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Author Topic: buying balls online vs. pro shop  (Read 10315 times)

punkrawk77

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buying balls online vs. pro shop
« on: December 03, 2005, 04:47:19 PM »
I totally realize that pro shops have to mark up items to make a profit so they can make a living.

I was just at my pro shop today and they want $219 for Ebonite The One.  Thats not counting tax, drilling, thumb slug, finger inserts, etc.

Online proshops are selling it around $125, about $140ish total for shipping and if you have it drilled by them your still way under the cost you would pay to just buy it from the pro shop without drilling.

Once I bought my dexter SST 5 LX shoes from my pro shop. I didn't realize it but I paid almost $25 dollars more through them than if I would have bought them online. I felt like I got ripped off a little.

Anyone have any comments or experiences purchasing balls w/ drilling through online vendors?
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MillWorker

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #16 on: December 06, 2005, 07:26:45 AM »
Doug ,

I respectfully disagree with one aspect of your comment.

____________________________________________________________________________
"What I can guarantee is this....you support the local guy and he'll take care of you. But if you bring in 5 balls per year off the Internet he'll charge you to drill them and you may come out ahead financially but I guarantee (unless he's good friend or something) that you won't get the top notch service and consideration as if you bought them there."
_____________________________________________________________________________


My pro shop uses a la carte pricing. Labor is labor and it doesn't matter where you buy the retail product. The consumer is paying for a drilling service similar to any other labor charge, time and skill. I give my customers the same services you mentioned in your post and I do it no matter where they bought the ball. In fact, I love drilling balls purchased elsewhere. I have no asset dollars tied up in inventory and I get the labor. It's a win for everyone. The customer gets the product they want at the price they want to pay and they get a ball professionally fit and drilled.
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Easy10pins

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #17 on: December 06, 2005, 07:29:41 AM »
I order the majority of my equipment online.  I usually get a discount on drilling because I use the same pro shop every time and the owner is cool with repeat customers.
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2EZ

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #18 on: December 06, 2005, 09:22:49 AM »
Brinen:
quote "You said 127 for the ONE. I can tell you for a fact that my pro shop guy cannot get the ball for that amount."

Have him go to http://www.bowling.com.  He can get one there for $125.99, free shipping.
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shelley

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #19 on: December 06, 2005, 09:41:26 AM »
quote:
After league this guy comes up to me after bowling league who runs the proshop where I currently live. And I quote did we do something to make you mad (mind you all I have ever gotten from this proshop is some ball work done)  I havent purchased a ball yet at all or anything.  He tells me he noticed that I had the new equipment and wanted to know if they had made me mad. Come one number one you dont come to a person to ask them why they did something? Am I just really over reacting or is this justified.  I mean I saved almost 120 dollars per ball as opposed to this proshop where I live.  What do you guys think?


If he sees you as a good customer or even a potential customer, I can understand what he said.  Of course, online, we can't "hear" how he said it, whether he was upset or curious or anything.  From my perspective, it's possible he's simply trying to figure out why you didn't come to him, maybe he wants to know if there's a competitor out there he needs to be aware of, maybe he's worried his service is slipping.

If that is the case, your answer is easy:  Tell him you saw a really great deal back home that you just couldn't pass up.  You have nothing against his work (well, if that's true), but that deal was too good to miss.  If he's a good guy, he'll understand.  If he's one of those guys that hides your specs so you can't take them somewhere else, he won't, and you should avoid him anyway.

SH
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JOE FALCO

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #20 on: December 06, 2005, 10:01:41 AM »
Only one comment:
If I buy a ball on-line and take it to the local PRO SHOP for drilling .. I'll pay the price for drilling and I EXPECT the pro shop to stand behind the drilling. If the drilling IS UNCOMFORTABLE .. needs to be adjusted .. or anything else about the drilling .. I EXPECT the local PRO SHOP to adjust as required  .. there is NO CONSIDERATION for WHERE THE BALL WAS PURCHASED .. I paid for a service that has to be to MY SATISFACTION.

