Author Topic: I'm not exactly sure why some pro shops do this (Read 1377 times)

Track_Fanatic · « **on:** October 08, 2011, 01:37:22 PM »

I've been looking for a new pro shop since the one I had been going to for 19 years was abruptly shut down by the owner of a bowling center where the shop was in. I have looked around most of my area to get a feel for these shops and to also see what prices they charge for drilling. There are some things I just don't understand. I know I will probably get slammed on this but I need to ask/vent

1) Why in the world would shops charge with no grips/slugs starting @ $60 for a ball not purchased from them and then after grips and slug it ends up at least an additional $17-$20? So we are talking about an additional $80 if not more?

2) internet sales have killed pro shops. Can someone tell me how? You charge for drilling and grips/slugs most of it is labor. Unless shops charge ala carte you incorporate the cost of drilling only into the cost of the ball. (I don't know any shops in my area that do this now. There was 1 who tried this, and also thought since they were a silver level coach and also a ABC Eagle holder, their prices were just plain stupid/ Needless to say, that shop isn't there anymore)

3) If the customer doesn't buy the ball from your shop and you charge a minimum of $60. With the customer understanding that if something goes wrong, your shop is not liable and also would not handle the warranty. The customer would need to go back to wherever they got the ball from. Why try and make more money off of a customer if they don't buy the ball from you?

4) By charging higher rates because they didn't buy the ball from you, this of course forces them to buy it from you and not say through internet or even through offers that PBA members get. The customer may save if you are lucky $15 on the 'high performance' balls but for mid price or low price equipment, you are basically stuck having to get it from the shop since adding the cost of grips/slugs to these lower cost equipment would either make it even or possibly would cost the customer more after you have it drilled by the pro shop. For example, the cost of the hooks series balls for 900 Global. I have seen them advertised for $79.99 shipped. If you add the cost of drilling $60, grips/slug $20 this comes out to be $159 plus tax on the taxable amount. One of the shops I've visited, charges $124.95 tag on the $20 for grips/slug plus tax, it comes out to be about the same.

5) Could someone explain what the 'loss' would be to a shop if you charge say $45 drilled with grips/slugs out the door since this would mainly be labor?

I am just beside myself that I don't have options. That a pro shop is going to force me into buying equipment from them. This makes me not want to buy any equipment. This makes me also not want to continue with bowling. Do you think by basically telling the customer if you don't buy the ball from us you can just go ahead and bend over? This is pretty much what you are doing.

I know it's a double edge sword on this. But if you really look at it, most people that buy off the internet or buy direct through the manufacturers normally don't buy just 1 ball a year. They buy multiple.

So, I'd like to hear from pro shop operators on this so I can get a better understanding why charging someone approx. $80 to drill a ball vs $45 when most of it is labor. I understand I will most likely get slammed but I am just asking for honest answers. Thanks in advance.

Smash49 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2011, 11:11:43 AM »

LOL here we go again! Most people do not have a clue what is involved in drilling balls and owning pro shops for a living.

This is simple. Put your money where your mouth is and do it. Until you have you have no idea about anything in a pro shop. Rent differs widely across the country and even from areas of a city. Tools to work properly cost a fortune. BT Fitters at $279 for example. Pitch gauges??? not to mention materials to operate. AND knowledge! Learning how to do things correctly is expensive. There are a ton of hacks already out there drilling balls all the world needs is more.

Until you have actually done it you have no idea and the same goes for owning bowling centers. Been there, done that and got the Tshirt.

Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
IBPSIA Certified Technician
Bowlers Journal International's Top 100 Coaches!!! 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010(73),2011(84)
USBC Register Volunteer

Urethane Game · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:16:08 PM »

I think as consumers, we have the right to be price sensitive with regard to the purchase of bowling balls. Whatever your bowling ball maintenance thoughts may be, these balls don't last forever. If you're in this constant cycle of replacing bowling balls, price is a factor.

Classic Rock and Blues Net Radio

Edited by Urethane Game on 10/10/2011 at 12:23 PM

trash heap · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:27:18 PM »

You are getting upset about a whopping $15! I know times are tough, but get a grip. You don't like the price, then don't do business with them. It is that simple.

