I'm not sorry for taking chances

My official direct response to: Frivolous matters

I have been bashed left, right, up down on the golfwrx thread for I don't know why? I think the biggest mistake, was to even become a member there in the first place. I first registered on the site 5th Jan 2011, within less than a month, I was attacked. Well, I should have listened to my friend's advise- Keep a low profile, keep to yourself. You see, I got onto the forum not to party, not to sell, not to stir trouble. I was genuinely wanting to communicate with fellow golfers; share experiences; Well, that turned out to be me  pressing the 'self-destruct' button.
Suddenly I feel like I went from 100 to 0. I was well known, I enjoyed a good reputation, it feels like within the last 24 hours, 3 years of hard work went down the drain. Anyways, I have unregistered myself to save myself from the trouble of 3rd grade issues.

I would like to personally address this issue, about the Titleist 910 sleeves. I have a good amount of customers that has supported me over these 3 great years, and I owe it to them, to spend the next hour or so explaining the situation in a completely honest manner here. This is my blog, this is my space, I can curse, I can swear without fear; although I'll try not to be such a biatch! :)

How it started
It first started when a thread was started on golfwrx...this is the LINK
Gist of the story, FATC1TY guy and ZING2006 guy were saying that the sleeves DO NOT adjust. Meaning, it was straight bore all the way. I went in to comment for 2 reasons, 1) my name was mentioned 2)JD was mentioned. JD is an acquaintance and I went in to defend him because I know he is a good guy.
So, these 2 gentlemen (or not) were saying that the sleeves do not adjust, but when I did my research, my customers said they adjusted to a certain degree. I am being completely honest here. Look, I supply these in batches of 50 or so at a time to reputable people. Not Tom, Dick or Hairy. These people have machines and they know what they are doing - they build clubs for a living! They enjoyed a good reputation, they are respected! They told me they adjusted to some degree but probably not exactly according to specs, it could be all over the shop but it is not straight bore. Would I trust my own customers? Or course! They were given every chance to return it, but they did not. Common sense would tell any 3 year old that they must have worked, some way or another.
Then I emailed my supplier twice, and called him - he maintained that they were AUTHENTIC and the differences were due to different versions of the sleeves.
I did not buy into it - my most trusted customers told me they adjust but not accordingly. So from then on, I answered every question on eBay by saying they are aftermarket sleeves. I was completely honest and did not pass these off as GENUINE TITLEIST. Never in my item description did I say these are genuine (unlike your_custom_shop).
Some examples: (Click to enlarge)

So days went by since the last time I posted on golfwrx forum. Zing2006 guy probably think I was trying to be funny, or trying to 'run away' or 'hide'. I was really busy, I did not log on to that forum for like 3 days preparing for a wedding.
It was only yesterday night before I went to bed when I received a text on my cell, my friend told me that Zing2006 started a thread to personally hit out at me.

My reaction at first, I was completely surprised why he would point me out. I guess because I happen to be in a discussion in the forum, so he thinks that just because I was too busy to reply, I was a guilty party? Still, my point until today is this, I would have appreciated it if he had at least privately messaged me to ask me what's going on, before opening a thread and blast me? In the first place, I was not even the one who sold to him and made him pissed. Can you imagine how fucked up I felt?
I think it would be nice to at least send me a message like:
"Hey, what's your take on the sleeves? Did not hear from you and you are still selling them on ebay? You better remove it before I report you". At least I had a chance to know he was waiting for an answer....or I had time to react. NEVER!?

No, no no. He took the high road. Alerted Titleist, started a thread about me and boom it took off from there. He wanted to make it big, he got his wish. You get what I mean? I believe in karma. I don't need to take my own revenge. If I have taken the hit today, some day, maybe as soon as tomorrow, or as long as 10 years later, the universe will respond accordingly in his face.

Titleist pulled off my listing on ebay and I got a VERO strike on eBay. Which means I have account limits now. Yeah Thanks.
The irony? Your_custom_shop is still selling them on eBay as Authentic. LOL! The guy that zing2006 bought from is still there but the rest of us got the hit! Oh tell me this is not April the 1st and a prank!

