rather feed the local guys especially if they offer help and after sale support.  Can't get that online most of the time.

[Bucki1968]

All of my recent club purchases have been on-line. I will usually buy balls at one of the big stores around when something goes on sale that I like to use. I also have purchased my last couple pair of shoes on line. Price is much better for the higher ticket items. I buy the accessories form the stores when they go on sale.

[MarvChamp]

Generally online. I don't like the big chain stores. MUCH PREFER a small Mom 'n Pop that can do the basics and sell equipment, but we no longer have any. Sad. -Marv

[rehmwa]

We still have a few golf stores in the metro.  And buying locally is better, I get to hit in the bays, I get info and fittings, etc.  The price is the same as on line for good stuff.

And the extra I pay in tax locally is usually (not always) less than the shipping I'd pay online.

So local as long as the service and facilities are good and they don't upcharge.

On 26/02/2018 at 10:26 AM, tinker said:

Got to love the people that go to the retail shop to try everything then give the sale to some on line place to save a couple dollars. How cheap can you get. 

Though I try to buy locally, I can also make the opposite claim about a local store that won't match the on-line price to make a couple dollars....how cheap can they get.

[ScouseJohnny]

Irons bought locally, because I wanted them fitted, and I didn't want to screw over the guy by getting the Ping specs from him, and then going shopping elsewhere (online) - because that would be a very shitty thing to do.

Everything else: online. Even my driver (a Wilson Staff D100 - a last year's model ebay purchase that has really paid off).

Except for balls. Noodle soft - the poor man's Pro V1. They come from Wallyworld, along with the cat litter and air con filters...

[DrMJG]

I live in the Phoenix AZ area and do a lot of my purchases at The Valley Golf Center in Avondale.  As I  came back to golfing, they first started out as not only basic instructors, but they guided me through the joys of abandoning my Persimmons and working with a Hybrid.  As a result I have ended up with a solid custom fit set. Their prices tend to fall either directly in line with on line but often less.  There is also no shipping!  While I have ended up with Ping as my club of choice, they have presented a few options and allow for full testing of the clubs on their range.  I will probably finish my set with them.  They have come to know me, my swing (or lack of it) and my price point.  They do carry a number of used and demo clubs, so if something comes in that I am looking at in very good condition, they make me aware of it.  I guess I am that age of customer that enjoys excellent personal service and figure that good customer service is worth the extra I may have to pay.

On 4/10/2018 at 1:49 PM, rehmwa said:

We still have a few golf stores in the metro.  And buying locally is better, I get to hit in the bays, I get info and fittings, etc.  The price is the same as on line for good stuff.

And the extra I pay in tax locally is usually (not always) less than the shipping I'd pay online.

So local as long as the service and facilities are good and they don't upcharge.

Though I try to buy locally, I can also make the opposite claim about a local store that won't match the on-line price to make a couple dollars....how cheap can they get.

As one who worked in a mom or pop shop, what you may not be aware of is the pricing a shop might get from the manufacturers or the break even point for the store.  As I do most of my purchases at a driving range/pro shop, I understand they may not have the leeway you think they do.  Unless it is a really big difference as opposed to a few dollars, I will buy locally.

 

Edited June 28, 2018 by DrMJG

[rehmwa]

10 hours ago, DrMJG said:

 Unless it is a really big difference as opposed to a few dollars, I will buy locally.

 

I don't have any control on how much leeway the local guys do or don't get.  Competing with on-line has to be part of their business model.  I'm a consumer, not a social warrior.

That said - what I'm quoting from you is my philosophy too.  I consider some value is added with being able to pick up the stuff directly and deal with a human on something tends to be custom.  Mom and Pop have to walk that line carefully to stay in business.  One sympathizes.

[Hacker James]

on line. That may change if they pass the legislation requiring on line vendors to collect sales tax regardless of their location. I mostly used Global Golf and more recently GolfUSA Manhatten, but there were also a number of others.

[No Mulligans]

1 hour ago, Hacker James said:

on line. That may change if they pass the legislation requiring on line vendors to collect sales tax regardless of their location. I mostly used Global Golf and more recently GolfUSA Manhatten, but there were also a number of others.

Quote

California’s Amazon Law

Under a law that went into effect in 2012, larger Internet retailers with no physical presence in California are required to collect and pay California’s sales tax under certain conditions. More specifically, an out-of-state retailer must collect sales tax from California customers if that retailer:

• has an agreement with a person or persons located in California to pay for customer referrals obtained via a link on the California seller’s website (a click-through arrangement)
• the out-of-state retailer’s total cumulative sales to purchasers in California exceeds $10,000 during the preceding twelve months, and
• the out-of-state retailer also has total cumulative sales to purchasers in California exceeding $1,000,000.

 

[David L Yskes]

On 2/25/2018 at 10:14 PM, dennyjones said:

There use to be a big golf store close, King Par, but it closed a few years ago.   If I were to buy clubs, I'd travel to Carl's or Miles of Golf which is about an hour drive.   Buying something like balls or other accessories, I'd buy online or at Golf Galaxy.

isnt there a PGA superstore over by Livonia?  i know i visited one a couple years ago over in that area when doing a golfing weekend with my brother...  maybe it's in Novi ?     

 

For me it all depends on what i am looking for.... i bought one of my iron sets off Ebay....  i put together another iron set from buying off Ebay...   

my Driver - Nike Covert 2.0 , i bought from Dunhams a few years ago....  my 3 wood, i bought from a local golf store....  

[Jeremie Boop]

I purchase almost exclusively local. The range/shop near me does free fittings for clubs with purchase. I have easily gone through 15 different clubs for different fittings. He'll leave the flightscope/trackman set up with the ipad and allow me to keep hitting until I make a decision or he'll help by suggesting adjustments to my swing or making adjustments to clubs to fine tune fittings.

Edited June 28, 2018 by Jeremie Boop

[djake]

I purchase my clubs locally now thru 2nd Swing with James Tracey doing all of my fitting.  They are a great group to deal with and their customer service is as good as it gets.  Tour Van Fitting is free with purchase!

I get 90% of my golf balls online.

[Grizvok]

I manage a couple of UPS Store locations and we had an older guy come in that runs a local golf store that I had never heard of. I inquired about his business after the phone number he gave to ship out came up as “Corsi’s Golf.” Anyhow, he was a complete dick to me. Absolutely incredulous that I had never heard of his store and that I must be so uninformed of everything because I hadn’t heard of Corsi’s. Incredibly pompous, arrogant, and nobody that I would ever ever support.

I live in a small city an hour or so outside of Pittsburgh so this is the only really close golf store with indoor range, trackman, fittings, and the whole setup with a ton of clubs to try out.

That’s why I order online.

[Carl3]

I found a place that is a 45 minute drive that has a Trackman and semi-heated set up. They can do club repair, fittings, teaching, etc. all based around a driving range. That is where I have bought all of my clubs in the past couple of years. Sometimes I may pay a little more, but I am able to make sure I get what works best for me: the club, shaft, grips all customized. I like the feeling of buying at this small place. I may go to Golf Galaxy to see everything, feel it and maybe even swing a few to get ideas. I refine my decision and will buy it at the small independent.

[bm85]

Online mostly for used equipment. Most clubs I have bought I had not hit beforehand. eBay is generally where I shop, though I have bought used locally.

Having been in the game over 3 years now, I'd consider myself a more serious player, and getting more performance from a fitted set is appealing. Since I tend to play more than practice now, I won't generate as much wear and tear so I'll get more out of the investment too.