I really like how this economy has made people stupid. Those still wanting things cheap as long as it doesn't affect them. You seem to forget that everyone else needs to make a living too.

You state about options...what a joke...it's not about options. Its all about you getting something the cheapest way possible. You exploited that route for years, it is now closed. You want alll the convience of a pro shop (Drilling part only) and not pay for anything more.

If you only like to buy on-line, then get it drilled from an on-line shop!

Can someone answer this!! What is the problem with buying ball from the pro-shop if it is very close to price of an internet ball?

Gunny · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:27:47 PM »

Its funny how people think that running a business and drilling balls is a sacred trait that only a select few can do. To all out there, remember that these pro shop operators at once didn't know jack shit about drilling balls either. They learned by getting in the trenches and learning how. If you have the means to go out and purchase the equipment to drill your own stuff, than do so and learn! If not, than find a shop that does good quality work at a great price, or just pay the outrageous fees and deal with it. Be proactive!

To the consumers:

Pro shops have the right to charge what they want to. It's their right. You as a consumer have the right to purchase through them or seek out other pro shops or take various other routes to accomplish what you want price wise. Bitching about it helps you get it off your chest, but doesn't solve your problem! Be proactive and grab the bull by the horns. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

To the pro shop operators:

There's nothing sacramental about running a shop and drilling balls. Sure its an acquired taste having to deal with all the paper work, insurance, start up cost, salaries, reading the P & L, etc. etc. etc. Quit preaching that only 1% of the population is able to accomplish it. You guys speak that if someone brings in a ball and you drill that ball and something is wrong with it than you wont warranty it. What is your idea of something wrong? Cracked ball? If so, the manufacture will warranty it if its still qualifies, and the consumers doesn't need to go through you. Bad drilling? If so, than that is on your shoulders mr. pro shop operator. But with your highly talked about knowledge of the art of drilling that shouldn't happen. So what is it that could happen to a ball that is brought in that requires you to charge a certain fee for that? All I know is that when a ball is brought in to be drilled its almost pure profit, but pro shops still bitch about that, go figure!

Not here bashing pro shops or the consumer that has a problem, but both sides need to quit screaming butt hurt over the situation.

------------------------------------------------

A bizarre incident occurred in the outskirts of an American suburb.....It was later revealed that the terrible disaster had been caused by the T-Virus.....a mutagentic toxin created by international enterprise Umbrella Incorporated for use in bio-weapon experiments.

Don't worry the zombies are looking for brains, you're safe.....

trash heap · « **Reply #20 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:01:50 PM »

Go into Outback Steakhouse restaurant. Instead of ordering 2 porterhouse steaks at $30.00 a piece, tell them to cook two steaks you brought in. Since you know the going rate of steaks, you think they should only charge you $8 for preparing them. Because all you asking for is some grill time, you don't want to pay for anything else just the service of cooking the steaks.

Gunny · « **Reply #21 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:18:48 PM »

Bad comparison. Outback cant cook steaks that a customer brings in. One, its against their policy and two, the FDA wouldn't allow it. Now if pro shops didn't offer to drill blank balls, than I see your point. But your comparison is total fail.

A pro shop will charge you around $35 to plug and drill a used ball. Grips and slug would be extra. It takes more work to plug and drill a used ball than to drill a blank ball. But yet, the shops charge twice as much to drill a blank ball. Why is that? Not good business practice when you think of labor and time spent on a ball.

------------------------------------------------

A bizarre incident occurred in the outskirts of an American suburb.....It was later revealed that the terrible disaster had been caused by the T-Virus.....a mutagentic toxin created by international enterprise Umbrella Incorporated for use in bio-weapon experiments.

Don't worry the zombies are looking for brains, you're safe.....

Edited by Gunny on 10/10/2011 at 1:19 PM

Gunny · « **Reply #22 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:34:09 PM »

Besides, a rib eye sells for about $10 a pound in the grocery store. If I go to outback I'm gonna spend about $20 for the 16oz prime rib, but I'm also getting the two sides, salad and aussie fries. Well worth the 10 extra bucks, and most satisfying. There's hardly well worth satisfying things happening in some pro shops.

