[loco-gringo]

Please don't turn this political. It's not meant to be.

So Ping Golf learns that some dealers, who apparently aren't allowed to discount product, were giving 10% discount to military personnel, both active and retired. Ping gets pissed and cans two pretty large dealers citing there disregard for an unwritten contract. One dealer sells about a half a million dollars a year.

The golf community raises hell and starts emailing Ping a few weeks ago. Ping responds to them, like it's been in the works forever, that they will be rebating clubs to active military personnel.

I think it's hilarious that these guys feel that they are so superior that they just pick and choose how to do business. I can think of a bike mfg that looks like that to me.

Personally I hope this bites Ping in the nuts. I am very familiar with dealer/mfg arrangements and this one just seems really stupid. I may be missing something, but if I'm not, these guys are idiots.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Yeah, I hate military personell too.

 

[Echo]

And golf.

 

[loco-gringo]

Yeah, I hate military personell too.

I kind of think that part is irrelevant in this story, but it was the reason. I wonder what they would do if it was just over a dealer doing nice things for long term relationships that they had. I can't think of many shops that don't offer club or team discounts.

 

[loco-gringo]

Echo, golf rocks. If you are decent you might even win a chain ring clock.

 

[DRB]

Yeah, I hate military personell too.

goddamn freeloaders

 

[Transcend]

Why should Mil Personnel get special discounts? I know lots of places do it, but it isn't like a) they are working for Uncle Sam for free or b) they were drafted.

Not sure in the US, but basic pay here is $40 000 a year, and $63 000 a year for officers. That's more than many in the civilian realm earn.

 

[DRB]

Why should Mil Personnel get special discounts? I know lots of places do it, but it isn't like a) they are working for Uncle Sam for free or b) they were drafted.

Not sure in the US, but basic pay here is $40 000 a year, and $63 000 a year for officers. That's more than many in the civilian realm earn.

freedom hater

yeah but's like $6 USD.

 

[jacksonpt]

If it was an unwritten contract, what grounds does Ping have to bag the 2 resellers? Perhaps that was the point...

 

[jacksonpt]

Echo, golf rocks. If you are decent you might even win a chain ring clock.

werd yo!

 

[Echo]

Not sure in the US, but basic pay here is $40 000 a year, and $63 000 a year for officers. That's more than many in the civilian realm earn.

I dunno what the US military makes nowadays, but when I was in, it was jack squat. Nowhere even remotely close to the numbers you're talking about.

 

[BurlyShirley]

I dunno what the US military makes nowadays, but when I was in, it was jack squat. Nowhere even remotely close to the numbers you're talking about.

When I first got in, I made $300 every two weeks. When I got out, it was closer to $900. Granted, I lived in a barracks and got no housing allowance, but thats not much cash.

 

[loco-gringo]

If it was an unwritten contract, what grounds does Ping have to bag the 2 resellers? Perhaps that was the point...

Agreed, but it seems like there could be something better to control it. I am sure there is more to it, but it probably boiled down to some executive disagreement.

 

[BurlyShirley]

I kind of think that part is irrelevant in this story, but it was the reason.

I think part of my brain just exploded.:biggrin:

 

[reflux]

I think part of my brain just exploded.:biggrin:

Dude, why waste your time with key irrelevant details?

 

[loco-gringo]

I think part of my brain just exploded.:biggrin:

I guess I should expand. I mean that it is funny when someone tries to dictate so heavily on end-user activity and then it bites them in the ass. To me it doesn't matter who received the discount. Why have a set retail price if you don't want to control every facet of the market?

The real reason for limiting it is, the bigger the dealer, the bigger discount they receive. If your marketing is good enough to get people to buy your stuff, you don't care who sells it. I think if you are going to dictate that much, just sell direct.

 

[jimmydean]

The only military people who make any money are high ranking officers who are married. If you are a single PV1, you make less than most McJobs would pay, and your ass is on the line in Iraq.

I would agree that I hope it bites Ping in the ass. Makes me happy I paid good money for Ping knock-offs oveseas (while in the military) rather than support them

 

[sanjuro]

Why should Mil Personnel get special discounts? I know lots of places do it, but it isn't like a) they are working for Uncle Sam for free or b) they were drafted.

Not sure in the US, but basic pay here is $40 000 a year, and $63 000 a year for officers. That's more than many in the civilian realm earn.

Per month...

 

[Transcend]

Per month...

That chart makes my eyes bleed. So anywhere between about $18 000 a year and $120 000 a year. That's a rather large variable.

Average is around 30-40 i'd guess then, depending on rank and service length. That's insanely complex, BTW.

 

[H8R]

Golf. Jesus.

As if war wasn't hell enough for these people, they come home to golf.



Maybe it's the PTSD and they don't know any better?

 

[BurlyShirley]

That chart makes my eyes bleed. So anywhere between about $18 000 a year and $120 000 a year. That's a rather large variable.

Average is around 30-40 i'd guess then, depending on rank and service length. That's insanely complex, BTW.

Insanely complex? The rate rises with time in service. I thought you had some economics degree.

