BallReviews

Equipment Boards => Other => Topic started by: billdozer on April 08, 2018, 10:38:35 AM

Title: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on April 08, 2018, 10:38:35 AM
Haven't seen any cores, or any info. It looks based on information I saw to be an EBI product.

My only issue is theyre all the same color. They all look like loaded revolvers/more cash....blue and purple-y. 

For that reason alone I don't see em selling. Too many bowlers go for shelf appeal....plain and simple.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: lilpossum1 on April 08, 2018, 11:50:59 AM
I may just buy all 3 when they come out. Looks like 3 good balls to start my real lefty arsenal with
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: SVstar34 on April 08, 2018, 12:10:47 PM
I personally like the colors. I'm not a big fan of the logo but it's an interesting concept. I might be interested in trying one or two
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on April 08, 2018, 12:41:22 PM
I may just buy all 3 when they come out. Looks like 3 good balls to start my real lefty arsenal with

I do like a simplified approach to Arsenal's, but I've learned the hard way to not get attached to smaller companies..

I used to love Azo...soon after u was hooked they went under. When it was storm produced they had relevant covers and cores being used. The last go around was with 900...their high end stuff like the cheater was weaksauce.  I totally get it...why make a better product for Azo than your own balls at 900g but dang.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: DP3 on April 08, 2018, 01:33:42 PM
AZO Outbreak Pearl is a monster. Those Cheater balls especially the Hybrid were great performers.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: lilpossum1 on April 08, 2018, 01:35:27 PM
I wont get too attached, but I am all for trying to help a business get started. I am a little concerned about their approach to releasing future bowling balls, however. The way I understand it, they are going to spend the R&D to develop X number of bowling balls, which for this discussion, I will say 3 as that is a good number. Possibly just 2 for a company starting up, but I am going with 3 anyway since they are releasing 3 to start out. anyway, after they develop these, they produce a sample of each ball and make a video. then they open up a vote via "pre ordering" the balls. The winning ball goes into full production while the others are only produced in the pre ordered quantity if the person decides they still want the ball. To me, and it isnt my business nor is it my call, this seems like a lot of R&D down the drain. To design a ball that meets your expectations through what i am assuming is a fair bit of trial and error, only to not mass produce it and get your money back... that seems like a loss of resources.

Also, a majority of bowlers do not understand ball motion. They want the biggest hooking oil monster or the biggest backending ball they can find. these bowlers probably wouldnt be the ones voting, but it still could influence the vote. I mean, who wants a nice middle to low end control piece over something else?
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: SVstar34 on April 08, 2018, 01:52:56 PM
who wants a nice middle to low end control piece over something else?

That's all I use for leagues unless we get lucky. Original Blue Vibe is still my favorite ball of all time
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: lilpossum1 on April 08, 2018, 02:36:38 PM
who wants a nice middle to low end control piece over something else?

That's all I use for leagues unless we get lucky. Original Blue Vibe is still my favorite ball of all time

I meant among the general bowling population lol. I'm putting serious thought into my arsenal and what I actually need based on what I see. That exact motion is my first choice. Leaning towards an INK
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: charlest on April 08, 2018, 04:00:01 PM
Any of you care to point us towards a web site that might us an inkling of what you all are chatting about?
(not the "Ink", but the Worxshop
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: lilpossum1 on April 08, 2018, 04:21:26 PM
http://worxshopbowling.com

Quick Google search came up with this site. Also a Facebook page
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: charlest on April 08, 2018, 04:39:34 PM
http://worxshopbowling.com

Quick Google search came up with this site. Also a Facebook page

Of course when I put in "Worxshop bowling", bupkis came up. Thanks.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: fredmassie on April 08, 2018, 04:45:46 PM
I have checked out their website, and the three balls they present seem pretty straight forward to me. I may try them out?
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Aloarjr810 on April 08, 2018, 04:46:55 PM
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: AlonzoHarris on April 08, 2018, 06:01:33 PM
I like the effort! Not sure if I'll purchase one or atleast at the moment, but we'll see.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: lilpossum1 on April 08, 2018, 10:21:39 PM
http://worxshopbowling.com

Quick Google search came up with this site. Also a Facebook page

Of course when I put in "Worxshop bowling", bupkis came up. Thanks.