------------------------------------------------

A bizarre incident occurred in the outskirts of an American suburb.....It was later revealed that the terrible disaster had been caused by the T-Virus.....a mutagentic toxin created by international enterprise Umbrella Incorporated for use in bio-weapon experiments.

Don't worry the zombies are looking for brains, you're safe.....

JPratt · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2011, 12:15:58 AM »

Track.

1) Every ball purchased somewhere else is a ball not purchased out of that shops inventory. Better question is, why do you not look to buy the ball at the shop you frequent as opposed to buying it off the internet?

2) See #1. If it's a decent shop, they will have stock on hand. If everyone bought off the internet and brought it in, that merchandise doesn't move...gets closed out..soon pro shop operator is taking a loss on the product or giving it away for what he paid. Do you think a pro shop can survive on just labor costs of drilling blank bowling balls? If you normally shop for your balls on the internet, you will shop for most everything else there also unless it is an emergency.

3) Again. See #1. If you are concerned with the warranty, buy it from the shop. Then they will take care of it.

4) I don't understand your point. Are you upset that your local shop has it for less of a price than if you were to buy it somewhere else and then bring it in to get drilled? That doesn't make much sense. You are looking for reasons to NOT buy from your local shop instead of reasons to buy from them. SUPPORT your local shop if they do a good job. If they don't...find someone who does. If you can't do that..mail a ball to one of the internet sites and they will match it for you.

5) There is no loss. But it's all relative to your market area. In my area, $40-45 is pretty standard. I wish everyone did charge $60, but that will probably never happen here.

"I am just beside myself that I don't have options. That a pro shop is going to force me into buying equipment from them. "

I really don't understand this. Do you NOT want that pro shop to survive? Why would you WANT to buy it over the internet as to buying it locally?

Impending Doom · « **Reply #24 on:** October 11, 2011, 05:26:12 AM »

I get what the issue is. You feel that the as the consumer, you should have some control over what the price you pay is. After all, price is just a negotation.

I live in the Chicago suburbs. At last check, within an hours drive, there are literally dozens of pro shops to choose from. I used to work in the same pro shop market, and know many people in the business still. All the guys around here stay at about the same price to drill blanks. The last shop that I ran 9 years ago, it was $25 for a blank plastic, $35 for a blank urethane, and $45 for a blank reactive. I kept my prices about pretty much the same as the rest of the shops in the area, even though I knew I could get more, because I knew more. I paid to go to seminars to learn about ball dynamics. I went and got my bronze coaching cert. I soaked up every bit of info I could about ball dynamics, and was able to apply it to my job. Those costs should in turn, come out of your pocket, because you are paying for what I know.

Now I know what you're saying. "Lots of people know what you know." Touche. Hope you can find the one or two that do. Playing that game was like playing that old tv game show "Press your luck". BIG MONEY NO WHAMMY! I hope you don't land on the guy that thinks that the mass bias is just another pretty marking on the ball, and has no influence on ball reaction. Or the guy that will still give you max side weight just so they can give you a POWER RATED EXTRA HOLE AND charge you extra for the hole (No lie, this person exists.)

Now, you don't like how your ball works out of box. Do you want someone to work on your ball that knows how to manipulate the surface of your $200 rock, or someone that is still using sandpaper? Once again, your choice.

Also, you are looking for something special out of the ball you just bought. Assuming you have the correct specs for the ball (about 15 years ago, I had a guy come in with a pin in Piranha with 4 oz of top, and wanted it to go long and flip hard. Sorry hoss, not happening). Are you going to go to a guy that will just lay out your ball like the rest, or will try to give you what you want? Are you going to have the person not listen to you at all, and insult you? See, you're also paying for my patience. I work in IT. IT people get paid because of what they know, and the fact that they have to put up with stupid questions, and answer them without sounding like they don't even want to talk to you.

Now that I am out of the pro shop game, I still drill bowling balls. Thought about actually buying some equipment to do so myself, just because I am lazy and don't want to drive to my buddys shop 45 mins from here. Last time I was there, I brought in 5 balls. I did all the work, only asking his opinion about layouts. I installed some of the vise it slugs, and tossed my buddy $100. Did I have to? No. But at last check, he's making a paycheck just like everyone else.

