BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: icon on July 25, 2013, 06:49:47 AM
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I found this article very interesting Why should i buy a used bowling ball (http://www.epicbowling.com/bowling-tips/bowling-tips-should-i-buy-a-used-bowling-ball/) . It makes a lot of sense. I bet if you were at the US open this week and Pete Weber handed you some of his old balls you might drill them. lol
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Some of that does make some sense, basically buy a used ball and use it as a guinea pig ball . . but you could just as easily do that with an old ball of yours that you don't use anymore. And the comment about "pitches may be so small that your driller can't read a difference." Pitch gauges read in 1/16 increments. If he can't read it, you can't feel it. Other than that, I wouldn't really argue the other points, but it's not exactly what I was expecting when reading the article . .
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The good thing with getting a used ball say from your proshop is you get to choose from different brands of balls. If you are re-drilling your old stuff you wont get to try say a used IQ pearl or something newer that someone has got rid of for something newer. I have seen a Diva,Iq pearl and a first blood in the proshop used for like $70 and didnt want to spend $215 to drill it new.
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Read the article in the link. The major flaw I see is that the author is understating the cost. He says $60+ for buying a used ball vs. $200+ for new. Really??
I can't say I've seen a pro-shop go through the work of plugging the thumb and fingers, de-oiling (Rejuvinator, Revivor, etc.), refinishing (spinner or Storm surface machine), and then putting the ball on display for $60, including a new drill. Yea, it has to include the new drill for an apples-to-apples comparison to the $200+ brand new ball.
Used is still cheaper, but not by near as much as suggested. Actually, it could be argued that you're better off buying a new ball that's a few years releases old off e-bay. At least you have a better idea what you're getting.
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For a very long time I used nothing BUT used bowling balls. I have a friend who has literally hundreds of them and when I get bored with my current lineup or look for something to experiment with, I head over to his house and pick one out. I like being about to experiment with layouts whatnot without having to plug and redrill a $200 investment as was noted in the article. I'm with you though Steven, very rarely do I see used balls in a pro shop for 60 unless they have 300 games on them or are 10 years old but either way you are saving a good chunk of change over buying new. In my case, I tried out a buddies Frantic that had been drilled twice before me. Then tried two different layouts of my own and ended up buying a new one online once I found a setup I liked. It helps having a friend with a drill press and the training to punch stuff out for free though rather than spending 30-40 bucks at a pro shop. ;D
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I have picked up some used stuff from my proshop friend since he has so many used balls laying around. He only charges me around $75-80 for it with drilling and finger grips and thumb slug. I have seen him charge beginner bowlers around $50 for some of the lower performance balls. That way they can try a better ball and not have to just start out with a basic plastic ball. He does have like 100+ used balls in the shop that just sit there. So he can charge a cheap price.
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Depends on the ball. HP newer stuff used on ebay goes for close to $100 shipped. If you get something for $50 shipped you still are looking at roughly $40 for a complete plug plus inserts and thumb slug.
When I can get new stuff for $125 or less and drilling is free there is no point in messing with used equipment. For those who buy something and maybe only need to adjust the fingers or thumb Id say its a great deal.
I have five 15lb bowling balls with less then 10 games that look new if anyone is interested for $30 to $40 shipped. or any 4 for $100
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As someone else mentioned, the biggest thing for me is the cost in having one plugged and re-drilled. Combine that with the fact that my local Pro Shop often sells recently discontinued balls for really dang cheap, it would often times cost me more for a used ball.
For instance on his rack right now, Drilled ( no grips or slugs) for $99 I could choose between a Shout, Karma ( both solid and Pearl), Tropical Breeze, Super Natural ( blem ball), Slingshot and a couple more. Granted we aren't talking Premium lines, but there is still a ton to try out for relatively cheap.
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last year i picked up a rotogrip cell used at the shop for $75 with grips and plug. A month later i had a 788 series. Then also bowled 300 on another day. It was the best $75 i spent lol.
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I bought a NIB color blem Classic Zone years ago on ebay for 50 bucks, and had 2 300s with it. That's what you really ought to do. Costs just as much to plug and redrill as it does for an outside drill, and if you find old or discontinued new stuff on ebay, that to me seems a better way to go.
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The article suggests that you can can try out new layouts and/or companies to gauge ball reactions.
1) the surface finish is going to likely have much bigger impact than layout
2) by definition, used balls don't react the same as new. They are used, have absorbed lane conditioner, etc. If you base your opinion of a different company on reaction of a used ball...its a little short sighted...
About the only driver I can agree with there is cost... And the relative savings (as noted above) can be neglibile.
With that being said, I have a bunch of used equipment for sale on eBay if anyone is interested!
Scott
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The article suggests that you can can try out new layouts and/or companies to gauge ball reactions.
1) the surface finish is going to likely have much bigger impact than layout
2) by definition, used balls don't react the same as new. They are used, have absorbed lane conditioner, etc. If you base your opinion of a different company on reaction of a used ball...its a little short sighted...
About the only driver I can agree with there is cost... And the relative savings (as noted above) can be neglibile.
With that being said, I have a bunch of used equipment for sale on eBay if anyone is interested!
Scott
Excellent points. I have nothing against used balls, but like you said, to judge a company or a ball's reaction after a plug and redrill and resurface won't get you very accurate results.
