BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: DP3 on December 26, 2007, 01:18:19 PM
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Ok, say Wal-Mart decided to add a bowling section to it's sports department. Say they carried around 5-8 of every company's hottest balls with 2 or 3 plastic/entry level balls and sold them at Internet pricing with drilling included. How many of you would leave your current driller and get your balls drilled there if they had a "Certified" driller, but still paid him a typical $1.50 above minimum wage, hourly wage? To stir the pot even more, what if no plugging/redrilling services were offered and a no-return on drilled balls policy in effect? Would you still buy your balls for $50-70 cheaper at Wal-Mart and take the 50/50 risk of a good job/poor job being done?
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-DJ Marshall
...The Twelve In a Row Pro Shop. Hyattsville, MD
Coach: University of Maryland Baltimore County Mens Bowling
Edited on 12/26/2007 10:18 PM
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No, nothing can replace the service of a pro shop. Walmart does not have bowling lanes to test things on, and I highly doubt them to be certified, regardless of what piece of paper says so.
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Brian
Northside Pro Shop Staff
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Would you have surgery done if walmart offered it?
I thought so.
Andrew
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FUFU
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not me---I am very happy with my driller and his knowledge and his prices are more than fair. I have had several drillers over the years and many were not very good and would not spend the time with you on matching you up with equipment and the proper ball layout for my PAP.
Edited on 12/26/2007 10:32 PM
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not me----my pro shop operator is ibpsia certified and has forgotten more about ball drilling than anybody wal-mart would have.
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If this were four years ago, before I bought my press and before we got a decent ball driller in town, I probably would have gone the Wal-Mart route. But now, assuming I didn't have my press...no way. The guy downtown offers much better service than in the hypothetical Wal-Mart scenario.
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...formerly "The Curse of Dusty," and "Poöter Boöf" before that...
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I would go to walmart. if there was a qualifed driller like you said. Because he would get your specs down and get to know you and do a good job for you like anybody else. Also with walmart return policys I am sure they would be better on returning stuff then any pro hsop.
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i would buy my stuff there i would just get a drill sheet from whichever company i buy and get them to drill it like that. can always use money...
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If he's a certified driller and proves to have knowledge of bowling, why not try one? If you like what the guy talks about and what he does when he drills for you, then I say go for it. Sure, you might not get the same warranty and such as a normal pro shop might give you, but aren't new balls on warranty with the ball company anyway? If something goes bad with the ball, take it up with the company. Now you'll have the downtime between when the company can deal with you, but in my experience, I've never had that problem, so I'd give them a try.
And if he screws up, well you saved the money. Go get it plugged/redrilled at your normal guy and never go there again.
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---Ryan
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No way.
I bought my first ball at Treasury (it was the discount store of JC Penney) and had them drill it. They were supposedly trained to do the measuring and drilling. Since that adventure almost 30 years ago, I will never have anyone but my pro shop guy drill my equipment.
I love my pro shop guys and they do an excellent job with reasonable pricing.
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USBC Bronze Coach
"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean
Quaker 10/93 - 4/07
Quaker (http://"http://thongprincess.bowlspace.com/gallery/view_gallery.one?gal_id=1")
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If this was to happen, I highly doubt they would have high performance balls. Some spare and maybe some entry level equipment with low end rollers. Same with all the sport equipment, mostly the cheaper stuff.
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We hit high, still strike, you know this...BOWLLLLIIINNNGGG!!!!
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#1 to me is making sure that my equipment fits just right.
the thing about bowling is that feel is so important.
And you can only be throwing one ball at a time.
Quality over quantity
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Brandon Riley
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Nope. I drill my own b/c I like to experiment and my local proshop trys to get rich quick.
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****Kids in the back seat cause accidents; accidents in the back seat cause kids.****
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quote:
If this was to happen, I highly doubt they would have high performance balls. Some spare and maybe some entry level equipment with low end rollers. Same with all the sport equipment, mostly the cheaper stuff.
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We hit high, still strike, you know this...BOWLLLLIIINNNGGG!!!!
What are you saying? I thought Andre Agassi got all his tennis rackets at Wal Mart! Doesn't Tiger Woods get his stuff from Wally World too? I bet Rex Grossman gets his jock strap and cup there! Plus, you know Bill Dance buys all his fishing tackle at Wal Mart! I also heard that SHE (http://"http://www.sports-wired.com/women/showPhoto.asp?ID=795") ( : DROOL : ) buys all her bras and panties at Wal Mart!
Low end stuff. HA!
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9~
The Shepherd has Spoken!
Edited on 12/27/2007 7:45 AM
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Yea it sounds like something that could be a possibility; But, what about the camaraderie between you and your local pro shop, all the joke telling and the personal service. Not to mention the fact that after you buy this piece of equipment, you can't try it out right away ( if you wanted to) without spending more gas to get to the local bowling center.