And guess what? If you don't patronize your local pro shops, they go away. Where are you going to go to look at the pretty new balls now? Internet is nice, but if you do go and get a ball drilled from, say, bowling.com, and you need an adjustment, where is that happening?

Another thing... the inventory thing... that's a double edged sword. You are honestly going to walk into a pro shop that has no stock, and want to get your stuff drilled there? Hope you can pay their wage of living. Other people like to buy what the guy has in stock. Walk in, look around, and make a decision based off of what they want, and what the operator makes a suggestion on. Some people still trust their pro shop operators on ball choices.

I guess it all comes down to how much you're willing to invest.

You could always stop buying bowling balls, and get some lessons. That might help you. Cheaper than buying a new ball and having it drilled too.

No one gets into the pro shop (hell, the bowling industry period) biz to get wealthy. I have friends that just wanted to make a living (from asking around, take home is around $35k without health benefits.) and they're ready to call it quits after years of dealing with people that don't want to pay. That's fine. That's your choice as a consumer. Just be prepared once those people are gone, because it could happen faster than you think.

So you can do several things. You can discuss your ball choices and drilling options over the phone or email with an online seller that will drill your stuff, and hope they get it right. You can learn all about ball dynamics and have yourself to blame if a ball rolls like crap, or you can leave your equipment in the hands of the pros. Lots of people out there are not pros. The ones that are, are worth your time and money.

*Inventor of the FIBJAM*

The sky is falling

The end is near

The final warning

The sun disappears.

completebowler · « **Reply #25 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:51:11 AM »

Great post man. I would like to add a few things.

1) I have thrown over 1000 balls. I personally know exactly what a ball does. Not what it looks like in the internet videos. Not what the ball companies say it will do. It is an expense on my end to this that is over and above the typical operating expense. It is expertise you will not find too many places.

2)We spend on average 1-1/2 hours on a new customer. Discussion of different balls. Measuring hand or previous fit. Finding the bowlers specs (PAP, speed, rotation, tilt). Drilling the ball. Then back to the lanes to tweak the reaction with weight hole placement and/or surface adjustments.

3)Discounts. When you shop around trying to find the cheapest price you often sacrifice the customer/owner relationship. Everything on my wall is priced according to MSRP. Everything included. But most people that have been in more than 3 times see at least a 10% discount. I like to reward loyalty. That drops the $229.99 top end price by $23. You are now looking at $207 and tax out the door. Sometimes better depending on your purchasing habits and things I throw in. (ball cleaner, resurface/rejuvenate on old ball, even bigger discount on second ball, etc.)

4)Now, as some posters have noted, your other options are to A) go get the equipment and do it yourself or B) send your specs to the online sellers. Either option will cost you more money.

Finally I would like to re-iterate what the previous posted mentioned. Most people that drill balls learned how to do so in a brick and mortar shop. When those guys go away the whole game will suffer. Ball companies have begun to realize this too which is why we have seen the advent of MAP pricing.

In closing it would be my suggestion that you keep looking around at the shops in your area. Ask them upfront what kind of discounts you might see if you purchase 3-4 balls a season. Invest the time and money to support them and tell others about them. It is a win/win for everyone. An example...I have a customer that has bought 2 balls from me. But he has sent two other guys to me that purchased 5 other balls. Last week he got his 3rd ball...a Ransom Demand for $110 out the door. Couldn't thank him enough for the free advertising and driving new business to my door. It was a one time deal, but a great one I think.

Impending Doom wrote on 10/11/2011 5:26 AM:
I get what the issue is. You feel that the as the consumer, you should have some control over what the price you pay is. After all, price is just a negotation.

