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Author Topic: Pro Shop Opening Tips  (Read 3477 times)

htotheizzo3561

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Pro Shop Opening Tips
« on: November 23, 2010, 11:05:54 PM »
I recently purchased some drilling equipment from a pro shop operator who is going to retire. I have a decent understanding of drilling, plugging, etc. I was googleing around for classes to learn more in hopes of opening my own shop down the road. Most of them are pretty pricy. Are there any tips or manuels I can buy online? thanks
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Yo Yo Yo Mo Fo

 

JohnP

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2010, 10:33:36 AM »
Nothing that I know of that will replace a good hands on class experience.  If you're serious about making a living with a pro shop you need to start out right.  --  JohnP

jdball299

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2010, 12:26:59 PM »
quote:
Nothing that I know of that will replace a good hands on class experience.  If you're serious about making a living with a pro shop you need to start out right.  --  JohnP


+1.  If you are going to try to make money as a shop owner you owe it to your self and your future customers to learn the right way the first time as your success will depend on their success.

There are books availalbe, and will give you a good knowledge base, but you should get professional instruction.  Yes it is expensive, but so is the proshop business if you keep having to replace balls or don't have enough customers to make ends meet.
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"...do or do not, there is no try."


St. Louis USBC Sport Bowling
Best Bowling Pro Shops Inc., St. Louis MO.

htotheizzo3561

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2010, 01:24:37 PM »
Thanks for the input. It makes sense to take the class. Any idea which one gives u best bang for buck? I found Ebonite jayhawk bowling or kegal. Im in chicagoland anything closer?

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Yo Yo Yo Mo Fo

Dave-bestbowlingproshops

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2010, 01:54:58 PM »
This is an excellent piece of advice.  I've been drilling for almost 14 years and I consider myself a mix of the old and new.  Make sure to keep an open mind and understand that there is no set way to do anything.  Also I hope you have a plug cutter and don't have to use a router...*cringe*   Also depending on where you live I would check into ebonite powerhouse clinics.  It's an abosolute ton of information on plugging...layouts...etc etc in a few days.  

quote:
I would also ask the guy who is going to retire to show you the "ropes".  If he is an old timer, he probably would be thrilled to pass on his knowledge.   It will get you in the ball park of where you should be with ball drilling.  If he is very up to date with the current modern game, than you get even more knowledge.

Be aware that some of the older guys, still drill old school.  Now this is not necessary a good or bad thing, and there are different ideas on how ball drilling should be done.  No one way is correct, but there are correct ways to make sure the customer does not experience any hand problems or performance issues.

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htotheizzo3561

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2010, 02:12:11 PM »
I do have a plug cutter! Lol

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Yo Yo Yo Mo Fo

htotheizzo3561

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2010, 02:39:14 PM »
Thanks for the tips!
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Yo Yo Yo Mo Fo

The Stroke

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2010, 03:15:29 PM »
quote:
Ask questions on BowlingChat.Net, and ask questions here.


LOL now that's a rib-tickler.
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Toodles

Guined

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2010, 04:17:19 PM »
Spend the money and take a class. Yes, it's expensive but it will be well worth it for both you and your customers. Many good indrouctory classes available. From the Power House training, Jayhawk, IBPSIA's Technical Certification class. Both the Power House and Jayhawk classes will also get you your IBPSIA certification.

Once you spent some time and have the Technical Certification, and if you want to take it to the next level. Then go take Mo's IBPSIA Advanced Certification Class. You will learn some amazing material and it's no cake walk to become certified. The test is brutal, there are only about 50 people in the world that have the certification.

Good luck!! It can be a very enjoyable business to be in or a very brutal business to be in. It's all about what you put into it and want to get out of it.

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is, match your customer up with the correct equipment. Don't always try to put someone in the latest and greatest high performance ball if it doesn't fit their game. It's about building long term customer releationships. NOT making a single sale.
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Rick Guined

Owner/Operator: New Millennium Proshop, LLC
Ebonite Gold Pro Shop Member
Vise PBA Regional Staff Player
IBPSIA Advanced Certified Technician
USBC Bronze Certified Instructor
www.viseinserts.com

JohnP

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #9 on: November 25, 2010, 09:13:26 AM »
Check into the classes offered by Classic Bowling Supplies in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that might be your closest bet.  --  JohnP

RichH

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Re: Pro Shop Opening Tips
« Reply #10 on: November 25, 2010, 11:20:58 AM »
As stated above...IBPSIA IS the gold standard for training. Recognized worldwide, you cant go wrong!
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Rich Huzina
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff
IBPSIA Adavanced Tech
USBC Silver Coach


The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of the Brunswick Corporation