Callaway Golf customer service - Driver Authentication

[bloodred393]

Hey All!

 

I recently purchased an XR16 Pro off eBay, from Marc at YourTourCollection, and I wanted to verify the club's authenticity. First, this club is authentic for several reasons; the seller is reputable, the club looks/feels authentic (I went to Dicks and compared clubs/sounds to the same model), the price was reasonable (not too low).

For the sake of reselling it one day (perhaps after I can't contain my inner ho and buy a 2017 driver), I wanted Callaway to verify the serial number, which also looks/feels authentic. The response I received from Callaway was:

 

'Callaway is not able to comment on the authenticity of your driver. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause....The only way to ensure the you purchase authentic Callaway clubs is to buy through our authorized retailers.'

 

Is this a common response? I'm a little put off by this, since it seems like they are just lazy. This is my first Callaway Driver, I have played Bridgestone exclusively but felt I was leaving some out there. I won't say it's my last, but customer service is a big thing to me. Has anyone else has seen this issue when trying to verify serial numbers?

 

Again, this club is Authentic and in no way is this a post against the seller. Just trying to do my due diligence.

 

Ray

[alexdub]

I had a similar response from Ping a few years back. It's not what you want to hear, but it makes sense.

 

If you think about it, there is no way for them to authenticate over the phone or online. Serial numbers are faked all the time on clubs, and they mean nothing. Any visual indicator produced by Callaway to prove authenticity could also be produced by a fake.

 

In my experience, sound is a fantastic indicator if a club us genuine, and it looks like you already did that test—so I wouldn't worry about it any further.

[GoldenBellGW]

^^^^

 

This - almost all of the large companies will refuse to verify/authenticate anymore due to the serial numbers now being faked as well as the club itself. Unfortunate but the solution they offered is the one absolutely way to know. Otherwise, it is trust, and trial and error as you have done.

[bk24bk]

You purchased a second hand club from eBay. None of your money goes to Callaway. Why would they make any effort? I can't believe you are "put off" about that.

[ChaosTheory]

You purchased a second hand club from eBay. None of your money goes to Callaway. Why would they make any effort? I can't believe you are "put off" about that.

 

That's not true at all. Cally sold the club originally. They only sell it once, no matter how the OP bought it.

[bk24bk]

He could have purchased a new or authentic CPO club from Callaway.

[bloodred393]

Ok, thanks fellas. I won't think anything else of it!

[ocburg17]

Titleist provides the same type of response. They will confirm that the serial number was for the model club but cannot validate beyond that which certainly makes sense.

[icecat88]

I'm not sure bout cally but both ping and Titleist has always verified serial #'s for me no problem

[wundej]

If you didn't buy it from an authorized reseller there is no reason that Callaway has to support any buyer (although they often do). There are so many fakes in the golf world that if they helped out everyone that was concerned about fakes they'd have to double their CS department. They then need to have support resources tied up with answering questions like this instead of helping people that bought legit items from their authorized resellers.

 

I personally don't want someone who tried to save a few bucks wasting their time so I get a lower quality of service if I have a problem with an item I purchased from an authorized dealer.

 

You take a risk buying on eBay or second hand, that isn't Callaway's issue and you shouldn't feel that response is out of line.

 

Any counterfeit club could have a legit serial number, if they say it is legit over the phone based on serials, and it ends up being fake...would you complain? These days you can't verify authenticity by a serial unless the oem has a database of everything they sell. Inspecting the club is the only real way in your case, which it sounds like you did. It isn't like a VIN of a car. Some companies track custom orders but there is so much overhead on the off the rack stuff that it isn't worth it. They are just protecting themselves.

[thevaporz]

I would just shrug it off. You bought from a well established authorized Cleveland tour issue dealer and I highly doubt he would sell counterfeit goods from any manufacturer. I doubt the XR16 line was a big enough market to fake anyways. Enjoy the club and hopefully you gain some distance and accuracy with it.