Lol! Odd how it worked for me and not you. I figured you had already done that. It left me flummoxed
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on April 09, 2018, 02:35:13 AM

I like the thought behind it! I shoulda started by with this video...
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Luke Rosdahl on April 09, 2018, 08:05:26 AM
Ugh, #doomed.  I once had a customer come in and ask me if they made a ball that got down the lane easy like plastic but had a backend reaction like resin.  That's a no.  Also, let's not focus on cover, which is the most important part of the ball, let's focus on the core, which isn't.  A ball with a great core and a bad cover will be a bad ball, a ball with a great cover and a bad core will still be an average to good ball.  For example: R2S variants have been around for a decade and it's been on a couple hundred different cores.  The only core that's stuck around for any length of time (aside from variations of the lightbulb core which EVERYBODY uses) is the Gas Mask.  We don't need another ball company, there will be no revolution, at least not in this instance. 
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Luke Rosdahl on April 09, 2018, 08:11:17 AM
This was just uploaded a bit ago.  Looks like a GB2 Phenom. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZyFuzXXBIg
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: themagician on April 09, 2018, 08:34:22 AM
Paul Ridenour that is running the company has a long history with USBC ball testing, and a close relationship with Mo Pinel, very intelligent person. Be interesting if they can become any more than a niche company, doesn't seem like a lot of room for new companies in my opinion. Storm has been consistently putting out great equipment, EBI and Motiv have gotten much better again, and due to a strong staff and regional rep Big B is showing up on racks again in my area.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Luke Rosdahl on April 09, 2018, 08:38:38 AM
Oooooohhhhh, I didn't know that was Ridenour.  Might retract my statements then.  I'm not a fan of the marketing, so I'm still on the fence, but I didn't realize that's who was running it.  Equipment should be good at least.  Marketing is crucial though, especially in a consumer market where what the ball looks like and what the name is are the two most important things, and I'm not seeing anything really competitive here. 

Paul Ridenour that is running the company has a long history with USBC ball testing, and a close relationship with Mo Pinel, very intelligent person. Be interesting if they can become any more than a niche company, doesn't seem like a lot of room for new companies in my opinion. Storm has been consistently putting out great equipment, EBI and Motiv have gotten much better again, and due to a strong staff and regional rep Big B is showing up on racks again in my area.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: itsallaboutme on April 09, 2018, 08:53:54 AM
Since they are counting on other people's money, I'm gonna predict Worxshop doesn't get past the test balls they've already had made.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on April 09, 2018, 09:44:37 AM
Since they are counting on other people's money, I'm gonna predict Worxshop doesn't get past the test balls they've already had made.

Yeah I saw it wasn't doing so hot $ wise. But they are announcing balls like this week
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: itsallaboutme on April 09, 2018, 09:54:07 AM
If I read through the information correctly they are starting to take orders, then the "winner" will go into production.

Basically trying to start a ball company with no risk. 
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on April 09, 2018, 10:01:10 AM
Gotcha. I didn't understand it fully. Makes sense and that would be the only way I'd go into it as well....

If lane #1 can't sell equipment.... probably no one can at this point in the bowling world..
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Impending Doom on April 09, 2018, 10:03:51 AM
Ugh, #doomed.  I once had a customer come in and ask me if they made a ball that got down the lane easy like plastic but had a backend reaction like resin.  That's a no.  Also, let's not focus on cover, which is the most important part of the ball, let's focus on the core, which isn't.  A ball with a great core and a bad cover will be a bad ball, a ball with a great cover and a bad core will still be an average to good ball.  For example: R2S variants have been around for a decade and it's been on a couple hundred different cores.  The only core that's stuck around for any length of time (aside from variations of the lightbulb core which EVERYBODY uses) is the Gas Mask.  We don't need another ball company, there will be no revolution, at least not in this instance. 

Break core. Late 07

Sorry bro, I had to. :)
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Luke Rosdahl on April 09, 2018, 10:13:19 AM
Lol nobody remembers that core . .

Ugh, #doomed.  I once had a customer come in and ask me if they made a ball that got down the lane easy like plastic but had a backend reaction like resin.  That's a no.  Also, let's not focus on cover, which is the most important part of the ball, let's focus on the core, which isn't.  A ball with a great core and a bad cover will be a bad ball, a ball with a great cover and a bad core will still be an average to good ball.  For example: R2S variants have been around for a decade and it's been on a couple hundred different cores.  The only core that's stuck around for any length of time (aside from variations of the lightbulb core which EVERYBODY uses) is the Gas Mask.  We don't need another ball company, there will be no revolution, at least not in this instance. 

