Hello Everybody - I've got a question?

[LogoBalls]

Hi all,

I've just signed up to do a little lite market research, I hope that's okay with you guys and its not against your rules.

I'm about to open an online "Logo Golf Ball" Shop, this would mainly be for corporate days out etc. There are people who currently do this, but I have vast knowledge in SEO (Getting to the top of Google) So could soon overtake competitors.

As i've got all the supplier accounts sorted (With decent discount) I've been thinking, and i'm going to run alongside it a general golf shop, selling latest products.

If you've got a couple of minutes, please could you answer a few questions;

Would you buy golf equipment offline if you havn't already?


Where do you usually buy golf items?


Would you be happy using Paypal?


What golf balls do you use, and how much do you pay per dozen? (Would you pay £29.99 for 12 Prov1's delivered?)


Would you Woods or Irons online?


If you could save 5% online of pro shop prices, where would you shop?


If you could save 8% online off pro shop prices, where would you shop?


Would you buy golf equipment off eBay over an online shop?


Would you go to a website, if you saw a decent deal in Golf Monthly Mag?


Thank you to anybody who replies!

Alex

 

[CliveW]

Hi Alex,
Probably not the best way to go for a first post. No background etc.
Personally I would always try and support my local pro rather than some unknown internet provider, even if it was dearer. One day I will need my pro and if we don't support him he won't be there.
So for that reason.....I'm out.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Nothing worse than first time posters coming on and trying to flog stuff. Not a great way to makes friends. Look at it this way, if you were in the clubhouse at your local club and someone you never met before came up and started trying to get you to buy stuff from a business you didn't know, how would you react?

Personally I will never buy clubs over the internet as I want to try before I buy and need to be certain that it is the right piece of kit for me.

I have an abundance of golf balls so I'm not interested and would rather use my club pro for most things as he gets me a good deal. I think you mught need to look at your marketing policy and not cold call if you want to get maximum feedback

 

[LogoBalls]

Hi Alex,
Probably not the best way to go for a first post. No background etc.
Personally I would always try and support my local pro rather than some unknown internet provider, even if it was dearer. One day I will need my pro and if we don't support him he won't be there.
So for that reason.....I'm out.

Thanks for the reply.

I agree on the first post mate, so i'll fill you in!

I play off 12, and havn't played properly for a while. Golf rubbed off on me thanks to my brother who's a PGA Pro.

I'm from N.Wales, own a business that deals with anything technical, web design, search engine optimization, graphic design etc. About to move premises to Blackpool, and open our call centre.

The online shop would be based at a Golf Club anyway, so technically you would still be supporting the pro shop!

 

[LogoBalls]

Nothing worse than first time posters coming on and trying to flog stuff. Not a great way to makes friends. Look at it this way, if you were in the clubhouse at your local club and someone you never met before came up and started trying to get you to buy stuff from a business you didn't know, how would you react?

Personally I will never buy clubs over the internet as I want to try before I buy and need to be certain that it is the right piece of kit for me.

I have an abundance of golf balls so I'm not interested and would rather use my club pro for most things as he gets me a good deal. I think you mught need to look at your marketing policy and not cold call if you want to get maximum feedback

Starting to regret asking bud.

I know it's annoying, but have not promoted any businesses at all.

I've emailled IPCmedia (I think) regarding advertising, so it wouldn't be spamming forums to gain customers at all.

I understand about the golf clubs, wanting to try before you buy etc. Would your mind change if you could have a 14 day return policy?

Regarding the clubhouse comment; they wouldn't allow it, but this is an Internet Forum at the end of the day, I would expect threads like this popping up every now and then.

Alex

 

[Swinger]

The online shop would be based at a Golf Club anyway, so technically you would still be supporting the pro shop!

Haha, nice try.

 

[LogoBalls]

The online shop would be based at a Golf Club anyway, so technically you would still be supporting the pro shop!

Haha, nice try.

It actually would be, i'm splitting profits with a pal of mine who's the head pro at the local course.

Granted i'm taking some money, but it's got to be a business at the end of the day.

 

[mally]

I dont think the 14 day return policy would sway many people as i personally would not like the added hassle of posting the thing back then worrying about if i am going to get my refund (still sometimes get a little paranoid when purchasing anything off the internet which is not from Amazon or the like)

 

[LogoBalls]

I dont think the 14 day return policy would sway many people as i personally would not like the added hassle of posting the thing back then worrying about if i am going to get my refund (still sometimes get a little paranoid when purchasing anything off the internet which is not from Amazon or the like)

That's fair enough, I think it would mainly be people who are looking for a particular set or irons / wood, who would buy online.

Or maybe even tried at their local club, and go get them cheaper online.

 

[CliveW]

Golf rubbed off on me thanks to my brother who's a PGA Pro.

The online shop would be based at a Golf Club anyway, so technically you would still be supporting the pro shop!

Firstly, I trust your brother doesn't rely on selling from a pro shop, and secondly I want to support MY pro shop, NOT yours!

 

[LogoBalls]

It's not my brother that i'm doing this with.

Fair enough with your comments, however my brother is Head of Golf at a very well established course in Scotland.

I can clearly see that you wouldn't buy online, for anything golf related. That's fine, i'm just generally asking the forum.

Probably gone the wrong way about it, and gotten a bad response.

 

[Golfmmad]

As CliveW stated, he prefers to use HIS local Pro, which is exactly what I will always do, so for that reason I'm also out.

Don't blame you for trying though - how else does one start a business? But think you may need to rethink your strategy.

Golfmmad.

 

[chrisd]

I do buy golf stuff online but I really wouldn't for savings of 5 - 8% against my pro shop. I only buy from where I trust and where the deals are too good to turn down.

