Author Topic: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far (Read 4535 times)

allstarbowling-Joe · « **on:** January 04, 2008, 12:04:50 AM »

Id like to take a second to chime in on this topic...

Seeing that I see both sides of it (online sales vs retail sales) I can
understand both viewpoints. A big advantage that alot of the larger
e-tailers on the net have is in puchasing in volume obviously. I feel
this advantage shouldnt be eliminated because investing that type of
captial should entitle you to buy in a better price. In our situation
by buying at a better price it allows us to operate our retail business
at a lower price to the consumer and yet retain our profit margin.

From the proshop point of view the four BIG problems that need to be addressed
and would flatten the field out somewhat for everyone is:

o A uniform Internet sales tax
This is a huge break that causes people to buy on the net. Why not try
and save a few bucks if you can. States are losing a TON of revenue due
to this.

o Basement-dwelling drillers and pro shops
This is my biggest pet peeve in the industry. Im sure everyone of
pro shop owners here have heard "Hey so and so has a press and is drilling
in his basement/gargage. We can save a few bucks!!". Not only does
this lose you a ball sale, it loses you a customer for drilling as well, as
well as accessories, etc, as this mentality extends to this.

o Ball and Bag Margin
This is one of the biggest blows to the proshop industry as a whole. For
even medium sized shops it makes no sense to have a stock of any of this as
because the sales have just shrunk to the point of not making economic sense
in placing that kind of capital into a item that doesnt move. Roller bags
and high end shoes are especially prone to this problem. It doesnt make
much sense to stock a pair of shoes that might cost the shop $115.00 and have
them be forced to sell them at 129-135 plus tax to have any chance of
catching these sales that the customer perceives as having "no value added"
compared to buying online.

o Society in general fostering the mentality of "Give it to me as cheap as
possible".
Sadly this isnt limited to the bowling industry. The rise of what I like
to call the Wal Mart mentality is making it next to impossible to make
a decent living for alot people anymore, including the small businessman
who takes the chance and lays money on the line to follow a dream of his.
There is nothing wrong with shopping smartly, but when it simply comes down
to the last cent and nothing more and not service and knowledge, what can
you say?

Many may ask why I would like to see the above situations addressed since
we sell online as well as having 5 retail shops? Simply because I believe
the online model of doing sales is flawed and broken and cannot continue to
survive on 5-8 points profit. Its easy to exist with that when it is only
a one person operation. Start adding overhead, warehousing, etc and soon
enough you see that economically in the long run it is not viable. Plus the
customer relationships that are developed on the retail side cannot be
understated. Being just a number and another screen for me personally is
a bit bland but yet it is indicative of how society has become.

----
Retail Wise, Approx 1 Week Into New Pricing Structure

Our experience so far is that across all Ebonite brands sales and interest
have been way off as the customer is seeing a higher price for these balls
(roughly 10 or 15 higher depending) and ask why there is a price difference.
Most seem to be gravitating more towards Brunswick and Storm at this point.
Unforunately with the way the economy is right now, at least in the Cleveland
area, price DOES come into play , even at 10 to 15 dollars. The only real
Ebonite stuff that is moving at this point are Black Widows/Pearls/Bites.
----

Thanks,
Joe

--------------------
Come visit us for all your bowling needs:
http://www.allstarbowling.com

The lowest prices and best service... ALL the time!!

Our E*Bay Auctions & Store For Your Viewing Pleasure:
http://stores.ebay.com/AllStarBowling

NOTE:

We are not responsible for typographical errors. Errors
will be corrected. Any error in price/description will not obligate
All Star Bowling to sell the item in error.

Bowljr300 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2008, 08:43:46 PM »

A uniform Internet sales tax
This is a huge break that causes people to buy on the net. Why not try
and save a few bucks if you can. States are losing a TON of revenue due
to this.

My response was to the above inference that we should tax the internet to drive sales back to brick and morter locations. Currently, many internet sites charge tax and those taxes are making their way back to the states. To collect state tax and then not pay it is illegal.

