American Golf Discount?

[Lord Tyrion]

AGPGA - Don't take it personally. I think because AG have become so popular they have become the Tesco of golf. Lots of people use them but a hard core of people are vehemently opposed to them. I don't know why, perhaps it is the price of success. My nearest AG is Gosforth and I have always found the range and the staff to be excellent. The more choice we have the better. Whether that is AG, online, local pro it is all good news for us golfers.

 

[MendieGK]

Good of you to join in and put the other side coin.

Agreed, although last time someone from a company did this (Alex @ ORKA), the level of respect shown towards him on here was quite frankly appalling.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

This all makes for an interesting read - always seems very negative towards AG. I'm a store manager with American Golf and have been for the past 4 years. The picture painted on here doesn't really replicate what happens in store...well, my store anyway.
I have 3 PGA Qualified staff members who offer an exceptional level of custom fitting in store..far better than my surrounding PGA competitors. We have an unrivalled level of stock in our store which means that if you want something, there is a good chance that we'll have it.
The level of customer service in my store is of an extremely high standard and something that is reviewed on a daily basis. When you ask "Why do a lot of people want to use them" I often ask myself why not.
I've been a PGA Professional since 1994 and on joining AG I admit I wondered if I was selling my soul to the devil - but they have been a brilliant company to work with, offering amazing training and support. Our current CEO has implemented that our companies existence is to improve peoples games and I can see the company really going all out to do that with everyone who comes through the door. I daily see customers leaving my store with not only incredible value, but with hope in the products that we have helped them pick. Under no circumstances do we ever do the following:
"Oh sir - you're a standard fit, just so happens I have them in stock"
"TaylorMade are fantastic, but you need to get yourself one of the Nicklaus or John Letters drivers."
It's all a myth - I can assure you. Our goal is to help our customers and, in my store, this happens day in day out.

So in response now to the customer who started this thread - go to your local AG store and have a friendly conversation with them about what you are looking to buy and, if you want, tell them you're after a deal or have seen them cheaper online. The salesman will welcome this - after all we'd rather you bought from us than from someone else. We of course price match and there is no problem there. The products must be like for like and you can't trade in when having a price match. Don't go in there with the attitude that we're there to rob you of your money or sell you something you don't need - I can assure that the sales associate is there hoping that he can help you and will do his best to provide you with the right product at the right price. It won't cost you anything to give him a chance.

Best of luck!

The Sunderland store has always and continues to provide a great service, great bunch of guys,

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Good on you to come on and post your side

There will always be a place for a golf superstore and many people will use and get good service

I personally just prefer to support our club pro because I believe he deserves it and he is very good to all the members - this isnt because of anything negative towards AG

When I do go into my local AG store at times they have been friendly but I'm not a fan of the sales type of approach .

I do buy my wife's golf clothes from AG though as their stock is very good. Have seen their attempts of regripping irons - poor but that could easily have been a one off

 

[Canfordhacker]

I always get 10% discount. But - they still work out dearer than online sites and Direct Golf on most stuff.
They will price match so worth doing some basic price checks.

They price matched with Direct Golf for me on a bag only last week - £120 to £99

 

[Duckster]

Good on you to come on and post your side

There will always be a place for a golf superstore and many people will use and get good service

I personally just prefer to support our club pro because I believe he deserves it and he is very good to all the members - this isnt because of anything negative towards AG

When I do go into my local AG store at times they have been friendly but I'm not a fan of the sales type of approach .

I do buy my wife's golf clothes from AG though as their stock is very good. Have seen their attempts of regripping irons - poor but that could easily have been a one off

Ditto to lookign after my local Pro.

I've bought stuff from AG before (my current AP2's) and never really had any issues until they started getting very, well, "salesman". The "Are you ok, can I help?" after just walking in door really gets my back up. Granted this isn't just AG, but quite a few stores, but when it gets to the point that the wife refuses to now go into them because of the hassle she gets from the sales staff... well, you know it's time to shop elsewhere. They could all take a tip from (eg) John Lewis when it comes to welcoming a customer, by simply saying "Good morning" and leaving it at that.

If I need a salesman, they will know.

 

[CMAC]

I've always had decent to good service and prices from AG- and I say it on here.

Homer takes every opportunity to slag off AG on any thread he can- maybe he had a bad experience/s but I think the majority of posts on GM are in the positive, with a few exceptions. But isnt that the way in life.

 

[Mastercracker]

Ditto to lookign after my local Pro.
Granted this isn't just AG, but quite a few stores, but when it gets to the point that the wife refuses to now go into them because of the hassle she gets from the sales staff... well, you know it's time to shop elsewhere. They could all take a tip from (eg) John Lewis when it comes to welcoming a customer, by simply saying "Good morning" and leaving it at that.
If I need a salesman, they will know.

Exactly this. Not been in AG for a good few years but Direct Golf is awful for this. They literally will not leave you alone. I really do hate it when shops wont let you browse in peace.

 

[DanFST]

They price matched with Direct Golf for me on a bag only last week - £120 to £99

Matched me on some Nike shorts last year, £45 down to £8.

 

[CMAC]

Matched me on some Nike shorts last year, £45 down to £8.

so, you went into AG and they took your shorts down

 

[pokerjoke]

I find it quite baffling how people can come on and post about the multiple
bad service experience they have had from any particular store.

Surely once is enough,i know for one if I don't like the service once I will
never go back.

Im certainly not stupid enough to go back again and again for the same service.

Also there is the option of buying on line.

Support the pro by all means if he can price match or even if its a few pounds
more but why buy from a pro if its much cheaper elsewhere that to me is just
madness.

