Author Topic: What happend to Columbia? (Read 10971 times)

Frederick · « **on:** July 11, 2011, 01:02:33 PM »

I just noticed that the last post on the Columbia board was June 24th (18 days) Does anybody even care about this product anymore?

cliffbarnesproshop · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2011, 04:16:33 PM »

The general market for C300 and Ebonite is much larger then your market Kid. C300 is very strong in certain areas of the country. Same with Ebonite, Hammer, Track. We sell more C300 then anything else with Hammer/Ebo/Track being shared equally. Pro shops are not forced to sign up but they are forced to adhere to the rules, with everything that EBI is doing to promote my business why would i not reciprocate it to support theirs?

kidlost2000 wrote on 7/13/2011 10:30 AM:I understand how it works, and the different levels of it. I also see how a shop that was an entry level has been pushed to be an upper tier because their isn't one in the area. If that is what the owner is ok with, I'm guessing he is, then that is fine. I think it is funny to watch, since none of it helps unload the Columbia,/Ebonite balls they keep sending him and collecting dust on the shelves. That would be a flaw. If he just sold Track and Hammer from EBI I'd imagine he would be doing a lot better since he wouldn't have so much of the other two still sitting the shelf.

Xx 12 X 300 xX wrote on 7/13/2011 8:56 AM: I'm not trying to bash you, but your logic towards Ebonite is flawed, and the "choice" to be one of their pro shops.

Your complaining about Ebonite because Ebonite has a program where you become an Ebonite "sponsored" pro shop and then Ebonite expects you to put their products on the shelf over other products. Why are you trying to become an Ebonite pro shop if you want to "play the field" Your logic makes no sense at all. If you want the discounts and the recognition of an Ebonite pro shop than you abide by their rules.

You have no concept at all of how this business agreement with Ebonite runs. You sign up for a program with a parent company, they have every right to tell you how to display the product in the pro shop. You signed up with them to take advantage of their discounts and brand recognition, thus they have every right to ask you to keep other products out of the shop. Your signing up to be an EBONITE PRO SHOP, not Joe Blow Bowling Balls Pro Shop.

You want all the freebies, and the perks of the program, but then you don't want to do anything for the people who are giving you those perks.

They are protecting their brand from the cheap people out there that sign up for these programs and then take the bowling balls, the perks, the name of being an "elite" pro shop and then never selling any of their equipment. It's protecting the brand, and being an exclusive pro shop that offers only Ebonite products.

Is it really that hard to understand? Ebonite doesn't force you to sign a contract with them if you don't like the terms of the contract.

Edited by Xx 12 X 300 xX on 7/13/2011 at 9:35 AM

Edited by Xx 12 X 300 xX on 7/13/2011 at 9:35 AM

Be good, or be good at it.

www.cliffbarnesproshop.com">

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kidlost2000 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2011, 04:49:53 PM »

Whatever pays the bills go with it. I'm just not curious how well it will end here for a local shop. When you keep getting more and more of new releases that sit on the shelves I'm not sure that extra discount is paying off.

Be good, or be good at it.

jls · « **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2011, 01:46:04 PM »

It's the off season...and the holiday period...Bowlers may be taking a break...

Sales of Columbia balls did well for us last year...

They will be fine...

jls

kidlost2000 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2011, 02:17:39 PM »

It was in reference to last year mostly. End of season they had sold one World Beater. They sold a decent amount of Domination/250Ks that were X-outs and that was it for Ebonite, Track and Hammer went like it was crack. Columbia/Ebonite just sits there. With the exception of the Freeze. Weird sh...tuff.

Be good, or be good at it.

jls · « **Reply #20 on:** July 22, 2011, 02:33:06 PM »

Sir, "sold one" now that's some funny stuff...

Heck, I just saw another World Beater last Tuesday...

And the ball worked well for Barnes...Heck if the WB had been out a year earlier, I'll bet Barnes

could have taken that girl with the Mission... Miss Kelly...

kidlost2000 wrote on 7/22/2011 2:17 PM:It was in reference to last year mostly. End of season they had sold one World Beater. They sold a decent amount of Domination/250Ks that were X-outs and that was it for Ebonite, Track and Hammer went like it was crack. Columbia/Ebonite just sits there. With the exception of the Freeze. Weird sh...tuff.

