Re: ShopTalk: What's fair re;selling?

[Bernie Baymiller]

Tedd,   I have another scenario to consider.  I used to work at a driving range, and the range had a custom clubmaker that worked out of the range storefront.  I worked the range counter, and also helped with the occasional re-grip or minor repair (loft/lie adjustment), at the request of the clubmaker.  I did not ask or receive any payment for helping with the clubmaking part of the business.  Since I was also a hobbyist and built my own clubs (and some for my friends), I would occasionally get approached at the range (when I wasn't working) and asked about making clubs for someone.  I would always suggest that they talk to the clubmaker who worked at the range, but sometimes they were only interested in having me make the clubs (as I was willing to use a much wider range of components than the range guy, who used a very narrow list of suppliers, which might not include the club or clubs the customer liked)).  I never actually accepted one of these offers, as I felt it was not ethical.  The tough part was that the clubmaker at the range and I did not agree on custom-fitting, as he was a strict flat-line believer, and I am more of a fit-to -the individual swing kind of guy.  However, I think it is clear that it would have been wrong to accept any jobs from customers at the range.  What do you all think?   OK.  I'd say you did right by referring the customer to the clubmaker. But, if the clubmaker didn't offer what the customer needed or wanted, I'd just tell the customer right there at the range to contact you privately for a "second opinion."  You wouldn't be selling or discussing the sale on the clubmaker's premises and you would be doing the customer a favor. If you feel guilty about that, give the customer names of a few more clubmakers as well as yours who could give him/her what is really wanted. Let the customer make the choice. I don't believe any customer should be forced to accept theories or components they aren't happy with for lack of any other options. That's more unethical, IMO, than you offering a "second opinion." That clubmaker should have explained his reasons for his beliefs and why he advised using his components. And, if the customer was not in agreement, the clubmaker should have volunteered another clubmaker who could satisfy the customer's needs.   Sure will be glad when the doc will let me play again and I don't sit here at the computer all day getting sucked into these "philosophical" discussions. :-) Two more weeks maybe.   Bernie Writeto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]