GSS vs SS why the hype

[hebron1427]

[quote name='lightningbolt444' timestamp='1356928054' post='6142001']
[quote name='hebron1427' timestamp='1356927552' post='6141959']
[quote name='lightningbolt444' timestamp='1356910910' post='6140681']
I really dislike what manufactures do with gss. I understand we pay it but to charge a huge amount more for it I think is silly. We as the consumer enable it but the manufactures are at just as much fault. It does not bother me if there is a choice of AS vs GS as then it is truly your choice. However when a manufacture only offers GS and at a high price in models I feel it is taking advantage of the consumer. I feel this way because in my mind the markup is higher on a GS putter than on an AS putter. It is possible that it is not. I am sure GS is more expensive but I also think the % markup is much much more. I have been turned off by a few putter makers that do this. It is not the cost as I have/had many high dollar putters but rather the approach that GS is the only thing available.
[/quote]wh

why are you sure german stainless costs more than american stainless?
[/quote]

Nothing honestly I was just hoping if it is actually cheaper and I found that out without a shadow of the doubt I would never even look at certain makers putters again
[/quote]

"hoping" is not sure. you need to change your focus on this stuff. are you sure that pro-V1s are more expensive to make than DTs? because you'd be wrong if so...

[Big Ben]

[quote name='hebron1427' timestamp='1356970546' post='6143317']
[quote name='lightningbolt444' timestamp='1356929905' post='6142129']
[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1356927764' post='6141979']
Supply and demand dictates this one, good old fashion business smarts...BB
[/quote]

See I beg to differ that it is smart. Sure some will pay the premium but then you also have the other side of the coin. A person like me who will not look at them at all. I am sure many other people are the same. I probably buy about 25-30 putters a year ranging in price from $50 up to $1500 however if I feel the maker or oem is charging for gs without having a alternative in american stainless just to make an extra buck (limited models are different) then I wont look their way when I am buying my 25-30 putters for the year.

I think over time the fad will wear off and people will realize you cant tell the difference when that time comes some makers may be in for a shock. Something many companies fail at is they try to make a quick buck over time the consumer catches on and if the company fails to adjust they will be in serious trouble. If makers offered a solid product at a solid price and it could even be $2000 +if it is something truly special I think they build a customer base that is devoted and will stick with you. In the end you profit more.
[/quote]

you're making a false assumption that anything about this has to do with improved quality of a more expensive putter, or even the perception of that. the only thing an expensive putter buys you is exclusivity. that's it. it doesn't buy you materials you coudln't get elsewhere, it doesn't but you machining processes you couldn't get elsewhere, it doesn't even buy you designs you couldn't get elsewhere. if i'm a putter maker, i'm not looking at a premium flatstick and saying "let me make this out of GSS and see what i have to sell it for in order for the margins to work out." that's how most businesses work, but not veblen goods. if i'm making this type of good, i say "what do i want to sell this for, and what do i have to do to create a perceived market where someone purchasing finds the value out of it that i'm looking for." the point isn't to sell putters; the point is to make $2,000 at point of sale. if my name is don cameron, why would i waste my time catering to someone who's not going ot pay the price i want to get for this product? it doesn't matter whether there actually is any intrinsic value to what's being sold at a premium. the idea that you have what no one or few others can get is what you're paying for. hell, it could be made out of good old grey cast iron and people would pay it if the perceived value were that it was exclusive.
[/quote]Exactly, this is a niche market for a premium dollar exclusive product. The value lies in its rarity and status hence very smart for a man like Scotty (Don) to parlay his reputation and marketing savy to create premium branding such as "Circle T" and it's ultra rare sub-markets like GSS. Do you think a solid gold Rolex tells time better than a stainless Citizen watch? BB

[jmac13]

Back to the op. The question was asked... Why the hype. Here is what I've narrowed it down to. To me it was a perfect storm for Cameron.

#1- Tiger began using a GSS putter around circa 2000. This is when he went on his unprecedented run on the PGA.

#2- At the time, the US economy was fairly strong, IIRC. This makes the GSS was cheaper than SSS argument seem to have validity. Cameron/Titleist did what many companies would do and went with the steel that would offer the best profit margins. Like everyone says there is no difference in GSS or SSS, they are both 303, so no lack of quality control.