Break core. Late 07

Sorry bro, I had to. :)
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Luke Rosdahl on April 09, 2018, 10:27:58 AM
Lane 1's marketing went straight south when Brunswick stopped pouring their covers.  Actually had a cool thing going until that split, then they went straight downhill.  Storm is big as they are based more on their marketing than ball performance in my opinion.  Yeah they've got super solid equipment, but name me another major company that isn't making great stuff right now.  Ebonite's marketing depresses me, Columbia's confuses me, Track's is completely soulless, Hammer's is actually decent to pretty good.  Brunswick's crown thing is cheesy, Radical's is just . . no . .  DV8 tries to be like pissy rich white kid from suburbia hard, nobody is impressed . .  There for a while Storm forgot to be fun or tried to take themselves too seriously, and I'm less of a fan of Roto's marketing but the Storm influence is strong enough there that it works. 

I wish to everything holy they'd release some of the super cool overseas stuff here, that's what everybody wants, we get the predictable cookie cutter nonsense.  The cookie is pretty good, but when everybody drools over the overseas stuff, and the stateside stuff is like "oh, well . . ok I guess," aside from the occasional ball like the Son!Q, I want to claw my eyes out.  Maybe I just have grass is greener syndrome, but GOT DAYUM that Phaze/G, IQ Tour Rising, IQ Tour Supreme, Timeless SE (even if it sucks it looks heckin cool), Intense Focus . . like it's just not fair. 

Gotcha. I didn't understand it fully. Makes sense and that would be the only way I'd go into it as well....

If lane #1 can't sell equipment.... probably no one can at this point in the bowling world..
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Impending Doom on April 09, 2018, 10:29:41 AM
Lol nobody remembers that core . .

Ugh, #doomed.  I once had a customer come in and ask me if they made a ball that got down the lane easy like plastic but had a backend reaction like resin.  That's a no.  Also, let's not focus on cover, which is the most important part of the ball, let's focus on the core, which isn't.  A ball with a great core and a bad cover will be a bad ball, a ball with a great cover and a bad core will still be an average to good ball.  For example: R2S variants have been around for a decade and it's been on a couple hundred different cores.  The only core that's stuck around for any length of time (aside from variations of the lightbulb core which EVERYBODY uses) is the Gas Mask.  We don't need another ball company, there will be no revolution, at least not in this instance. 

Break core. Late 07

Sorry bro, I had to. :)

Oh, I see. You wanna throw elbows this morning.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: tkkshop on April 09, 2018, 10:55:57 AM
Ugh, #doomed.  I once had a customer come in and ask me if they made a ball that got down the lane easy like plastic but had a backend reaction like resin.  That's a no.  Also, let's not focus on cover, which is the most important part of the ball, let's focus on the core, which isn't.  A ball with a great core and a bad cover will be a bad ball, a ball with a great cover and a bad core will still be an average to good ball.  For example: R2S variants have been around for a decade and it's been on a couple hundred different cores.  The only core that's stuck around for any length of time (aside from variations of the lightbulb core which EVERYBODY uses) is the Gas Mask.  We don't need another ball company, there will be no revolution, at least not in this instance. 

Break core. Late 07

Sorry bro, I had to. :)
gear core V1 for Motiv in the Venom Shock and the Sigma core in the Forza SS. Gear and Sigma cores both came out in 2009 (2 of their very first cores). The Gear core hasn't been used in a ball not named the VS since the Panic a few years ago. The Sigma core was used in the Sigma Tour and Sigma Sting which are both said to be great balls (I have both and they are). The SS is looked at as a good ball. That proves Luke's point. Ok cover with a great core isn't a great ball. Cover seems to be the dictator in whether a ball is good or great.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: bowler001 on April 09, 2018, 01:28:24 PM
A ball company selling straight to the consumer and not through wholesale will not see much, if any, pro shop support. This will make it hard to be successful. Period.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: DP3 on April 09, 2018, 02:33:14 PM
I hope people realize that if they were to pledge to a pre-order before the manufacturing process that they could be waiting up to 6 months or so to get the said balls depending on the manufacturing schedule of the company that they are white-labeling balls from. With overseas demand at an all time high there's a ton of balls in every manufacturers production schedule that needs to be fulfilled.

I don't mean to be a pessimist, but but in today's "now economy", this type of business model doesn't seem like it has legs for longevity, but I do see bigger companies that can lose money up front to earn brand loyalty maybe making custom batch balls like Nike does with NikeID. I pitched this idea to Chad Murphy once at a demo day like ten years ago and he looked at me like I told him 2+2=7.

