A Survey On Used Golf Club Awareness

Used Club Awareness

In today's blog, we go over a recently conducted survey on awareness of used golf clubs! (This survey was taken in Japan)  

In a previous survey, it was found that over 60% of the respondents had purchased used golf clubs. Used golf clubs are a great way to purchase famous models or newly released models at a cheaper price. Although some wear may be present, these used golf clubs still have the benefits and amazing performance features of a new golf club. 

 

Respondents

Now let's take a look at the survey results of today's main topic, "Purchasing Used Golf Clubs".

Survey Respondents: Men and women over 20 years old who enjoy golf as a hobby
Number of Respondents: 607 people (= 305 men + 302 women)
Number of Questions: 5 questions
Survey Period: January 17, 2024, to January 18, 2024

 

Questions

Question 1:

Have you ever used a service to sell used clubs?

Just under half of all respondents have used a buyback service, with about half being men and just over 40% of women confirming they have. 

 

Question 2:

Why do you not use golf club buyback services?

The common response that was received was that that they, "might use them again". Although the common thought may be that you will want to use the clubs again, often times, these clubs end up becoming drawer deposits! 

Waiting to sell a club may negatively impact you as the buyback price for golf clubs drops by an average of 40% a year. 

At GOLF Partner, we recommend bringing your golf club to a buyback retailer before the value of the unused golf clubs decrease for a free appraisal. 

 

Question 3:

When considering golf club buyback services, what do you consider important?

"Having solid appraisal (assessment) skills" (65.0%)

"High buyback amount" (60.5%).

It's natural that customers prioritize solid appraisal skills because without abundant product knowledge and appropriate appraisal, the true value of a customer's precious club cannot be understood.

 

Question 4:

Are you aware that counterfeit (fake) golf clubs are in circulation?

About half were aware that counterfeit (fake) clubs are in circulation.

Unfortunately, it's a fact that counterfeit clubs circulate through private sales and online transactions. We have issued warnings in past columns, but recent counterfeits are so sophisticated that they look like the real thing. However, the internal structure of the clubs is completely different, and naturally, their performance is too.

In a previous blog, we "cut open real and fake clubs" including the "XXIO12 driver," "SIM2 driver," and "T-MB irons" to compare real and counterfeit (fake) clubs, verifying their interiors.

To view the video version of our blog, please check out this link here: 

While private sales and online transactions can offer many benefits when you find a good deal or the right product, please be cautious with significantly cheaper used items or online retailers with insincere customer service.

 

Question 5:

Have you ever used a buyback service for items other than golf clubs?

About 60% of respondents have used buyback services for items other than golf clubs. The remaining 40% seem to have not used buyback services, even for everyday items.

Engaging with reuse correctly offers environmental, social, and economic benefits. Letting go of what you no longer need and acquiring what you do need can lead to a wonderful life of reuse.

 

More Information By A Club Meister

Now let's go over some questions with a GOLF Partner Club Meister!

The "Club Purchase Meister," a title earned only by staff who pass rigorous exams, is essentially a "specialist in golf club buyback". There are currently 500 qualified individuals as of February 2024. 

 

How did your career at GOLF Partner start? 

I joined the Takasaki Kita store in 2015, was transferred to the Takasaki store, and now serve as the store manager at the R17 Maebashi Uekoide Store. 

What made you decide to pursue the "Club Purchase Meister" qualification?

While there's been an increase in handling new golf clubs lately, the allure of Golf Partner lies in used clubs, which are still at the core of our services. I believe that selling attractive used clubs, including popular items, niche local clubs, custom clubs, and high-end brand models, requires both product knowledge and trust from customers. I saw the "Club Purchase Meister" qualification as essential for running Golf Partner stores, so I decided to obtain it.

 

 

At the R17 Maebashi Uekoide Store, there are five Club Purchase Meister qualified staff members. Have there been any noticeable changes since many staff members obtained the qualification?

With the majority of our staff now qualified, I believe customers feel more confident leaving their clubs with us. This increased trust from customers has led to more appraisal requests where customers specifically request certified staff members. Especially for newer staff members, obtaining the qualification has boosted their confidence in conducting buyback transactions. We've received feedback from customers saying they feel reassured leaving their items with us, knowing that any staff member can handle the appraisal with care.

 

The theme of this column is "Survey Results on Used Clubs - Buyback Edition." When confirming experiences with buyback services, it was found that about 50% of respondents had used them. Are there many customers at the R17 Maebashi Uekoide Store who only purchase clubs without using buyback services?

Recently, we've seen an increase in customers visiting with the intention of upgrading their clubs or requesting buyback appraisals, so I don't have the impression that there are many customers who only purchase without using buyback services. However, there are still customers who are unaware that buyback or trade-in services are available, so I think there are many who either don't know about buyback services or haven't used them.

 

The most common reason for not using buyback services was "Because I might use them again." In reality, do customers tend to use their previous clubs even after purchasing new ones?

Personally, I'm someone who finds it hard to part with things I've bought and don't want to sell, I have a collector's mindset. When discussing clubs that customers already own, I feel that about 60-70% of them stop using their previous clubs after purchasing new ones. Many customers end up regretting not selling their clubs earlier as time passes, the appraisal value decreases, and they think, "I should have sold them at that time."

 

The most important aspect when using buyback services was "Having solid appraisal skills." What efforts are being made at the R17 Maebashi Uekoide Store to improve appraisal skills?

It's natural to identify models and years, but what's particularly challenging during appraisals are re-shafted clubs, custom items, and special orders. In our store, when such items are encountered during appraisals, we immediately share the information with all staff members, and we also conduct regular study sessions in the store to ensure everyone stays updated with the latest information.

 

 

Please tell us about the features of the R17 Maebashi Uekoide Store.

The first floor houses a men's club and accessory floor, while the second floor has a corner for ladies' clubs and caddy bags, along with three fitting rooms. Our extensive range of used stock includes rare and custom clubs, and of course, we also offer the latest models of new clubs. Five out of six staff members hold the "Club Purchase Meister" qualification, and we strive to provide sincere assistance from appraisals to purchases. 

Conclusion

If you are in Japan, be sure to visit one (or multiple) of our many stores and check out the high quality used golf clubs available. Each store has a different inventory of used golf clubs, golf accessories, bags, shoes, and sales! 

Just like the store mentioned above, stores often have Golf Club Meisters that have gone through rigorous testing and training to ensure they provide the best advice when it comes to shopping for golf clubs. 

If you are planning a trip to Japan any time soon, be sure to add "Go to a GOLF Partner store" onto your bucket list!