72 replies to this topic

[richard t]

Hilarious! I was in the store yesterday buying balls and tees. There were three of the aforementioned 'guys' in the store. I know a couple of the sales guys, play with one of them. It was a hoot listening to one guy (customer) explain X shafts to another customer. ( Do you guys know that X shafts are much better as you get older because you don't have to swing them as hard. It's the weight that does the trick!) Jackasses  that we are, we were all just out of sight laughing like a bunch of monkeys. There are some real dummies working in the big box stores too, but the guys who really take it seriously and really try to help are real gems! I just would not have the patience. Hats off to those who do and thanks!

[Sean2]

I was in Golf Town this morning...they know me there...hit a bunch of 6-irons in the simulator. No one bothered me. For 45 minutes I hit different 6-irons (the store was very quiet). It was quite nice. By the way, the staff at this particular store are pretty savvy. I also picked up a couple dozen golf balls on sale.

[golf215]

MtlJeff, on 22 November 2012 - 10:01 AM, said:

^^^ thanks again everyone!

I wanted to include a few more "guys" but the thing was i didn't want the article to be too long. If it's way too big i worried people wouldn't want to read it so i just put some of the funnier, or more common ones. But there's definitely a few more like "guy who's just taking up golf, and has learned a few buzzwords on the internet", "guy who haggles you over trade in value"

haha...maybe there should be a part 2!

Jeff, were your lessons as to how to handle the customers meant as a joke or serious?

As a club fitter myself I had a hard time relating to how you handle some of your situations.  I am trained in sales but tend to throw sales techniques out the window.  My focus is and always will be on helping the customer get better at the game of golf.  Sucking it up to get a sale when I know the club is detrimental to the player is something that I haven't done in a very long time.  I've only done it a few times because I am short on time, not because my intent is to make a sale.  I have never juiced the launch monitor, I would feel immoral doing it.

I believe that if I earn a customers trust and they realize that I am there because I love the game, I bleed the game, and I would like to see them get better then they will always shop with me.  I left a high paying sales job where typical sales tactics were employed on a frequent basis.  I've sold cars... I've lost sleep over it.  I don't have to lose sleep anymore.  Over the last 4 years I can say I haven't lied to a customer once or have done anything shady.  I ask for the sale, I don't ask excessively... but I ask.  Maybe I give an alternate of choice close from time to time, but I only do these things after I know we've got the right club in the golfers hands.

If the article was meant as humor, it's funny.  If you're advice was designed to be taken seriously, I wonder if maybe a more forthright and honest approach to a game that has been built around honor and honesty would earn you more repeat business.

[golf215]

I'll add one more footnote...

I also tech rep for PING.  The rep who trained me imparted some wisdom that Karsten Solheim used to say to every one of his reps before they left the factory to go back out in the field.  He said to them, "I don't ever want to hear a story about you selling clubs.  Do not sell these golf clubs.  Please put the clubs in the golfers hands when they ask, give them a good fitting, be kind, answer all their questions.  The clubs will sell themselves."

I embrace that mantra fully when out as a tech rep.  It's a unique feeling for someone that has extensive sales training and thrives in a commission environment.

Edited by golf215, 24 November 2012 - 03:28 PM.

[BirdieBob]

honketyhank, on 21 November 2012 - 02:56 PM, said:

And of course, there's the "Ebay Guy".  He's using your time and equipment to test out something he KNOWS he's buying online.  Total waste of time.  Sometimes he lets slip that he's looking at a club online.  When you hear that, it's over.  Tape him up and go help someone else.


Again, great article, Jeff.

Mr. Ebay..... I would bet there are alot of these guys lurking in the golf shops.
Unfortunately, I don't live close to any golf super stores (just small pro shops)...nearest is a 5 hour drive....but that would be me.

Go in and test away, knowing that I will be buying online (not just ebay).
So, how do you sell to this guy?

Hello, sir, just to let you know............ WE WILL MATCH ANY ONLINE OFFER YOU FIND!

Now that will get my attention.....SOLD!!!

(I will be making that 10 hour drive, both ways, next Spring in order to test out all the new drivers coming out.  Probably also test out the RBladez and maybe the Cally X Forged and whatever else in the fairway metal section.  But sell me or I'm gone.)

Edited by BirdieBob, 24 November 2012 - 04:04 PM.

[MtlJeff]

golf215, on 24 November 2012 - 03:20 PM, said:

MtlJeff, on 22 November 2012 - 10:01 AM, said:

^^^ thanks again everyone!

I wanted to include a few more "guys" but the thing was i didn't want the article to be too long. If it's way too big i worried people wouldn't want to read it so i just put some of the funnier, or more common ones. But there's definitely a few more like "guy who's just taking up golf, and has learned a few buzzwords on the internet", "guy who haggles you over trade in value"

haha...maybe there should be a part 2!

Jeff, were your lessons as to how to handle the customers meant as a joke or serious?

As a club fitter myself I had a hard time relating to how you handle some of your situations.  I am trained in sales but tend to throw sales techniques out the window.  My focus is and always will be on helping the customer get better at the game of golf.  Sucking it up to get a sale when I know the club is detrimental to the player is something that I haven't done in a very long time.  I've only done it a few times because I am short on time, not because my intent is to make a sale.  I have never juiced the launch monitor, I would feel immoral doing it.

