Mizuno wait time?

[AUTIGER07]

Ordered the Pro 225 3i / 4i to replace my MP4 versions as I wanted something more forgiving due to not playing that often anymore. The order was put through to Mizuno on May 26th and I was quoted 5 weeks for arrival. They arrived on Wednesday 7/12 but unfortunately had the wrong shafts installed so I contacted the store I ordered them through the next day. They contacted their rep that day to let them know about the issue and if the replacements could be expedited but I didn't get a return authorization until yesterday and I'm being told sometime next week on the replacement irons arriving at my door.

 

I can live with the 5 week order window, it's not ideal but is what it is. What is irritating to me is I've had a wrong spec delivered 2x in my past, once with TM and the other with Titleist. Both companies had the replacement club to me within 3 business days whereas Mizuno will take, at a minimum, 2 weeks. Both Titleist and TM worried first about getting me the correct club instead of Mizuno's approach of wanting to get the wrong clubs back first. That is incredibly poor customer service.

 

This is all coming from a guy who has only played Mizuno irons since 1997 and is about as loyal to their irons as it gets. However, reading this thread and having this experience has me strongly considering going in a different route when I finally replace the MP4's in 2-3 years.

[Louis_Posture]

One factor people should know is that a Japan based company doing business in the USA is very different from a USA owned company.

 

 

[Frank Newport]

38 minutes ago, Louis_Posture said:

One factor people should know is that a Japan based company doing business in the USA is very different from a USA owned company.

 

 

Can you explain the difference?

 

 

[picardyThird]

13 hours ago, Louis_Posture said:

One factor people should know is that a Japan based company doing business in the USA is very different from a USA owned company.

 

 

This literally doesn't matter. Simple things like customer experience and delivering the right product do not vary between regions. And even if they did, one would (stereotypically) expect a Japanese company to pay more attention to detail, especially in these specific areas.

[kamaaina1]

Received my iron set today.  Ordered 6/5, received 7/21, so right at 6-1/2 weeks.  In Love...   

 

[MooJersey]

Nice.  Mine literally just came!   June 7 order.  Arrived July 21st.   Just showed up.  Never got tracking information.  A little annoyed they never notified me, but having new clubs makes up for it.  

[picardyThird]

Based on the last few posts, it sounds like my clubs (ordered 6/18) are expected to arrive the first week of August. I'm stoked, but I really would have liked to have had them for an outing the last weekend of July...

[Louis_Posture]

21 hours ago, Frank Newport said:

Can you explain the difference?

 

 

The top priority for a Japan based company is serving the Japan domestic market.

Also, at least within the golf industry, Japan based companies tend to treat the USA market as somewhat of an afterthought and typically do not put forth the resources (financial and human) to serve the USA market as diligently as some USA consumers may want or expect.

 

Edited July 21, 2023 by Louis_Posture

[Lumberjack627]

I ordered 6-8 and DD told me should ship out early next week. Hopefully that’s from them because I know they are the middle man. I just want to get them before 7-31 because I have an outing that day at a very nice upscale golf course. 

[Frank Newport]

17 hours ago, Louis_Posture said:

The top priority for a Japan based company is serving the Japan domestic market.

Also, at least within the golf industry, Japan based companies tend to treat the USA market as somewhat of an afterthought and typically do not put forth the resources (financial and human) to serve the USA market as diligently as some USA consumers may want or expect.

 

Interesting. It’s too bad because it seems like a lot of good equipment comes out of Japan, but at some point US consumers will get turned off by their experience with Japanese companies if their service is lacking.

 

I know for a fact fitters won’t be recommending equipment with a long wait if something comparable is available sooner. 

[GolfGuitarsCars]

When shipping direct to customer, does Mizuno send tracking information or is that up to the shop/retailer?

[j3r1ch0h0l1c]

I ordered my set on 10 June and had my local shop call last week.  I was told to expect 7-10 days but seeing some of these posts has me hoping! 

