How much damage can you do to a demo?

[marlinspike]

I have been demoing a bunch of racquets. My latest batch came directly from Donnay. While using the Pro One 97, I managed to scrape the top of the head, just below the brush guard, badly. It didn't just take off the paint, it actually ground down the frame material leaving a spot that you can feel is flat. Did I just buy myself a racquet?

On the plus side, this is by far my favorite and the racquet I will be buying. On the downside, buying direct from Donnay is overpriced and this is a 4 1/2 and I need a 4 5/8.

[r2473]

pffft.....you should see what I've done to racquets I've demoed through Tennis Warehouse.

[marlinspike]

I guess I just feel especially bad because Donnay sent me a brand new racquet as a demo, even still had the plastic on the grip (I called to make sure it wasn't a mistake). From the sounds of it, it's safe to assume I'm good here, so I can go ahead and order one in my grip size (well, the closest thing to it) with the string I like from TW.

[Gimmick]

So you are the people responsible for the destroyed demos I keep receiving. Santa's gonna hear about this.

[marlinspike]

Originally Posted by Gimmick

So you are the people responsible for the destroyed demos I keep receiving. Santa's gonna hear about this.

I like to think Santa considers intent and remorse. I really didn't mean to, it was just one of those things. I lost my balance mid-swing.

[Mike Bulgakov]

[marlinspike]

LOL, makes it look like I didn't do anything at all:

[Rock Strongo]

Let me guess, indoors, carpet?

Carpet can do some nasty stuff both to your skin and your racquet. I once sanded down the butt cap and the grip after losing my footing on carpet. And many many skin burns from pretending to be Boris...

Anyway, as long as you didn't smash it to pieces I don't see a reason why it wouldn't be able to be returned.

[marlinspike]

Originally Posted by Rock Strongo

Let me guess, indoors, carpet?

Carpet can do some nasty stuff both to your skin and your racquet. I once sanded down the butt cap and the grip after losing my footing on carpet. And many many skin burns from pretending to be Boris...

Anyway, as long as you didn't smash it to pieces I don't see a reason why it wouldn't be able to be returned.

Outdoor hardcourt actually, whatever those are, asphalt I guess?

[tennis_balla]

Carpet doesn't do any damage to your rackets. Hardcourts however...

That's a bad 'scratch'. How the hell did you do that? Not to be a d*ck here, but I don't think they'll be thrilled seeing that come back to them as they will not be able to demo it out further.

[Steady Eddy]

I saw a guy break a racquet in half while demo-ing it. He was running for a low ball and he stepped on the frame. It made a loud CRACK! and there was the broken racquet on the court.

He offered to pay the pro wholesale price, but the pro didn't charge him. (I think they don't want people to know just how much of a margin there is on those racquets). The racquet probably only cost $10 to manufacture. The company knows that it a 'cost of doing business'. I bet you don't get charged.

[tennis_balla]

Originally Posted by Steady Eddy

I saw a guy break a racquet in half while demo-ing it. He was running for a low ball and he stepped on the frame. It made a loud CRACK! and there was the broken racquet on the court.

He offered to pay the pro wholesale price, but the pro didn't charge him. (I think they don't want people to know just how much of a margin there is on those racquets). The racquet probably only cost $10 to manufacture. The company knows that it a 'cost of doing business'. I bet you don't get charged.

About 40%. Store buys frame for $140 roughly and sells for $220.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by tennis_balla

About 40%. Store buys frame for $140 roughly and sells for $220.

Not sure I understand this response...
When I lived in Boca, I was close to the Tennis shop owner, very popular in the area.
He mentioned that he's getting the frames for $70-90 cost. He was selling them brand new for ~$139. $149 strung

[tennis_balla]

Originally Posted by dr325i

Not sure I understand this response...
When I lived in Boca, I was close to the Tennis shop owner, very popular in the area.
He mentioned that he's getting the frames for $70-90 cost. He was selling them brand new for ~$139. $149 strung

That's because you're thinking like an American in American dollars DR
Wholesale price on Yonex rackets in Canada was around $130 or so, depending on the frame. I believe it was $130 for the RDiS 100 Mid, and my friend would sell them for around $220 which is the normal going rate for players rackets. I should of mentioned it wasn't US prices.

Markup is roughly 40%.

[marlinspike]

Well, that sounds about right then - a $139 frame he gets for 70-90, so a $220 frame the store prob gets for $140.