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Author Topic: Cost to oil one lane  (Read 34859 times)

bowl400

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Cost to oil one lane
« on: September 16, 2015, 12:56:08 PM »
Wondering if anyone knows how much it costs to oil one lane with a 40 foot long house pattern using Kegel Fire and/or Ice conditioner.  Have bowled 3 different centers so far starting this winter and all 3 featured short/lightly oiled patterns.  I was told that the centers are just trying to save a little money.
« Last Edit: September 16, 2015, 02:14:08 PM by bowl400 »

 

itsallaboutme

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #46 on: September 22, 2015, 07:13:05 AM »
No one is figuring the cost of the $25-35k lane machine, it's maintenance and labor to maintain as a cost.  The $1.25 is close, but still not enough, in consumables and labor for the guy just pushing the button.

spmcgivern

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #47 on: September 22, 2015, 09:03:40 AM »
I think we have two sides to this argument.  You have the side that is determining the cost as if the center owns nothing so cost of:
  • Machine
  • Labor
  • Oil
  • Cleaner
  • Cloth
Then you have those that assume you have those things already set in the cost and are only looking at what the difference in cost of oiling "light" to oiling "heavier than light."  In this scenario the only difference would probably be the difference in cost of oil going from X ml to Y ml.  You are going to oil the lanes anyway so all other things are the same. 

Problem I think we are seeing is owners/managers SAYING it is cost when in reality they don't want to change anything.  Perhaps they have friends who are scoring well.  Perhaps the knuckle ball throwers have a louder voice.  Perhaps the owner set the lanes up specifically for them.  Either way, I really doubt cost is the real reason.

scrub49

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #48 on: September 22, 2015, 09:15:11 AM »
spmcgivern I think you hit point that I was going to bring up sometimes it what most of the bowlers want at that center alot of free hook stand left send it right.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2015, 10:49:23 AM by scrub49 »

luv2C10falll

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #49 on: September 22, 2015, 10:38:20 AM »
I'm with Scrub  on this one.Higher scores = more bowlers in your center.
Plain and simple

scrub49

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #50 on: September 22, 2015, 10:54:11 AM »
In my area you have more bowlers who rather shoot 290 and lose than 190 and win I really hate to say that but it's the truth.

xrayjay

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #51 on: September 22, 2015, 11:15:00 AM »
"high scores = more bowlers"

that's been like that for decades.

we are a very small group of bowlers who prefer to be challenged. We are a very small group of bowlers that comes back for more when we bowl our worst. We are a very small group of bowlers who would drive more than a half hour just to bowl leagues with small price found.

Face it, the very very big group of bowlers, are organized recreational bowlers who are entitled to high scores. because, they pay good money on equipment, league dues, and they suck at golf.
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Good Times Good Times

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #52 on: September 22, 2015, 11:28:42 AM »
we are a very small group of bowlers who prefer to be challenged. We are a very small group of bowlers that comes back for more when we bowl our worst.

Thank God I'm a part of this group.

Face it, the very very big group of bowlers, are organized recreational bowlers who are entitled to high scores. because, they pay good money on equipment, league dues

Thank God I'm not a part of this group.
GTx2

michelle

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #53 on: September 22, 2015, 01:54:06 PM »
We have a lefty throwing a Turbo urethane. 


They must REALLY have no hand if they need a Turbo to get to the pocket from the left side :D

michelle

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #54 on: September 22, 2015, 01:56:24 PM »
Yaaaa.....those jr high school kids are pretty expensive to employ !!

minimum wage is still minimum wage, no matter how old or young the employee...especially with so many entities whining about payments under the table (which would, in this case, include free games in exchange for labor around the center).

12XSECH

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #55 on: September 22, 2015, 03:14:06 PM »
If you figure in the cost of the machine to oil the lanes, then the lanes are cheaper and cheaper each time the lanes are oiled. The machine has to be paid off sooner or later. Ten years after buying the machine you cant still figure that cost into the amount. So if you bought a 25G machine and oiled one lane...That lane cost $25,001.25.

milorafferty

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #56 on: September 22, 2015, 04:46:39 PM »
If you figure in the cost of the machine to oil the lanes, then the lanes are cheaper and cheaper each time the lanes are oiled. The machine has to be paid off sooner or later. Ten years after buying the machine you cant still figure that cost into the amount. So if you bought a 25G machine and oiled one lane...That lane cost $25,001.25.

I always thought of the Lane Machine as being somewhat like a car. There is more to the cost of driving than just the initial purchase.

But I could be wrong.
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avabob

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Re: Cost to oil one lane
« Reply #57 on: September 23, 2015, 10:47:42 AM »
Lane machine maintenance is an issue.  A lot of people treat lane machines like they do their car, and skip routine maintenance.  Result is the same.  Shortened life, and more problems.  I was just talking to a friend of mine the other day.  He sad that they had been having a problem with the pattern at the house we bowl.  They couldn't get the house shot or the sport patterns to set up right.  Then somebody noticed a bolt laying in the gutter on one of the lanes.   Replaced the bolt, and viola.