BW · « **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2008, 09:30:42 PM »

quote:
A uniform Internet sales tax
This is a huge break that causes people to buy on the net. Why not try
and save a few bucks if you can. States are losing a TON of revenue due
to this.

My response was to the above inference that we should tax the internet to drive sales back to brick and morter locations. Currently, many internet sites charge tax and those taxes are making their way back to the states. To collect state tax and then not pay it is illegal.

But they only collect tax when they ship to someone in their own state. No tax is collected on out of state purchases. Each state and county has a different tax rate, making collection difficult for all but the largest comapnies, like walmart.

In my state, tax is owed on internet purchases but the state expects the consumer to print out a form and send it in voluntarily. Yeah, right. No one does, of course. And the state is out hundreds of millions of dollars that it has no way to collect. And then residents in the state complain about the roads and schools. Go figure.

I Hate Bowling · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2008, 09:11:13 PM »

You guys gotta be kiddin', right?
Level the playing field?
How 'bout not charging $50 for five minutes of work drilling balls ?
Doctors and lawyers don't make that much money.

I normally don't rant, but you guys stuck a pin in a sensitive spot here.
My username is a misnomer, I love bowling, but I can barely afford to do it.

If a consumer can save $50 buying online, they'd be crazy not to.
The typical bowler is in below average paying job, or retired on a fixed income. We're not rich country club golfers, its bowling for a crying out loud. When did it become so damn expensive ? The equipment keeps getting more expensive but doesn't last as long as it used to. The average joe bowler can't afford this expensive hobby as it is, let alone get raked across the coals by the pro-shop owner.

If you want to level the playing field how about not charging a half a weeks pay for a new ball and drilling ? Maybe if you raise the drilling price to $100 bucks for people bringing in balls they bought online then we'll be forced to buy from the retail pro shops instead of online. Or raise your prices on items we've got to have at a moments notice, like thumb tape, cleaners, polishes ? Prices on these items are already rediculous.

I've got news for you, the great majority of bowlers are not allstarbowlers, but beginners whom can barely afford league fees, let alone decent equipment. Times are tough and the economy is slow, but your solution is find a way to make the online shoppers pay more so they'll have toshop at the retail shops instead. We're talking about people whom can barely make ends meet what's wrong with a "give it to me as cheap as possible" mentality ? We already pay rediculous amounts of money for overpriced products besides shoes, balls and bags.

If you don't want to lose customers to online shopping and "basement drillers" quit trying to get rich and get used to just making a living. Run for President ? Don't even get me started there.

Dan Belcher · « **Reply #19 on:** January 11, 2008, 09:44:23 PM »

quote:
How 'bout not charging $50 for five minutes of work drilling balls ?
Doctors and lawyers don't make that much money.

You're not paying for the work as much as you are paying for the knowledge (and the proper equipment). Anybody can punch three holes in a bowling ball. Not many people can do it right...

laufaye · « **Reply #20 on:** January 11, 2008, 11:53:52 PM »

quote:
You guys gotta be kiddin', right?
Level the playing field?
How 'bout not charging $50 for five minutes of work drilling balls ?
Doctors and lawyers don't make that much money.

I normally don't rant, but you guys stuck a pin in a sensitive spot here.
My username is a misnomer, I love bowling, but I can barely afford to do it.

If a consumer can save $50 buying online, they'd be crazy not to.
The typical bowler is in below average paying job, or retired on a fixed income. We're not rich country club golfers, its bowling for a crying out loud. When did it become so damn expensive ? The equipment keeps getting more expensive but doesn't last as long as it used to. The average joe bowler can't afford this expensive hobby as it is, let alone get raked across the coals by the pro-shop owner.

If you want to level the playing field how about not charging a half a weeks pay for a new ball and drilling ? Maybe if you raise the drilling price to $100 bucks for people bringing in balls they bought online then we'll be forced to buy from the retail pro shops instead of online. Or raise your prices on items we've got to have at a moments notice, like thumb tape, cleaners, polishes ? Prices on these items are already rediculous.