If a company had say 3 covers to choose from and 3 cores to start, with 8 colors or so and the ability to go solid 1 color or 2 colors for an additional fee. You would get a lot of people who had deep enough pokets that would pay for a $400-500 custom performance ball that was USBC certified. Add 2-4 weeks for delivery and you have the Nike ID model in full effect.

It is cool to see a company with progressive ideas but Worxshop seems like they need a lot of funding in order to even get the ball rolling, then will have to deal with a lot of money returned to those who pre-ordered a release that didn't get picked in voting.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on April 13, 2018, 07:21:53 AM
Bill, Thanks for noticing and talking about WorXshop Bowling.  As the Co-Owner of WorXshop, I can answer any questions that you or anyone has.  Core pics are forthcoming.

Yes, all three balls have royal purple as the primary color and then a different minor color depending on what choice you choose. 

This business model has been used successfully in other industries, I flipped it a little and decided to invest in it.  Look forward to the questions!

Paul
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on April 13, 2018, 07:31:06 AM
I wont get too attached, but I am all for trying to help a business get started. I am a little concerned about their approach to releasing future bowling balls, however. The way I understand it, they are going to spend the R&D to develop X number of bowling balls, which for this discussion, I will say 3 as that is a good number. Possibly just 2 for a company starting up, but I am going with 3 anyway since they are releasing 3 to start out. anyway, after they develop these, they produce a sample of each ball and make a video. then they open up a vote via "pre ordering" the balls. The winning ball goes into full production while the others are only produced in the pre ordered quantity if the person decides they still want the ball. To me, and it isnt my business nor is it my call, this seems like a lot of R&D down the drain. To design a ball that meets your expectations through what i am assuming is a fair bit of trial and error, only to not mass produce it and get your money back... that seems like a loss of resources.

Also, a majority of bowlers do not understand ball motion. They want the biggest hooking oil monster or the biggest backending ball they can find. these bowlers probably wouldnt be the ones voting, but it still could influence the vote. I mean, who wants a nice middle to low end control piece over something else?

Thanks for the feedback, I have a significant background in R&D so in reality, I'm just wasting my time if it doesn't work out.  Like you, I am concerned that people will just choose the strongest ball option, however through initial testing my testers actually prefer our Classic option, Failsafe by a ton.  The angular choice, Pop!, is probably the strongest symmetrical pearl ball on the market today. 

The model is that the ball with the highest amount of pre-orders gets made, however if a choice shows significant numbers, I might make that one as well.  Once the production runs are done, then it will take 6-8 weeks for you to get the ball.  Right now, I think the buying period will close in early June, but its too soon to say.  All balls will be approved for USBC use. 

But let's say your choice isn't chosen as a ball that goes into production, you have three options: 1) A full refund, 2) A future WorXshop Bowling cycle choice, or 3) A ball that will be made in that current cycle.

Paul
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on April 13, 2018, 07:40:48 AM
Oooooohhhhh, I didn't know that was Ridenour.  Might retract my statements then.  I'm not a fan of the marketing, so I'm still on the fence, but I didn't realize that's who was running it.  Equipment should be good at least.  Marketing is crucial though, especially in a consumer market where what the ball looks like and what the name is are the two most important things, and I'm not seeing anything really competitive here. 

Paul Ridenour that is running the company has a long history with USBC ball testing, and a close relationship with Mo Pinel, very intelligent person. Be interesting if they can become any more than a niche company, doesn't seem like a lot of room for new companies in my opinion. Storm has been consistently putting out great equipment, EBI and Motiv have gotten much better again, and due to a strong staff and regional rep Big B is showing up on racks again in my area.

Yup.  It's me doing WorXshop Bowling.  I totally agree that marketing is important, and that's why I put my wife in charge of it.  She's a marketing professional and amazing at it.

I honestly hope that WorXshop moves from a niche company to an interesting concept company, however I'm not trying to compete with the Storm, Brunswick, and EBIs of the world. We are exactly who we say we are a crowd-sourced, limited edition bowling ball company with a lot of know-how and a little sass.   
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: DP3 on April 13, 2018, 11:02:41 AM
I've been on BR since 2000 and PurduePaul has been a reputable contributor here for as long as I remember. Best of luck with your venture.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on April 13, 2018, 11:54:00 AM
I've been on BR since 2000 and PurduePaul has been a reputable contributor here for as long as I remember. Best of luck with your venture.

Yes I remember the name! How awesome!

It's much better hearing from the source!
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on April 13, 2018, 12:03:57 PM
Yup I’ve been a member of BR since 2002, worked at the USBC from 2006-2009, and am all around pretty swell.  Wanted to do something different in the industry and make great products for league bowlers.