I have always got great costumer service from my local store in Exeter and
not once have I been hounded or pressured.
I have bought many thing from AG and they have always price matched or
knocked money off.

 

[Break90]

Have used AG in the past, but will always prefer to use the club pro shop first. They carry everything I need for day to day stuff, have fitting stations for all the major brands and can order in anything they don't carry for next day.

Will also price match anything including online, and also run loyalty points system effectively giving me 2.5% rebate (paid into my pro-shop account twice a year) on anything I spend.

 

[norbs]

AG are big DG haters, to the point where I know they've opened stores within throwing distance to quote 'close them down'. Found that a bit arrogant when the guy told me.

That being said, the Mrs always gets them to discount whenever she Christmas/Birthday shops for me

 

[AGPGA]

never really had any issues until they started getting very, well, "salesman". The "Are you ok, can I help?" after just walking in door really gets my back up.

Thanks for all the encouraging posts on here with regards to the level of service in the AG stores - it's great to hear that the stores are making customers happy. We have a customer survey scheme in house which is potentially relative to each individual customer. On the receipt there is an opportunity for ever customer to give feedback about their experience in store. The company is currently running at 90%+ satisfaction which, considering that we Brits generally only feedback when it's negative, is pretty good.

In reference to the quote above - in my own experience as a Store Manager, people are only uncomfortable with salesmen approaching them when they know their stuff. i.e. - the 18 year old salesman won't be able to tell them something they don't already know...so go away. With that said, the high majority of customers who come in to my particular store, are looking for guidance in making an expensive decision. So when we do approach them to offer our help (which, is what we are doing btw) customers are generally welcoming of it. I too understand however that sometimes we just want to have a look around and check out the new gear - so a swift no thanks, or I'm fine will nip that in the bud.

My advice would be go get fitted by them for what you want find out what you like best then walk away and say I will have to think about it.

Why not just tell the salesman you want to check and see if you can get it cheaper elsewhere. He can then, perhaps, have a look and see what he can do for you. It's surely easier than you driving away home, sitting online looking and then driving back to AG to buy it. Communicate with the staff and a whole lot of time, money and energy can be saved.

50% of customers shop at their local pro - the Pro Shops have the biggest market share.

I'll leave you with that for now..

 

[Dellboy]

AG in Salisbury did me a good deal last year on a new Motocaddy bag, in the shop I told themI have seen it cheaper online (£35 cheaper), chap said no problem sir just give me a minute, he went off to his computer and had a look.

5 minutes later he came back to say in fact he had found it £42:99 cheaper and gave me that price, saving me another £7:99 :thup:

 

[Duckster]

In reference to the quote above - in my own experience as a Store Manager, people are only uncomfortable with salesmen approaching them when they know their stuff. i.e. - the 18 year old salesman won't be able to tell them something they don't already know...so go away. With that said, the high majority of customers who come in to my particular store, are looking for guidance in making an expensive decision. So when we do approach them to offer our help (which, is what we are doing btw) customers are generally welcoming of it. I too understand however that sometimes we just want to have a look around and check out the new gear - so a swift no thanks, or I'm fine will nip that in the bud.

I'll leave you with that for now..

Thanks for the reply, however it;s not that at all. There are many 18 year old who know the gear better than me. It's just that lots of people want to just peruse and take some time and not be pounced upon the second you get through the door. Even when you do say, no I'm fine thanks it's only 5 mins before a different salesman comes up and says the same. As for your stats about how people rate the sales staff etc.. come on, a bit of common sense. Said customer has just spent a lot of money. Possibly got a good deal or a price match. Feels good and happy, of course they are going to give good stats out. Do you ask anything to the people who walk out without buying anything? Or stay in the shop for less than 5 minutes?

Now, I'm not on an AG tirade. There are several stores I've been into which buck this trend, like the one near the Trafford Centre. Never been bothered there. Not once. Ditto for the th'uddersfield one. But then go to Middlebrook (Reebok, Macron or whatever it's called this season) or Preston and they pounce.

 

[AGPGA]

As for your stats about how people rate the sales staff etc.. come on, a bit of common sense. Said customer has just spent a lot of money. Possibly got a good deal or a price match. Feels good and happy, of course they are going to give good stats out. Do you ask anything to the people who walk out without buying anything? Or stay in the shop for less than 5 minutes?

Every customer who shops with us has the same opportunity to give feedback about their experience - be it positive or negative. So the stats are the stats. I wasn't having a go at you with my "18 year old..." comment.

We are there to serve and help - the best way to do that is talk to people. I'm sure that is the same in retail/sales businesses up and down the country.

I didn't mean to offend.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've always had decent to good service and prices from AG- and I say it on here.

Homer takes every opportunity to slag off AG on any thread he can- maybe he had a bad experience/s but I think the majority of posts on GM are in the positive, with a few exceptions. But isnt that the way in life.

I've had some horrendous service at three stores near me and to be honest it has jaded me. I know others have had some excellent service and it clearly boils down to the staff at each store.

 

[Duckster]

Every customer who shops with us has the same opportunity to give feedback about their experience - be it positive or negative. So the stats are the stats. I wasn't having a go at you with my "18 year old..." comment.

We are there to serve and help - the best way to do that is talk to people. I'm sure that is the same in retail/sales businesses up and down the country.

I didn't mean to offend.

No offence taken and none meant to be given. Quite impressed that someone from AG has posted on here. Fair play to you fella and I hope you run one of the AG's like Trafford or th'uddersfield

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Cannot understand why I should go out of my way to support my club pro'.

After all, before I retired he didn't do any business with me but did with another member. Fine, no doubt that member does buy all his kit from the pro'.