mansell
Head Pro
me to I'll leave it there now and not comment any more on this
AG
- Thread starter mansell
- Start date
me to I'll leave it there now and not comment any more on this
fastmover2
Assistant Pro
Actually Mansell I do not think just because my son works there I know how AG works! AG works like any other business - they are there to make money by providing either goods or services to you and judging by their market position do so pretty well. My point is that their staff try and do the best they can for you within the constraints that are placed upon them by their employers. End of.
I am just becoming a little tired of the general view in the UK that the vast majority of people expect to be subsidised or bailed out in one way or another.
If people in the UK would start getting away from knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing we would all be in a much better position!
PeterPumpkinEater
Head Pro
As I am just buying some new irons I've looked at part exchanging my MX-15's. 2 weeks ago there was a deal on in AG where they would give me £150 for mine or any other set of irons. The MP-57's that I was looking at were £500 less £150 hence £350 which you can buy them for anyway on the internet! Basically just a sales technique, which the unsuspecting could easily get drawn into if they did do their research and know the mrket place.
Anyway my set are going for £105-£130 on ebay and I have just sold them to a guy at my club for £100. I think that what cheeses people off is that if a set is can be sold on ebay or privately for £100 and you only get offered £50 as part exchange by AG or Golf Bidder then this IS taking the P. If we were offered £75 or £80 then a middle ground would be reached, but ultimately AG buying them for £50 and selling them for £100-£120 is ultimately one sided.
Anyway my set are going for £105-£130 on ebay and I have just sold them to a guy at my club for £100. I think that what cheeses people off is that if a set is can be sold on ebay or privately for £100 and you only get offered £50 as part exchange by AG or Golf Bidder then this IS taking the P. If we were offered £75 or £80 then a middle ground would be reached, but ultimately AG buying them for £50 and selling them for £100-£120 is ultimately one sided.
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
An early contender for GM Forum Quote of the Year.......
mono217
Journeyman Pro
My mate has the Di9's and I had a go and they are amazing.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
fastmover
I can only comment on the sales staff I had some dealings with both as a customer and during my foray into the world of AG and I have to disagree. The manager was low single figure and ex junior county so knew a fair bit and was always kken to steer customers towards a set most beneficial to them. He knew about the launch monitor and how to evaluate the data. He was competent at basic things like re-gripping etc
There were two decent golfers (single figures) that were clearly commission led and would engage with customers to a degree and would on the whole give sound advice. They knew a little about the launch monitor but not enough that I'd be comfortable taking their information as gospel and buying a club based on the numbers.
There was one other guy that wasn't really a golfer and would give every customer Yonex, Wilson, Nicklaus and Ben Hogan (their biggest mark up profits) irrespective of what they wanted to try. He had no idea about the best club to suit a golfers ability and had no idea about what the monitor was telling him other than it went striaght, left or right. I wouldn't trust him to change a light bulb let alone a grip. He survived because he made his numbers selling to guilable golfers each month.
AG as a business is about bringing it in cheap and selling it in volume. There huge buying power enables them to offer the wide ranging discounts you see in store. The thing is the managers know what there mark up is and is why if you pick up say a new R9 for £350 and try and haggle you'll be able to knock £30 off that instantly. The trick is knowing how much further you can take it. Its the same with P/X. They aren't interested in flogging it in store unless it is in decent knick and a recent model (X20 etc). They will ship most of it off the golfbidder anyway. They know what they'll get for it and what profit margin they need to make. Again if you go in and they offer x then you can haggle at least another 10-12% off that. There are set criteria given to management which allows them to make judgement calls. Therefore if you are a regular buyer spending hundreds per year they will offer you a really competitive price (via haggling to try and get it as cheap as possible anyway) and will be prepared to take a loss on the P/X.
My advice is ALWAYS ask to deal with the manager as they are the only ones with the discretion to authorise such transactions. If they aren't available come back another time. It is the only way you'll get anywhere near a competitive price
I can only comment on the sales staff I had some dealings with both as a customer and during my foray into the world of AG and I have to disagree. The manager was low single figure and ex junior county so knew a fair bit and was always kken to steer customers towards a set most beneficial to them. He knew about the launch monitor and how to evaluate the data. He was competent at basic things like re-gripping etc
There were two decent golfers (single figures) that were clearly commission led and would engage with customers to a degree and would on the whole give sound advice. They knew a little about the launch monitor but not enough that I'd be comfortable taking their information as gospel and buying a club based on the numbers.