Anyway, alot of that money goes to crap like uniforms and stuff too (or it did for me as an E-1) plus its before taxes. Yeah, they tax the tax dollars they payed us.

 

[loco-gringo]

That chart makes my eyes bleed. So anywhere between about $18 000 a year and $120 000 a year. That's a rather large variable.

Average is around 30-40 i'd guess then, depending on rank and service length. That's insanely complex, BTW.

It's really not that hard. It's like a corporation. You have laborers, managers, and executives. Those all merit differnet pay.

Let's talk about the mfg/dealer relationship that I posted this about rather than who deserves what discount.

 

[loco-gringo]

Golf. Jesus.

As if war wasn't hell enough for these people, they come home to golf.



Maybe it's the PTSD and they don't know any better?

Golf rocks.

 

[Transcend]

Insanely complex? The rate rises with time in service. I thought you had some economics degree.

Anyway, alot of that money goes to crap like uniforms and stuff too (or it did for me as an E-1) plus its before taxes. Yeah, they tax the tax dollars they payed us.

Screw economics, I'm all about politics and journalism.

But ya, i figured it wasn't a complete chart, thus the complexity. Thats a before taxes and before expenses type deal. Being taxed on tax dollars is hilarious.

 

[H8R]

Golf rocks.

Hit ball.
Chase ball in little electric car.
Hit ball again.

Awesome.

 

[Westy]

Hit ball.
Chase ball in little electric car.
Hit ball again.

Awesome.

Golf is a fine sport, for fat old dudes who need an excuse to get away from their fat old shrew like wives.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Hit ball.
Chase ball in little electric car.
Hit ball again.

Awesome.

Yeah, if it werent for the etiquette, I would like it. Personally, I want to crash the carts into one another, scream, hit balls off in random directions...you know FUN things. Im a FreeGolfer. We get no respect.

 

[H8R]

Yeah, if it werent for the etiquette, I would like it. Personally, I want to crash the carts into one another, scream, hit balls off in random directions...you know FUN things. Im a FreeGolfer. We get no respect.

I like to run around screaming on lawns and hitting my balls too.

The neighbors hate me.

 

[reflux]

I hate thread hijacking.

Freedom hater.

Ping or Pong, whatever the company is named, chose to discontinue relations with a dealer after they violated an unwritten(are you sure?) agreement on sales price. Legality of the situation aside, the sales price issue turned into a public relations mishap due to the fact that it involved servicemen. Rather than let the sh1t continue to hit the fan, the company did the SMART thing and used the situation to its advantage (extend club discounts). It's called business, and unless it involves child labor, financial fraud, or illegal drug distribution, I really don't give a sh1t.

 

[-dustin]

i don't like Ping. or Cobra. Taylor Made is about to be put on that list, as is Wilson. although, my lowest tournament round was with a Wilson Staff Ti Balata 100.

 

[reflux]

I like cheese.

 

[dante]

Golf is a fine sport, for fat old dudes who need an excuse to get away from their fat old shrew like wives.

golf is awesome, its a great excuse to wander around outside at 10am so drunk you can't see straight. i guess some people around here don't need that excuse... :biggrin:

 

[Secret Squirrel]

golf is awesome, its a great excuse to wander around outside at 10am so drunk you can't see straight. i guess some people around here don't need that excuse... :biggrin:

And, oddly enough, your game gets better and you use 7 letter words.... "F*kstik"...."Sh*tcan"...."Gudamit"

 

[ElTORO]

Last time I went golfing was with my parents on Mother's day. I pretty much got kicked off the course. The course was pretty wet and I had a couple of Beers. I started going crazy with the cart, jumping sand traps and hills and did a couple huge doughnuts.

Downhillers should not be alowed to drive a golf cart down a step golf course drunk.

The course Marshall was not happy!!

Oh Yah It was the most fun I have ever had on a golf course!!!

And Ping should get it in the ass.

 

[blue]

Death to golf.

The courses are fun to ride on.

 

[-dustin]

people who ride on golf courses should be kicked in the nuts.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Echo, golf rocks. If you are decent you might even win a chain ring clock.

Golf rocks like attending a history lesson with a bad teacher rocks.

 

[Jeronimo]

Why should Mil Personnel get special discounts? I know lots of places do it, but it isn't like a) they are working for Uncle Sam for free or b) they were drafted.

Keep serving only yourself, it shows.

 

[Jeronimo]

That chart makes my eyes bleed. So anywhere between about $18 000 a year and $120 000 a year. That's a rather large variable.

Average is around 30-40 i'd guess then, depending on rank and service length. That's insanely complex, BTW.

Maybe you need to transcend your narrow-mindedness. MOST of the active personnel in the military are low ranking, so your $40K a year is a laughable "average".

 

[Jeremy R]

When I take over the world, I am going to turn all golf courses into mountain bike parks. Then, I am gonna make it mandatory for all fat kids to ride at all the parks. Some will enjoy riding, then they will eventually get skinny and become riders. Some will hate riding, so they will diet and lose weight so they will not have to ride anymore.
Win win situation.
Jeremyland would rock!!