I've got news for you, the great majority of bowlers are not allstarbowlers, but beginners whom can barely afford league fees, let alone decent equipment. Times are tough and the economy is slow, but your solution is find a way to make the online shoppers pay more so they'll have toshop at the retail shops instead. We're talking about people whom can barely make ends meet what's wrong with a "give it to me as cheap as possible" mentality ? We already pay rediculous amounts of money for overpriced products besides shoes, balls and bags.

If you don't want to lose customers to online shopping and "basement drillers" quit trying to get rich and get used to just making a living. Run for President ? Don't even get me started there.

If I pay you $51, can you do it in 4 minutes? Oh wait, do you know how? Sorry you don't make enough money, try work harder, or try to charge more, get a job pay $50 for 5 minutes. Think before you rant.
--------------------
Laufaye

allstarbowling-Joe · « **Reply #21 on:** January 13, 2008, 01:10:45 AM »

The sales tax portion of my rant wasnt intended as to be a way to drive
people back to the retail purchasing of items. It is meant to level out
the so-called playing field by not allowing someone who is selling online
an unfair advantage that brick and mortar shops have no way of matching.
And yes, states are losing out in every aspect of online sales (just
not bowling mind you). If I remember right Clinton had put a moratorium
on levying any taxes for a 10 year period in the 90's. I believe Bush
extends it each year. Its original intent was to allow for ecommerence
to grow and prosper. It has and now as with everyone else who is in
business it is only fair for this segment to pay the same kinds of taxes
as do store fronts do.

Id also like to take a second to share some of our prices we charge
retail for balls, with drilling, grips, slug, etc:

o Brunswick:
Twisted Furys $189
o Columbia:
Momentum/Resurgence $199
o Ebonite:
NVS/Total NV $199
o Hammer
Black Widows $189

I use these as an example. If you are a regular customer with us
who purchases more then 2-3 balls a year then you get a discount from
these amounts as well. As you can see, at least at any of our shops,
it makes no sense to bring a ball in purchased online as you will not
save any significant $ except possibly the sales tax.

Thanks,
Joe
--------------------
Come visit us for all your bowling needs:
http://www.allstarbowling.com

The lowest prices and best service... ALL the time!!

Our E*Bay Auctions & Store For Your Viewing Pleasure:
http://stores.ebay.com/AllStarBowling

NOTE:

We are not responsible for typographical errors. Errors
will be corrected. Any error in price/description will not obligate
All Star Bowling to sell the item in error.

notsohotshot · « **Reply #22 on:** January 13, 2008, 08:12:10 AM »

Yea Joe,but why in the world do you need $27.95 shipping for every ball purchased on Ebay?nflated shipping by several online shippers have really ruined Ebay for anyone trying to get rid of older stuff.The past customers are gone!!!

BW · « **Reply #23 on:** January 13, 2008, 06:10:53 PM »

quote:
It would be difficult for online retailers to withhold sales taxes for each state if required. It would involve each retailer to have and account with each state to report and pay the taxes withheld on each sale. It would cost the online retailer more to manage this additional paperwork ie more paper work filing, more employees to handle it. So its not a simple matter and the ball buyer just ends up paying and paying to suit the businesses and states desire for more money. So I am against online sale taxes.
--------------------
Harry

Are you also against education, road construction, and social services in your state? States with a sales tax and large population lose billions every year in lost revenue from lost sales tax. So they raise other taxes to make up for it. And citizens complain about poor schools and roads. You can't have it both ways.

Author Topic: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far (Read 4535 times)

allstarbowling-Joe

Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

Bowljr300

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

BW

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

I Hate Bowling

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

Dan Belcher

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

laufaye

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

allstarbowling-Joe

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

notsohotshot

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far

BW

Re: Ebonite Pricing - My Views/Experience So Far