Why did I not pull down my listing sooner?
To be completely honest I was in 2 minds. One part of me was scared and wanted to remove the listing, another part of me told myself that since my customer gave me feedback that they adjust, I can continue selling them as aftermarket.
I am someone who is never fickle minded. I always make a quick judgement call and I stick with my decision. I decided to continue selling them as aftermarket on the basis that my top notch trusted customers feedback that they were adjustable to a certain degree. I was not going to lie, as you can see above, I have honestly told the truth to all my buyers on ebay. Even my regular customers received my emails (to explain). I am not going to paint a nice picture here. The truth is some of them decided it is best to return them for a refund, some of them decided to keep it still. I accepted the returns with an open heart. I know that by being so honest here, I am opening myself to more exposure. People like Zing2006 can come in here and basically copy and paste my text and scrutinize my every word. Well, like I said I just want to be completely transparent here. This page is my space and I want people to get to know me here.

My take on aftermarket sleeves
I would like to share my personal opinion on aftermarket sleeves....or items in general.
1) I believe that people who own such adjustable drivers are always looking for extra sleeves so that they have different shaft options. People seek options and adjustability.
Thats the reason why these are in demand.
My take on aftermarket sleeves is that it is ok. As long as you do not pass them off as GENUINE. Be honest and tell buyers these are aftermarket, it adjusts to a certain degree. Leave the choice to them. So long as they are well informed, you have done your part as the seller.
It would be wrong of course, if I say 100% genuine Titleist.  This is my take. My personal opinion.
The last few days has made me realize that people do not mind these are aftermarket as long as you are honest with them. I have had more buyers reply that they will proceed with the order than buyers saying they want to cancel the order after knowing these are aftermarket.
This is the whole reason why I continued listing them on ebay, until my listing got pulled.

Look, I always believe I do things within my control and I know what I am doing. I was acting according to my own stand.
To people like Zing2006 and FATC1TY, they may not approve of aftermarket products. I think, that is because they are adamant that what they have received are straight bore. The funny thing is both these gentlemen did not buy anything from me, but are talking about me. They should find recourse with their seller.
I am accountable ONLY to my buyers. So long as my buyers are happy, I've done my part. Will my buyers want to come out and prove to Zing2006 and FATC1TY? It's up to them, really. I do respect that most buyers do not want to identify themselves because they do not want to reveal their sources. It's usually the case. I have had received encouraging private messages since the whole saga. They can tell me how they think zing is a dick, but they would not want to go on publicly and reveal themselves. Some because they have sold or bought from zing before, they do not want to complicate matters, some just because they do not want to publicly reveal their sources. I am fine with that, because knowing I still have your support, is all that matters - even if it is done privately.

Even Zing2006 and FATC1TY was talking about JD selling aftermarket Scotty weights and wrenches. For Christ's sake.
I really am on JD's side on this one. To me, he has been open about it. It's not like he passed them off as genuine. There are actually people...and trust me, majority of people, who want cheaper alternatives to adjust their clubs. They appreciate things like this, so long as you are being honest with them.
Perhaps Zing2006 and FATC1TY are those who pay US150 for a weight! LOL Well, there are people looking for cheaper alternatives and I am all on JD's side here. It's not as if JD lied or gave misinformed information on them. Go JD!

To go one step ahead is about taking chances
I have been well known for selling genuine Taylormade sleeves. That's what built me. Even though I have been based out of the country, I surprised quite a few by proving for the first time that an overseas seller can deliver the real deal.

One day I received an email to sell Titleist sleeve. I was assured they were genuine. I did a quick search on ebay, I saw a few of them already selling them with no problems. They were from the same supplier. I decided to take a chance.
If Zing2006 wants to find fault with me, he can say that I should not be 'taking chances'.
But guys, life is all about taking chances. The moment you decided to buy something on ebay, is you taking a chance. The moment you decided to get married, is you taking a chance.
I personally believe it is only when you take chances, you reach new boundaries.
It is because people took a chance on me 3 years ago, that genuine Taylormade FCT sleeves were easily made available today. That was my first 'breakthrough'...because I took a chance. I did not know how well the Taylormade sleeves would sell back then. Still, I took a chance, invested in 50pcs and I sold 50pcs all within 2 days! It was an instant hit.

Now when I was offered a chance to resell these Titlest sleeves, I took a chance, trusting that they were 100% genuine. Until today, supplier has maintained that they are genuine. Sometimes you take a chance and you make a breakthrough, sometimes you fail and you pay the price. I know for a fact that everyone selling on eBay now got it from the same supplier. All of us are left clueless but we need to suck it up responsibly.

I read on the thread started by Zing2006 that sellers are responsible to ensure that what they sell are legit. I agree, I really do...but I just want you guys to be able to understand a seller's mindset here.