Paul
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on April 13, 2018, 02:03:00 PM
Yup I’ve been a member of BR since 2002, worked at the USBC from 2006-2009, and am all around pretty swell.  Wanted to do something different in the industry and make great products for league bowlers.

Paul

I'm Purdue alumi too, Boiler up!!!!
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: MI 2 AZ on April 14, 2018, 01:23:43 AM
I remember the user Purduepaul.  I lurked here for a year or two before registering in 2002.  One of those I held in high regard when he was posting.  Wonder if he was posting on the old a.s.b. or whatever it was called back then? 
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on April 14, 2018, 09:01:07 AM
No, I think I started right after the switch, but then again it was only sixteen years ago.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: MI 2 AZ on April 15, 2018, 12:57:49 AM
I meant that some of the early posters here also had been or were posting on the newsgroup alt.sport.bowling (a.s.b) and as that became less popular, more moved here or onto the pba or bowl.com forums.  I was wondering if you were one of the posters on that newsgroup?
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: charlest on April 15, 2018, 01:27:01 AM
I meant that some of the early posters here also had been or were posting on the newsgroup alt.sport.bowling (a.s.b) and as that became less popular, more moved here or onto the pba or bowl.com forums.  I was wondering if you were one of the posters on that newsgroup?

Gee, Gary, you had to bring up ancient history?? :)
I think I started in ASB in 1995 when I returned to bowling.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on April 15, 2018, 12:37:15 PM
Oh no worries, the web store releases today at 2pm.  We will also be on Facebook live then showing off the balls and some of the motion.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on April 16, 2018, 09:22:13 AM
The web store is now up and running at worxshopbowling.com!
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: earlyrolling on July 18, 2018, 07:59:08 PM
The 3 balls available are listed here:
https://worxshop-bowling.myshopify.com/

Videos of ball motion for all 3 balls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7tKXIyWeuc

Failsafe Video Ball Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os7hecxODeA
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: BowlingForDonuts on July 19, 2018, 12:02:39 PM
Lane 1's marketing went straight south when Brunswick stopped pouring their covers.  Actually had a cool thing going until that split, then they went straight downhill.  Storm is big as they are based more on their marketing than ball performance in my opinion.  Yeah they've got super solid equipment, but name me another major company that isn't making great stuff right now.  Ebonite's marketing depresses me, Columbia's confuses me, Track's is completely soulless, Hammer's is actually decent to pretty good.  Brunswick's crown thing is cheesy, Radical's is just . . no . .  DV8 tries to be like pissy rich white kid from suburbia hard, nobody is impressed . .  There for a while Storm forgot to be fun or tried to take themselves too seriously, and I'm less of a fan of Roto's marketing but the Storm influence is strong enough there that it works. 

I wish to everything holy they'd release some of the super cool overseas stuff here, that's what everybody wants, we get the predictable cookie cutter nonsense.  The cookie is pretty good, but when everybody drools over the overseas stuff, and the stateside stuff is like "oh, well . . ok I guess," aside from the occasional ball like the Son!Q, I want to claw my eyes out.  Maybe I just have grass is greener syndrome, but GOT DAYUM that Phaze/G, IQ Tour Rising, IQ Tour Supreme, Timeless SE (even if it sucks it looks heckin cool), Intense Focus . . like it's just not fair. 

Gotcha. I didn't understand it fully. Makes sense and that would be the only way I'd go into it as well....

If lane #1 can't sell equipment.... probably no one can at this point in the bowling world..

Didn't see this post before (sorry for necro action).  This is why Luke is one of the few staffers I pay any attention to.  +1 big clap for being a bowler first and marketer second.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on July 19, 2018, 12:18:56 PM
We are doing alright so far.  Lane side reviews posted two of their reviews on our stuff yesterday and one more will come out today.  In addition, the August bowlers journal will feature their reviews on our stuff as well.  We will be running demos in the Midwest starting soon.  Announcing our first two this week.

Paul
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: JPbowling151 on July 19, 2018, 12:48:05 PM
Lane 1's marketing went straight south when Brunswick stopped pouring their covers.  Actually had a cool thing going until that split, then they went straight downhill.  Storm is big as they are based more on their marketing than ball performance in my opinion.  Yeah they've got super solid equipment, but name me another major company that isn't making great stuff right now.  Ebonite's marketing depresses me, Columbia's confuses me, Track's is completely soulless, Hammer's is actually decent to pretty good.  Brunswick's crown thing is cheesy, Radical's is just . . no . .  DV8 tries to be like pissy rich white kid from suburbia hard, nobody is impressed . .  There for a while Storm forgot to be fun or tried to take themselves too seriously, and I'm less of a fan of Roto's marketing but the Storm influence is strong enough there that it works. 