I live in the Chicago suburbs. At last check, within an hours drive, there are literally dozens of pro shops to choose from. I used to work in the same pro shop market, and know many people in the business still. All the guys around here stay at about the same price to drill blanks. The last shop that I ran 9 years ago, it was $25 for a blank plastic, $35 for a blank urethane, and $45 for a blank reactive. I kept my prices about pretty much the same as the rest of the shops in the area, even though I knew I could get more, because I knew more. I paid to go to seminars to learn about ball dynamics. I went and got my bronze coaching cert. I soaked up every bit of info I could about ball dynamics, and was able to apply it to my job. Those costs should in turn, come out of your pocket, because you are paying for what I know.

Now I know what you're saying. "Lots of people know what you know." Touche. Hope you can find the one or two that do. Playing that game was like playing that old tv game show "Press your luck". BIG MONEY NO WHAMMY! I hope you don't land on the guy that thinks that the mass bias is just another pretty marking on the ball, and has no influence on ball reaction. Or the guy that will still give you max side weight just so they can give you a POWER RATED EXTRA HOLE AND charge you extra for the hole (No lie, this person exists.)

Now, you don't like how your ball works out of box. Do you want someone to work on your ball that knows how to manipulate the surface of your $200 rock, or someone that is still using sandpaper? Once again, your choice.

Also, you are looking for something special out of the ball you just bought. Assuming you have the correct specs for the ball (about 15 years ago, I had a guy come in with a pin in Piranha with 4 oz of top, and wanted it to go long and flip hard. Sorry hoss, not happening). Are you going to go to a guy that will just lay out your ball like the rest, or will try to give you what you want? Are you going to have the person not listen to you at all, and insult you? See, you're also paying for my patience. I work in IT. IT people get paid because of what they know, and the fact that they have to put up with stupid questions, and answer them without sounding like they don't even want to talk to you.

Now that I am out of the pro shop game, I still drill bowling balls. Thought about actually buying some equipment to do so myself, just because I am lazy and don't want to drive to my buddys shop 45 mins from here. Last time I was there, I brought in 5 balls. I did all the work, only asking his opinion about layouts. I installed some of the vise it slugs, and tossed my buddy $100. Did I have to? No. But at last check, he's making a paycheck just like everyone else.

And guess what? If you don't patronize your local pro shops, they go away. Where are you going to go to look at the pretty new balls now? Internet is nice, but if you do go and get a ball drilled from, say, bowling.com, and you need an adjustment, where is that happening?

Another thing... the inventory thing... that's a double edged sword. You are honestly going to walk into a pro shop that has no stock, and want to get your stuff drilled there? Hope you can pay their wage of living. Other people like to buy what the guy has in stock. Walk in, look around, and make a decision based off of what they want, and what the operator makes a suggestion on. Some people still trust their pro shop operators on ball choices.

I guess it all comes down to how much you're willing to invest.

You could always stop buying bowling balls, and get some lessons. That might help you. Cheaper than buying a new ball and having it drilled too.

No one gets into the pro shop (hell, the bowling industry period) biz to get wealthy. I have friends that just wanted to make a living (from asking around, take home is around $35k without health benefits.) and they're ready to call it quits after years of dealing with people that don't want to pay. That's fine. That's your choice as a consumer. Just be prepared once those people are gone, because it could happen faster than you think.

So you can do several things. You can discuss your ball choices and drilling options over the phone or email with an online seller that will drill your stuff, and hope they get it right. You can learn all about ball dynamics and have yourself to blame if a ball rolls like crap, or you can leave your equipment in the hands of the pros. Lots of people out there are not pros. The ones that are, are worth your time and money.

*Inventor of the FIBJAM*

The sky is falling

The end is near

The final warning

The sun disappears.

ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI

Smash49 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 11, 2011, 01:02:16 PM »

A little addendum to the last reply. I watched Tony Reyes throw a green Vibe. I don't look like that and most of the world certainly does not look like him in person or on the net videos. So I take the net videos with a grain of salt .

Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
IBPSIA Certified Technician
Bowlers Journal International's Top 100 Coaches!!! 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010(73),2011(84)
USBC Register Volunteer

RyanRPS · « **Reply #27 on:** October 11, 2011, 02:09:16 PM »

Rico, I don't think I have ever read one of your posts that I didn't agree with, but I do with the statement below...

As someone who sells to pro-shops and to online retailers, I can say that this just isn't quite true for the most part..

