Ok guys...how do you deal with the customers with the unrealistic expectations from equipment?

Here's what I am talking about. I have had the following situations arise in the last few weeks...

1. Guy with average hand and speed but good accuracy comes in and says he wants a heavy oil ball that doesn't roll early...

2. A guy with tons of forward roll and no side turns wants a ball that comes off the corner hard...

3. A guy with all side roll wants a ball that's calm on the backend...

How about it guys? How do you handle custoemrs that have these unrealistic ideas of what a new ball can do for them?
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Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Feel the Power of the FOS with new Enriched Uranium from Lane 1!!

This is one time where the "customer is always right" statement just does not exist.  Part of our job as pro shop operators, is to be informative and help educate those who just simply don't know.  I think it is our job to take the clueless and give them what they need to become better and sometimes that does not mean giving them what they ask for.  They will appreciate you more in the long run for being honest and up front instead of them making that triple digit purchase to go out and be disappointed because they bought a piece of junk.
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Steven Vance
Atlanta (Buford), GA
Pro Shop Operator
Advanced Bowling Solutions

If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!

I've been very lucky in that respect. My customers come and ask, this is what I want the ball to do, here's the price range I'd like to stay in, what ya' got that fits ?

Sometimes the price and what they want doesn't fit, I tell them what the ball they want will do, what a ball out of the range will do and give them a few other options. Then it's up to them. I had one guy pick a ball, and it took me 2 weeks to convince him that ball wouldn't do , for him, what it does for his friend. He decided on an Atomic Charge, and he loves the ball.

I have lost a few sales because I'd tell them, this ball is a bit more than you need on our conditions or that with your release, it won't do what you see it do with others or on TV. Maybe I could have sold them that ball, but I know they wouldn't be happy with it and gripe about it.

I'd rather miss a sale because the ball isn't for them, than sell them one and have them realize it is to much or to little for what they want. With my attitude, I'll never get rich, but I can look them in the eye and know I did what was right by them.

Same respect, I've lost a customer, he went 75 miles away and bought the ball from another shop, realized it wasn't for him and came back and bought the Cross Fire I suggested in the first place.

Win some, loose some, I guess....Good Luck !
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AZ Guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net
www.rlbowlerspro.com

Sleep is over rated.

I'll give it a try here in reverse order...

Number 3, I would drill him a pin axis ball.

Number 2, I would drill him something highly polished with label leverage.

Number 1, I would drill him what I think will score the best. Try to impress upon him that balls that roll early, usually score the best on heavy oil. The layout would probably be somewhere in the max leverage range.

AZGUY, just give the customer what they want and get the sale. That's what you're in business for. During your sale, suggest to them what you think will work and what they should be buying. If their particular ball doesn't work out for them, they can only blame themselves, not you.

If your honest with them, fair and courteous, they'll come back to you for the ball you've suggested. Maybe even give them a break when they come back for the ball you suggested. Now you've made 2 sales instead of none..!! =:^D

Edited on 1/8/2006 10:02 AM