Dynamic Discs, Latitude 64, and Westside Discs "Buyback" Affiliate Program

[justin]

Why does a retailer need DDs word to do something like this if its such a great idea in the first place?...

You are absolutely right but what Dynamic is offering their retailers is a wholesale credit for the returned discs. It would be a huge risk for a retailer to offer returns like this if they have not done so before because they could (potentially!) find that 95% of customers end up returning the discs for a full refund and then the retailer is stuck with discs they cannot even sell at their wholesale cost but they still need to restock on the shelves. In the very best of cases (meaning high prices) retailers can mark discs up 200%. This pales in comparison to "real" retail stores that are marking items up 300-400% and more and can absolutely absorb returns like this regularly. (See REI, Zappos, etc)

Dynamic is being smart by giving players one more way to try out their discs. Sure, a Trilogy Challenge can help with that as well but no other MFG is offering a program like this and (speaking as someone who sells discs) it is nice to see Dynamic involve its retailers in its promotions. Vibram is the only one with an event series that has any tie-in with shops and they are just offering a wholesale discount based on what a shop donates to a Birdie Bash...or at least they were last year. Ok, I'll stop my tangent right there. Good job Dynamic Discs. Jamie Rusco has implemented some great things since he started ~2yrs ago.

I hope this was helpful.

 

[wvu1867]

Buyers Beware

I like the idea of the buyback as one time I bought a Teebird that was so overstable I could never use it. Must have been a molding mistake . A buyback or return of this type would have been nice. With that said, if the system is scammed or overused, disc prices will go up to make up profit margins.

 

[DirtyMeathook]

You are absolutely right but what Dynamic is offering their retailers is a wholesale credit for the returned discs.

They are? The video was essentially a sales presentation targeted at retailers, and the offering of a wholesale credit is the single most important detail of this affiliate program. Why on earth would they not mention that? The fact they are offering wholesale credit on returns certainly changes my opinion of the program.

 

[Aim For The Chains]

Still not sure how it will move more product. If anything retailers will get credit to buy more plastic but still have to sell the otber stuff and deal with returns.

Returns take a lot of time too. A sale is much easier.

 

[Old Dog]

This seems to be about "Customer Service"......giving the customer a fail safe on any discs they purchase....since I have been in the Hospitality Industry for over 30 years, I get it...

Sure there will be scammers, but scammers will find a way to scam regardless of policy...based on my own personal experience, I feel MOST folks are basically honest.

Is there a financial benefit to the retailers that participate? YES....repeat business and happy customers...those two things will offset most, if not all scamming going on....

I agree with Binky. Think about it. What a great way for a retailer to build customer relationships and customer loyalty. For the customer it is essentially a try before you buy program. As a retailer you are building a relationship of trust with there customers.

Prospective Customer: "Why should I buy my disc from Brick & Mortar when I can by it online for a buck less?
Brick & Mortar: We have a knowledgeable staff that can help you choose the right discs (note the plural) for you and your purchase comes with an iron clad satisfaction guarantee."

When I shop I generally buy more than one disc at a time I don't know about you guys. And If I have to go back to a store to return something I generally look around to see if there is anything else there I need/want while I'm there what about you?

It also gets buyers to try a brand they may not other wise have tried because they are not familiar with or are unsure of risk free.

It shows the consumer that the manufacturer & retailer have confidence in their products.

Sure their will be a few scammers who will take advantage of the program but as Binky said most people are basically honest and the scammers and thieves are going to do their think regardless. Overall the program seems to be a win win to me.

 

[DirtyMeathook]

Can we get confirmation that DD are in fact offering the retailers wholesale credit for each disc returned?

 

[MikeM]

Yuck. This steak I am eating isn't what I expected. Let me just wait until there are 3 bites left and then, "Waiter I would like to send this back for a brand new one." I'm sure the restaurant owner won't mind at all...

I'm kidding around.

I'm just jelly their aren't any actual disc golf stores around me. The closest one is like 50 minutes. And the local tobacco and gas stations only sell Innova and Discraft.

 

[justin]

Can we get confirmation that DD are in fact offering the retailers wholesale credit for each disc returned?

How do I say this in the least prick-ish way...?