Be good, or be good at it.

jls

actsbowler21 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:25:29 PM »

I guess it's market based really...I have few who ask for the Brunswick and Storm products...And I sell a ton of C300 equipment (balls, bags, accessories) in my shop...I don't really have to try when it comes to selling Eruptions and Freezes..World Beaters were easy to market..It's how the brand is promoted and advertised around your area..Simply putting up ad sheets is not going to get a ball off the wall..Getting the ball into the hands of your better bowlers in the area and getting the product around town with proper information is key..I have a few guys who brand themselves to each brand under EBI..I throw all Hammer, while I have a guy who chooses to throw all C300, one throws all Track, and one throws Ebonite..None of which I asked to do, it was their choice..They help the pro shop and the brands out by bowling around town and talking about the equipment as we have educated them to do...They are living, breathing, advertisement for us and they do a hell of a job working with me.. My best sellers over the last couple of months were Cyclone, Arson, Eruption, 503c, 300t and 718a..Freeze has always sold well..

Even though I don't display other companies doesn't stop bowlers from coming and ordering them...And not one person has been upset with us for not having anything but EBI on the wall.. If you're a good promoter, and understand how to talk to your bowlers and have your customers help you with branching out, you shouldn't have problems moving product

Justin Buford
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Cliff Barnes Pro Shop

AMF Winston Salem Lanes, Winston-Salem, NC (General Manager)

AMF All-Star Lanes, Greensboro, NC

George Pappas Park Lanes, Charlotte, NC

Georga Pappas Victory Lanes, Mooresville, NC

Strike Zone, Brunswick,GA
Gold Cup Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA
Frames n' Games, Pooler, GA

http://www.cliffbarnesproshop.com

jls · « **Reply #22 on:** August 17, 2011, 02:35:25 PM »

Well it's bowling season, not JUNE...And Columbia's products seem to be getting off to a GREAT

start...

The Eruption will be a great mid priced ball for medium conditions, and the Ransom Demand has

gotten great reviews from BTM...

Heck, if the ball is half as good as BTM says, we could sell a Zillion of them..."a zillion, that's

a lot"

Oh and BTW, we are still selling World Beaters...and they don't have a $50 rebate, yet are still

selling...

jls

Edited by jls on 8/17/2011 at 2:36 PM

mainzer · « **Reply #23 on:** August 17, 2011, 03:36:05 PM »

the sky is falling!!!

I have seen a lot of around here, more than I have seen used around here in very long time, I may not care for the product but they are going in the right direction

MainzerPower

calired67 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 27, 2011, 07:06:06 PM »

I was out of bowling for about 20 years. When I came back I got a Ressurgance from a friend. I have since purchased a Burst, well I have 2 drilled for different conditions. I throw about 16.5 mph am a stroker I guess. My average has gone from 170 to 200 in just a couple of years. If I was in the market to update my aresenal I would definitely look to Columbia 300 to get what I need.

bwproshop · « **Reply #25 on:** September 06, 2011, 05:39:26 PM »

I think Columbia is much better since the buy out. they had good pieces with the Beast, Piranha, purple Quake, the kinda fell off the map. They had a good piece here and there like the Chaos and the Action, but everything for them was let's see how much we can make a ball hook (like it is now with 900 global/AMF).

Now they have a good variety of stuff for almost any condition. the Freeze is a great piece that is really underrated, the Ransom is an excellent pearl, the Demand is good on just about everything. There are still bowlers who like stuff that is easy to read and doesn't either go 40 feet and change direction or roll forward at the foul line.

"Now you can Bowl To Win with Hammer, Track, and Columbia"!!

