Golfsmith trade in program bad experience?

[bladehunter]

Has anyone on here tried to trade in clubs with golfsmith and failed? Not because of price but because of you club not being on their trade in list?

Well it happened to me yesterday. We have a brand new store and I just bought a new driver from them and was please trading in my 910d3....Well I also had my eye on a 910 13.5 degree 3 wood on the used rack that had a real blue board in it for $79..So I go back in with an extra set of irons im not using. They are a 695cb titleist with px 6.0 shafts...3-pw...and they are near mint...Ive only played them once and they are good ..I just went with the zb instead...anyway I went to trade them in with their +50% deal that's going on..I was going to get the used 3 wood or maybe look at new ones depending on what they offered me. Well they said we wont make an offer, they aren't on our list. Mind you I drove an hour one way to get there. if they have a list that's cool, but why not post the damn thing somewhere????

I argued that they aren't that old (2009-2010) and they are nearly mint...The manager replied with a "we would only offer around $10 or so anyway and you can get more than that on craigslist." I then flew hot and told him I had just looked on his used rack and saw a set of 2007 x forged for $399 and a set of mp59 for $599 used...how can these be a $10 set of irons???? I would have taken $100 plus the 50% so $150.....anyone else have a problem with clubs not being on the approved list?

 

I traded them at play it again for same 3 wood different shaft...Got the 910 13.5 and $50 for them...

[zripp3]

You won't find many on here defending GS. They use to have a .pdf on their site identifying the clubs by manufacturer and the associated trade-in values based on excellent/good/fair/etc. but I couldn't find it for you. I think they've moved to a new valuation system (as if it could get any lower), though, with an online company and want to make it more subjective for their employees to low-ball you or give you more if you're making a large purchase. I agree with you that at least a list of the specific clubs they'll take should be identified.

I also agree that many of their preowned prices are, simply, a joke. There could be an entire thread (if it doesn't already exist) of the clubs/prices at everyone's local GS. That being said, I've been able to negotiate them down to a decent number on several occasions, particularly if I'm buying multiple clubs.

[TJCDAS]

The clubs were introduced in 2005 and you can buy sets all day long on ebay for $100. I am sure a simple call to them before hand would have given you the info you needed regarding a trade-in.

[jones137]

Interesting they don't have the .pdf's online that show trade in values and what clubs they'll accept.......they are advertising bonus 50% on trade in but you have no idea whether your clubs are on the list or what type of price they'll give you. I would assume you can call and ask if they are on the list but I would venture to say you won't get a price over the phone. I'm not sure why they don't just do what Golf Galaxy does and refer to the pgavalueguide.

[j_king]

Honestly, I've only ever had great experiences with GS. PGA SS on the other hand.....

GS has their "list" (which is online somewhere, I've looked at it before) and also uses the pgavalue guide online. I've traded in there multiple times and while standing with the sales guy at the computer he has checked the "list" and then gets on the pga value guide and gives me the higher price.

And yes, the used prices are ridiculous, but you can always haggle them down. I've had sales guys there tell me that they can work on the price of anything preowned.

[bu11dog]

[quote name='jones137' timestamp='1394726519' post='8863047']
Interesting they don't have the .pdf's online that show trade in values and what clubs they'll accept.......they are advertising bonus 50% on trade in but you have no idea whether your clubs are on the list or what type of price they'll give you. I would assume you can call and ask if they are on the list but I would venture to say you won't get a price over the phone. I'm not sure why they don't just do what Golf Galaxy does and refer to the pgavalueguide.
[/quote]

I go to our local Golfsmith and have always had great experiences. The Raleigh store has always been very good to me. Last time I traded in clubs they used the [url="http://valueguide.pga.com/"]PGA Value Guide[/url] to determine the values.

[cphrey]

I used to work at Golfsmith here in Denver. We always attempted to give the least and get the most from pre-owned items, but there is always plenty of bargaining room too. I don't think 1% of my customers ever asked if I could do better for their trade in or their used purchases, but those who did typically got the very best deal I could give. It also had to do alot with current inventory and time of year. In Denver if you came in from Oct to Feb, you were guaranteed the lowest possible offer bc no one was golfing. But it was also the best time to haggle pre-owned stuff bc it would be sitting on the shelf for months.

