Author Topic: Corporate bowling center rant (Read 5865 times)

rocky61201 · « **on:** June 01, 2017, 01:50:09 PM »

Our local privately owned bowling alley just closed down. 40 lanes. Sold to a car dealership.

It is (was) a staple of the community, always busy and at least a dozen or so active leagues during the week at any given time of the year. It was a safe place for teenagers to hang out in the evening and there were always plenty of them there. As a parent myself, I could sleep at ease if my teens were there on a Friday/Saturday night.

The Friday night fall league has 30 teams and the summer league usually has around 20. The nearest bowling alley about 10 miles away is an AMF corporate bowling alley with 40 lanes. The absorbed many of the leagues but chose NO on the Friday night leagues. AMF would rather keep all 40 lanes on open bowling for the entire night on Fridays. We were told it was a "corporate HQ decision". I hope they make less money than they would from us league bowlers.

bradl · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2017, 02:20:36 AM »

Quote from: BEAGLEBOWL on June 05, 2017, 01:27:31 AM

Open play vs league is even on display at this years OC. Only 1 late night BJ squad offered on Saturdays due to how busy center is with open play.

Vegas is the exception to the norm, though. They have that open play every night, regardless of what is going on, and it is always packed. ALWAYS.

Here is where heading out to somewhere like Smoke Ranch Station comes in, as they offered $.50 bowling after 1am, so when I was restless, I'd go roll 10 games for $5, and an hour later, I was back home, asleep.

But the weekends at roughly any bowling alley in Vegas is going to have nothing but open play, and charge a pretty penny, regardless of whatever tournament is in town.

BL.

spencerwatts · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2017, 02:41:03 PM »

I want to call myself still stuck in the 20th century. But typical cheap ass scratch bowler who brings his own water or other drink is equally as fitting.

I can't wrap my brain around paying no more than $2 a game to bowl any time. I'm glad there are a couple of places that honor $1 a game practice for PBA members or I'd be in trouble.

Luke Rosdahl · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2017, 06:44:22 AM »

Well considering that on average it costs a bowling center $1.50 just to turn a lane on, I can't see how you'd think a center could survive on a couple bucks a game and manage to provide any kind of quality or service.

Quote from: spencerwatts on June 05, 2017, 02:41:03 PM

I want to call myself still stuck in the 20th century. But typical cheap ass scratch bowler who brings his own water or other drink is equally as fitting.

I can't wrap my brain paying no more than $2 a game to bowl any time. I'm glad there are a couple of places that honor $1 a game practice for PBA members or I'd be in trouble.

spencerwatts · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2017, 01:51:43 PM »

If you're a serious bowler who practices more than 10 to 12 games a week, unless you have the financial means, I doubt if you'd be willing to plunk out $50 to $60 a week based on those numbers.

Besides, bowlers like myself probably account for less than 5 percent of a bowling alley's weekly open play and revenue.

HackJandy · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2017, 04:37:53 PM »

Yep I guess slightly putting up with the hipsters overpaying for games and drinks beats having no lanes at all. That is as long as the damn centers don't always turn the lights off for all lanes even during day time.

Luke Rosdahl · « **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2017, 11:49:30 AM »

Slow time specials or deals are one thing, but games can't be 2 bucks all the time. I realize a lot of the time it's just getting people in the door and that shoe rental, food, and alcohol is where you're going to get your main base of revenue, but the bowling has to at least pay for itself. League or frequent bowlers seem to think they're keeping the place open, but they're really the last people that centers want to see walk in the door. They're gonna want a discount, they're gonna want a fresh shot, they're gonna want 2 lanes most of the time, so most of the time it's more work and cost and hassle when a league bowler comes in then when an open play bowler comes in. They'll pay full price and take what they get.

Quote from: spencerwatts on June 06, 2017, 01:51:43 PM

If you're a serious bowler who practices more than 10 to 12 games a week, unless you have the financial means, I doubt if you'd be willing to plunk out $50 to $60 a week based on those numbers.

Besides, bowlers like myself probably account for less than 5 percent of a bowling alley's weekly open play and revenue.

northface28 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2017, 02:55:08 PM »

Quote from: spencerwatts on June 06, 2017, 01:51:43 PM

If you're a serious bowler who practices more than 10 to 12 games a week, unless you have the financial means, I doubt if you'd be willing to plunk out $50 to $60 a week based on those numbers.

Besides, bowlers like myself probably account for less than 5 percent of a bowling alley's weekly open play and revenue.

I pay that this summer about $40 a week to practice. Keep in mind, this is practice, not mindlessly throw balls with no purpose. Big difference.

Impending Doom · « **Reply #23 on:** June 10, 2017, 03:04:36 PM »

Quote from: northface28 on June 10, 2017, 02:55:08 PM

Quote from: spencerwatts on June 06, 2017, 01:51:43 PM
If you're a serious bowler who practices more than 10 to 12 games a week, unless you have the financial means, I doubt if you'd be willing to plunk out $50 to $60 a week based on those numbers.

Besides, bowlers like myself probably account for less than 5 percent of a bowling alley's weekly open play and revenue.

I pay that this summer about $40 a week to practice. Keep in mind, this is practice, not mindlessly throw balls with no purpose. Big difference.

This.

Juggernaut · « **Reply #24 on:** June 10, 2017, 03:11:43 PM »

Quote from: northface28 on June 10, 2017, 02:55:08 PM

Quote from: spencerwatts on June 06, 2017, 01:51:43 PM
If you're a serious bowler who practices more than 10 to 12 games a week, unless you have the financial means, I doubt if you'd be willing to plunk out $50 to $60 a week based on those numbers.

Besides, bowlers like myself probably account for less than 5 percent of a bowling alley's weekly open play and revenue.

I pay that this summer about $40 a week to practice. Keep in mind, this is practice, not mindlessly throw balls with no purpose. Big difference.

Back in the day, I worked out a deal to clean up the parking lot, mow the right of ways, and pull/wash the shaker covers once a week in trade for my bowling.

I paid out of pocket for my leagues, but my open bowling was free. Usually around 25-30 games a week.

bcw1969 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 10, 2017, 07:08:20 PM »

my home center offers 1 dollar a games specials mon - fri from 2pm - 5pm, of course that's before they oil for the evening leagues--but sunday mornings from 8 am - 11 am it is 1 buck a game and the lanes are oiled before they open.

Brad

northface28 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2017, 07:41:51 PM »

Quote from: bcw1969 on June 10, 2017, 07:08:20 PM

my home center offers 1 dollar a games specials mon - fri from 2pm - 5pm, of course that's before they oil for the evening leagues--but sunday mornings from 8 am - 11 am it is 1 buck a game and the lanes are oiled before they open.

Brad

The messier the better, I don't want fresh lanes. Give me the most trashed pair in the house.

Author Topic: Corporate bowling center rant (Read 5865 times)

rocky61201

Corporate bowling center rant

bradl

Re: Corporate bowling center rant

spencerwatts

Re: Corporate bowling center rant

Luke Rosdahl

Re: Corporate bowling center rant

spencerwatts

Re: Corporate bowling center rant

HackJandy

Re: Corporate bowling center rant

Luke Rosdahl

Re: Corporate bowling center rant

northface28

Re: Corporate bowling center rant

Impending Doom

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Juggernaut

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bcw1969

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northface28

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