I took my new Virtual Energy to my driller yesterday to have him drill it.  I layed the ball out myself and had the pin about 1" above my ring finger.  He looked at the layout and suggested I move the pin a little closer to my ring finger.  I agreed and left.  I picked up the ball last night, checked the fit and took it home.  When I started inspecting it, I noticed that he drilled the pin about 1/4" from my ring finger and that there was a crack from the ring finger hole to the pin.  I''ve never thrown this ball.  What should I do?  I didn''t buy the ball from that shop (I know, here''s where all the pro shop owners are going to bash me!) but, I did give him $170 to drill 2 balls for me (he also drilled a Virtual Gravity).  Should I ask him for a new ball?

Edited on 11/17/2009 10:36 PM

They require an inch buffer for the pin from holes lol dont think all my equipment is an inch.
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http://s572.photobucket.com/albums/ss169/ecco_9879/

I guarantee with 100% certainty that my Storm Rep and ball distributor would replace that ball for me with no questions asked.  1/4 inch, 1 inch, whatever.  I would and did get some balls replaced for people that brought them in to me to drill.  For the price that I was charging, although not $85 per, was enough that I put forth the extra effort to keep that person as a customer in the future.  If your driller does ANY volume at all, and has a good relationship with his distributor, this should not be an issue at all.

BTW, the last few years I was in business, I sold an optional drilling insurance for people bringing in blank balls, to perform the above service @ $20.00.  Explained the deal with returning to internet site, yadda yadda yadda, and about 50% took me up on it.  Can't take credit for it though, idea came from Dino Castillo from Dallas.

The driller made the suggestion, whether the OP agreed or not.  The driller SHOULD have drilled the ball the way the OP wanted to begin with.  Moving the pin that little bit would not have made a bit of difference in ball reaction.

Driller is not "required" to plug the crack, this most certainly will void the warranty.  If the OP had asked for the pin to be drilled very close to finger hole and the ball cracked, then it would definitely be on the OP.  I would try and get the ball replaced before putting in any grips and/or throwing the ball.
Maybe.... find a new driller.??

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Storm
Brunswick

If I were you I would contact the bowling ball manufacture directly. Talk with someone there and see what they say.
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" hand, don't step on the lanes without some "

Sorry, guys, I haven't been on in a few days to comment.  No, he didn't mention anything about voiding my warranty by moving the ring closer to the pin.  Unfortunately, with work I haven't had a chance to go over there (or even call).  $85/ball is ridiculous (that does include grips and a thumb insert), but, I don't have a choice.  Where I live, all 5 of the centers (and, subsequently, the pro shops) are all owned by 1 company.  Unless I want to drive 1-2 hours to another shop, I'm stuck.  They charge the same prices whether you buy the ball from them or not, hence why I bought online and saved $50-60/ball.  I'll let you know what he says in the next couple of days when I finally get a chance to contact him (shop's only open 2pm-8pm, Monday-Friday).

I believe you need to put the word out via any means possible what this guy did.  Might be able to break up this so called monopoly.
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Mr. Natural

I agree with bowltsproshop...I would call Strom and explain totally what happened. Let them know where you bought the ball, and your situation....at least get Storms view on that situation. Was the $85 a ball to drill a normal fee? Do they charge that much to drill a ball purchased from the shop? My guess is they charge that much to encourage the sales of the balls in that shop. If thats not the case...wow $85 is high. Good luck and keep us updated!

Here's the final resolution.  I emailed Storm and explained the situation.  They got back to me very quickly and said that, because of how it was drilled, the warranty was voided and they couldn't replace the ball.  They did want to know where it was drilled so they could do some follow-up.  They also sent me a free Virtual Gravity polo for the trouble ($65 on the website).  I'm not upset with Storm as they did try to do something for me.  I'm going to pay the $25 to have the crack filled and be done with it.  

As for the drilling fee question...yes, that $85 charge to drill is the same whether I bought the ball from that shop or not.  I paid $140 online for the ball, they charge $210 for the ball.  It would have been the same price to drill if I bought it from either place.  

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I just want to finally be able to throw this ball!