So, Who Has Done This When Buying Golf Kit ?

[DappaDonDave]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

like most businesses my shop has had to reduce the margins,if i were to knock £50 off a fire in effect i would then be working on a 15% uplift as it takes a 22% uplift to break even how long before we go bust?

Moving premises, reducing staffing costs and improving your customer service should sort you out. Or...move to a warehouse with even cheaper rent, sell online but offer a drop I. Day once or twice a week. Find a new supplier?...

 

[Tiger]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

Moving premises, reducing staffing costs and improving your customer service should sort you out. Or...move to a warehouse with even cheaper rent, sell online but offer a drop I. Day once or twice a week. Find a new supplier?...

Yes but then he's another online retailer so where is the shop you got to in person?????

 

[TheClaw]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

So I should pay more money for something (and have less in the bank) so that someone else gets more money in the bank? Nah, Its ok.

 

[DappaDonDave]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

Yes but then he's another online retailer so where is the shop you got to in person?????

It's now a warehouse where you can go on Wednesdays and Saturdays to see and feel but can shop online 24/7 at, with new lower prices.

Change with the times unfortunately, or get left behind

 

[MadAdey]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

I am of the opinion that rather than moaning about online retail you need to find a way to compete. My pro has stuff in his shop at very competitive prices and when I got my R11s last year on the release week I could not see it anywhere cheaper on the internet. He is a very switched on person when it comes to business, but maybe the fact he has a business degree from Uni helps. He has the attitude of that earning £20 five times rather than £50 once will make you more money, maybe takes more effort as you need to sell more.

 

[Slab]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

The word not really picked up on in the article is enthusiasm

With the correct attitude and attention the in-store staff can absolutely secure sales that are currently walking out the door (irrespective of any discount or price matching)

There has always been an alternative to buying in a particular store (whether that alternative is another real store or as is often happening now, an online store) and it’s always been the people that will make the difference

At its core retail is a doddle, the customer actually comes to you! Treat them correctly and more often than not a sale will result (& I don't mean giving a yes sir no sir three bags full sir attitude)

Price is only one of the factors shoppers use when determining where & when to buy & its not appropriate to label a reduction in sales to the cost alone

 

[Jay Gee]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

Moving premises, reducing staffing costs and improving your customer service should sort you out. Or...move to a warehouse with even cheaper rent, sell online but offer a drop I. Day once or twice a week. Find a new supplier?...

It's now a warehouse where you can go on Wednesdays and Saturdays to see and feel but can shop online 24/7 at, with new lower prices.
Change with the times unfortunately, or get left behind

It's called out of town shopping and most have online shopping and/or reserve and collect facilities. Still leads to the demise of the high street and decent independant advice.

Price is only one of the factors shoppers use when determining where & when to buy & its not appropriate to label a reduction in sales to the cost alone

Price is the ONLY consideration to many and directly affects retail sales.

So I should pay more money for something (and have less in the bank) so that someone else gets more money in the bank? Nah, Its ok.

The point is that the extra money is being spent on providing the buyer with value added services such as try before you buy, advice, convenience etc.

I buy from both retail and online. I don't mind paying a reasonable premium to be able to get some decent advice, see/try before I buy and take something home with me. I wouldn't pay double for something, but it's rare to make 50% savings online. I'll support retail where feasible, so that everyone else still has somewhere to go to try stuff out before buying online :thup:

Example; I recently bought some shoes from a shop in north west London. I needed a wide fitting shoe and this place had a great selection of stock to try. The service and advice was great and the price was £10 more than the cheapest online, so I walked out with a new pair of shoes. I will return to the same shop in the future as long as they are still in business!

 

[Slab]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

Price is the ONLY consideration to many and directly affects retail sales.

Example; I recently bought some shoes from a shop in north west London. I needed a wide fitting shoe and this place had a great selection of stock to try. The service and advice was great and the price was £10 more than the cheapest online, so I walked out with a new pair of shoes. I will return to the same shop in the future as long as they are still in business!

Price didn't seem to play a big part in your example though did it what with all those other considerations you had? And can you say that the majority of purchase's have any less considerations than your example!

Price is rarely the only consideration

My point was if more shops offered your experience they wouldn't be worried about online prices

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

I will only buy online if I can't get what I am after at my driving range. The service, the knowledge etc is well worth the extra £10 or so for something.

They have taken to charging for custom fitting now as well as people would have a full custom fit, then go online and order with their specs. If you end up buying the clubs you have been fit for, then they knock the fitting price off.

 

[Jay Gee]

Re: So, Who Has Done This When Buying Gold Kit ?

Price didn't seem to play a big part in your example though did it what with all those other considerations you had? And can you say that the majority of purchase's have any less considerations than your example!

Price is rarely the only consideration

My point was if more shops offered your experience they wouldn't be worried about online prices

I personally agree, but the fact remains that a lot of people would buy elsewhere if they could save £10. That's why I quoted TheClaw, who seems to indicate he would not pay more to a retailer. (Forgive me if I misinterpreted). Even if I'm wrong about TheClaw, an interesting question would be how many would pay £60 for a pair of shoes, which they could buy for £50 online?

What if the difference was £20 or £30?