No Thanks, part of going to a Pro-shop is the time spent there just hanging out
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Dale Williams
Columbia 300 Utah Amateur Staff
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Unless you and Old Man Slater left 12 in a Row and opened up shop in walmart I'm saying oh hell no.
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Founder of H Phi H
Member of Hoss Central Inc
-Ive been called Cocky and Arrogant thorughout my career...Being humble is alright and all but I prefer to Shut my critics up and Shut'em Down and if that makes me Cocky and Arrogant then I am what I am- K.C.D
I don't care if my signature is long. Deal with it.
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Wallyworld SUCKS. I am one of those people that will actually pay a premium somewhere else before WM gets a penny from me...
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I think it comes down to who is drilling the balls. It sounds like if your starving proshop operator decided to get a 9-5 job at Walmart drilling balls, a lot of people would be getting balls at Walmart.
In my area, a number of proshop operators are around for a while and then go out of business. So there are drillers around.
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No. I'm very happy with my current ball driller. Now if he got hired by Wal-Mart, then they would have my business!
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If Wal-Mart sold bowling balls I would never know because you couldn't pay me to set foot in one. Hellholes!
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Go Bucs?
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I call a huge amount of BS on most of these answers. I'm sure a decent percentage of people would stay with their current proshop because they like them and they do good work. But look how many people buy tons of balls online, and quite a few people go for the drilling service also. Why? MONEY. With the recent threads about people buying 10-15 NIB balls and who knows how many used ones, price is the driving force. If people were paying, say $200 per ball including drilling, they wouldn't be buying 10-15 new balls per year. Heck, many of the people buying used equipment look for similar spans and pitches. You know many of them probably just change out the grips and don't worry that the pitches are different and the span is 1/2" longer. Many of the dedicated people here are picky about getting everything right, but there are plenty of people that will use anything if it's close.
If Walmart/Target had a competent driller and good prices, plenty of people would be getting most of their equipment there. No one would care that the driller wasn't making squat.
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Telling it like it is.
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i'd buy but only cause i drill my own stuff
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www.bowlingballexchange.com
Triggerman
F.O.S Loud, F.O.S. Proud
Lane #1 Baby
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I'd buy my balls at Walmart, and have my pro shop drill them. Sorry, but the markup on equipment at local shops is just too much. I know they are trying to make an honest living in a market going through early to mid phases of domination by internet sales, but I'm loyal to my wallet, not the proshops bank account.
Conversely, I would never buy a ball over the internet and have them drill it and ship it to me.
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There is nothing so easy to learn as experience and nothing so hard to apply.
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Walmart and Sports Academy carried balls and shoes a while back - The brunswicks are sold @ those spots and you can find some plastic balls sometimes also.. Getting a ball drilled @ that spot is like playing gambling. You win a few..
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quote:
No way.
I bought my first ball at Treasury (it was the discount store of JC Penney) and had them drill it. They were supposedly trained to do the measuring and drilling. Since that adventure almost 30 years ago, I will never have anyone but my pro shop guy drill my equipment.
LOL - Treasury. I wanted a ball at Treasury (a nice-looking, ice blue Ebonite that wasn't available at the pro shop) but never got it. I had my first ball drilled at JC Penneys or Sears - don't remember which. Treasury was the largest store I ever set foot inside.
Anyway, I would never stray from the Pro Shop. I don't even try to buy used equipment that is "similar" to my own specs - I used to do that as well until I realized that my fingers were hurting because the pitches were off.
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Official Member of the BrunsTrackColumStormHammEboRotoBuzzAMF Nation!
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Depending on the ball, I might buy it there.....but no way would I have them drill a ball. I'm way to pleased with my current pro shop's drilling to take that elsewhere.
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BR.com.....going down the toilet one nugget at a time!!
g thing is back....with a vengeance!!
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Maybe I am a little bit biased since I own and operate a Pro Shop, but here is my idle banter:
First and foremost, Dicks sells and drills bowling equipment in my area. I have gone and talked to the sales person that handles the ball fitting/drilling. I got fitted for a plastic ball and let them drill it. The middle finger was 63/64, 1/4 right lateral pitch. The ring finger was 63/64 3/8 right lat. (yes the holes met at the bottom) with a 1/2 inch bridge.
The span was way too long for a conventional drilling and by the way it was drilled it leads me to believe they just used a cordless drill to drill the damn thing. They charged me 59.99 for this ball including the "drilling".
Now in my pro shop I charge 65.99 for a plastic ball, that is including fitting and drilling. Is this 6 dollar savings really worth having your hand messed up from a ill fitting ball?
