SP Tennis Opus

**bluecraze07** · 04-15-2009, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by leavelet

Keep us updated on this. It is common interest for all the locals who want to get a machine but are deterred by the punishing shipping cost.

I emailed them about this. The guy that works for Silent Partner at the Toronto office is very knowledgeable and prompt with email replies. However they do not allow local pick ups. I even offered to pay half of their shipping to go pick it up ($180 is total for shipping) and they still said no. I find it quite ridiculous that I have to pay so much money to get something shipped that is about ten minutes away from my house. Also at almost $4000, you still need to pay an extra $120 for the badminton kit. I don't know if this is such a good machine to purchase now. For that much, I can get the Victor C-7030 which I believe would be a lot better for badminton stringing.

**Danstevens** · 04-15-2009, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by bluecraze07

I emailed them about this. The guy that works for Silent Partner at the Toronto office is very knowledgeable and prompt with email replies. However they do not allow local pick ups. I even offered to pay half of their shipping to go pick it up ($180 is total for shipping) and they still said no. I find it quite ridiculous that I have to pay so much money to get something shipped that is about ten minutes away from my house. Also at almost $4000, you still need to pay an extra $120 for the badminton kit. I don't know if this is such a good machine to purchase now. For that much, I can get the Victor C-7030 which I believe would be a lot better for badminton stringing.

That's unbelievable. Surely picking up is doing them a favour too? Also $120 for the badminton kit is outrageous considering you're dropping a huge amount on the machine. It's not like you're just buying a cheapo one.

Is the Prince 6000 around that price point too? If it is, the machine looks great and Prince will give you lots of string to sweeten the deal further.

**bluecraze07** · 04-15-2009, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Danstevens

That's unbelievable. Surely picking up is doing them a favour too? Also $120 for the badminton kit is outrageous considering you're dropping a huge amount on the machine. It's not like you're just buying a cheapo one.

Is the Prince 6000 around that price point too? If it is, the machine looks great and Prince will give you lots of string to sweeten the deal further.

At that price point I would get the Victor C-7030 even though it's a badminton only machine. I wouldn't mind, I would actually prefer it, the mounting and supports would be ideal and the clamps would be better. If Silent Partner had the badminton kit included and allowed me to pick up, I would've went for that. They are losing out on almost $4000 worth of business because they are not allowing free pick up and including the badminton kit for free.

**Effusion** · 04-15-2009, 10:12 AM

what does the badminton kit include?

**Kelvin** · 04-15-2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by bluecraze07

I emailed them about this. The guy that works for Silent Partner at the Toronto office is very knowledgeable and prompt with email replies. However they do not allow local pick ups. I even offered to pay half of their shipping to go pick it up ($180 is total for shipping) and they still said no. I find it quite ridiculous that I have to pay so much money to get something shipped that is about ten minutes away from my house. Also at almost $4000, you still need to pay an extra $120 for the badminton kit. I don't know if this is such a good machine to purchase now. For that much, I can get the Victor C-7030 which I believe would be a lot better for badminton stringing.

Sorry to hear that BC7
Have you tried contacting Silent Partner in the states?
If you tell them the situation they might be willing to allow you to pick up from Toronto office.

See... if I purchased goods from YY Canada authorized dealer, and I know it would have to be special ordered, they (YY Canada) would always allow me to go pick it up directly from their head office.
Mind you I usually buy a few grand worth of equipment... but that's beside the point.
No shipping involved saves everyone paperwork.

I've also purchased treadmill and weight equipment for home before, and I was allowed to pick it up... and these things weigh close to 2000lbs combined. Save myself shipping cost, and pick it up, put it together myself.

I'm getting the feeling they make extra $$$ on the shipping.
Hence "no pickup"

If I were you I would just talk to the US head office, and see if you can get a deal worked out on shipping cost.

Deals can always be had... you just have to ask, and be willing to negotiate to get the best bang for your buck.

You can also let them know that other people are also interested.
If the deal is successful that could equal more sales for them...
Word of mouth advertising is a very powerful tool.
I would be surprised even further if they would not seize an opportunity to do business during these recessional times.
$2999 in the bank is better than $0
They are only sacrificing $180 for shipping cost.

Some businesses just puzzle me

**leavelet** · 04-15-2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by bluecraze07

I emailed them about this. The guy that works for Silent Partner at the Toronto office is very knowledgeable and prompt with email replies. However they do not allow local pick ups. I even offered to pay half of their shipping to go pick it up ($180 is total for shipping) and they still said no. I find it quite ridiculous that I have to pay so much money to get something shipped that is about ten minutes away from my house. Also at almost $4000, you still need to pay an extra $120 for the badminton kit. I don't know if this is such a good machine to purchase now. For that much, I can get the Victor C-7030 which I believe would be a lot better for badminton stringing.