Make friends with your GS people too. Talk em up. Don't just go in asking for the best and trying to give the least. They are people too, and the folks that made a point to be friendly and talk shop, PGA stuff, or just shoot the sh*t for a while always got the best deals. I would never go out of my way to offer a poor deal, but it was just easier to get manager sign off for, "Bill" who was in once a week, and always chatting the whole store up, than it was for some unknown guy that just breezed in to the store that no one has ever seen.

Just my $.02...

[cphrey]

To add to this though, we rarely let people who were ready to buy walk out the door either. If what you described above in the OP happened where I used to work, I am positive we would have worked something out and you would have left with the clubs you wanted. Seeing that you went to a new location, I could see them being much more stringent on the trade in lists and offers. Give them a year or two, and you will be able to haggle prices down and get better money for your trade ins.

[JohnnyB Hips]

The list is gone from their website. Corporate decided it is too high compare (or they can't maintain the list) to PGA value guide so I think they went that route. I plan to bring in my old wedges today but I don't expect to get a lot from them. If it is too low, I will just go ahead and trade it in elsewhere like globalgolf. They are one of the highest trade in value online. You can even wait when they have a trade in bonus as well that goes between 30%-50%.

Good luck!

[AdamB.]

My trade in experience was good as well, traded in my AMP Irons, Woods and Driver, received all top value for them. My dad tried to trade in his Bertha Irons but they were too old for GS to take but PGA still had value to them.

[texcrom]

The guide is gone because they offer less than others, and their +50% then equates to the standard offer from Watts or GG.

After going through this twice, and looking at the inflated prices on their used clubs, I stopped shopping there.

[CCUgolfer23]

They weren't introduced in 2009-2010 and if you look on PGA Valueguide they don't have data for trade in prices on that set. So maybe your anger was a bit premature. I always look at Value guide before I trade something in so I don't get screwed. Also you could have called the store before hand to ask them I questions regarding a trade in.

[highergr0und]

Why should a business be forced to take a trade that they don't want to based on your failure to do a little checking?

I've had successful trades with Golfsmith in the past, but usually trade in online now. Global Golf reigned supreme for a while, but proclubs has been my choice lately since they wire cash to your paypal account. Proclubs would have given you $125 for those irons, but you would've had to pay shipping.

[Ranchobob]

[quote name='bladehunter' timestamp='1394725007' post='8862879']
Has anyone on here tried to trade in clubs with golfsmith and failed? Not because of price but because of you club not being on their trade in list?
Well it happened to me yesterday. We have a brand new store and I just bought a new driver from them and was please trading in my 910d3....Well I also had my eye on a 910 13.5 degree 3 wood on the used rack that had a real blue board in it for $79..So I go back in with an extra set of irons im not using. They are a 695cb titleist with px 6.0 shafts...3-pw...and they are near mint...Ive only played them once and they are good ..I just went with the zb instead...anyway I went to trade them in with their +50% deal that's going on..I was going to get the used 3 wood or maybe look at new ones depending on what they offered me. Well they said we wont make an offer, they aren't on our list. Mind you I drove an hour one way to get there. if they have a list that's cool, but why not post the damn thing somewhere????
I argued that they aren't that old (2009-2010) and they are nearly mint...The manager replied with a "we would only offer around $10 or so anyway and you can get more than that on craigslist." I then flew hot and told him I had just looked on his used rack and saw a set of 2007 x forged for $399 and a set of mp59 for $599 used...how can these be a $10 set of irons???? I would have taken $100 plus the 50% so $150.....anyone else have a problem with clubs not being on the approved list?

I traded them at play it again for same 3 wood different shaft...Got the 910 13.5 and $50 for them...
[/quote]

It's not just Golfsmith.

I took a "near mint" Scotty Cameron Red X2 in to Roger Dunn to see what they thought the trade in value was. I forget the exact insulting number, but it was something on the order of $50. Maybe not even that high.