[caniac6]

Mine should be here either this week or next week. I don’t know who they ship with, but sure hope UPS doesn’t strike.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Order for a customer went in May 28, irons arrived today (were originally scheduled for Friday but delayed by Fed Ex 1 day) 

[caniac6]

1 hour ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

Order for a customer went in May 28, irons arrived today (were originally scheduled for Friday but delayed by Fed Ex 1 day) 

Good to know they use Fed Ex.

[Carolina Golfer 2]

19 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

Good to know they use Fed Ex.

Yeah, that's their norm.  At least has been for us for several years.  We are usually a 2 day shipping time from the GA plant. 

[caniac6]

1 minute ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

Yeah, that's their norm.  At least has been for us for several years.  We are usually a 2 day shipping time from the GA plant. 

I got the 919 Hot Metals in 2019, and they came in less than a week. Due to shoulder surgery, and advancing age, I am switching to regular shafts. I sure hope it’s going to be worth the wait. Ordered on 6/15.

[Louis_Posture]

On 7/22/2023 at 9:35 AM, Frank Newport said:

Interesting. It’s too bad because it seems like a lot of good equipment comes out of Japan, but at some point US consumers will get turned off by their experience with Japanese companies if their service is lacking.

 

I know for a fact fitters won’t be recommending equipment with a long wait if something comparable is available sooner. 

"Fitting" is a bit of a two edge sword in that brands use the concept to help market/sell their product, but it does cause production delays.

For stock specifications  retailers carry sets on hand which a consumer can purchase for immediate receipt or shipment, but the brands have been pushing "fitting" so I think this causes some confusion in the consumers mind and also probably harms the sales of stock specification club (s).

Mizuno is one of the brands that will sell components (heads) to authorized fitting service retailers (such as Club Champion) , but usually these fitting service providers charge a club assembly price more than many/most consumers are willing to pay. So while in theory allowing other companies to assemble the Mizuno clubs may sound good and expedite the process, the reality is that most of the custom club (s) end up being assembled by Mizuno.

 

[Carolina Golfer 2]

1 minute ago, Louis_Posture said:

"Fitting" is a bit of a two edge sword in that brands use the concept to help market/sell their product, but it does cause production delays.

For stock specifications  retailers carry sets on hand which a consumer can purchase for immediate receipt or shipment, but the brands have been pushing "fitting" so I think this causes some confusion in the consumers mind and also probably harms the sales of stock specification club (s).

Mizuno is one of the brands that will sell components (heads) to authorized fitting service retailers (such as Club Champion) , but usually these fitting service providers charge a club assembly price more than many/most consumers are willing to pay. So while in theory allowing other companies to assemble the Mizuno clubs may sound good and expedite the process, the reality is that most of the custom club (s) end up being assembled by Mizuno.

 

I won't say which ones in order not to violate any trusts.  But I know of at least a couple companies that will put custom orders ahead of stock.  They get hand walked through the production line as opposed to being pulled out of the computer system as next order up.    And by custom, it can be as little as a different grip, or one extra layer or some minor adjustment.  

[Carolina Golfer 2]

5 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

I got the 919 Hot Metals in 2019, and they came in less than a week. Due to shoulder surgery, and advancing age, I am switching to regular shafts. I sure hope it’s going to be worth the wait. Ordered on 6/15.

It's been a wierd year for them. Earlier this year they were running bout 2 to 5 days on just about any order we sent in, obviously much improved form the 2021 days.   Then around late spring they started getting backlogged into the current 5 to 7 week window.  I could have understood that in the spring shortly after the rest of the JPX line was released, but it seems it hasn't gotten any better in the last 3 months. 

[caniac6]

34 minutes ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

It's been a wierd year for them. Earlier this year they were running bout 2 to 5 days on just about any order we sent in, obviously much improved form the 2021 days.   Then around late spring they started getting backlogged into the current 5 to 7 week window.  I could have understood that in the spring shortly after the rest of the JPX line was released, but it seems it hasn't gotten any better in the last 3 months. 

Do you think it has anything to do with supplying Costco with iron sets?

[Carolina Golfer 2]

1 hour ago, caniac6 said:

Do you think it has anything to do with supplying Costco with iron sets?

I wasn't aware of that actually.  But it definitely could have some impact.  