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This next benefit is a scary one to a lot of bowlers. You now have the ability to alter the surface of the bowling ball. There aren’t many bowlers I know that buy a brand new ball and sand down the cover on the first day. I know many of you probably have wanted to try and change the surface, but are scared that you would ruin your ball and never get the original reaction back. With a used bowling ball you can take that risk and see if it works better on certain conditions for you.
Really? Are there bowlers that believe this?
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This next benefit is a scary one to a lot of bowlers. You now have the ability to alter the surface of the bowling ball. There aren’t many bowlers I know that buy a brand new ball and sand down the cover on the first day. I know many of you probably have wanted to try and change the surface, but are scared that you would ruin your ball and never get the original reaction back. With a used bowling ball you can take that risk and see if it works better on certain conditions for you.
Really? Are there bowlers that believe this?
Yes. Most of them are older bowlers who have experienced this before. Back before companies made their exact ball finish process known, it was really hard to return the ball to box finish. If they said the finish was 2000 abralon, but went 800-1000-1000-2000, we didn't know that, so we might have just gone 500-2000. Then when the ball acts nothing like it did out of the box, there was no way to figure out why. Ask the ball companies and they didn't want to say, because they considered it a secret at that time. Then they started realizing that was actually a problem, and started revealing their entire finishing process.
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I have always recommended closeout > used. It is good for the industry and you know exactly what condition the ball is in.
If the used ball you are buying is that good, why did the original owner put it up for sale?
Do you know if they tried to extract oil by putting the ball in the oven or dishwasher?
Then again, how do you pass up on a free or well maintained ball under $50?
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Anyone remember when you could get a lot of Blem bowling balls. I remember Bonanza having tons of bowling balls for really cheap. Most of them would have a X on the ball so you knew it was a blem. Do they even have Blem balls anymore to buy ?
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Anyone remember when you could get a lot of Blem bowling balls. I remember Bonanza having tons of bowling balls for really cheap. Most of them would have a X on the ball so you knew it was a blem. Do they even have Blem balls anymore to buy ?
X-outs and 2nds are still available. Companies have slightly different criteria for what qualifies as one or the other. I believe Storm/Roto even uses a slightly different version for asymmetric equipment.
I don't think I've seen a "Bonaza" since Columbia was bought out by Ebonite.
I think Columbia (San Antonio plant) or AMF got their hand slapped by the USBC when the powers that be caught on to either the Bonanza II's or the Changelings not always being the same core/cover combo as the ball(s) that went through the approval process.
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Can definitely still buy them, my pro shop as a blem Super Natural atm.
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The guy who runs that blog, and who posted that article, lives and bowls in New York City. The guy is a career 180 bowler and doesn't actually know anything, so take his posts with a grain of salt.
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More concerned with his knowledge level than his average, so thanks for the info.
Some of the best coaches (in many sports) were not great players but great students of the game.
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The guy who runs that blog, and who posted that article, lives and bowls in New York City. The guy is a career 180 bowler and doesn't actually know anything, so take his posts with a grain of salt.
Flappers happens to be incorrect about the person who runs the blog, He averages 216. So at least know your facts before you just throw out random numbers as an average with no knowledge of the bowler.
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The guy who runs that blog, and who posted that article, lives and bowls in New York City. The guy is a career 180 bowler and doesn't actually know anything, so take his posts with a grain of salt.
Flappers happens to be incorrect about the person who runs the blog, He averages 216. So at least know your facts before you just throw out random numbers as an average with no knowledge of the bowler.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/379785185476303/
The guy who wrote that article has a career average in the 180's, and again, doesn't actually know much.
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EVerybody can learn something from anyone. You may have to pick and choose the information and be selective, but to tell me that you cannot learn something from someone indicates a closed mind and an unwillingness to accept ideas. I know someone who cannot throw the ball worth a crap, averages 160, but when he watches people release the ball, he can help with timing aspects and knows exactly what the ball is going to do as it comes off your hand.
3835
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Flapper, What is the exact persons name that you think runs the blog? you linked an entire facebook group. Then i can tell you if you have the right person.
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EVerybody can learn something from anyone. You may have to pick and choose the information and be selective, but to tell me that you cannot learn something from someone indicates a closed mind and an unwillingness to accept ideas. I know someone who cannot throw the ball worth a crap, averages 160, but when he watches people release the ball, he can help with timing aspects and knows exactly what the ball is going to do as it comes off your hand.
3835
Very well stated.
Thanks.
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Exactly correct St. Croix , You can find this in everyone sport. Some of the best boxing coaches weren't the best boxers. I don't there is a minimum average and achievements needed to become a usbc silver medal coach.
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Bonanza balls were there xouts and over runs for Columbia/AMF/Track before the buyout. Then came the sales gimmick of pro pin and pro cg bowling balls which were then selling xouts at the same price or higher then first quality balls. Even though the distributors were getting them for less. Great sales gimmick.
Most xouts are still readily available but not at the discount prices of years ago.
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They should really sell blems and them style balls for a little cheaper, so people can afford a few balls a year instead of on expensive ball.
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We have a couple hundred used balls laying around for anywhere between $25-$100. The high end $100 balls will be top shelf with less than 20 games.
Plugging, grips, and slug is extra sometimes but we work with the customer. Usually only sets them back $20 or so to fit it up.
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Up to $120 for a previously used ball?? No wonder you have a "couple hundred" of them laying around.
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i have seen a proshop owner that disliked the guy wanting to buy a used ball tell him $150 for a used PROactive zone from way back lol. It was like them proactive zones they gave away free at a pro-am.