I wish to everything holy they'd release some of the super cool overseas stuff here, that's what everybody wants, we get the predictable cookie cutter nonsense.  The cookie is pretty good, but when everybody drools over the overseas stuff, and the stateside stuff is like "oh, well . . ok I guess," aside from the occasional ball like the Son!Q, I want to claw my eyes out.  Maybe I just have grass is greener syndrome, but GOT DAYUM that Phaze/G, IQ Tour Rising, IQ Tour Supreme, Timeless SE (even if it sucks it looks heckin cool), Intense Focus . . like it's just not fair. 

Gotcha. I didn't understand it fully. Makes sense and that would be the only way I'd go into it as well....

If lane #1 can't sell equipment.... probably no one can at this point in the bowling world..

Didn't see this post before (sorry for necro action).  This is why Luke is one of the few staffers I pay any attention to.  +1 big clap for being a bowler first and marketer second.

Luke is great...I'd like to know why Radical's marketing is just...no. The cartoons are pretty cool, no? lol
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: BowlingForDonuts on July 19, 2018, 05:07:27 PM
We are doing alright so far.  Lane side reviews posted two of their reviews on our stuff yesterday and one more will come out today.  In addition, the August bowlers journal will feature their reviews on our stuff as well.  We will be running demos in the Midwest starting soon.  Announcing our first two this week.

Paul

May you be around a long time and prosper (and will keep you in mind next time I am in market).  Have a strong feeling Visionary one my favs isn't long for this world so sure do like seeing bowling companies open a lot more than I do close.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: milorafferty on July 19, 2018, 05:21:18 PM
If you want someone here that gives good(honest, not marketing hype) reviews contact the Average Joe guy. He gives an informative write-up, almost always has a video and gives an honest opinion.

He doesn't seem to be aligned with any specific company, so if you have confidence in your product, perhaps send him a ball or two to review. I see his reviews on more than just this site, so it would be an inexpensive way to get word out.

Full Disclaimer; no, I don't know the guy personally, it's not an alias for me or anyone I know. Just a suggestion from someone who has confidence in the guys reviews.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Impending Doom on July 20, 2018, 08:17:31 AM
If you want someone here that gives good(honest, not marketing hype) reviews contact the Average Joe guy. He gives an informative write-up, almost always has a video and gives an honest opinion.

He doesn't seem to be aligned with any specific company, so if you have confidence in your product, perhaps send him a ball or two to review. I see his reviews on more than just this site, so it would be an inexpensive way to get word out.

Full Disclaimer; no, I don't know the guy personally, it's not an alias for me or anyone I know. Just a suggestion from someone who has confidence in the guys reviews.

I'd agree with Angel, but another truth reviewer is Tamerbowling.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: DP3 on July 20, 2018, 08:40:30 AM
Who would have guessed a bunch of middle aged bowlers would suck at marketing?

Companies rest on the laurels of "bowlers are always going to need and buy new balls" so why even give an effort at something different out of the box. When you do, you get rather cringeworthy upstarts like Banger-The porno brand, Insite-The religious brand, and these weirdly-odd gimmick-centric brands (Monster anyone?) that fizzle out after the launch is over. I'm not directing any of this at Workshop, I've been an entrepreneur and I respect anyone putting their neck out on the line to start a business/fulfill a dream of there's. I also know what it's like to manage multi-million dollar marketing campaigns for huge companies and marketing is the hardest aspect of business to get right.

Few companies do it, not very many can do it well for a long time. The next big change/advancement in the ball business will come from a company who do something different that sticks. I think the "crowd-sourced" branding has something to it, even if extremely niche. It could very well be the catalyst for bigger companies like Storm, EBI, 900 Global with manufacturing facilities to release small batches of "Private Reserve" balls, made from crowd-sourced specs, covers, cores, and colors. I remember bringing up this idea, based on the Nike ID concept to Chad when he was with Columbia 300 10+ years ago. He looked at me like I was speaking Chinese and walked away.

Best of luck to the Worxshop brand. And props to them for coming to the table with something different.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: milorafferty on July 20, 2018, 09:02:34 AM
Who would have guessed a bunch of middle aged bowlers would suck at marketing?