[Lumberjack627]

Mine shipped from DDs today. Should get them next Monday which was the worst case    scenario because that is the day of my golf outing. 

[Louis_Posture]

2 hours ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

I won't say which ones in order not to violate any trusts.  But I know of at least a couple companies that will put custom orders ahead of stock.  They get hand walked through the production line as opposed to being pulled out of the computer system as next order up.    And by custom, it can be as little as a different grip, or one extra layer or some minor adjustment.  

 

From your posts it seems as though you are affiliated with a retail business.

If so, why do you suppose more retailers don't order "custom specs" for their own store business ? For example, if a retail store buyer knows a particular driver shaft is typically a popular custom order, why doesn't he order in advance a few drivers with that shaft for his store stock ?

And  if a particular light weight iron shaft or mid size grip or +.5" shaft length is year after year a common custom order why not order in advance a few sets with these specs instead of just ordering the brand's common stock specification set? 

 

 

[Carolina Golfer 2]

15 hours ago, Louis_Posture said:

 

From your posts it seems as though you are affiliated with a retail business.

If so, why do you suppose more retailers don't order "custom specs" for their own store business ? For example, if a retail store buyer knows a particular driver shaft is typically a popular custom order, why doesn't he order in advance a few drivers with that shaft for his store stock ?

And  if a particular light weight iron shaft or mid size grip or +.5" shaft length is year after year a common custom order why not order in advance a few sets with these specs instead of just ordering the brand's common stock specification set? 

 

 

Not retail.  But I work on course and do a lot of fittings with the OEM when they come through for fitting days 

 

Your point on drivers I’d valid and it and putters are about the only type of clubs we will stock in the pro shop.   
 

it just doesn’t work for irons.  Now days fitting is being touted —rightfully so—more than ever.  And it’s not just length. As you are well aware there’s loft, grips, lie and so many shafts.  It would be a total crap shoot to guess what combo “might” be popular.   And you can’t return unused custom items.   And the margin we make on clubs is so small, you can’t really make them down to close them out at the end of the season. 

 

[Manseal]

Just called my shop, looks like my 6/12 order (Hot Metals) shipped yesterday and should be arriving tomorrow. 

[Louis_Posture]

4 hours ago, Manseal said:

Just called my shop, looks like my 6/12 order (Hot Metals) shipped yesterday and should be arriving tomorrow. 

What were the specs you ordered that were different from stock ?

[Louis_Posture]

8 hours ago, Carolina Golfer 2 said:

Not retail.  But I work on course and do a lot of fittings with the OEM when they come through for fitting days 

 

Your point on drivers I’d valid and it and putters are about the only type of clubs we will stock in the pro shop.   
 

it just doesn’t work for irons.  Now days fitting is being touted —rightfully so—more than ever.  And it’s not just length. As you are well aware there’s loft, grips, lie and so many shafts.  It would be a total crap shoot to guess what combo “might” be popular.   And you can’t return unused custom items.   And the margin we make on clubs is so small, you can’t really make them down to close them out at the end of the season. 

 

 

Now that I think more about it........I suppose if a retail store pre ordered a few drivers with some common aftermarket custom shafts, such as Graphite Design IZ or Graphite Design DI,  potential customers would likely want to demo the club before buying, and once the wrapper is off and the face has been hit, the driver loses some its financial value. Maybe a large volume retailer such as PGA Superstore could have demo drivers (and drivers ready for immediate sale) with expensive upgrade shafts, but a smaller operation could probably not afford to do this.

[Manseal]

47 minutes ago, Louis_Posture said:

What were the specs you ordered that were different from stock ?

+1/2”, 2 up, Project X LZ 5.5 shafts

[Louis_Posture]

45 minutes ago, Manseal said:

+1/2”, 2 up, Project X LZ 5.5 shafts

Have you ever played LZ 5.5 shafts ?

A few years ago I had a set of Ping G700 irons with LZ 5.5 and absolutely loved those shafts. The smooth feel of those shafts promotes smooth tempo paced golf swings, which ends up helping not only iron shots but also the woods, hybrids, and wedges.