League players might EXPECT a discount... but, no, I would not offer a basic/generic league player discount.

It is IMHO one of the dumbest things to do, because you put the customer minds on the price and not the value they get. I work in a shopper marketing advertising agency and know this strategic problem well.

That does not mean that a price-off is a bad thing as a marketing tool, but I'd rather make a "good" service package price (e. g. ball incl. drilling and grips, or combo discounts) on a personal basis. It is about the tool's "disguise" .

This has some political effects you should not underestimate in the long run:
1) You do not arouse expectations which you will hardly get rid off and you keep your margins up, with some more space for negotiations.
2) The customer will appreciate the "personal" offer, feel respected, and the "buddy" image of the pro shop will be fortified. It will also keep up the quality perception of a shop's offerings. Never underestimate the emotional component of how you treat your customers, including league players
3) You might cause positive word of mouth effects - "Go to XY, if you buy some things you get a good deal". If you just offer a discount - that's it.
4) It will also improve shop loyalty. If someone else offers more discount, price-oriented customers will leave. If you offer value (in a sense of perceived good overall reward for the money paid and time spent), customer retention is "better", and you avoid the discount downward spiral.

Think wise!
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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Giving discounts can sometimes cause more harm then good...
If a pro shop only offers discounts to certain customers, and others find out about it and they didn't get a discount, that is not a good thing....

And to avoid this, a pro shop would have to give a discount to everyone...

If your price is discounted to everyone, then it is really not a discount at all....  It's your regular price...

If you are dealing with a full time pro shop, not a part time converted broom closet pro shop...  Then a discount should not be expected...

what should be expected is...

A good selection of msde.<<<<  in stock, not in a book.............
Decent fair prices...on msde and all services...
Quality work performed by the shop....
A shop that will stand behind their work...
A pro shop that is open for more then 3 hours a day....


If your nothing but a bargain hunter,  there are plenty of basement or broom closet pro shops out there....  They will drill you a ball, serve you lunch / dinner, wash your car, give you 30 minutes of free lessons,  and a gift cert.  for the "monica"......and lifetme resurface jobs....

Now let me ask you bargain hunters this...

Do you seek out the lowest possible price when you need a Doctor or a dentist.
Sure we all want to save money, but there comes a point when you may not be really saving at all...

Take the famous $3.00 pizza coupon....   You don't think that $3.00 off coupon has not been factored into their everyday price....  The coupon runs 52 weeks a year...  Your getting nothing off,  nothing at "tall"  

A lot of bowling center shops offer 10%,  but their prices are way higher to begin with.....10% off of a ball selling for $240 is not  a deal if other shops are selling it for $199 - $209....

Finally....  If you are not in the retail business,  you really don't know or understand what a retailer in todays world must cope with....

Next time you EXPECT a discount,  think about this...

Does you boss expect you to work 8 hours and get paid for only 6??

If no, why not,  why not give your boss a DISCOUNT>>>>>  oh no, can't do that, cause that is money out of your pocket....

Now back to your Keyboards....

And remember this....

There is a korean out there being trained to type on a keyboard...
You can and will be replaced........

Because guess what "Discount lovers"

They work.... At a Discount"

now... what do you think about discounts......

You get what you pay for.................

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jls