I wasn't aware of the PGA Value Guide that Bu11dog posted, so I went there to see what it says. "Based on 36 transactions, low $40.11; mid $49.23; high $49.34." I find that unlikely. Off to Ebay I go to do a completed auction search. The below is a sampling and excludes auctions that didn't complete, long putters (mine is 33") and unique items (e.g., "first of 500 lawsuit putter"):

$152.50
$209.99
$79.99
$142.50
$128.50
$239.99
$129.99

etc.

There were two putter headcovers that sold for $36.95. Maybe that's where they got their average.

Trade ins get you convenience, but I'm not willing to leave that much money on the table. Rather put it in BST here or deal with Ebay. Craigslist is kind of spotty in my experience.

For the record, I'm not opposed to them making a profit, but I'm not in favor of getting hosed either.

[martinbns]

[quote name='bu11dog' timestamp='1394727194' post='8863153']
[quote name='jones137' timestamp='1394726519' post='8863047']
Interesting they don't have the .pdf's online that show trade in values and what clubs they'll accept.......they are advertising bonus 50% on trade in but you have no idea whether your clubs are on the list or what type of price they'll give you. I would assume you can call and ask if they are on the list but I would venture to say you won't get a price over the phone. I'm not sure why they don't just do what Golf Galaxy does and refer to the pgavalueguide.
[/quote]

I go to our local Golfsmith and have always had great experiences. The Raleigh store has always been very good to me. Last time I traded in clubs they used the [url="http://valueguide.pga.com/"]PGA Value Guide[/url] to determine the values.
[/quote]

In the guide it says they have no value. I think once clubs get much past a couple of years old they have no value.

[bladehunter]

I stand corrected titleist site says 2006 2007 ...I had them confused with the ZB set I kept which is 2009....but the point isn't the price as they didn't offer me one..the point is their national add begs for your trade in by offering +50% ....one would assume they would offer a lowball number then add 50% , right? not show me the door!... And let me clarify that I work with the public on a daily basis and respect their right to reject any trade, but this is ridiculous... I was and always am very polite, and was looking for a lowball price...that to me is the perfect customer... I wish they walked into my business everyday...But they don't..
Its just bad business on their part...They could have stole my irons for $100 then sold me a new fairway wood for XXX ..that equals profit on both ends..wth??? I guess they are fishing for the bigger hoe...the guy whos trading in the latest TM or callaway after 3 months because he sees a shiny new set and "has" to have them...they are looking for that guy for an even bigger score....

And to explain why I didn't call...... I thought about it and here is why...these irons where a 9 out of 10 ...Now that is rare I know...I did not want to call, ask about that model and be given a "sight unseen " number that was lower than what it would have been in person. I know enough about sales to tell you that once a starting point is established that you cant go back....and a sigt unseen price is always going to be conservative...Its just business 101...So I went over in person

[bu11dog]

If I'd taken the same putter to our Golfsmith I'm sure that they'd have offered more than what is listed on the value guide. There are some clubs that they get that aren't listed or if the shaft is upgraded they'd also take that into consideration. You'd probably have to talk to a manager or something. I doubt the first quote you'd get would be the best one.

No matter what you're trading (cars, baseball cards...whatever) it's unlikely you'd get the value you'd get if you went through the process of selling it.

[bladehunter]

again I agree with that logic, but the same store has a set of 2007 x forged on the rack for $399 and they are mediocre condition...Its the double standard I cant get my head wrapped around...

[KjBowen]

Anyone who trades a club in is not being smart.

The trade in values for every single club are terrible.. With craigslist, eBay and the BST you could easily get 30-40% higher then any trade in value.

Take a day or 2.. Sell the club and use cold hard cash to find your next purchase

[bladehunter]

in theory I agree.... I just never have good luck with that...I have a spare bedroom full of stuff ive "traded " for while trying to sell...Nobody wants to buy my stuff , they always want to trade...I live in a rural are so you get nothing from craigslist...I wheel and deal with play it again sports a lot...they do me fair in and out...

I understand and am ok with leaving some meat on the bone...But what errks me about these guys is that they constantly fill my inbox with offers, trying to lure me in. I go in with what I feel is quality trade, no high expectations, just moving them and buying what I want and boom, cold shoulder. Why on earth waste the money filling my inbox?

