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Author Topic: Is Elite Phasing Out?  (Read 22091 times)

briandking1906

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Is Elite Phasing Out?
« on: October 16, 2014, 10:23:17 AM »
Is anyone aware of Elite working on any new products?  At one time I was told that they were testing some stuff in or around August, but have not heard or seen anything since. 

Not necessarily stating that they have to release new equipment just for the hell of it (keeping up with other companies), but just wanted to know if they are actually still active or in the process of phasing out.

Thanks
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Seismic Evo Hybrid, Seismic Tracer, Seismic Solaris Platinum, 900 Global Black Ops, Seismic Solaris TSE, Elite Espionage

 

Bowler19525

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2014, 03:29:55 PM »
I hope they stick around for a little while.  I am in the process of finally having some of my Elite stuff drilled after sitting on it for several months.  First up for me is the Treason, and then will be followed by the Echo.  I wish I would have been able to grab a Traitor just so I could have a complete set!

Strapper_Squared

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2014, 05:36:55 PM »
Where they ever "in"?  :-)

I had thrown some of their early stuff...green alien, a few of the PBA balls, black label.  I thought they performed OK...  but nothing above and beyond others. 

 
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charlest

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2014, 07:56:39 PM »
Where they ever "in"?  :-)

I had thrown some of their early stuff...green alien, a few of the PBA balls, black label.  I thought they performed OK...  but nothing above and beyond others. 

 

Those were the Brunswick combos of core and coverstocks that Brunswick never used.

There are more than a few made by 900Gobal and overseas that are better than excellent - my candidates are the Echo for medium-light to medium and the Espionage for medium to medium-heavy. Juggernaut has documented use of this duo in far greater detail than I have. These can compete with any balls made by any other company for these oil conditions, as long as you don't have 20 mph ball speed and 150 rpms.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

EL3MCNEIL

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2014, 08:42:51 PM »
I didn't know that they used to use old Brunswick stuff. That's actually quite interesting. I think what the problem with them is their prior price points and them not having a following such as Lane #1 had with their equipment. I've seen people throwing Elite balls only few and far between, but the people who I've seen with them have never complained and said nothing but good things about them. I think that the "general" bowling community just doesn't know enough about them and if they do the price might turn them away.
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EL3MCNEIL

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2014, 08:45:38 PM »
I didn't know that they used to use old Brunswick stuff. That's actually quite interesting. I think what the problem with them is their prior price points and them not having a following such as Lane #1 had with their equipment. I've seen people throwing Elite balls only few and far between, but the people who I've seen with them have never complained and said nothing but good things about them. I think that the "general" bowling community just doesn't know enough about them and if they do the price might turn them away.

Bowlers Paradise does have a sale on all Elite equipment on their website so if they are phasing out seems like a good time to try their stuff before they are gone I guess.
"Nothing is real, everything is permitted"
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xrayjay

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2014, 12:15:29 AM »
I've seen the black label still being used. And a friend up northwest still uses the gold label that i sold him....
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Gizmo823

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2014, 07:29:34 AM »
Elite is the biggest marketing ploy and cash grab on the market by a long shot.  They are recycling old technology and hyping it way beyond what it's worth.  It's not new, it's not better, and it's certainly not worth what they're charging for it, but people want to be suckers I guess.  If Elite really was what they say they were, they would be a mainstream brand by now, but they're not, and they're purposely staying small to avoid being exposed.  Maybe it pisses me off than anybody else, but I'm sick of having to explain hype away or pull the curtain back to all these amped up customers that come in trying to talk it up and asking why I don't carry it.  I really can't believe people can't see through marketing, I just can't. 
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RadioActive

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2014, 09:41:09 AM »
As far as I know they are not phasing out, just getting ready for new products. The person to ask is itsallaboutme and I'm kinda suprised that he hasn't posted about this.

charlest

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2014, 09:42:14 AM »
Elite is the biggest marketing ploy and cash grab on the market by a long shot.  They are recycling old technology and hyping it way beyond what it's worth.  It's not new, it's not better, and it's certainly not worth what they're charging for it, but people want to be suckers I guess.  If Elite really was what they say they were, they would be a mainstream brand by now, but they're not, and they're purposely staying small to avoid being exposed.  Maybe it pisses me off than anybody else, but I'm sick of having to explain hype away or pull the curtain back to all these amped up customers that come in trying to talk it up and asking why I don't carry it.  I really can't believe people can't see through marketing, I just can't. 

Sorry, Gizmo, That might have been true 8 - 10 years ago when they started by using different combos of Brunswick cores and coverstock, but it's no longer true. Their price structure ranges from $80 - $130 in general, matching most manufacturers these days. Their balls, as far as I have thrown them (Echo, Espionage, Draco), can be very good to excellent, matching anyone's out there, as I said before. Their marketing, right now, is very little different than anyone else's, with actually considerably less BS.

