Ping "not selling" via internet

[GreiginFife]

I know the theory behind Ping's decision but in practice it is a farce.
Mate at work (it's been a slow day) decided to plump for some G20's form Online Golf. Website told him they would be £499 but that they couldn't be sold via the internet.
So he makes a call that, albeit didn't take long, was a waste of time. Sales person basically asked which ones, and how would he like to pay? No advice as stated would be required.
So he could have done that on-line for all that was required and save a phone call.
Not the first time I have heard of this happening...

So the question is - what's the point of the policy? How is it policed and enforced?

 

[daveyc2k2]

I know the theory behind Ping's decision but in practice it is a farce.
Mate at work (it's been a slow day) decided to plump for some G20's form Online Golf. Website told him they would be £499 but that they couldn't be sold via the internet.
So he makes a call that, albeit didn't take long, was a waste of time. Sales person basically asked which ones, and how would he like to pay? No advice as stated would be required.
So he could have done that on-line for all that was required and save a phone call.
Not the first time I have heard of this happening...

So the question is - what's the point of the policy? How is it policed and enforced?

Greig, I think the reason is that it stops web based companies selling fakes. If you go on most counterfeit clubs stores online, 9 times out of 10 they won't have a registered address or telephone number. So by Ping not allowing web sales it means you know that if you can get them on a website then they must be counterfeit.

Hope that makes sense. It did in my head.

 

[GreiginFife]

Totally get where you're coming from Davey, it makes sense and if that's all it's for then fair play. Just seemed my colleague had to make an un-necessary call that, had we actually been working, he wouldn't have time to make and probably wouldn't have bothered with. So a potential sale lost.

 

[Rooter]

Do old people even know how to use the internets?

 

[socky]

I've heard that old people / ping jibe before, I don't get it.... whats oldmanish about ping?

 

[Stub]

I'm a grey surfer and I don't even have a wetsuit:whoo:.

 

[chris661]

Totally get where you're coming from Davey, it makes sense and if that's all it's for then fair play. Just seemed my colleague had to make an un-necessary call that, had we actually been working, he wouldn't have time to make and probably wouldn't have bothered with. So a potential sale lost.

Far better to have to make a 2 minute "unnecessary" call than get a set of fakes.........

 

[Imurg]

Titleist do the same now I believe...

To counter fakes, it's worthwhile - even if they lose a sale occasionally.

And anyway, if someone wants Pings and can't buy them over the net then surely they're going to either call a shop, visit a shop or Pro, or go to Gainsborough.......

At least they'll be certain the product is genuine.

 

[NWJocko]

I don't have a problem with this.

What I do find is weird is TM/adidas not showing the prices on internet sites unless you click to view every item.

Anyone know why they do that?

 

[HughJars]

Totally get where you're coming from Davey, it makes sense and if that's all it's for then fair play. Just seemed my colleague had to make an un-necessary call that, had we actually been working, he wouldn't have time to make and probably wouldn't have bothered with. So a potential sale lost.

Seriously? Your mate cares so little about his clubs that he would simply thoughtlessly click a button online during a spare 30 seconds, rather than go and get fitted from a trained fitting shop/pro?

 

[TheJezster]

Seriously? Your mate cares so little about his clubs that he would simply thoughtlessly click a button online during a spare 30 seconds, rather than go and get fitted from a trained fitting shop/pro?

Why not? I would hazzard a guess that the majority of clubs sold worldwide are the sold this way. I would say that only a small percentage of people would go to get fitted etc. It may be worthwhile to some, but some probably dont event know its an option. Others dont care.

 

[pbrown7582]

I think the counterfeit argument is just a bonus the main reason is because they custom fit all there clubs in theory so therefore you cannot properly custom hit on a keyboard. It is only paying lip service to the argument by allowing telephone order through online retailers.

 

[RGDave]

I don't have a problem with this.

What I do find is weird is TM/adidas not showing the prices on internet sites unless you click to view every item.

Anyone know why they do that?

No, I don't know why.

What I do know though is it gives the wrong impression - if you google "TM driver" on "shopping" you see the prices. So, what the heck are they playing at?

I think having to make a phone call to avoid fakes (anything, not just clubs) could be a good move.

 

[Slab]

We could just shut down the internet, that would cut out the fakes too!

The arguement of cutting out fake sales is really weak, there are many processes they could use to communicate the fake message and ensure buyers know whats what but maybe they like the 'exclusive' tag that this manual ordering may present to consumers. Afterall does the current practice mean there are no fake Pings in circulation?

 

[Imurg]

We could just shut down the internet, that would cut out the fakes too!

The arguement of cutting out fake sales is really weak, there are many processes they could use to communicate the fake message and ensure buyers know whats what but maybe they like the 'exclusive' tag that this manual ordering may present to consumers. Afterall does the current practice mean there are no fake Pings in circulation?

No
But it means that you'll know that a website offering Ping clubs at the click of a button is not authorised by Ping and therefore there's a good chance that the clubs are not genuine.
Where's the problem with that?

 

[Smiffy]

I bought the Missus a Ping cap for Christmas. Couldn't order it on-line had to phone the shop for a £11.99 cap! But I fully understand (and agree) why they do it.

 

[USER1999]

I don't like it that titleist won't even let the retailer show the price though. This is silly. I want to choose the lowest price before phoning that retailer, not phone all of them and ask for the best deal. In the long term, this will make titleist stuff more expensive, and lose them sales.

 

[Birchy]

I dont have much of an issue about not selling online because i always test drive any club before i buy anyway and then shop around for best price.

Not showing the price online or saying click to see price etc does really get on my nerves though. There is just no point whatsoever imo.

 

[Slab]

No
But it means that you'll know that a website offering Ping clubs at the click of a button is not authorised by Ping and therefore there's a good chance that the clubs are not genuine.
Where's the problem with that?

Problem is that this approach only works for consumers who already know about the 'fake club' issue & therefore don't need this kind of support. Those ignorant to the problem will still be duped into buying fakes!

 

[Fraz]

I think the counterfeit argument is just a bonus the main reason is because they custom fit all there clubs in theory so therefore you cannot properly custom hit on a keyboard. It is only paying lip service to the argument by allowing telephone order through online retailers.

Don't kid yourself!

The main reason is purely and simply retaining perceived brand value and stopping "shag out" online retailers from ruining the margins of the brand.

Many online retailers are more than happy enough to work to very small margins, mainly because lots and lots are nothing more than people sitting in their bedrooms "drop shipping" items direct from suppliers. No warehouse, no staff costs, no overheads. £20 here and there on top of cost price suits them just fine.

The problem with that is once you have a few doing it they get into a price war, down come prices to silly low levels (great for us buyers but not great for genuine retailers with overheads) and brand value is totally lost.

It is a format of price fixing but IMO acceptable because it helps to keep genuine retailers that provide a service in business.

How do I know this... because I am in marketing and have worked for a company with a very similar online policy!