Sellers take chances, in order to bring you great useful products at affordable prices. That is why people purchase online, rather than from a traditional proshop. To safe money is one of the reasons.
Sometimes whilst taking chances, we as sellers get burnt. Take for an example look at how many sellers got burnt selling these Titleist sleeves as authentic sleeves as 'assured' by our supplier.
Buyers need to understand the mindset of sellers:  We sell them not because we purposefully want to cheat you.
What is most important is this:-
Upon realising these sleeves are not genuine Titleist as promised, what did the seller do? Do they continue touting them as Genuines? Do they offer you a refund? Do they accept your returns? Do they honestly tell you these are aftermarket AS SOON AS THEY ARE MADE AWARE?

I saw a market and huge potential in selling titleist sleeves and I jumped at the opportunity. Sad to say, I was cheated by my supplier, but what is most important is the integrity within me never died.
I told my buyers that these are aftermarket as soon as I was made aware.
I offered returns.


This is how I would explain myself to all of you reading this.
I am all for aftermarket parts. These parts do not bear the brand name and it offers more options to the buyer. I do not see aftermarket parts as FAKE parts. My humble opinion is this:
A copy golf club is a fake as you are copying the brand name on the club. I am 100% against this. AGAINST. My stand on fake golf clubs are clear through my many posts here.
Golf accessories like shaft sleeves and weights, wrenches, I would personally call them aftermarket parts, and I am fine with it. So long as you do not copy something that has the brand on it and so long as you are honest with your buyers about it. Look at billy bob's golf, they come out with so many aftermarket sleeves and stuff, how come they do not get the shit that JD and myself are getting?
Our lives are full of aftermarket parts. Printer ink cartridges, car spare parts, machinery, iPhone cases etc...

Rate a seller by his/her honesty and his/her ethics.
To me as long as he/she stands by his/her products, is completely honest about it, refunds and accepts returns, he/she is a good seller. Of course I do not refer to people who blatantly sell fake golf clubs and then refunds when caught. (Just need to explain myself in case things gets out of context again)

Zing2006 made  a statement on the forum thread which left me a very deep impression. He said "You should apologize to everyone for selling fake stuff"
OMG, laugh my ass out!
You see, he sees a need for me to apologize to everyone! What?  is he going to cane me and smack my butt?!
I think it is ridiculous because I know I am in control. I have already told all of my buyers about the situation. Those who opted for a refund got a refund, those who were ok with it replied and told me "please go ahead and send". I knew what I was doing! I know for sure I did none of my buyers wrong. He simply assumed that I probably cheated all my buyers by telling them they were genuine? Just because he had a bad experience with your_custom_shop does not mean that I am of the same breed. Check my listing did I even claim they were GENUINE? I was very honest as above when asked, or after every auction ended, I made sure the buyer knew these were aftermarket.
LOL he even posted on the forum "I know some of you bought sleeves on the bst from her, have you returned them and gotten your refund?" What can I say? This guy is a little self-absorbed. Its like, my very regular customers already know because they received my email long ago?! Duh!?

OMG, I'm sorry I need to rant. It's only when I rant I can sleep and wake up and forget about it tomorrow.


Look, I don't know how is this saga going to affect my reputation, but I'm just going to be me.
People have grown to like me and continued to support me because of my great service and my honesty.
I have honestly stated my stand of aftermarket products. If you do not see eye to eye with me, that's fine. We are all entitled to our opinion.

I'm being honest, if Titleist did not pull my listing I would have probably continued to sell them as aftermarket. I would tell all my buyers before I ship and make sure that they are aware about it.
I will refund when I need to refund. That's my action plan all along. Well now that my listing is pulled...too bad. Everything happens for a reason.

I have been honest all along. I don't think I am a bad person, I really don't.
If I were a bad person, I would have received a lot of complaints by now...but what I have seen is a load of encouragement.

I will continue to be me.

Do I hate Zing2006? Honestly, no.
Sometimes especially in a forum, things can get a bit heated but you never know the real 'tone' of the other party. Misunderstandings are common place and I take it very lightly. All I wished, was that he would have handled this matter a little more privately in the first place.

I have had my fair share of 'forum disasters' so perhaps I am a little more experienced when dealing in matters like this. That is why when I found out about the fake supertri wood, you don't see me opening a forum thread that reads "FAKE FAKE FAKE, BEWARE!" LOL! (because I know there is a higher chance I'll get smacked rather than appreciated)
There is always the right time to go public and the right time to go private.


Tomorrow is another day and let's forget about it.

Take a look at this video and I'll smile again. He's so cute! Oh my I'm a cougar!!!