Serializing Putters

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By John G.

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  • 6 Replies
  1. John G.

    John G.
    Colorado Springs, CO

    Military

    I stopped by the Gallery last weekend and had an interesting conversation with one of the gentleman helping sell merchandise. I asked him quite a few questions about resellers and if they see what’s being done to their profit. He explained that it’s a common plague they see. No Circle T’s were put out on my visit and there were multiple people that just walked away. I asked him if they had thought about serializing all circle t putters much like standard putters off the shelf. All Circle T’s that come with a COA have a registry number that goes to the archives info on that putter. But what if those numbers also put a name to each putter and could even track when the putter changes hands? It was interesting thought. What do you think could it help pinpoint people who only buy to sell?

  2. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    As much as we may not like it, when someone purchases an item it is theirs. What they do with it after they purchase it is entirely up to them. Scalping has been around for many years and I do not see it going away. I have, like most, complain, but do not see a solution to this common practice. Do you not sell the products and close up shop, or label some items so outrageously overpriced that most cannot afford them, or continue to stay in business, and let the scalpers live off those who are willing to pay the prices they ask. (The scalper then resells the items at a higher price.)
  3. Edward K

    Edward K
    Wesley Chapel, FL

    Military

    Chuck Z said:

    As much as we may not like it, when someone purchases an item it is theirs. What they do with it after they purchase it is entirely up to them. Scalping has been around for many years and I do not see it going away. I have, like most, complain, but do not see a solution to this common practice. Do you not sell the products and close up shop, or label some items so outrageously overpriced that most cannot afford them, or continue to stay in business, and let the scalpers live off those who are willing to pay the prices they ask. (The scalper then resells the items at a higher price.)

    One of my guys sold 4 putters to a gentleman, he said they were for his friends, they ended up in a shop in China. We all know how much Scotty's sell for overseas. The world is full hustlers!
  4. Thomas Y

    Thomas Y
    Wenham, MA

    Unfortunately, I have to agree with Chuck here. Free market is, what it is. As consumers, we have the option to pay the asking price or not. If it were possible to purchase at the SRP, I might be more interested, and the discussion about creating lotteries to purchase is interesting.

    I made a comment earlier about the CPO balls and seeing so many gougers out there selling multiple dozens of Left Dot Pro V1s (for example). Again, maybe a lottery or a limit might help, but people will find a way to get around any system. It just hurts the consumers that really want the product for personal use instead of personal profit.

    Manufacturers may not have any motivation to control subsequent sales as they have made their profit from the original sale. That doesn't mean they have to be happy about future sales, either.
  5. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Thomas Y said:

    Unfortunately, I have to agree with Chuck here. Free market is, what it is. As consumers, we have the option to pay the asking price or not. If it were possible to purchase at the SRP, I might be more interested, and the discussion about creating lotteries to purchase is interesting.

    I made a comment earlier about the CPO balls and seeing so many gougers out there selling multiple dozens of Left Dot Pro V1s (for example). Again, maybe a lottery or a limit might help, but people will find a way to get around any system. It just hurts the consumers that really want the product for personal use instead of personal profit.

    Manufacturers may not have any motivation to control subsequent sales as they have made their profit from the original sale. That doesn't mean they have to be happy about future sales, either.

    I am very loyal to Titleist accounts and in particular to one in my community. Regarding Thomas' comment regarding the gouging of left dots. The account where I shop is one of few who carries them in our area. They are not on his shelves but they carry them for their customers and kept behind the counter. You have to ask for them and they control and hopefully ensures that they are being used by their customers. I applaud them for this practice. It ensures that their loyal customers and that those truly needed a dozen can find them at a fair price. He is on a limit as to how many he gets.
  6. Thomas Y

    Thomas Y
    Wenham, MA

    Chuck,

    I couldn't purchase inventory of Left Dots when I was the shop manager at a private club (though last fall), but I could do the same thing with the Left Dash balls. It was difficult for me to raise the knowledge level of my staff so they wouldn't put the balls out on the floor when they went into the inventory area, though!
  7. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Thomas Y said:

    Chuck,

    I couldn't purchase inventory of Left Dots when I was the shop manager at a private club (though last fall), but I could do the same thing with the Left Dash balls. It was difficult for me to raise the knowledge level of my staff so they wouldn't put the balls out on the floor when they went into the inventory area, though!

    The left dots are far and few, but he has better luck obtaining left dashes, which also are kept behind the counter. The owner of the this operation (which he works five days a week) is also a fitter and has no issues with the control. All his staff are seasoned pros as fitters and instructors. Controlling them at a private club, well that could be a sticky issue.

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