Ping "not selling" via internet

[gripitripit]

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.

I think anyone with half a brain wanting to drop a monkey on a set of Irons would want to get custom fitted..!

 

[GreiginFife]

I think anyone with half a brain wanting to drop a monkey on a set of Irons would want to get custom fitted..!

It's his money. And as a fully accredited Lean 6S practitioner and qualified and accredited Salomon Statistician I would say not possessing half a brain but a full brain functioning at higher levels than most of us.
That said, he is a casual golfer only - but still, can't hold that against him - he's my boss's boss...

 

[gripitripit]

It's his money. And as a fully accredited Lean 6S practitioner and qualified and accredited Salomon Statistician I would say not possessing half a brain but a full brain functioning at higher levels than most of us.
That said, he is a casual golfer only - but still, can't hold that against him - he's my boss's boss...

OK maybe just laziness or lack of common sense then. Buying a new set of clubs for that money I imagine some of the trill would be the fitting experiance IMO.

 

[GreiginFife]

OK maybe just laziness or lack of common sense then. Buying a new set of clubs for that money I imagine some of the trill would be the fitting experiance IMO.

That's a rather sweeping statement there. Some would argue that a "monkey" as you put it isn't a lot to spend on irons. It's subjective, as is the need to be fitted, some may say that's overkill for amateurs.

 

[gripitripit]

That's a rather sweeping statement there. Some would argue that a "monkey" as you put it isn't a lot to spend on irons. It's subjective, as is the need to be fitted, some may say that's overkill for amateurs.

Just my opinion mate.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Do old people even know how to use the internets?

Didnt ping finish 1st and 2nd at the Masters?

 

[Foxholer]

Didnt ping finish 1st and 2nd at the Masters?

And a share of 3rd!

Pretty sure Fraz is correct though. More important to Ping and its retailers to protect the 'brand value'. Protection from counterfeiters is a beneficial by-product imo.

 

[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?

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!

There can't be many out there that don't know about fakes surely...?

If what Ping is doing stops 1 person from buying fake product then it's a sucessful campaign.
My guess is that many, many people now don't buy fakes because of Ping's policy.
That can't be a bad thing.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

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.

Titleist do let the retailer show the price now. You normally have to click to see it but you can see it. On most decent sites you can even select your c\f options and get the price updated. However, just because it's the Internet, it shouldn't stop you phoning and asking for a better one

 

[drawboy]

It's more than just the fake issue. Ping really like to support pro's and by stopping internet sales it means you are more likely to visit your pro for your new clubs and for fittings and any adjustments that is why you have to book through a retailer to get to Gainsborough. Most other makes will sell their gear to anyone who will stock them. Ping has done this since the beginning.

 

[Imurg]

Intrestingly you can buy New Ping with the click of a button........

Golfbidder have some i20/G20 drivers, i20/G20/K15 fairways, i20 irons and a G20 hybrid all listed as "NEW"....

and all available via usual checkout process......

 

[GreiginFife]

Personally I'm still not overly convinced by the fakes view point. My colleague made one call and was asked no questions other than model and how he would like to pay. How that prevents the sale of fakes is the bit I guess I'm missing.
So what if a site selling fakes puts up a notice saying you have to call to buy, does this make them not fake due to this?
Just my own view of course, other views are available.

 

[Imurg]

So what if a site selling fakes puts up a notice saying you have to call to buy, does this make them not fake due to this?

Generally speaking a site that sells fakes won't want you calling them, in fact they want to have as little contact with the General Public as possible as this makes them more likely to be rumbled.......

Not a guarantee at all of course - but if a site gives you a phone number they're less likely to be con-men.

 

[GreiginFife]

Generally speaking a site that sells fakes won't want you calling them, in fact they want to have as little contact with the General Public as possible as this makes them more likely to be rumbled.......

Not a guarantee at all of course - but if a site gives you a phone number they're less likely to be con-men.

Fair point Imurg
Oh and great sig by the way... get down with your bad self... :thup:

 

[sJoe]

Do old people even know how to use the internets?

I'm 63 a grey surfer and a dab hand at this interweb thing...mmmmm