I get the impression here that it is implied that this service is based on WHERE YOU BOUGHT THE BALL .. that would be VERY UNFAIR!
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shelley

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #21 on: December 06, 2005, 10:18:39 AM »
quote:
I get the impression here that it is implied that this service is based on WHERE YOU BOUGHT THE BALL .. that would be VERY UNFAIR!


Absolutely true.  I understand being resentful that someone didn't buy the ball from the pro shop.  They want to sell the complete package.  But if the driller screws up, I don't care how, they should fix it.  If he drops the ball on the floor and it splits in half, that's his fault and he should replace the ball.  If he puts the thumb hole 1/8" too far away, fix it.  What part of the origin of the ball made him do the thumb wrong?

I understand giving repeat, local customers a break.  Giving them a good deal on multiple-ball purchases.  Offering additional incentives like replacement grips or a free resurfacing.  

But nickel-and-diming your customers who bought a ball off the internet is silly.  They see you charging for every little thing, what makes them think you won't do the same if they bought the ball there?  They're just as likely to think "Good thing I saved money on the ball, because everything else costs so much.  If I had bought it here, it'd've been another $40."  Nevermind that you'd've comped 'em $40 worth of work.

SH
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ChrispyBrownies

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #22 on: December 06, 2005, 09:59:14 PM »
Ha, what do know. Been like that forever.
I am on my high school bowling team, #1 in the state of KY, and our coach is Chuck Farish. He coaches his son Daniel Farish, who is a Junior Gold American bowler for the U.S. Chuck owns his own pro shop. Of course, his son gets balls when he wants, for free. The Team has a discounted price also. for instance, I am planning to get a Smokin Inferno. Online, its $125.99. In his Pro shop, with drilling, its $200.00. I can get the ball online and have it drilled at his pro shop for $175.00 ($50 for drilling, and thats discounted). It really stinks they cant have the same prices.
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Its hard to play with an inferno and not get burned. Last time I threw my inferno, the opposing bowler definitely got burned.
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sheppy335

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #23 on: December 07, 2005, 06:31:26 AM »
My Freind has a Pro Shop and i do trust him cause if something is wrong with the ball he can get it fixed or replaced for me and his prices always include drilling, maybe alittel extra to cover a thumb slug. I know i can get it cheaper usually online but he (atleast for me will match or come close to there price) but i also recommend him to everyone i know. As for shoes tape and bags i always buy online much cheaper.
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Oil is served Best with fingers!
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charlest

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #24 on: December 07, 2005, 08:00:16 AM »
quote:
Ha, what do know. Been like that forever.
I am on my high school bowling team, #1 in the state of KY, and our coach is Chuck Farish. He coaches his son Daniel Farish, who is a Junior Gold American bowler for the U.S. Chuck owns his own pro shop. Of course, his son gets balls when he wants, for free. The Team has a discounted price also. for instance, I am planning to get a Smokin Inferno. Online, its $125.99. In his Pro shop, with drilling, its $200.00. I can get the ball online and have it drilled at his pro shop for $175.00 ($50 for drilling, and thats discounted). It really stinks they cant have the same prices.
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Its hard to play with an inferno and not get burned. Last time I threw my inferno, the opposing bowler definitely got burned.


And you would have him make zero profit for providing you with a ball and drilling for what reason now?
You do realize that if he sold you an Inferno for $125, he would make no money, in fact he would be out the cost of shipping, IF he were lucky enough to be able to buy the Inferno for $125. Many pro shops can't get that ball for that price.
You do realize it costs him money to buy the ball and to drill it. You would have him deny his family valid earnings because .. you're a special friend of his? or are you just a student of his?

Why do you think $200 for a drilled Inferno is unfair?
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Doug Sterner

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #25 on: December 07, 2005, 08:14:47 AM »
First off I don't plan to hijack a thread here but let mee reply and clear upo what seems to be a misconception about my first reply.