Sean Davidson
Bowler's World Pro Shop

Track_Fanatic · « **Reply #26 on:** September 06, 2011, 08:44:32 PM »

Well Sean, I totally disagree with you on your assessment of 900 Global/ AMF equipment. They are not by any means as you call it 'hook monsters'. Both of their lines cover all sorts of conditions at a much more competitive price than most manufacturers. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Let me make somewhat of an educated guess, you tend to sell more Hammer/Columbia/Track equipment in your shop. I get this based on part of your signature. It also sounds like you are anti 900 Global/AMF. If a customer came into your shop and says, 'I'm interested in a Double Clutch Pearl' (wouldn't surprise me if you don't even have a AMF ball in your shop) With you being in the business, would try and talk the customer into purchasing a different manufacturers ball mainly the 3 listed in your signature line or would you actually order the ball that the customer is asking for? 900 Global/AMF's price to performance ratio is much better than what comes out of Hopkinsville. I do have a Burst which I truly love and have bowled well with it, place any other ball in that companies line in my hand and there isn't enough lane conditioner to keep it on the correct side of the pocket or it runs out of gas and 'pukes' unless we talk about the OLD Track and Columbia equipment.

Edited by Track_Fanatic on 9/6/2011 at 8:43 PM

Easy10pins · « **Reply #27 on:** September 17, 2011, 05:10:16 AM »

Just my observations.

1. IMO, the popularity of a ball is based on what the pro shop guy is selling, what the pro shop guy is using and what other bowlers are scoring well with. (your average league/recreational bowler).

2. Pretty colors/smells sell balls. Some bowlers are enthralled with watching a pretty ball go down the lane. I bowled against a woman during league who has a Hammer Epidemic and yet throws it straight at the head pin every time. Although I do like the fragrance of the Storms Tropical line up. They smell like Old Spice. LOL

3. Back in the PBA's heydays, whatever ball the pros on TV were using/won with would pretty much be sold out within the week.

4. I picked up an Outburst and Freeze this week and couldn't be happier. Both balls were highly recommended by the pro shop guy. It gives me a nice 1-2 punch for league play as both pieces are incredibly versatile.

Columbia, please bring back the Messenger. :-)

I use whatever ball works for me.

The Bowling Shop Tyson · « **Reply #28 on:** September 21, 2011, 09:25:13 PM »

To the comment saying EBI was forcing shops to take other brands down and not display ads or anything, that couldn't be further from truth. Sure, a company would like to have only their stuff displayed, but unless there is a contract between manufacturer and shop of some sort, they cannot dictate that, nor would they. If a shop went forward and displayed only EBI stuff and took all else down, that was done strictly on their own accord, and not at all by EBI telling them to do so. If they told you that they were told that, that's all it was, telling you so, but it's not really the case. That's your mistake for being gullible and believing it.

As far as success of Ebonite and Columbia, sure, some areas of the country will be better represented by certain brands where other parts by other brands, but in no way does that mean that's how it is everywhere. Between our 2 physical shop locations, we sell very differently between all manufacturers, and that is only 25 miles apart.

The Bowling Shop

www.thebowlingshop.com

All the latest equipment at the lowest prices!

TamerBowling · « **Reply #29 on:** October 19, 2011, 10:33:17 AM »

I think this issue of what sells where is very local in nature. I wouldn't even call it regional. I imagine that all manufacturers recognize that it is the local shops that sell the stuff. Marketing is marketing. Of course, EBI would want to have as much of their stuff on the walls in a local shop as possible. If the pro shop pushes what they have, that's what will sell. Many people still trust their shop. In the end, wherever I go around the world, whatever the shop in the area or center is putting on their shelves, that's what the bowlers there are throwing. Regardless if they are asking shops or forcing them, it's good marketing for EBI to want their 4 brands on the wall.

My old shop in PA had very few Columbia products on the shelf. He got 3 Freezes, guess what people started throwing? He had no Brunswick equipment. Guess what people were not throwing?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

www.tamerbowling.com">www.TamerBowling.com

Everything Bowling, coaching tips, ball reviews, General bowling discussions
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Good Times Good Times · « **Reply #30 on:** October 19, 2011, 10:44:43 AM »

Still throw my Jazz from time to time....

GetOffMe10Pin

"America was established not to create wealth but to realize a vision, to realize an ideal - to discover and maintain liberty among men." - Woodrow Wilson

Author Topic: What happend to Columbia? (Read 10971 times)

Frederick

What happend to Columbia?

cliffbarnesproshop

Re: What happend to Columbia?

kidlost2000

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jls

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kidlost2000

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jls

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actsbowler21

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jls

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mainzer

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calired67

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bwproshop

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Track_Fanatic

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Easy10pins

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The Bowling Shop Tyson

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TamerBowling

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Good Times Good Times

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