Companies rest on the laurels of "bowlers are always going to need and buy new balls" so why even give an effort at something different out of the box. When you do, you get rather cringeworthy upstarts like Banger-The porno brand, Insite-The religious brand, and these weirdly-odd gimmick-centric brands (Monster anyone?) that fizzle out after the launch is over. I'm not directing any of this at Workshop, I've been an entrepreneur and I respect anyone putting their neck out on the line to start a business/fulfill a dream of there's. I also know what it's like to manage multi-million dollar marketing campaigns for huge companies and marketing is the hardest aspect of business to get right.

Few companies do it, not very many can do it well for a long time. The next big change/advancement in the ball business will come from a company who do something different that sticks. I think the "crowd-sourced" branding has something to it, even if extremely niche. It could very well be the catalyst for bigger companies like Storm, EBI, 900 Global with manufacturing facilities to release small batches of "Private Reserve" balls, made from crowd-sourced specs, covers, cores, and colors. I remember bringing up this idea, based on the Nike ID concept to Chad when he was with Columbia 300 10+ years ago. He looked at me like I was speaking Chinese and walked away.

Best of luck to the Worxshop brand. And props to them for coming to the table with something different.

Wait...you made a suggestion to Chad "I'm the only one who's opinion matters" Murphy and he didn't listen? Say it ain't so...  :o
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: AlonzoHarris on July 20, 2018, 09:48:26 AM
Who would have guessed a bunch of middle aged bowlers would suck at marketing?

Companies rest on the laurels of "bowlers are always going to need and buy new balls" so why even give an effort at something different out of the box. When you do, you get rather cringeworthy upstarts like Banger-The porno brand, Insite-The religious brand, and these weirdly-odd gimmick-centric brands (Monster anyone?) that fizzle out after the launch is over. I'm not directing any of this at Workshop, I've been an entrepreneur and I respect anyone putting their neck out on the line to start a business/fulfill a dream of there's. I also know what it's like to manage multi-million dollar marketing campaigns for huge companies and marketing is the hardest aspect of business to get right.

Few companies do it, not very many can do it well for a long time. The next big change/advancement in the ball business will come from a company who do something different that sticks. I think the "crowd-sourced" branding has something to it, even if extremely niche. It could very well be the catalyst for bigger companies like Storm, EBI, 900 Global with manufacturing facilities to release small batches of "Private Reserve" balls, made from crowd-sourced specs, covers, cores, and colors. I remember bringing up this idea, based on the Nike ID concept to Chad when he was with Columbia 300 10+ years ago. He looked at me like I was speaking Chinese and walked away.

Best of luck to the Worxshop brand. And props to them for coming to the table with something different.

To add to the gimmicky brands - DV8. Really cringe at their marketing. The fact that they put their stupid sayings on the ball itself really closed that door for me.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: DP3 on July 20, 2018, 09:55:19 AM

To add to the gimmicky brands - DV8. Really cringe at their marketing. The fact that they put their stupid sayings on the ball itself really closed that door for me.

LOL. DV8's marketing seems aimed toward 18-28year old basement dwelling "Bros" who curse their mom out to her face, drive slanted rimmed honda civics, and think they can kick your ass cause they watch UFC on the weekends.

:D

I keed...I keed.
(not really)
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: purduepaul on July 20, 2018, 09:55:54 AM
The marketing thing is one of the reasons why I haven't given names to our coverstocks or names to the core that I designed.  It's marketed basically on the motion you as a bowler prefer and what works best to your game.

Companies are trying to do more crowd sourcing in decision making, however WorXshop is the only stand alone brand to try something different.  What we are proposing is different for sure, and sales have been okay so far, once I think people understand the concept and see some independent reviews, I think it will get better.  Already have cycle 2 in my head, just awaiting cycle 1 to be a little bit more complete before we roll it out.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: BowlingForDonuts on July 20, 2018, 11:14:11 AM
DV8 brand does seem lame as hell which is a shame because a few of better bowlers (middle age white guys)  I come across swear by their stuff and prove it on the lanes.  Few posters on here I have seen absolutely swear by the Creeds as well.  Have to admit I own multiple Big B and Radical balls but no DV8 so yeah their marketing has been a wet fart for me I guess.

(edit:  started to post about Tamer above also and I really like his reviews but trying to keep post volume down and being an outsider didn't know how independent he was.  Reviews he did of Pyramids stuff were good so yeah he seems like he can be fair to smaller brands and may be worth getting to review.)
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: AlonzoHarris on July 20, 2018, 11:40:47 AM

To add to the gimmicky brands - DV8. Really cringe at their marketing. The fact that they put their stupid sayings on the ball itself really closed that door for me.

