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Author Topic: I went to the USBC website and saw this....  (Read 24586 times)

xrayjay

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I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« on: October 25, 2016, 04:09:37 PM »
I was looking for a list of coaches in my area, just being curious to who they are.

Then I found this....

http://bowl.com/TheCore/Info/


Does a round object have sides? I say yes, pizza has triangles..

aka addik since 2003

 

spmcgivern

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2016, 04:48:49 PM »
I guess I am missing the point here.  Is this an opportunity to get stuff with a "The Core" logo on it?  No where is there a price yet they want your billing information.

I went through the billing information to see what comes next and on the last page you get to the price.

$129.99

Excuse my while I delete my information.........

Impending Doom

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2016, 04:55:35 PM »
Is this like being a BR Gold Member??

I bet the USB drive isn't even USB 3.0.

MI 2 AZ

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2016, 04:56:38 PM »
Is this like being a BR Gold Member??

I bet the USB drive isn't even USB 3.0.

I read the posts above yours and logged in to make a similar comment (is this the USBC version of Gold Member) but by the time I had logged in, you had just posted.
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Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

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xrayjay

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2016, 04:57:36 PM »
You get a:

    A Padfolio journal - cause you don't know how to use your smart phone.

    8GB thumb drive - great for college students, or for harry palmer for those chic pics

    Bag tag - everyone wants a "the core" logo, feel important!

    Bowling towel - great for sweaty palms after uploading those chic pics

    A collectible coin featuring a bowling great - only one "bowling great", the same    picture of one guy?

    The 2016-2017 USBC rule book - no comment
Does a round object have sides? I say yes, pizza has triangles..

aka addik since 2003

MI 2 AZ

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2016, 05:09:21 PM »
We should just agree to a yearly increase in the USBC membership fees so they don't have to get all creative like this to raise money.  :)

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Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

ABC/USBC Lifetime Member since Aug 1995.

morpheus

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2016, 06:06:42 PM »
Yet another example of how out of touch the USBC is with their members...and reality for that matter
#AFutureForMembership #WhoDoesUSBCWorkFor

Mbosco

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2016, 06:13:33 PM »
Chad Murphy posted about it on Facebook.  I think it was...a little self-delusional and maybe circular in it's reasoning?  I'm pretty tired so that might not be exactly what I mean.

freak761

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2016, 07:24:35 PM »
They should list this on eBay :o

SVstar34

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2016, 07:30:46 PM »
I guess I am missing the point here.  Is this an opportunity to get stuff with a "The Core" logo on it?  No where is there a price yet they want your billing information.

I went through the billing information to see what comes next and on the last page you get to the price.

$129.99

Excuse my while I delete my information.........


So for one low yearly price of $129.99 you get $20 of crap?

Well that's one way to make money

spmcgivern

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2016, 08:10:54 AM »
The problem with this promotion is I can get all of this stuff for less.  To justify the cost you need to give something not available anywhere else.

One good thing is this:

Quote
Offerings: 

  • Two tickets to the final day of match play and to the televised finals
  • “Behind the scenes” access pass for a view of the set and tour of the host bowling center
  • Interact with the players for photo opportunities and autograph

Social Engagement 

  • Receive surprise gifts, messages, and recognition from top athletes and bowling personalities via social media
  • Recap and share the event access experiences via USBC social and video channels; reward the community with recognition
  • Use testimonials as a “15-minutes of fame” on social channels—will also serve to promote the product.

But in my opinion, these are items USBC should be providing all members, not just the select few who are part of The Core group.

The first thing USBC needs to identify is what do the members want outside of the current benefits provided.  Once you can identify those things, then they can decide how to charge for them.  I doubt bowlers are clamoring for a $5 USB flash drive or a towel.

I am all for having a "gold level" membership tier where those members have privileges.  Here is a small list of what I would like:

  • Discounted tickets to bowling tournaments
  • Access to trade shows like Bowl Expo
  • Access to all video content that was previously charged for
  • ITRC coaching discounts

These are things I can't go to Amazon and get for pennies on the dollar compared to this price. 

USBC is in a situation where they feel they have to profit from everything.  And I get it, they aren't making a lot of money and they are in a situation where they cannot freely charge more for their services due to the local associations denying dues increases.  And that is where the issue lies.

Kegler300800

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2016, 10:52:17 AM »
The USBC will end up losing money on this because I am sure they had to pre-order a certain number of each giveaway. There aren't very many people going to just give $129.99 to the USBC because they are such a great organization. The USBC is out of touch with the average league bowler. I do want to support the USBC by paying my $20 membership dues, but I'm not this stupid. I was intrigued until I saw the price.
Balls: Motiv Trident Abyss, Motiv Golden Jackal, Motiv Hydra and Motiv Hyper Sniper. All made in the USA.

2handedvolcano

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2016, 11:04:07 AM »
not bad seen better seen worse
Will expand arsenal after I polish my spares.

Bowler19525

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2016, 11:59:19 AM »
For what boils down to $2.50 per week over the course of a year, it isn't a horrible deal.  Getting the 5yr perpetual plaque is not a bad deal at all and the best part, especially if you are in to tracking your annual accomplishments.  Sure you would need to continue each year to get the plaque plates, but you also get the other swag each year.  If you don't want to renew, you could always go to a trophy shop and get updated plaque plates for the plaque yourself.

Between the plaque, the flash drive, the Padfolio, and the other swag you are probably looking at $75 in merchandise. 

morpheus

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Re: I went to the USBC website and saw this....
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2016, 03:42:27 PM »
The problem with this promotion is I can get all of this stuff for less.  To justify the cost you need to give something not available anywhere else.

One good thing is this:

Quote
Offerings: 

  • Two tickets to the final day of match play and to the televised finals
  • “Behind the scenes” access pass for a view of the set and tour of the host bowling center
  • Interact with the players for photo opportunities and autograph

Social Engagement 

  • Receive surprise gifts, messages, and recognition from top athletes and bowling personalities via social media
  • Recap and share the event access experiences via USBC social and video channels; reward the community with recognition
  • Use testimonials as a “15-minutes of fame” on social channels—will also serve to promote the product.

But in my opinion, these are items USBC should be providing all members, not just the select few who are part of The Core group.

The first thing USBC needs to identify is what do the members want outside of the current benefits provided.  Once you can identify those things, then they can decide how to charge for them.  I doubt bowlers are clamoring for a $5 USB flash drive or a towel.

I am all for having a "gold level" membership tier where those members have privileges.  Here is a small list of what I would like:

  • Discounted tickets to bowling tournaments
  • Access to trade shows like Bowl Expo
  • Access to all video content that was previously charged for
  • ITRC coaching discounts

These are things I can't go to Amazon and get for pennies on the dollar compared to this price. 

USBC is in a situation where they feel they have to profit from everything.  And I get it, they aren't making a lot of money and they are in a situation where they cannot freely charge more for their services due to the local associations denying dues increases.  And that is where the issue lies.

News flash, membership has been declining for 25 years so if they want more money, maybe they should worry a little more about member acquisition/retention and a little less about professional tours, tournaments, and The Core.
#AFutureForMembership #WhoDoesUSBCWorkFor