The "end customer" will pay about 20% more to buy the ball online (shipping included) than the pro-shop can buy the ball for from the manufacturer/distributor, shipping included too. The only way I can see this being untrue is if the online retailer is selling off old stock cheap. And since the big brands have upped their price to the bit e-tailers, this is pretty much true for all brands..

I agree that online sales have changed the way balls are bought and sold, but I think there are ways that pro-shops can hold their own..

For Example, if ball X is costing $150 online shipped to the customer, and the proshop has it on their shelf for $190 including drilling, why not mark it up on the wall as $150, same as the online price, or even lower, and then have a standard drilling rate? That way a customer can see that the ball is costing the same, and you are just paying the drilling charge..

Given that the ball itself cost the pro-shop 20% less that the customer would be paying, ie the $150 listed, then he is making a little profit on that before he even drills the ball..

I do however think that people need to respect the value of a good ball driller and that the "drilling cost" should not simply be looked at as the cost to drill holes and put inserts in, but to allow the shop to stay open to do that.. and that includes paying the rent, stocking a wide range of balls, tonnes of inserts and slugs etc etc etc...

JustRico wrote on 09/10/2011 7:31 AM:This what the internet has created.....BOWLERS do not realize how fortunate they are in buying equipment. The bowling industry is the ONLY industry where the consumer can literally buy equipment for the same price as the retailer....DOES ANYONE SEE A PROBLEM HERE?

Ryan Press - Seismic Staff Member

www.seismicbowling.com

Edited by RyanRPS on 11/10/2011 at 2:12 PM

Track_Fanatic · « **Reply #28 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:17:27 PM »

I really appreciate all of the honest answers from the pro shop operators. This was not meant to start a pi**ing contest with pro shops vs consumers. Let me address some points that have been brought up. I will choose JPratt’s post for instance.

Let me just start by saying I had been accustomed to paying $45 for drilling with grips/slug. This has been ongoing for about 10 years. Prior to that it was $35.

I usually get my equipment through the PBA offers. Sometimes I am lucky, and find a ball on the internet that I know is already on closeout. With that being said, I certainly understand your point as to the pro shop losing money now since they may have had it in inventory and now will be losing money. Honestly though, depending on your distributor, how long would it take to get a ball in that you have to order if you don’t stock it? The pro shop I was going to was able to get a ball in 2 days or less. They normally carried 4 balls each of 15lb and 14lb equipment in high performance and mid-price equipment. They would also carry some lower price equipment such as equipment used for young children or adults learning how to bowl.

I am no way concerned about a warranty on a ball since I get most if not all through the PBA offers. I deal directly with the manufacturer myself.

For point # 4. What I was referring to about is the mid-price to low-price equipment. When we get offers through the PBA on lower MSRP priced equipment, I would still be able to save money instead of now having to pay more if I decide to still purchase it through the manufacturer. This would now force me into buying equipment at the pro shop where the margin of profit is still not as high as a ‘high performance’ ball. I am not looking for reasons why NOT to buy from the local pro shop. I had supported my local pro shop because they did a good job. I was with them for over 19 years. As you know, trying to find a pro shop is like a marriage. You want to be able to be with them a LONG time. I know there are a lot of pro shops in the Chicagoland area. I want to be able to feel comfortable where I go and also where I want to spend MY money. So far, out of the multiple shops I have visited there is only 1 shop that actually explained a lot of things to me and also seemed very genuine in responses to the questions I asked. Do I want to go to that shop and see how things go? I sure do. Do I want to have to drive 45 minutes one way to get to it? No, I don’t. Does the shop know I would be driving a good distance for THEIR services? Yes they do. If the shop knows you are serious about doing business with them, I don’t think it would be out of line for them to offer the customer some sort of discount on drilling charges. Wouldn't you want to also make an impression with the customer? You do good work, you will reap the benefits of having repeat customers.