#3- The Internet generation allowed the Cameron machine to explode. As Tiger kept winning majors, someone in the Cameron Camp must have realized that Tiger was using a putter that was different than previous models. Two things made it different at the time. GSS vs. SSS and the stampings (and milled dots).

#4- I am assuming that once Cameron realized the desire for GSS putters, the marketing machine brainstormed to take complete advantage of the GSS boom. AKA, Cameron & Co. stamping. This is how a majority of GSS putters are stamped and you can not get it stamped this way unless it is a GSS putter. My question is how many GSS putters were made before the GSS hype was realized. And, can anyone know for sure (how do you distinguish GSS from SSS without stamping?).

#5- As finalist stated, the Asian market has set the bar for the supply and demand. However, I feel that it is not necessarily their fascination with all things German as much as it may be their fascination with Tiger.

I could be completely off base, but this is my opinion.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

[quote name='jmac13' timestamp='1356992704' post='6145119']
Back to the op. The question was asked... Why the hype. Here is what I've narrowed it down to. To me it was a perfect storm for Cameron.

#1- Tiger began using a GSS putter around circa 2000. This is when he went on his unprecedented run on the PGA.

#2- At the time, the US economy was fairly strong, IIRC. This makes the GSS was cheaper than SSS argument seem to have validity. Cameron/Titleist did what many companies would do and went with the steel that would offer the best profit margins. Like everyone says there is no difference in GSS or SSS, they are both 303, so no lack of quality control.

#3- The Internet generation allowed the Cameron machine to explode. As Tiger kept winning majors, someone in the Cameron Camp must have realized that Tiger was using a putter that was different than previous models. Two things made it different at the time. GSS vs. SSS and the stampings (and milled dots).

#4- I am assuming that once Cameron realized the desire for GSS putters, the marketing machine brainstormed to take complete advantage of the GSS boom. AKA, Cameron & Co. stamping. This is how a majority of GSS putters are stamped and you can not get it stamped this way unless it is a GSS putter. My question is how many GSS putters were made before the GSS hype was realized. And, can anyone know for sure (how do you distinguish GSS from SSS without stamping?).

#5- As finalist stated, the Asian market has set the bar for the supply and demand. However, I feel that it is not necessarily their fascination with all things German as much as it may be their fascination with Tiger.

I could be completely off base, but this is my opinion.
[/quote]
Solid reply and thanks I had thought this thread died out a while ago and it has a new life.

[502 to Right]

[quote name='jmac13' timestamp='1356992704' post='6145119']
Back to the op. The question was asked... Why the hype. Here is what I've narrowed it down to. To me it was a perfect storm for Cameron.

#1- Tiger began using a GSS putter around circa 2000. This is when he went on his unprecedented run on the PGA.

#2- At the time, the US economy was fairly strong, IIRC. This makes the GSS was cheaper than SSS argument seem to have validity. Cameron/Titleist did what many companies would do and went with the steel that would offer the best profit margins. Like everyone says there is no difference in GSS or SSS, they are both 303, so no lack of quality control.

#3- The Internet generation allowed the Cameron machine to explode. As Tiger kept winning majors, someone in the Cameron Camp must have realized that Tiger was using a putter that was different than previous models. Two things made it different at the time. GSS vs. SSS and the stampings (and milled dots).

#4- I am assuming that once Cameron realized the desire for GSS putters, the marketing machine brainstormed to take complete advantage of the GSS boom. AKA, Cameron & Co. stamping. This is how a majority of GSS putters are stamped and you can not get it stamped this way unless it is a GSS putter. My question is how many GSS putters were made before the GSS hype was realized. And, can anyone know for sure (how do you distinguish GSS from SSS without stamping?).

#5- As finalist stated, the Asian market has set the bar for the supply and demand. However, I feel that it is not necessarily their fascination with all things German as much as it may be their fascination with Tiger.

I could be completely off base, but this is my opinion.
[/quote]

I think you are spot on.

And I think if you took two Camerons of the same model and weight with one being regular 303 and one being German 303, you could not tell the difference unless they were stamped.

[rrkman]

Haven't been on here for months and the first post I see is a GSS vs. SS thread. Lol. Just focus on the SS part of both....to me they are the same...one has some marketing value.

[jmac13]

As many have stated, feel will come more from face thickness and face milling more than anything. I have a German Stainless DH89 and an American Stainless DaKine Mini and the DaKine is softer all day long.