What to watch for online...
Buying online is an excellent
option because of the convenience. Prices are often lower, too, since an
online store doesn't have the same overheads a normal pro shop has.
If
you want some general advice on evaluating websites and golf stores to gauge
their ability to provide you with safe and successful sales and service,
visit the relevant pages at our sister site at Discount
Golf Clubs World.
When
buying bags, there are one or two little additional things you need to look
out for...
Closeouts
and special offers
Most online stores run regular closeout offers
and it's not unusual to find bags and carts among them. More importantly,
pricing on club sets may include a free bag. So if you're looking for a new
set of clubs, you may not need to purchase the bag separately.
Shipping and handling costs
By virtue of their bulk and weight, bags and carts are not the cheapest
items to transport. So when weighing up a price online, be sure to take into
account the relevant shipping and handling charges.
Most
sites will make these clear, usually under a "shipping",
"help" or "service" link, if not directly on the order
page.
Note that the
usual shipping charges may not apply to bags. For
example, shipping may be priced "per item bought" or "per
$100". Often you'll then find a footnote or subsequent paragraph where
there's special separate pricing for bags and carts.
It's
also not unusual to find restrictions on delivery methods available, so that
shipping costs are kept to a minimum. Some stores won't ship outside their
own country for the same reason.
Return
policies and guarantees
Inevitably, you may find that the color or features of the product you buy
online aren't quite what you want. Be sure then that the store you buy from
has a clear and reasonable returns policy and product guarantee.
Most
reputable online golf stores will offer an unconditional returns deal
(normally lasting around 30 days post-purchase). This means you can return
the product bought for whatever reason you choose, and get your money back
or store credit in lieu.
In
such cases, make sure you read the conditions carefully. Often you'll need
to call or mail and get allocated a returns code. And you may find that
certain costs (like shipping) aren't covered and that even unconditional
returns are subject to a small "restocking" fee. This is all
relatively "minor" stuff, but it's better to be fully informed so
there are no surprises. | 