I believe that if I earn a customers trust and they realize that I am there because I love the game, I bleed the game, and I would like to see them get better then they will always shop with me.  I left a high paying sales job where typical sales tactics were employed on a frequent basis.  I've sold cars... I've lost sleep over it.  I don't have to lose sleep anymore.  Over the last 4 years I can say I haven't lied to a customer once or have done anything shady.  I ask for the sale, I don't ask excessively... but I ask.  Maybe I give an alternate of choice close from time to time, but I only do these things after I know we've got the right club in the golfers hands.

If the article was meant as humor, it's funny.  If you're advice was designed to be taken seriously, I wonder if maybe a more forthright and honest approach to a game that has been built around honor and honesty would earn you more repeat business.

Most of what i write is fairly satirical in nature, it was intended as more of a riff on the types of people you meet in big box stores under the guise of being a salespersons guide. It was a very tongue in cheek article. Though if you've worked retail for a while you certainly meet an interesting array of characters that no matter how much you want to help them, they won't allow themselves to be helped. I understand your point, and to answer your question, no not entirely serious in nature!

[gken]

Lol, damn people must think I'm a tour poser.  I wear all Puma stuff because well I like the style, not because I want to be Rickie Fowler.  O wells.  This is so true though,  Xstiff story especially.  Funny thing is that I love golf so much, I helped out a bunch of guys at the store and sold some clubs  (because they asked for my opinion) and I don't even work there haha!

[JJ35]

Ha Ha excellent post I'm trying to figure which one of those guys I am.

[PINGRebel]

We didn't even hit on the "women" customers...best one is the lady who is 5'2" and thinks she's going to get 20 extra yards by swinging a 47" driver.

[Flopit]

Bang on!  I taught in two big box locations and you are correct on the thankless job.  You forgot about one other type:  The "NUT JOB".  You know the guy who says his favorite golfer is "Jack Nicholson" and "Do you have any driving irons because I can't hit woods".  All this while talking to you standing 3 inches away from your face.  Oh yeah by the way, everyone who comes in says they hit it 300 off the tee.  When they sky it 150, they say "The tee is too high" or "It must be the tape on the club".  Anyone thinking of doing this job, just do yourself a favor and don't bother unless you are a "NUT JOB" too!

[kal32473]

Flopit, on 24 November 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

Bang on!  I taught in two big box locations and you are correct on the thankless job.  You forgot about one other type:  The "NUT JOB".  You know the guy who says his favorite golfer is "Jack Nicholson" and "Do you have any driving irons because I can't hit woods".  All this while talking to you standing 3 inches away from your face.  Oh yeah by the way, everyone who comes in says they hit it 300 off the tee.  When they sky it 150, they say "The tee is too high" or "It must be the tape on the club".  Anyone thinking of doing this job, just do yourself a favor and don't bother unless you are a "NUT JOB" too!

Yep.  I was in the golf retail business for 9 years and I've never seen a more irrational, psychotic group of people than those that go into golf stores.  I once had a 50 year old guy burst into tears because we didn't have the color of shoe laces that was looking for.  I don't know what is about golf equiment that turns people into quivering masses of mental jelly, but it can get pretty scary.

[hoganfan924]

kal32473, on 25 November 2012 - 10:07 AM, said:

Flopit, on 24 November 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

Bang on!  I taught in two big box locations and you are correct on the thankless job.  You forgot about one other type:  The "NUT JOB".  You know the guy who says his favorite golfer is "Jack Nicholson" and "Do you have any driving irons because I can't hit woods".  All this while talking to you standing 3 inches away from your face.  Oh yeah by the way, everyone who comes in says they hit it 300 off the tee.  When they sky it 150, they say "The tee is too high" or "It must be the tape on the club".  Anyone thinking of doing this job, just do yourself a favor and don't bother unless you are a "NUT JOB" too!

Yep.  I was in the golf retail business for 9 years and I've never seen a more irrational, psychotic group of people than those that go into golf stores.  I once had a 50 year old guy burst into tears because we didn't have the color of shoe laces that was looking for.  I don't know what is about golf equiment that turns people into quivering masses of mental jelly, but it can get pretty scary.

It would seem that this game drives people to the point of insanity.  Funny story!

[kal32473]

hoganfan924, on 25 November 2012 - 10:31 AM, said:

kal32473, on 25 November 2012 - 10:07 AM, said:

Flopit, on 24 November 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

Bang on!  I taught in two big box locations and you are correct on the thankless job.  You forgot about one other type:  The "NUT JOB".  You know the guy who says his favorite golfer is "Jack Nicholson" and "Do you have any driving irons because I can't hit woods".  All this while talking to you standing 3 inches away from your face.  Oh yeah by the way, everyone who comes in says they hit it 300 off the tee.  When they sky it 150, they say "The tee is too high" or "It must be the tape on the club".  Anyone thinking of doing this job, just do yourself a favor and don't bother unless you are a "NUT JOB" too!

Yep.  I was in the golf retail business for 9 years and I've never seen a more irrational, psychotic group of people than those that go into golf stores.  I once had a 50 year old guy burst into tears because we didn't have the color of shoe laces that was looking for.  I don't know what is about golf equiment that turns people into quivering masses of mental jelly, but it can get pretty scary.

It would seem that this game drives people to the point of insanity.  Funny story!

Believe it or not, stuff like that happened on fairly regular basis!  LOL!