I stand behind my work 100%. If I mess up spans, pitches , hole sizes etc I'll fix/ replace at my own cost and have done so on repeated occasions. What I won't do for the Internet ball customer is offer the service package, incentive or personal guarantee on the ball's effectiveness because they did not buy the ball from me. If I disagree with the ball choice or specs I will inform the customer as such before we start and then I will do everything I can to make it work for them. Let's face it that $29.99 Ebay PowerGroove with the 4" pin and 5 oz of top weight is NOT going to work for everyone.

For those on a la carte pricing, that's fine. I have been there and done that. It does not work for me here. The year I went to that system my sales went down by 40% because people refused to "pay such an outrageous fee to have a bowling ball drilled." I guess $45 for teh drilling with inserts and slug was too much. I only marked the ball itself up 15% so I didn't think I was out of line.

Anyway...just wanted to clear the air on an issue that seems a bit cloudy.
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Doug Sterner
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shelley

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #26 on: December 07, 2005, 08:26:52 AM »
quote:
won't do for the Internet ball customer is offer the service package, incentive or personal guarantee on the ball's effectiveness because they did not buy the ball from me.


That seems like a good attitude to me.  It's not your fault if they bought the wrong ball.  You're doing your best with what you have to work with (which, in most cases, probably isn't that hard) and I doubt you give them a lot of attitude about it.

quote:
I guess $45 for teh drilling with inserts and slug was too much. I only marked the ball itself up 15% so I didn't think I was out of line.


You wouldn't consider moving to MS, would you?  

SH
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clintdaley

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #27 on: December 07, 2005, 08:51:54 AM »
Not knocking anyone, but when Buddies can sell me a Robo Rule for $137.50 SHIPPED, and my COST from my distrbutor is more...something is wrong. Granted, there is one price level better than me, but it is only a $1 or 2 cheaper, and would still be more than the price from Buddies right now...and I get free shipping IF I place an order of $400 or more from my distributor...makes it tough on me when I can go to Buddies and get it cheaper than my own distributor I spend $1000s with each and every year.

PS I sell ALL high end balls (except EPXs) for $189 + tax, which includes drilling, grips and a slug.

PLUS....just ran into a case where I drilled a Goliath for a gentleman who buys EVERYTHING online....brought it in, I drilled it, but needed a weight hole. Now, the ball is cracking around the weighthole for whatever reason (pin is leverage, no where close to the weighthole) and he brought it back to me to see what I can do. Well, I deal with 3 distributors, and I have not ordered a Goliath from either...so neither one will take the return from me. Now he has to send it back to the online company, wait to hear what they say, and then go forward depending on what their decision is. If he would have purchased it from me, I would have had an answer for him in 2-3 days from my distributor and another ball within a week (tops) if they warranteed it...this way...he has already waited 3 weeks and no answer!

Clint
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Clint Daley-Owner
Lets Go Bowling Daley
Inside Hunt Club Lanes
Salem, Ohio 44460
TRACK ADVISORY PRO SHOP STAFF

http://www.trackbowling.com/

http://www.startabowlingrevolution.com/


Edited on 12/7/2005 9:46 AM
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MegaMav

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #28 on: December 07, 2005, 12:14:11 PM »
harry, im right with you on this one.
the pro shop guy that does my work is great.
charges $30 for drilling and grips.
which is 100% reasonable and 75% profit.
and he is the best ball driller in the area, im a little biased though.
his infernos are 209 drilled, im unsure if thats with or without grips, or tax.
but i got my inferno from buddies for $110 + $30 drilling = $140
yeah! duh! $70+ difference!

look at the picture link below.
all are a result of ebay and buddiesproshop.com
and all of them except for 1 have prime specs (raven quantum 4.7 top)

if i bought from a proshop i'd probably have only about 3 or 4 balls
inferno, danger zone, combat zone tracer.

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MegaMav

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Re: buying balls online vs. pro shop
« Reply #29 on: December 07, 2005, 02:46:49 PM »
thank you, i appreciate it.
im finally done wheeling and dealing for balls.
ive got all the ones i want for the next 10 years.
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