A. If you are a retailer then call your sales rep and ask for more details.
B. If you sell discs only online or out of your car you need to read the details because this is only extended to physical shops.
C. If you are not a retailer this literally is not your "business". Ha! So you don't need a confirmation.

Perhaps this program has changed by now but the wholesale credit for returned discs was in the original scenario my sales rep presented to me in the fall when they were testing this out with their bigger accounts.

 

[joecoin]

Still not sure how it will move more product. If anything retailers will get credit to buy more plastic but still have to sell the otber stuff and deal with returns.

Returns take a lot of time too. A sale is much easier.

It's walk-in retail. No Walk Ins, no Retail.

Granted it's a risk, just like most everything in business.

 

[Binky Yutz]

Yuck. This steak I am eating isn't what I expected. Let me just wait until there are 3 bites left and then, "Waiter I would like to send this back for a brand new one." I'm sure the restaurant owner won't mind at all...

You joke, but this ^^ happens ALL the time in the restaurant biz, and a lot of times it works...ONCE....after that, that particular customer is not likely to get away with it again...and just like casinos, word gets around quickly about who the scammers are....

the same would probably be true of "Return Disc Scammers".

 

[MikeM]

^Yeah but what about the guy that buys a ton of discs that he doesn't like? It isn't his fault he didn't like any of them. At least not according to this return policy. Will the seller just ban him from buying in their store?

And, yeah, the customer service world is like the wild west. It is crazy out there. Hard to tell who you can trust. Some people are honest and got screwed by the manufacturer. Some people take advantage. The good customer reps see the good in people first. The jaded ones do not.

 

[mrDROCK]

Just to be devil's advocate... Buy three Prime Judges, turn around and "Return" them for the most expensive thing you can get? Seems sketchy. "I'll take two McBeth signature Destroyers and a Sexton signature DD for $8 a piece please."

This is the first thing I thought about when they said any disc any brand. Really? Because there was a CE Valkyrie at Huk Lab I really had my eye on. (Of course Huk Lab doesn't have the building anymore. And I am not that big a jerk.)

 

[Skins]

Just like ball golf, disc golf should start warming folks up to being fitted for discs. Only problem is we're too far away from that yet, but it leads to too many people buying discs that aren't a good fit for their arm speed or what they are looking for.

Example: A noobie golfer walks into a golf shop and loves the look of the latest Taylormade Driver in a 9* loft, his favorite pro hits it a ton and makes millions. Noob spends $450 on it and runs to the range and only can manage to hit 2 out of ten decent as far as his old 3 wood:\......conclusion.......bust.

^^ But he claims to his friends he smashes it and it looks awesome in his bag.

Fast forward to disc golf: Noob goes into disc shop and grabs a Destroyer in Champion and an X-Caliber because he flips the DX destroyer he has because of his poor form....SSDD

Sadly lots of noobs on both sides of the plate won't ask for help when buying plastic or clubs and waste money.

Good on DD for recognizing this and trying to remotely address the issue. But in the future of the fastest growing sport in the world, there should honestly be fitters just like in golf to help you and a swing booth with a radar gun etc. wouldn't be a bad idea......in the future.

We're just not there yet

 

[DirtyMeathook]

How do I say this in the least prick-ish way...?

A. If you are a retailer then call your sales rep and ask for more details.
B. If you sell discs only online or out of your car you need to read the details because this is only extended to physical shops.
C. If you are not a retailer this literally is not your "business". Ha! So you don't need a confirmation.

Perhaps this program has changed by now but the wholesale credit for returned discs was in the original scenario my sales rep presented to me in the fall when they were testing this out with their bigger accounts.

My last response was deleted for using the same word you used in your first sentence. So, I'll try this again.

We have an account executive. However, considering this is a thread dedicated solely to the topic of the affiliate program, and you, a vendor, spoke so matter of fact on the matter, I figured it made for a reasonable venue to ask the question. One would think that if a vendor, representing his brand, was made known he was spreading misinformation, he would relish the opportunity to clear things up. Apparently not.

Sincerely,
A member of your awesome insider team

 

[Improbably]

If all the premium plastic was priced at approximately $25 retailers could easily do this and still profit.

But that's a terrible idea used to solve a bad idea. . .