There was one other guy that wasn't really a golfer and would give every customer Yonex, Wilson, Nicklaus and Ben Hogan (their biggest mark up profits) irrespective of what they wanted to try. He had no idea about the best club to suit a golfers ability and had no idea about what the monitor was telling him other than it went striaght, left or right. I wouldn't trust him to change a light bulb let alone a grip. He survived because he made his numbers selling to guilable golfers each month.
AG as a business is about bringing it in cheap and selling it in volume. There huge buying power enables them to offer the wide ranging discounts you see in store. The thing is the managers know what there mark up is and is why if you pick up say a new R9 for £350 and try and haggle you'll be able to knock £30 off that instantly. The trick is knowing how much further you can take it. Its the same with P/X. They aren't interested in flogging it in store unless it is in decent knick and a recent model (X20 etc). They will ship most of it off the golfbidder anyway. They know what they'll get for it and what profit margin they need to make. Again if you go in and they offer x then you can haggle at least another 10-12% off that. There are set criteria given to management which allows them to make judgement calls. Therefore if you are a regular buyer spending hundreds per year they will offer you a really competitive price (via haggling to try and get it as cheap as possible anyway) and will be prepared to take a loss on the P/X.
My advice is ALWAYS ask to deal with the manager as they are the only ones with the discretion to authorise such transactions. If they aren't available come back another time. It is the only way you'll get anywhere near a competitive price
Just don't go there...give your local PGA pro the custom.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
dodger
In an ideal world that is the best advice on this thred to date. Sadly however many cannot match the buying power and offer the same discounts which is why AG, DG and the others do such a good trade.
I'm lucky in that mine will be as competitive as he can be. He did my skycaddy SC5 for £249 last year when the RRP everywhere was £299 including AG. He did the myjoys (dryjoy PODS) for £110 when the RRP on a plain pair in AG was £99.99.
However it is the other things like extendeding my lesson by an extra 15 minutes free or giving me a swing tip as he passes the practice ground that sets him and I imagine hundreds across the UK from the faceless giants. Its thing like the odd sleeve of balls here and there that add a personal touch. I use my pro for most of my sundries (jumpers, shirts, balls where possible). If you can support you local pro. Its the best impartial advice you can get
In an ideal world that is the best advice on this thred to date. Sadly however many cannot match the buying power and offer the same discounts which is why AG, DG and the others do such a good trade.
I'm lucky in that mine will be as competitive as he can be. He did my skycaddy SC5 for £249 last year when the RRP everywhere was £299 including AG. He did the myjoys (dryjoy PODS) for £110 when the RRP on a plain pair in AG was £99.99.
However it is the other things like extendeding my lesson by an extra 15 minutes free or giving me a swing tip as he passes the practice ground that sets him and I imagine hundreds across the UK from the faceless giants. Its thing like the odd sleeve of balls here and there that add a personal touch. I use my pro for most of my sundries (jumpers, shirts, balls where possible). If you can support you local pro. Its the best impartial advice you can get
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
What he said...most (if not all - and the ones that don't are fools) will price match - virtually all manufacturers will give the green grass Pro as good as, or better, deal as the online/AG type boys anyway it's just they are golf pros and not businessmen - which has been their downfall in the past.....
The only real cheap stuff that AG and the like can offer it stuff that the manufacturers are looking to clear anyway and you're probably then better waiting for the next model to come out....at least the local Pro will have the decency to give you the time of day......
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
I do buy clothes from AG, as in their sales, you get some decent stuff on the cheap. I wouldn't pay full whack for anything in AG, as I would rather put my business to my pro, or to an online discount which is cheaper than the pro.
stevek1969
Money List Winner
I use my pro as he'll match or sometimes beat competitors on there prices i got a set of AP2's custom fitted for £549 haven't seen any body near that
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
Our pro has MP57s at £300 if I remember correctly. He price matches all the big guys, AG, NB and DG. Lessons always over run, occasionally by double. Titleist Spin Milled wedges at £50, it just goes on.
I get the impression though that some pros are a little bitter about running a shop, selling Mars bars and teaching hopeless hackers the game. When in reality they'd rather of made the grade, or had the courage of their convictions to be on the tour. It's almost as though being a local pro is the second and lesser favoured choice. I can understand it though.
These guys need good customers, and it's the more discerning weekend golfer that can really promote their services to others. Otherwise they'd disappear, and all that'll be left is the likes of AG etc.
I get the impression though that some pros are a little bitter about running a shop, selling Mars bars and teaching hopeless hackers the game. When in reality they'd rather of made the grade, or had the courage of their convictions to be on the tour. It's almost as though being a local pro is the second and lesser favoured choice. I can understand it though.