 

[MadAdey]

For some people they are lucky enough to not have to worry about price too much and spending that little bit more. But for others the price is a huge consideration when buying things. With the cost of living going up, some people need to save a few quid when ever they can. I do have a reasonable amount of disposable income, but it's definately not as much as it was a few years ago, due to inflation and not having a pay rise in the last 3 years. So I think before people have a go about others trying to save a few quid, just remember they might not be as comfortable financially as you. At my club we have lost a few members, as they just can't justify the cost of playing golf when they have a famiy to look after. Ok so at my place Membership is only £650 a year, but when you put in the sundry items like balls, gloves, tees, shoes & other clothing you push that up over the £1000 barrier. So spending nearly £100 a month to play golf is something they can't justify.

 

[Twire]

The OP is not about buying on-line or buying from a shop, it's about trying the goods out in a retail outlet then finding the cheapest on-line. This I think is out of order, if your have no intention of buying from the retail outlet then don't waste their time trying out the goods in there.

Here at work I have a garden accessories business next to me, he often gets people in for an hour or so picking his brains on what mower, strimmer, chainsaw etc will suit their needs, then they go off and buy it on the internet.

 

[DCB]

Interesting responses. What's everyone going to do when the retailers all start to close their 'flagship stores' as they are too costly to operate ? Where will you go for a look & see and a wee try out when that happens, or as more likely, they stop holding as much stock on display as no-one buys it from them anyway.

 

[Jay Gee]

For some people they are lucky enough to not have to worry about price too much and spending that little bit more. But for others the price is a huge consideration when buying things. With the cost of living going up, some people need to save a few quid when ever they can. I do have a reasonable amount of disposable income, but it's definately not as much as it was a few years ago, due to inflation and not having a pay rise in the last 3 years. So I think before people have a go about others trying to save a few quid, just remember they might not be as comfortable financially as you. At my club we have lost a few members, as they just can't justify the cost of playing golf when they have a famiy to look after. Ok so at my place Membership is only £650 a year, but when you put in the sundry items like balls, gloves, tees, shoes & other clothing you push that up over the £1000 barrier. So spending nearly £100 a month to play golf is something they can't justify.

I understand what you're saying, but please keep to a fair comparison. This isn't about the total cost of golf, which you estimate at approximately £1000 annually. If the amount you spend on sundries is roughly £350 a year and you can save 20% (for example) buying online, then the difference is £70 per year or £5 - £6 per month. This might still be too much for some, but if everyone did the same, you would soon find there is nowhere to go and try gear out.

I'm certainly not criticising anyone buying online, rather making an observation. Do you think it's fair to pay a little more to a well stocked and helpful retailer (please note that all retailers are not equal) or would £5 a month seem like a fair 'surcharge' so that you can make informed choices?

I buy online too, but try to support retail when I can and as long as the difference isn't too great.

 

[MadAdey]

I understand what you're saying, but please keep to a fair comparison. This isn't about the total cost of golf, which you estimate at approximately £1000 annually. If the amount you spend on sundries is roughly £350 a year and you can save 20% (for example) buying online, then the difference is £70 per year or £5 - £6 per month. This might still be too much for some, but if everyone did the same, you would soon find there is nowhere to go and try gear out.I'm certainly not criticising anyone buying online, rather making an observation. Do you think it's fair to pay a little more to a well stocked and helpful retailer (please note that all retailers are not equal) or would £5 a month seem like a fair 'surcharge' so that you can make informed choices?I buy online too, but try to support retail when I can and as long as the difference isn't too great.

I do not agree with people that use the high street retailers to try stuff out then buy from the internet, as that is not fair on the retailer. All I am saying is that some people may need to save a few quid where possible and that the high street retailer needs to try and compete with the interent rather moan about it. My pro took over the shop 18 months ago after being the assisstant there. The previous pro charged top end full whack prices on things and wondered why the shop never made much money, the new one does not. It is possible to compete with the internet as my pro will always do a deal to try and stop you taking your custom online. My mate has just got a 913D, 913F and the new oddyssey white hot pro putter from in there. My pro did him the lot for £620 (same price as direct golf) and he is still making money from it, although not as much as he would like.

 

[GB72]

Golf gear has been one of the things that I would not try out in a shop then buy online. Having heard reports of differences in club lofts, shafts etc due to tolerances in the manufacturing process, if I try a club in a shop and like it then I want that one, not another one off the shelf or one bought online but the one that I have been hitting. May be me being stupid at the time but I always felt better buying the exact club that I had been hitting well.

Saw somewhere the other day that one of the Jessops stores put a sign in the window when it closed saying 'Jessops would like to thank all of their loyal customers for browsing with us and shopping with Amazon'.

 

[jason6r]

I think in a society where freedom of choice exists, the decision rests with the individual and some will prioritise the lowest price above everything, others will consider other factors as part of the buying decision. I like to get good value but for me that is not just about the lowest price, although I will shop around and hate thinking I've been legged over.

My wife recently bought a pair of running shoes and they were £20 more expensive in the running shop (£90 vs £70) but for us it was justified as she was fitted correctly by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable owner (took about 45 minutes of trying loads of trainers) and we believe that we have a vested interest in this sort of shop/service being around for years to come.

I'd hate to think that all retail goes online in the future and actually can't see that happening as people will always want to be able to physically inspect the intended purchase, particularly for high value items. Unfortunately the quality of service in many retail shops is so poor (and I mean not taking time to understand the customers' needs and also not understanding the product well enough) that people can't see the value in paying for this "service". Better staff generally cost more though but the future for traditional retail is bleak without outstanding service levels. For a case in point, read RickG's post on Orka irons - definitely the way to go and I bet RickG is somewhat more committed to Orka and thus less price-sensitive as a result...