[bladehunter]

I guess guys I just wanted to rant...my wife wont listen as she thinks im nuts...maybe I am...But where I come from you are better to a customer than that..I just bought a $400 sldr from them last week , so youd think id have gotten some sort of service , after all I was acting on their invitation...whatever I guess.. true colors are shown..im over it now that its out of my system.. wonder what he return policy is on new clubs....hmmm id love to give my money to someone who wants it.

[bu11dog]

[quote name='bladehunter' timestamp='1394734101' post='8864005']
again I agree with that logic, but the same store has a set of 2007 x forged on the rack for $399 and they are mediocre condition...Its the double standard I cant get my head wrapped around...
[/quote]

No disagreement from me. When I can I try to sell. If the club I'm trading is a newer one that didn't work out for whatever reason, I will trade it (before the value completely drops off the planet). Otherwise I try to sell.

Like I said though, my local Golfsmith has always been great to me. When I've traded clubs in the past they've given me fair value. There have been a few that I've kept because they were offering so little for them, but I completely understood those situations.

[rekalj]

I called Golfsmith last week when I was thinking about heading up there with a few trade-ins. They told me since my iron set was over 5 years old, they couldn't give me anything for them. Saved me a trip and I am aware of their guidelines now. I was in there a few months ago and moved off a hybrid for more than was stated in the PGA value guide. At that time, they told me I could use that as a guide but they were normally higher than the guide stated.

[SoCalTitleist]

I just used global golf trade in 140% on some original AP2s. they gave me 280$ thats more than i could of got on here or ebay. plus i got the clubs i wanted with an additional 15% off used clubs and free shipping.

[Ri_Redneck]

FYI, drop the 695CBs on the BST here and I might just buy em if the price is right. That's what I play and it's always good to have a spare set around. Near mint too..........

BT

[VNutz]

Had an issue with this, somewhat, last fall. Girl working the counter couldn't find my Adams DHY in their system, so she called someone else over to find it. He found it and was going to give me 65 for a trade, not great but acceptable, then noticed that there was something wrong with the ferrule. Somewhere along the line it got scraped or pulled or something, purely cosmetic, not a shaft pull, etc., and like that he dropped the offer to 30. I explained that they've got boxes of them in back for less than $1 each, but he wouldn't listen. So I sold it on ebay for $85.

They used to be much better to work with, and actually gave better offers than the others which is why I bought all my new clubs there. Hasn't been the same for about the last year or so.

[CactusGolf]

I haven't traded in clubs to a Golfsmith or Golf Galaxy in years. I'm tired of getting screwed over.

Since I've decided to stick with the Callaway brand, I've had a lot of success with Callaway Pre-owned.

[HandsomeMatt]

I traded with the one in Raleigh to get my irons, they offered 15 for a near new Cleveland Classic 290 9* with a brand new Aldila NV , I only had 50 in it but I was still a bit bummed on the offer. Also had an Adams Super LS fairway, everything stock KK shaft etc. , that I really never got along with but played for quite a while, average condition I'd say, they gave me around 80. I was kind of puzzled on the whole deal but I took it just to avoid the hassle of posting on the bay and shipping etc.

[johnnythunders]

If your serious and don't want to sell clubs thru ebay, craigslist etc. just want to go and trade something in.

Know exactly what you want to buy. To get the best price, find the manager, not the one on duty, find the store manager. Find out when he works the floors, most do. Walk up to him and say, "I want to buy x, I have y, what can you do for me".

You will get the best deal he will make.

Works at all the chains. I worked at one and the manager would alsways give a little more to make sale. Sales are numbers and store managers need bigger numbers or they are gone. Store salesmen don't as much becuase their commissions are joke.

It's the retail game, play it.

[cphrey]

Just fyi, shafts were never considered in the trade ins, nor were grips...that is why i always salivated when i took in an old driver with a nice Matrix or Mitsubishi shaft in it. I would instantly set it aside, buy it at cost, swap shafts, sell back at same price. Shafts and grips are NOT part of the offer you will get, so if you have the resources, remove your aftermarket shafts before selling bc I promise, it rarely will get you more money to leave it in.