Last I heard, G/S's business ran 75% OEM stuff and 25% components. Components however, had twice or thrice the profit margin. They said, due to that, components would always be part of the program. How much of that went to hobbyists vs. "Pro" club makers I don't know. I am sure Tom would know, and am just as sure that he couldn't tell us. I just got a letter from them about my Pro Plan that gave me the dates that I had to fulfill my purchase requirements for next year, or something like that. Not sure what any of that means about G/S and their plans though.
All of that aside, I have always liked the heads that Tom has designed and have been big sellers for me. I have never had many problems with their heads. Eqiupment? That is another story for another tome. ;-)
Al
At 12:26 PM 12/13/2002, you wrote:
Arnie,
For the last 7 years, it has been apparent that GS is primarily interested in the novice or hobbyist clubmaker. That business must be 50 times more lucrative for them than the busines from pro clubmakers. (Do you actually know how much, Al?) If I was a pro clubmaker, I wouldn't do business with them...but they say their prices are high enough so that if you're on their Pro Plan, you can still get a good return. Could be, but I wouldn't like their main marketing effort in direct opposition to my business. Since I'm a hobbyist, don't much care one way or the other...just don't like their higher prices. Also, have never had a head from them that was any better than average....haven't bought many from them lately, either. Thought the Tour Cavitiy irons were punky feeling, weights were off, shipment late, etc...the last ones I tried, I guess.
You mean an good ole' DIYer like yourself doesn't install your own brake pads? It's easier than building a club. :-)
Bernie
Writeto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- ----- Original Message -----
- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 10:33 AM
- Subject: ShopTalk: Tom Wishon's Co.
- Other than Shoptalk the high spot of yesterday was receiving Golf Digest and finding on page 117 the ad for Tom Wishon Golf Technology. A good looking, classy ad with enticing looking products. Nice work, Tom!
- Interesting that the ad above (Golfsmith) touts "build your own clubs - save up to 50% - Improve your game. It sounds sooooo easy! I guess I will have to charge for the advice I will be asked for by a guy who has a box full of parts bought out of their catalog. There goes his 50% savings! Should I refuse to use their "parts" as I do now! After all my discount is not much different than what my customer would get! I've heard it many times....... "How come it will cost so much to have you put them together for me?" Maybe I will discount my loft/lie adjusting on the clubs I build (it's included in a build order) and increase the price on Golfsmith bought components. I can charge for shaft cutting, tipping, tip prepping, gripping, swing weighting, splining and assembling! PLUS a percentage of the cost of customer provided components.
- What do you clubmakers who use Golfsmith heads think?
- I think I will buy some deep discounted brake pads for my car and take them to the friendly dealer for installation. They are really nice people and I'm sure they will do it for me.
- Arnie
