Buying a golf bag online

GOLF BAGS AND CARTS ONLINE


Advice on choosing and buying them online

Copyright 2002-2005 GolfStarsOnline.com
All rights reserved

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.