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Deleted member 18121
Guest
They've bought an existing company that will continue to sell what was already on Sale.... its not new. Nothing will change.
Could sports direct/direct golf be good for golf.
- Thread starter Tashyboy
- Start date
Ethan
Money List Winner
I thought everyone knew this. You commented on it when it came up several years ago.
Clarkey wears Peter Millar, I forget what Westie wears.
I can't remember last night never mind several years ago!
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Can't see it being bad for golf
Cheap clubs and cheap clothes which people can purchase as starters to the game
Cheap clubs and cheap clothes which people can purchase as starters to the game
LUFC 1972
Head Pro
There is a place for sports direct, my son wanted to try golf at 10 and for first 3 years used Dunlop clubs as they were cheap, he has moved on now to premier brand clubs, but the same with clothes and shoes as they grow so quickly it was the most cost effective way to replace stuff every six months.
Also sd do own European golf who stock lots of different brands and have some great deals
Also sd do own European golf who stock lots of different brands and have some great deals
davidg2010uk
Assistant Pro
Nothing wrong with cheap gear. Morally should you buy from where who treats their staff like dirt?
Jates12
Challenge Tour Pro
The local Sports direct is my hot spot to purchase Tees as they are relatively cheap in there and its the nearest place i can buy them from!
Craigg
Q-School Graduate
I bought some Cleveland Wedges this week.
Shaft-made in China
Head - made in China
Assembled in China.
Is anything not produced by cheap labour these days?
Jimaroid
Journeyman Pro
Golf would be better off if people spent their money in the pro-shops around the country.
Sports Direct is a business that aims to extract maximum profit from the minimum outlay and quality. The only people that benefit from Sports Direct are the ones sat in the boardroom.
Sports Direct is a business that aims to extract maximum profit from the minimum outlay and quality. The only people that benefit from Sports Direct are the ones sat in the boardroom.
Craigg
Q-School Graduate
............
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
As an introduction to golf and for those on a budget then it's fine. Not my preferred shop of choice but that's not to say it's bad. I wonder once the dust settles whether any of the Direct Golf franchises will reopen as Sports Direct "GOLF" or similar name and get back to selling some of the other well known brands
Jimaroid
Journeyman Pro
Craigg said:
Because pro-shops provide an expert service by golfers for golfers. Sports Direct is a publicly traded company that exists only to deliver profits to shareholders.
Craigg said:
If said consumer is happy buying a £2 product that's been marked up to £50 and then "discounted" to £20, they're welcome to carry on. But I don't see that as a benefit to consumers.
Craigg
Q-School Graduate
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GreiginFife
Money List Winner
Not sure if you are being totally serious there but Jim has it bob on. Buying from your pro keeps the money in your club and by proxy in the game of golf so the game benefits. Sports Direct on the other hand, that money will never be reintroduced to the game unless fat boy Ashley pays a green fee somewhere.
On the second point, apples and bananas really. For most product SD is the manufacturer and supplier and effectively "sets the rate" so manufacture of a polo, say, that is £2 or £3 that they put a MRRP (as I believe they are obliged to do) of say £24.99 and then sell at £14.99 making it seem like a bargain to the consumer while making a big profit.
Proshop will need to buy at cost and then mark up to make a margin which will probably be a lot less. Yes you are right they both need to make a profit, the flexibility that SD has compared to a pro shop is night and day.
Example is my proshop has a Footjoy polo at £32.99, he buys them in at cost which is £25.90. So nowhere near what SD can do.
Jimaroid
Journeyman Pro
The numbers are irrelevant, it's hyperbole and conjecture to illustrate an opinion in response to a question that can't be answered definitively.
My belief is that consumers get the best deal when they receive a product or service that is of a well defined quality from a knowledgeable person who has been trained to do their job. There is a term for this, it's called professionalism, and golf has an excellent system of professional training and qualification in place that aims to serve the sport and its participants. What would benefit golf the most would be for this system to stay buoyant.
Sports Direct has little interest in that system but they are interested in selling cheap tat for as much as they can get away with.
My belief is that consumers get the best deal when they receive a product or service that is of a well defined quality from a knowledgeable person who has been trained to do their job. There is a term for this, it's called professionalism, and golf has an excellent system of professional training and qualification in place that aims to serve the sport and its participants. What would benefit golf the most would be for this system to stay buoyant.
Sports Direct has little interest in that system but they are interested in selling cheap tat for as much as they can get away with.
RGDave
Money List Winner
SugarPenguin
Challenge Tour Pro
People like cheap and love feeling as if they are getting a bargain.
If it grows the game then I'm all for it. Branded addidas and nike clothing are always cheaper at sports direct then pretty much anywhere else
too many snobs !
If it grows the game then I'm all for it. Branded addidas and nike clothing are always cheaper at sports direct then pretty much anywhere else
too many snobs !
Ok ok, I admit it, I went into SD a few weeks ago for a mooch as its across the road from my bank in town and bought 2 Srixon gloves as they were half price, forgive me father, I have clearly sinned 
Oddsocks
Ryder Cup Winner
Isn't SD with the own brand slazenger/Dunlop etc no different to American golf in effect.
Own branded massive profit cheaply made products?
Own branded massive profit cheaply made products?
D
Deleted member 15717
Guest
That might be the case with clubs, but for clothing/footwear/accessories, I don't need 'a professional' to tell me what is best for me. I know my sizing etc. If SD/DG are selling the same items cheaper, then I have no issues with purchasing from them.
Typical example is a Nike shirt that I really wanted. Any pro-shop that did have it, was selling it for £40. SD were selling it for £25. No brainier where I bought it from. They don't just sell the 'cheap' tat that you mention...they sell other brands too, and coupled with a quick dispatch and delivery, there isn't much to lose
