The staff in AG.

[Aztecs27]

Are really rather amusing.

I went in on Boxing Day, with a mind of picking up two MP-T10's. I asked the bloke, but they didn't have any in stock.

So what was the first thing he said?..."Oh, well you don't want them anyway, the Vokey's are the best wedges out there. They're the ones that you'll want".

Oh really? Because I thought I'd come in looking for some Mizzys.

We were standing right next to the MPT-11's too, but he didn't even give them a look in.

I also said, that I was thinking about the MD Drew wedges and he flat out said "yea, they're a budget brand, and aren't considered good enough for us to stock them and don't really do what the Vokeys can do".



I feel very sorry for the people who shop there without a clue of what they're looking for.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Think it really depends store-by-store. Used the one at Top Golf Watford a fair few times and the staff in there are pretty good and knowledgable, and offer pretty good advice on clubs suiting all abilities. Haven't seen or heard of any instances where they push one brand over another.

 

[Oddsocks]

I agree Aztecs, me and the girlfriend went there to get s set of mp10 just before Christmas. They only had 52/56/60 and when I asked about 58 I was waffled off with a load of rubbish of why I shouldnt have a 58. I asked if he could order a 58, flat out "No!"

Ok, well was toying with the 56 and asked about their price match policy as two would cost 140 there and only 110 at direct golf, exact statement after a spent ten mins loading the site to prove I wasn't lying was " I don't want to but I suppose I have two"

I didn't have my wallet with me but offered a £50 deposit with the intention to be back within 48 hours as this was what HID had on her and
he responded with " no, I may sell them for proper mobey"

For that reason I vowed I would never spend money on sticks there, only balls & tee's etc, customer service at ag is toilet.

Incidently I went in my branch in may for new irons and wanted tm burners, they got so pushy on Wilson di9 that I purchased elsewhere

 

[Aztecs27]

Actually, one thing I will say in their favour is that he did "price match" the two MPT-11's that I bought.

Because I was buying two, he knocked ten quid off each club making it a total of £160 instrad of £180, so that was good. But for help on club selecting they are absolutely useless.

 

[TobyRich1928]

The one I go to is fine, the staff member who helped me out was friendly, gave me lots of balls to hit with each club and then the Pings I bougth were actually ordered for him 5/5 from me

 

[clubchamp07]

Stick you ur own club pro, Those high street shops dont care about ur game, all they want is ur money.........

I would never buy anything from these stores

 

[Andy]

Have always found them pricks and never use them!!

Andy

 

[Ethan]

Stick you ur own club pro, Those high street shops dont care about ur game, all they want is ur money.........

I would never buy anything from these stores

Likewise here.

Ask the numpty why, if they don't stock MD Golf stuff, they sell Nicklaus clubs.

Answer - profit margins.

FWIW, MD Golf is good stuff, and many canny golfers have saved a few quid by buying it, and have sacrificed very little compared to premium brands.

While there may be some decent AG stores, although I am dubious, it is pretty clear that there are enough bad ones dispensing crap advice for a general rule of avoiding them all to be the safest option and best advice for the new or inexperienced golfer.

 

[Toby_LeRhone]

Stick you ur own club pro, Those high street shops dont care about ur game, all they want is ur money.........

I would never buy anything from these stores

Nail, head.

 

[Oddsocks]

My club doesnt stock a wide range of brands, their are a cobra fitting centre so I know if i stuck with my pro I'd be in the cobra camp. I'd like to build a repour with a pro at somewhere like silvermere that's as big as ag if big bigger and have a range too, but I can't helP to think it would be expensive

 

[USER1999]

I was chatting to one of the lady staffers in AG Finchley earlier in the week. She's a pga registered pro, so I would guess knows her stuff. Played out of Moor park, and then Brookmans park, which are not easy tracks either.

Then I was in thone in Watford, and heard one of the staff with a customer talking about players irons. What a load of piffle.

I guess in each shop, it depends who you get to talk to, as I have previously been ok with the Watford branch.

 

[MarkHK]

I bought some irons in the one at Milton Keynes just before Christmas and had no problems. They had the R9 irons that I wanted but they were 150 more than I had seen them online at a different retailer. They agreed to price match straight away and were really friendly.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My club doesnt stock a wide range of brands, their are a cobra fitting centre so I know if i stuck with my pro I'd be in the cobra camp. I'd like to build a repour with a pro at somewhere like silvermere that's as big as ag if big bigger and have a range too, but I can't helP to think it would be expensive

Silvermere is good but very over priced. I guess what you'd gain on the customer service side you'd lose on the cash side of things. I don't actually think the shop is any better than AG.

I have banged on about AG and their poor service before. Like others I'd never buy clubs in there even if they were the last retailer going. I have seen some commission targets for two of their stores and so I can understand why they push people towards Nicklaus, Yonex, Hogan and Wilson but it frustrates the crap out of me watching newbies or those without the knowledge available here getting sold crap that they didn't ask for

 

[Aztecs27]

Commission targets would definitely explain alot.

I don't generally buy clubs from there unless they are A.) Cheap or B.) I have no choice - which on this occasion, I didn't as I had £80 worth of gift vouchers to use.

I walked away with exactly what I wanted in the MPT-11's though, so I'm happy.

But I'm glad I know (a bit) about equipment etc....Because I really wouldn't want to be walking out with stuff they'd recommended just because they get more commission on them.

 

[muttleee]

me and the girlfriend went there to get s set of mp10 just before Christmas.

You old romantic, you.

 

[alphalogan]

AG have a store in my club Lexden Wood in Colchester and have always found them very helpful and not at all pushy. It is also useful for us as we can try any clubs on the club driving range which is next to the shop. I admit the range is not like a course but it does help.

 

[Oddsocks]

me and the girlfriend went there to get s set of mp10 just before Christmas.

You old romantic, you.

Dam straight, she was paying too!

 

[steviep]

My local AG is pretty good, I bought a new pair of shoes yesterday and decided to try out a few drivers in the net while I was there.
First up was the G10, but the loft was too low and they didn't have any others in there. The member of staff I was talking to then went and got me a Nicklaus driver which I declined to even try. He was ok with it and got me a Ping Rapture to try which I didn't get on with. No hard sell or pushiness from him to be fair.

 

[Parmo]

When I got my driver from AG they were pretty good to be honest. That said when I did buy a set of Cobra irons they were very very poor on that one, guess its hit and miss. Got my irons and wedges from the pro who did me a good deal and so working on building up my account this season and discount that off anything I want.

 

[Smiffy]

I have banged on about AG and their poor service before. Like others I'd never buy clubs in there even if they were the last retailer going.

And this is something I quite can't get my head around Homer.
You are quite happy to go to AG and try various clubs. As soon as a new club is launched you will go there to try it out. The guys who work in there see you coming and know that they have absolutely no chance of selling you anything. You are just using them. So why should you expect better service?
If you came into my dealership to try out a car just because "you could" I would be very accommodating the first time. I might even be very accommodating the second time. By the third time I would be getting a little annoyed and any more than that and I would be telling you to sling your hook. Not my normal standard of customer care, but if I'm never going to sell you anything, what the feck.
And if people like yourself keep going in and doing the same thing the staff eventually get pissed off and leave because they quickly work out they are wasting their time.
How are they supposed to attract, and keep, a decent standard of staff?
A little tip (for what it's worth)...if you hate AG, and all that they stand for, so much, don't go in there and waste their time!!