More than often I am really puzzled and confused as to what has gone wrong in the head of these business people. Why must they hide behind the internet and won't face their customers. I look at their web site and don't seem to find their address or phone numbers anywhere. Even companies like Eagnas allows local pickup. At the end, what can I say, as their name suggests "Silent, partner". I am totally speechless.

**Kelvin** · 04-15-2009, 11:21 AM

Hey guys...

Found a thread on TT-Tenniswarehouse forums talking about a similar situation some time ago.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=232383

Still quite a bummer if you ask me...

**Danstevens** · 04-15-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Kelvin

Hey guys...

Found a thread on TT-Tenniswarehouse forums talking about a similar situation some time ago.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=232383

Still quite a bummer if you ask me...

OMG, I was just about to post that just now and you beat me to it

Still, I agree, it's not good at all. Even Eagnas let you pick up from the warehouse and look at their customer service record.

**Danstevens** · 04-15-2009, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Effusion

what does the badminton kit include?

Most likely the stuff needed to string badminton rackets

You're probably looking at some badminton fixed clamps and possibly some badminton specific mounting mechanism things/side supports.

Babolat do a similar thing to badminton stringers. You shell out over £3K for the Sensor and they want another £170 if you want to string badminton frames.

**leavelet** · 04-15-2009, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kelvin

Hey guys...

Found a thread on TT-Tenniswarehouse forums talking about a similar situation some time ago.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=232383

Still quite a bummer if you ask me...

I browse over those posts in this link and one post by ahmike dated Jan 6, 2009 explains why there is no more pickup:

"I just spoke to Steve at SP to get an explanation on why they no longer allow free pickups. It turns out he's a one man operation in the warehouse and answering phone calls is a top priority. As a result they have experienced thefts associated with local pickups due to lack of supervision when the phone rings.

Having said that, you would think that it wouldn't be too difficult for SP to develop some specific pickup/security procedures that would allow him to do both. They must be losing quite a few potential local customers (including myself) by offering no free pickup option. It makes no sense for me to have to fork out an extra 20% ($40) to have them ship a $200 SP Swing that is located only 15 min. away."

It is true that SP could miss quite a bit of business by frustrating local customers this way. Many warehouses have a pickup area. Through the door, you walk into a small room with nothing but three walls. Inside there is a door to the back of the warehouse and a window through which they can pass the boxes to the customers. Such a room is simple and inexpensive to build, a handy man can do it in a day. To save money, they don't even need to paint the drywall. Add to that, get a cordless phone with belt clip and a headset plugged in. Would that solve their big problems with the pickup???

**bluecraze07** · 04-15-2009, 04:37 PM

I've just about given up on getting Silent Partner. It is their loss not mine, getting the Victor C-7030 is around the same if not less. The only thing that Silent Partner had going for it to me was the possibility to pick it up locally. Not only can I not do that, but an extra $120 for the kit and $180 for shipping just made this machine a lot more expensive. I can use that $300 to get loads of strings which will earn me back money.

**leavelet** · 04-15-2009, 04:55 PM

I suggest sending SP one last final email to tell them You have decided to buy ONLY if you can pick it up, no shipping. Ask them "do they want the business, YES or No", period. If they have the gut to say no, congrad them and take the business elsewhere.

**bluecraze07** · 04-15-2009, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by leavelet

I suggest sending SP one last final email to tell them You have decided to buy ONLY if you can pick it up, no shipping. Ask them "do they want the business, YES or No", period. If they have the gut to say no, congrad them and take the business elsewhere.

I shall do that. However, I don't even know if I want to get this machine anymore. It's just too costly with tax and the badminton kit.

**bluecraze07** · 04-15-2009, 09:10 PM

Also the Opus is on a 2.5 month back order.

**leavelet** · 04-15-2009, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by bluecraze07

Also the Opus is on a 2.5 month back order.

It seems they have more business than they can handle. No wonder...

What can I say, they have the upper hand.

**bluecraze07** · 04-15-2009, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by leavelet

It seems they have more business than they can handle. No wonder...

What can I say, they have the upper hand.

I don't think they have THAT much business. Also, the customer should always have the upper hand. They should try in every case to satisfy the customer. Something like free pick up is better for both ends anyways. It's just stupidity to me.

**Danstevens** · 04-16-2009, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by bluecraze07

I don't think they have THAT much business. Also, the customer should always have the upper hand. They should try in every case to satisfy the customer. Something like free pick up is better for both ends anyways. It's just stupidity to me.

Yeah, they don't have to sort out shipping - you don't have to pay for shipping. IN theory at least, everybody wins but that's obviously not how SP see it.