LOL. DV8's marketing seems aimed toward 18-28year old basement dwelling "Bros" who curse their mom out to her face, drive slanted rimmed honda civics, and think they can kick your ass cause they watch UFC on the weekends.

:D

I keed...I keed.
(not really)

HAHA love it.

One reason I was disappointed to see Connor Pickford go to them.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Bowler19525 on July 23, 2018, 12:39:33 PM
Do competitive bowlers actually buy a new ball based on the marketing?  It seems that most competitive bowlers are buying equipment to fill a specific need in their arsenal.  I couldn't care less what the manufacturer's advertisement or "sales sheet" has to say other than coverstock type, finish, core shape, and RG/Diff. 
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: DP3 on July 23, 2018, 02:44:45 PM
Of course competitive bowlers buy balls based on marketing. Look at this website for example. Bowl Expo hype is driving most of the clicks to this page I'm sure.

Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: Bowler19525 on July 23, 2018, 03:16:56 PM
I am referring to marketing such as a strike-fest video, or "HyperShock", or "Dynamicore", or "Carbon Fiber Infused", or other such gimmickry and lingo.  None of these things are anything other than marketing fluff.  People shouldn't be buying a ball simply because Belmo's logo is on it, or because Ronnie or Tommy throw a 279 "right out of the box" on a "single-take" video, or because PDW or Liz Johnson say "Watch me throw this ball!".  Casual bowlers might fall for it, but one would think that competitive bowlers would be more discriminating in their ball selection.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: billdozer on July 23, 2018, 07:45:59 PM
I am referring to marketing such as a strike-fest video, or "HyperShock", or "Dynamicore", or "Carbon Fiber Infused", or other such gimmickry and lingo.  None of these things are anything other than marketing fluff.  People shouldn't be buying a ball simply because Belmo's logo is on it, or because Ronnie or Tommy throw a 279 "right out of the box" on a "single-take" video, or because PDW or Liz Johnson say "Watch me throw this ball!".  Casual bowlers might fall for it, but one would think that competitive bowlers would be more discriminating in their ball selection.

Mostly in my opinion if it's hyped at release it sucks.

If it's hyped due to word of mouth like the idol...that's a different story.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: DP3 on July 24, 2018, 01:40:07 PM
I am referring to marketing such as a strike-fest video, or "HyperShock", or "Dynamicore", or "Carbon Fiber Infused", or other such gimmickry and lingo.  None of these things are anything other than marketing fluff.  People shouldn't be buying a ball simply because Belmo's logo is on it, or because Ronnie or Tommy throw a 279 "right out of the box" on a "single-take" video,

I'd buy a case of balls with Daria Pajak's silhouette on it. No questions asked.

And guys buy balls all the time cause their teammate or someone in the league shoots a big game with it right out of the box. What's the difference if it's Joe Blow or Tommy Jones? .......the business has to throw marketing dollars behind the product they invested $$$ into making. That's the difference. I still believe the majority of the companies suck at marketing tbh.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: AlonzoHarris on July 24, 2018, 07:14:46 PM
I am referring to marketing such as a strike-fest video, or "HyperShock", or "Dynamicore", or "Carbon Fiber Infused", or other such gimmickry and lingo.  None of these things are anything other than marketing fluff.  People shouldn't be buying a ball simply because Belmo's logo is on it, or because Ronnie or Tommy throw a 279 "right out of the box" on a "single-take" video,

I'd buy a case of balls with Daria Pajak's silhouette on it. No questions asked.

And guys buy balls all the time cause their teammate or someone in the league shoots a big game with it right out of the box. What's the difference if it's Joe Blow or Tommy Jones? .......the business has to throw marketing dollars behind the product they invested $$$ into making. That's the difference. I still believe the majority of the companies suck at marketing tbh.

I would also place that Daria Pajak case order.
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: earlyrolling on November 11, 2018, 12:01:51 PM
Sounds like they have shut down?

http://worxshopbowling.com/an-update-from-the-worxshop/
Title: Re: Anyone see "Worxshop" as a new brand of balls coming out.
Post by: BowlingForDonuts on November 11, 2018, 12:16:27 PM
All mature industries consolidate and bowling is no different.  There is only room for the big boys sadly especially since it seems they really haven't wanted to do boutique pours lately from what I understand.  PBA approval and fees also seem to be a big hurdle that dooms the smaller players.  Still always better to have more options so bad news overall for bowlers and the company but bowling is a business first and foremost I guess.