For your point #5, see #4 above. And yes, I do want the pro shop to survive. But in the market in the Chicago area, the average cost for drilling alone is $60 before grips/slugs. When you are used to spending $45 out the door and now it’s going to cost you approx. $80-$85, it is somewhat of a shock and awe factor I wasn’t expecting. Yes, I may have been spoiled for all these years being charged a lot less than what other shops charge. I can tell you this, I’ve NEVER had any issues with my hand when I started going to this shop in 1991. I was able to have the equipment shipped directly to the shop, explain what I was looking to get out of the ball, and I was able to pick up the ball WITHOUT having to do any adjustments with the thumb hole which is not very common. The only thing I had to sometimes do is fiddle with the coverstock and that’s all. Yes, I did have it pretty darn good!

I do understand there are accessories and that’s USUALLY where the most profit comes from.

Edited by Track_Fanatic on 10/11/2011 at 6:24 PM

completebowler · « **Reply #29 on:** October 11, 2011, 09:04:52 PM »

We tried the a la carte approach. Priced the balls at 7% above our cost and then people could decide if they wanted us to drill it and whether they wanted grips and slugs. It didn't go over well. Most people looked at us like we were trying to kill them with add-ons. Our pricing was $30 for polyester drill. $50 for resin. $8 for grips. $12 for the slug.

People were damn near running for the door...lol. I have talked to others that this approach worked for but...not so much in our location.

RyanRPS wrote on 10/11/2011 2:09 PM:
Rico, I don't think I have ever read one of your posts that I didn't agree with, but I do with the statement below...

As someone who sells to pro-shops and to online retailers, I can say that this just isn't quite true for the most part..

The "end customer" will pay about 20% more to buy the ball online (shipping included) than the pro-shop can buy the ball for from the manufacturer/distributor, shipping included too. The only way I can see this being untrue is if the online retailer is selling off old stock cheap. And since the big brands have upped their price to the bit e-tailers, this is pretty much true for all brands..

I agree that online sales have changed the way balls are bought and sold, but I think there are ways that pro-shops can hold their own..

For Example, if ball X is costing $150 online shipped to the customer, and the proshop has it on their shelf for $190 including drilling, why not mark it up on the wall as $150, same as the online price, or even lower, and then have a standard drilling rate? That way a customer can see that the ball is costing the same, and you are just paying the drilling charge..

Given that the ball itself cost the pro-shop 20% less that the customer would be paying, ie the $150 listed, then he is making a little profit on that before he even drills the ball..

I do however think that people need to respect the value of a good ball driller and that the "drilling cost" should not simply be looked at as the cost to drill holes and put inserts in, but to allow the shop to stay open to do that.. and that includes paying the rent, stocking a wide range of balls, tonnes of inserts and slugs etc etc etc...

JustRico wrote on 09/10/2011 7:31 AM:
This what the internet has created.....BOWLERS do not realize how fortunate they are in buying equipment. The bowling industry is the ONLY industry where the consumer can literally buy equipment for the same price as the retailer....DOES ANYONE SEE A PROBLEM HERE?

Ryan Press - Seismic Staff Member

www.seismicbowling.com

Edited by RyanRPS on 11/10/2011 at 2:12 PM

ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI

RyanRPS · « **Reply #30 on:** October 12, 2011, 08:53:52 AM »

I can understand that.. maybe you priced the ball alone too low? I know the overall price will stay the same, but if you post the price for the ball at the same as the ball would cost online after shipping, and then have the drilling price as about $20 or whatever it is, lower, then it won't seem like the customer is paying a load for drilling...

Ball costs $120 online, you list it at $120, charge extra for drilling, $50 including inserts and slug. you have made $70 on the total sale of a $170 ball (minus the cost of slug/inserts)

completebowler wrote on 11/10/2011 9:04 PM:We tried the a la carte approach. Priced the balls at 7% above our cost and then people could decide if they wanted us to drill it and whether they wanted grips and slugs. It didn't go over well. Most people looked at us like we were trying to kill them with add-ons. Our pricing was $30 for polyester drill. $50 for resin. $8 for grips. $12 for the slug.

People were damn near running for the door...lol. I have talked to others that this approach worked for but...not so much in our location.

RyanRPS wrote on 10/11/2011 2:09 PM:

Ryan Press - Seismic Staff Member

www.seismicbowling.com

Edited by RyanRPS on 12/10/2011 at 8:54 AM