Big Box Store Etiquette

[nsxguy]

3 hours ago, storm319 said:

The definition of big box is more based on the square footage footprint than anything. There are also two kinds of big box stores a) general and b) specialty. The square footage threshold is definitely up for debate, but most would consider the typical Golf Galaxy or PGA Superstore to qualify as a specialty big box (the typical high warehouse ceilings help).

 

OK. I should have been more clear though. I was basically referring to the typical differentiation here on WRX. And in the context of this thread.

 

e.g. by literal definition I'd think the old Edwin Watts, now Worldwide(?) wouldn't be referred to as "big box" but PGATSS would. So they would be "different".

 

But they both are "golf specialty stores" - maybe we should use that definition/differentiation ?

 

But sure, taken literally, related to overall square footage is fine and no argument from me.

[TooMuchAwesome]

I see no issue with demoing equipment so long as you are respectful to the staff, don't abuse the privilege, and aren't misleading to the sales team regarding your greater intentions. And if your conscious is eating away at you for some reason, buy apparel off of the sale rack or load up on tees and balls from them every so often. 

 

The staff members at my local Golf Galaxy are very friendly and seem to fully understand many folks are in there to kill some time at lunch or in the evening, check out the newest stuff, and maybe make a smaller purchase if something catches their eye. They've even gone as far as giving me club boxes when I need to ship something and don't have one at the house, which has been greatly appreciated on my end.

 

I believe it's of our human nature to want to help and be kind to one another if given the opportunity. Again, your honesty and respect will go a long way towards gaining theirs. 

 

[KC13]

IMO the answer is "no". 

 

Its all about sales regardless of your intentions to buy and the only way to make a sale is sparking your interest with those hitting bays/launch monitors.  I've purchased some great clubs on my way home from work with the intention of a free range session, haha.  

 

Just remember to be thoughtful and not pound a 100 balls while people are waiting with the intention of actually buying a club. 

 

- Kris  

[brkuck]

As someone that has worked at a GG and a GolfUSA, the answer is tricky.  If its slow, it was always cool with me as long as you were up front about it and not using anything we had to tape up (before demo sets) and were not in the way when the real buyers came to try things out.  

 

If you are there to talk my staff's ear off and BS with them and never buy, then GTFO of the store.  You would just be a time waster and no real value to me or the business.

 

 

[Hehateme]

To be clear, the sales people at golf stores are hourly plus commission, a very small commission. They have to pay their bills off of that job. If you intend to get numbers off of monitors then shop elsewhere, that sucks. The brick and mortar stores have all the overhead to pay for, the labor, the inventory, rent, GC quad etc. Spend the money locally, form relationships with them. The service will be hugely better than it would be buying online.