Authorized retailer

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By LStuckey

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  • 11 Replies
  1. I am looking at starting my own online based Golf supply company. How does one become an authorized retailer of Titleist products? I am hoping that this will turn from a hobby to full fledge job, but I am a Team Titleist member and want to make sure I rep the best products on the market. Any suggestions?

  2. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    I'd say that's a question for the folks at Titleist Headquarters. 1-800-225-8500.
  3. Best of luck. What advantages would you have over a Carl's Golf Land, Dick's, Golf Galaxy, TGW, 2nd Swing just to name a few? I would assume most, if not all buy "standard" sets in bulk to lower initial cost to maximize their profit margin. Are you willing to drop a lot of capital upfront to start your business? If you pigeon hole yourself into Titleist clubs/product what is you plan if somebody wants another brand? Keep in mind that all major club manufactures have fixed pricing so dropping your price could mean you lose your license to sell said product.

    I would look at the other business models and see how you could compete with them.
  4. Don't have any advantages to those bigger companies right now. That is a pipe dream to compete against those. I'm simply trying to establish something that I can roll profit into inventory, while I have my day, job to establish a base line need first. I'm want to rep all brands, will not be exclusive to simply one. I would prefer to start with one type of product (i.e. golf balls) that has lower initial expense.

    Also, you don't have to make a bigger profit margin when you have less overhead as a smaller company. I can sell for the same and make less and still make it work.
  5. Keep me posted on how things are going. I'm also working on something the has gotten a overwhelming number of positive feedback.
  6. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Austin J said:

    Keep me posted on how things are going. I'm also working on something the has gotten a overwhelming number of positive feedback.

    Getting a line of credit with big companies/supplies can be an issue with start ups.
  7. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Profit margins low. Tough market. Best of luck in your venture.
  8. Sean N

    Sean N
    Coshocton, OH

    I would say that you have a lot of work ahead of you, especially online. If you were a small independent shop in your hometown, it might be easier. Good Luck.
  9. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    Titleist's backbone is the golf course pro shop. Most authorized dealers are golf courses followed by the big established golf distributors that have actual facilities with only a few on-line sales which do both in-store and on-line purchases. You probably will have to get established first and then talk to the regional sales representative about adding Titleist lines to your business. It's certainly not automatic as your reputation as a business would be a reflection on their company so they would be very selective. Good luck as you move forward. Hope you develop a successful business.
  10. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    I wish you all the luck in the world but I have to tell you that the golf ball retail market is really tough. Titleist is not going to allow you to sell below a certain price and many other brands are used as loss leaders. Please do a lot of homework before you decide to venture into the world of golf retail. Down thru the years, many initially successful golf retailers have gone away such as Las Vegas Golf and Tennis and Nevada Bob's. Even the venerable Edwin Watts filed for chapter 11 protection and closed over half their stores.
  11. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Frank P said:

    I wish you all the luck in the world but I have to tell you that the golf ball retail market is really tough. Titleist is not going to allow you to sell below a certain price and many other brands are used as loss leaders. Please do a lot of homework before you decide to venture into the world of golf retail. Down thru the years, many initially successful golf retailers have gone away such as Las Vegas Golf and Tennis and Nevada Bob's. Even the venerable Edwin Watts filed for chapter 11 protection and closed over half their stores.

    If you are in the golf retail business, Titleist golf balls are a must. Have a solid business plan plus a bank account that will cover you expenses for at least two years.

    We have had two different Nevada Bobs and three Pro Golf Discounts in our area and all have gone under. All were franchised. Edwin Watts is now owned by Worldwide Golf as are a number of other retailers. I bought my first set of clubs when I started playing golf in 1985 from Edwin Watts. That same manager is still with them and he is now the regional manager but has an office here in Charleston.

    Edwin Watts Golf Shops
    Golfers Warehouse
    Las Vegas Golf Superstore
    Roger Dunn Golf Shops
    The Golf Mart
    Uinta Golf
    Vans Golf Shops
  12. Take the "golf" aspect out of this idea and insert any other industry/product that you can imagine and then think how hard it will be to compete. Unless you are heavily bankrolled to get this off the ground at best you could be a middleman or direct to consumer entity from closeout off brands. All the big brands control their prices and holding inventory of hard goods in the golf industry is dead dollars. Unless you have serious cash behind you and have a passion for selling discontinued overstock items i would advise against this. I work in the industry - brick and mortar with an online division and have a Masters in Accounting. Your best bet is to be a "rep" by calling as many suppliers/companies that you can get a negotiated price point that is low enough for you to then call out to retailers with high margin opportunity buys and unload your purchase at a 2% margin - its a full time hustle, hundreds of calls a week. Probably not what you had in mind.

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