These guys need good customers, and it's the more discerning weekend golfer that can really promote their services to others. Otherwise they'd disappear, and all that'll be left is the likes of AG etc.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
My ZBs cost about 450. Not a bad deal really. Can't complain when they were c/f'ed by Titleist at Brampton.
fastmover2
Assistant Pro
Homer
All very good points mate.
Like every other retailer AG has its good and bad outlets and staff of varying degrees of expertise/motivation. You are spot on about the Yonex,Wilson thing and the guy who was punting it there must be an AG Policy to have one in every store.
Any time that a job is sales plus commission you are going to get that, sadly a reflection of our retailing sector these days. It irritates the hell out of me. Sales plus commission will nearly always end up as poor customer service.
You are right about the haggling thing, I do this for all major purchases not only golf.
One has to say though it must be a bit irritating for competent and motivated AG guys who go thru everything in a fitting,recommend something decent(i.e more expensive but actually suits the customer) only to have the customer turn around and go for the cheap option because it is er..cheaper!
Points made by others about club pros are very valid and we should support them where possible of course. Many can price match as they are part of a buying group.
IMHO if you really want to be custom fit properly go to a specialist and get it done there and be prepared to pay for their time and expertise.
I would love to get all my fitting done by my Pro but he just does not have the full facilities that I am looking for to carry out Pureing/CPM work etc. In fact when I got my current set he had a go with them asked me where I got them done and then said hmm..I think I might look into going there and giving it a go!
At the end of the day it is horses for courses and an individual has to make up his own mind what is best for him but I do think we should all avoid slating AG staff in a blanket manner. There are good and bad in all industries you just have to sort out the good and buy from them.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Like I said in my post, the manager was a top guy and would do what he could for the customer. A couple of the sales guys were middle of the road and one was awful but got his numbers every month by punting high mark up gear.
I think AG has a place in golf retail although having seen the numbers and how the sales target/commission vs expected volumes match up I can see how staff can focus on numbers rather than giving a shopping experience.
I think a lot of pros would offer a C/F service except that they have limited space for thr equipment and the initial set up costs are prohibitive. Better in my opinion to go to a specialist C/F session (Callaway @ Chessington, Belfry, Clays, World of Golf, Ping etc).
If you can find a pro who can price match then it is a win win to use him. Not only do you build a real rapport but I've found there always lots of value added to be had (sleeve of balls, the odd glove, swing help, cheap/longer lessons). If you spend your hard earned regularly with your pro I'm sure he'll show his gratitude at some point.
I think AG has a place in golf retail although having seen the numbers and how the sales target/commission vs expected volumes match up I can see how staff can focus on numbers rather than giving a shopping experience.
I think a lot of pros would offer a C/F service except that they have limited space for thr equipment and the initial set up costs are prohibitive. Better in my opinion to go to a specialist C/F session (Callaway @ Chessington, Belfry, Clays, World of Golf, Ping etc).
If you can find a pro who can price match then it is a win win to use him. Not only do you build a real rapport but I've found there always lots of value added to be had (sleeve of balls, the odd glove, swing help, cheap/longer lessons). If you spend your hard earned regularly with your pro I'm sure he'll show his gratitude at some point.
fastmover2
Assistant Pro
So we are broadly in agreement then Homer 
I used Precision Golf for my iron fitting and they were very good.
I used Precision Golf for my iron fitting and they were very good.
Parmo
Tour Winner
Snainton golf at Pro shops is the way forward, online prices and proper custom fitting by pro's.
AG serves a purpose in golf but I wouldnt trade in again, its pointless as golfbidder offer half of what they are going to retail them for, I would rather give the kit away and get someone interested in golf than increase the profits for a business like them or AG.
My local pro runs three courses and two pro shops and one shop (the club with 2x18 holers) is fully stocked with the latest kit, ours has a Ben Ross V5 driver for £90, says it all really. Just wish the UK pro shops would use the union thingy like in Scotland to bulk buy and get cheaper deals which are passed on to the end golfer and everyone is a winner.
AG serves a purpose in golf but I wouldnt trade in again, its pointless as golfbidder offer half of what they are going to retail them for, I would rather give the kit away and get someone interested in golf than increase the profits for a business like them or AG.
My local pro runs three courses and two pro shops and one shop (the club with 2x18 holers) is fully stocked with the latest kit, ours has a Ben Ross V5 driver for £90, says it all really. Just wish the UK pro shops would use the union thingy like in Scotland to bulk buy and get cheaper deals which are passed on to the end golfer and everyone is a winner.
