Re: ShopTalk: What's fair re;selling?

[Steve \"Cub\" Culbreth]

TFlan,   It depends.    1. If someone approaches me, even inside a pro shop, I think it is fair game. 2. I will not go to a driving range, for the purpose of trying to capture their clients, if they sell golf clubs. 3. I will propose a mutually beneficial relationship with a driving range that has a retail club operation. I have done this for years with very good success. 4. I will openly discuss business, fit golfers, and sell clubs, on a driving range that doesn't have a retail/custom/golf club operation, without asking. However, I will cease if asked. 5. I will do business at military golf courses, without seeking permission. However, I will proceed under rule number one. Most of the time I actually have a gentleman's agreement not to ready customers.   FWIW,   Cub ----- Original Message ----- From: tflan To: ShopTalk Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 4:00 PM Subject: ShopTalk: What's fair re;selling? Hi;   Arnie and I have had a back and forth discussion about whether its fair and correct to sell one's wares at a driving range. That brings about a question of, I suppose, what's ethical in the world of business. I have no quarrel with anyone about this subject. Its just one of many subjects that has come up from time to time. So, I'll pose a couple of scenarios and sit back and read your responses. I should note that I have had some interesting experiences on this subject, both in business and since retirement. I'll share some later on . . . maybe.    - Suppose you're at a public driving range. You're hitting balls with your personal, home or business made golf clubs. A guy next to you watches for a while and asks where you got the clubs. You tell him you built them yourself. The guy asks to hit a few shots with the clubs. He likes them. He asks you if you can build a set for him. You agree. Is that fair and ethical as regards the operator of the public range?    - Or, suppose you are loading your clubs into your car in the parking lot and the same guy comes up and asks the same question. You agree again. Is that ethical?    - Or, suppose your car is parked in the street and the above occurs. Same question.    - Would it be ethical to go to the range with a bag full of different clubs and display them by leaning them against your bag or bag rack while you're practicing? You aren't advertising per se, but you'd like someone to show some interest in your products.    - Or, suppose you aren't a cut and glue guy. Suppose you have a business license and a store front. Further, suppose your business name and address is printed on your golf bag in 3" letters. You aren't doing anything but hitting balls on the range. Again, a guy comes up to you asking about custom clubs. Is it ethical to sell to that guy?    - Or, suppose you're in the coffee shop or bar of your local muny. The subject of custom clubmaking arises. Someone knows you're in the business or that you're an accomplished hobbyist. Again, a guy wants you to sell him some clubs. Is that O.K.?    - Finally, is there EVER a time when its perfectly fine to sell a piece of equipment outside your personal domain without telling the operators of the range, course, store, etc.?   As I said, I'm not interested in arguments. Just opinions and perhaps some lively discussion. Do ethics really exist in this biz, and if so, does it really matter?   TFlan