And, no, I'm not on staff, I don't get balls for free; I don't even get discounts.
They're just another company that needs a fair shake.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2014, 09:45:13 AM by charlest »
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Gizmo823

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2014, 12:32:36 PM »
Fair enough, I really haven't paid much attention to them recently.  When they first started up and were charging $300 bucks for old technology, I turned the other way and haven't given them another look.  The stigma from the early days has stuck though, that somehow it's better equipment than the other companies can make, or it's secret or special or not everyone can get it or something.  Everybody that comes in harping about Elite says the same thing, they've got connections, or they got a huge discount, or the technology is specialized or ahead of it's time, or some random idiotic drivel.  They make bowling balls like a couple dozen other companies, all that's different is the marketing.  If people like the equipment, cool, I've got no problem with that.  It's the cult following of some of these brands that really gets me. 

Elite is the biggest marketing ploy and cash grab on the market by a long shot.  They are recycling old technology and hyping it way beyond what it's worth.  It's not new, it's not better, and it's certainly not worth what they're charging for it, but people want to be suckers I guess.  If Elite really was what they say they were, they would be a mainstream brand by now, but they're not, and they're purposely staying small to avoid being exposed.  Maybe it pisses me off than anybody else, but I'm sick of having to explain hype away or pull the curtain back to all these amped up customers that come in trying to talk it up and asking why I don't carry it.  I really can't believe people can't see through marketing, I just can't. 

Sorry, Gizmo, That might have been true 8 - 10 years ago when they started by using different combos of Brunswick cores and coverstock, but it's no longer true. Their price structure ranges from $80 - $130 in general, matching most manufacturers these days. Their balls, as far as I have thrown them (Echo, Espionage, Draco), can be very good to excellent, matching anyone's out there, as I said before. Their marketing, right now, is very little different than anyone else's, with actually considerably less BS.

And, no, I'm not on staff, I don't get balls for free; I don't even get discounts.
They're just another company that needs a fair shake.
What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?

itsallaboutme

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2014, 12:49:27 PM »
If you knew how much money was made selling Aliens at $300 you wouldn't question it.

I don't understand why someone that runs a pro shop would feel negatively to higher priced products.  Makes no sense.  Think like a businessman and not like a consumer.

In the end they are all just bowling balls.

Gizmo823

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2014, 02:44:49 PM »
Touche.  I'd also rather do honest business than make a buck off a sucker.  I'd rather tell them the real reason it costs $300 than to tell them it's just because it's better than anything else out there.  I'm not saying that higher prices and honesty can't co-exist, I just don't want to feed the hype machine and have people go out to ultimately be disappointed and feel like I scammed them. 

Your last statement is exactly what I'm saying, they're all just bowling balls.  If the production costs are higher, that's what I tell them.  If they still want the ball, that's great, I'll sell it to them, I just want them to know the whole story.  I don't discuss specifics or divulge our actual cost or distributor pricing, but I think it would be insulting someone's intelligence to act like we don't charge more for something that costs us more. 

If you knew how much money was made selling Aliens at $300 you wouldn't question it.

I don't understand why someone that runs a pro shop would feel negatively to higher priced products.  Makes no sense.  Think like a businessman and not like a consumer.

In the end they are all just bowling balls.
What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?

milorafferty

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #13 on: October 20, 2014, 02:47:14 PM »
Touche.  I'd also rather do honest business than make a buck off a sucker.  I'd rather tell them the real reason it costs $300 than to tell them it's just because it's better than anything else out there.  I'm not saying that higher prices and honesty can't co-exist, I just don't want to feed the hype machine and have people go out to ultimately be disappointed and feel like I scammed them. 

Your last statement is exactly what I'm saying, they're all just bowling balls.  If the production costs are higher, that's what I tell them.  If they still want the ball, that's great, I'll sell it to them, I just want them to know the whole story.  I don't discuss specifics or divulge our actual cost or distributor pricing, but I think it would be insulting someone's intelligence to act like we don't charge more for something that costs us more. 

If you knew how much money was made selling Aliens at $300 you wouldn't question it.

I don't understand why someone that runs a pro shop would feel negatively to higher priced products.  Makes no sense.  Think like a businessman and not like a consumer.

In the end they are all just bowling balls.

I know a couple of guys who claim that the Red Alien was the best ball ever made. They had no issues paying for them.
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itsallaboutme

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Re: Is Elite Phasing Out?
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2014, 03:01:16 PM »
High load parti……er……additive.  Who da thunk it?