 

[mattyb0y]

Thing is mate i must agree... New comer to the forum! Bit suddern and for me spells a NO NO!

In terms of feedback - Why bother with the clubs seriously? if the pro your selling on behalf sees the profitability in eSales surely he will do it him self and settle for 100% on the profits for his club?

I would also say that your target market for logo based balls isnt here (i.e Forums) as i dont see many of the forum users making substancial purchases, surely you need to be on to government event organisers to find out of any business sponsors? / businesses themselves? etc.. the sort of business who will purchase vast orders....

In my opinion the market for golf club sales is well and truely saturated! no offence big compnaies are doing it and doing it well!... better than you may be able too!

And as homer pointed out there is no substitute for actually taking the clubs out on the range and the 14 day policy will still inevitably put off people (such as me simplicity a key critical choice factor in the marketing process!)

When we can go to the local course and try and to be fair the pro shops / independant retailers local to me knock a bit off the clubs etc.. and i can find the best deals here best of it is YOU DONT HAVE TO WAIT FOR DELIVERY!

IMO.. Others are doing this sort of stuff day in day out and its such a competitive market... but if you pursue all the best oh and welcome to the forum

 

[RGDave]

Congratulations on the most arrogant and self-serving first posts ever on this forum.

 

[LogoBalls]

As CliveW stated, he prefers to use HIS local Pro, which is exactly what I will always do, so for that reason I'm also out.

Don't blame you for trying though - how else does one start a business? But think you may need to rethink your strategy.

Golfmmad.

I completely understand people using and supporting their local pro. At the end of the day, golfers are renowed for having a bit of money, so savings of £5-10 don't really float their boat. (I know this is just a stereo type!)

I'm just wanting something that would have a steady client base, maybe supply to practice grounds and ranges etc as well as having people online signing up.

Thanks for your reply though.

I do buy golf stuff online but I really wouldn't for savings of 5 - 8% against my pro shop. I only buy from where I trust and where the deals are too good to turn down.

I understand that too pal, would you buy a dozen of your balls you use for half the price you usually pay at your pro shop?

Thing is mate i must agree... New comer to the forum! Bit suddern and for me spells a NO NO!

In terms of feedback - Why bother with the clubs seriously? if the pro your selling on behalf sees the profitability in eSales surely he will do it him self and settle for 100% on the profits for his club?

I would also say that your target market for logo based balls isnt here (i.e Forums) as i dont see many of the forum users making substancial purchases, surely you need to be on to government event organisers to find out of any business sponsors? / businesses themselves? etc.. the sort of business who will purchase vast orders....

In my opinion the market for golf club sales is well and truely saturated! no offence big compnaies are doing it and doing it well!... better than you may be able too!

And as homer pointed out there is no substitute for actually taking the clubs out on the range and the 14 day policy will still inevitably put off people (such as me simplicity a key critical choice factor in the marketing process!)

When we can go to the local course and try and to be fair the pro shops / independant retailers local to me knock a bit off the clubs etc.. and i can find the best deals here best of it is YOU DONT HAVE TO WAIT FOR DELIVERY!

IMO.. Others are doing this sort of stuff day in day out and its such a competitive market... but if you pursue all the best oh and welcome to the forum

Haha, sorry about being a new comer and using this for a little research pal.

He's a good friend of mine, I have other businesses with him. I'd like to bother because, I can soon get the website / eShop high up on google ranks, advertise in top magazines and the likes of driving ranges (where they don't have a pro and the market is for starter sets etc)

I know the LogoBalls, minimum order is 12 dozen, so wouldn't have any form of interest on this forum, or any forum infact. It's something that will have to be built up with corporate businesses, currently have a contract with Barclays & BT so far, starting Dec 2010.

Again, I agree with you for the market being saturated, I would not be scared of a little competition though!

As for taking your clubs out, having a go with them, and taking them back to your proshop - nothing can physically replace that. This is a flaw, but sites like American Golf etc seem to make mega money!

The thing is with "knocking a bit off a club" here and there, makes you think you're getting a deal, you'd be surprise at a proshops markup on the clubs. You don't have to wait for delivery, you're right, but you could always have it the next day!

I understand about so many people doing it, we have the resources and facilities to build a decent business. Obviously i'm going to research it properly and a swot analysis on the business, but atm its looking like it'll go forward. I could be page 1 on google within 3 months, I think this would be a massive turn around for the business.

Thank you for my first welcome to the forum!

 

[LogoBalls]

Congratulations on the most arrogant and self-serving first posts ever on this forum.

Nice to get a warm welcome.

I'm sorry if you've got a tight community here and i've intruded on it, however I clearly stated that i'm wanting to know a few things, I hardly think it's arrogant at all.

 

[mattyb0y]

currently have a contract with Barclays & BT so far, starting Dec 2010.

Well done that certainly will be a target market!

Obviously i'm going to research it properly and a swot analysis on the business, but atm its looking like it'll go forward.

SWOT analysis nasty - Im sure you know how to do one properly by assigning weightings?! - Good luck

I could be page 1 on google within 3 months, I think this would be a massive turn around for the business.

My knowledge on SEO is limited in an eMarketing sense!

However there is always the case for Black Hat isnt there?, so i personally would consider a internet based marketing strategy that is NOT sole dependant on using SEO to increase awareness!!


Im quite aware with the mark up and the costing strategy - PGA shops adapt a good friend of mine also is PGA and "sorts me out"

Thank you for my first welcome to the forum!

Your Welcome!

 

[DCB]

You just can't beat a good roll & sausage in the morning

 

[RGDave]

Congratulations on the most arrogant and self-serving first posts ever on this forum.

I hardly think it's arrogant at all.

Well, clearly you wouldn't.

I could cut n paste your comments and it's not going to look pretty. Then again, I've said my bit, so live and let live.