As far as trying to get "rich", yes I am in business and business by definition- usually commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood. So I am trying to make enough money to pay for my food, house, car and electricity, all doing something I love. I figure to pay myself, the rent for my Pro Shop, various seminars and training workshops, telephone, internet, cc processing fees, insurance and electricity at my shop I need to have about 40-50% mark up on my merchandise. That is pennies compared to other retail operations.
So if you buy a ball on the internet- lets say a high end. Pay roughly 140 plus shipping- so about 155, you can bring it to me to have it drilled for $45 plus $20 for the inserts (finger and thumb)
or you can buy the same ball from me for 225 plus tax. Again I believe I am worth the 5 bucks.
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James McCarter
Co-Owner/Operator
The Bowlers Solution INC
Roto-Grip Staff Member
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proof or it didnt happen
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NO! NO! NO! A thousand times NO! Wal-mart is a company that buys all their merchandise from China, does not pay time and a half for overtime, shows their 30 hour per week employees how to apply for and get welfare, lock their employees in the store so they can't go home,etc, etc. They are a curse to the United States of America.
PS: This is all documented.
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Formerly HammerBowler
There are 39 boards on a lane, crossing 38 of them doesn't make you good....it makes you a moron.
¡Viva la Nación de Brunswick!
SCARLET FEVER! Rutgers Football '07-'08: 6-4
BR.com search hack: http://www.bowling-info.com/Search.html
Please don't get this guy started.
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Make history or sit back and watch it. -EV
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If they had 2 for 1 and the best driller around i would NOT give them a nickle!
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Im not defending Walmart in any way shape or form, as I despise them and have never bought something from them.
That being said, you claimed Walmart uses unfair business practices, you are the one responsible for coming up with proof. Im sure your right, and not looking to argue hear, but trying to say Im right because nobody can prove me wrong doesn't work like that. If I get charged with a crime, I don't ever have to even open my mouth in court. I can have me and my lawyer stay completely silent. Its not up to me to prove my innocence, its up to you to prove my guilt, same concept applies here.
He doesn't have to prove you wrong, you have to prove yourself right.
Note, not asking you to actually do that, as said I despise walmart also, im just making a point that applies to all topics.
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Not Me.
Cheap isnt always best so I'd stick with my current driller(s).
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Founder of H Phi H
Member of Hoss Central Inc
-Ive been called Cocky and Arrogant thorughout my career...Being humble is alright and all but I prefer to Shut my critics up and Shut'em Down and if that makes me Cocky and Arrogant then I am what I am- K.C.D
I don't care if my signature is long. Deal with it.
If THS is so easy why dont you have a 220+ average
BANKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI!!!!!!!!!!!!
Win or Go Home...Shwosh-The SuperHitMan
Opponent: Another victim.....
K.C.: ...................
Opponent: Scared speechless are we?
K.C.: Win or Go Home
Opponent:
K.C.: Lets Fight
Opponent: WTF I lost....
K.C.: Go Home
Opponent:Ouch my pride
K.C.: Lesson learned.
R.I.P Eddie Guerrero Viva La Raza
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How do you despise a store you've never bought anything from?
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It's a liberal thing. They hate profit.......
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I think for the most part bowlers do not like changing drillers including me so I would not change
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Carl
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Sign me up !
I'll take a 1/2 inch short span with the thumb to big for a $50-70 savings !!!
Honestly, I'd go for it ...
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quote:
I will head to my local pro shop. Right after I buy it online.
Sport Bowling is a F**king joke
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It pobably would not be anydifferent than what goes now when you buy a ball from Dick's or Sports Authority-----terrible fit, holes big enough to put 2 or 3 fingers in each.
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Um, how can you change your ball driller when your ball driller is yourself. Hmmm this is a hard question.
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Mark "scoot" Trgovac
C-G Pro Shop
Official "Spokesman"
Youngstown, Ohio
Track HITMAN.
Tag Team Coaching Success Story.
Happily distributing the red pills of CGNOMADDA. "if you take this pill, YOUR MIND WILL BE OPEN TO A WORLD NEW IDEAS."
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i think i'd have to give it a try.
just once.
bring an NIB ball i wanted to throw as an experiment.
if it works out, great!
if it doesn't, now i know.
just two issues:
1-i support my driller as much as i can.
2-if they only pay him about 7 bucks an hour to drill all day, that's gonna be one pissed off, tired dude, and that means trouble.
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Angle and vector be damned, we're going to the moon!!!
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I don't shop at Wal-Mart, so I guess that's a no.
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MainePBA
"I'd rather be a conservative nut job than a liberal with no nuts and no job."
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If I could just buy the NIB balls, I would do that .
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http://www.kennyskidmorebowling.com
Stand left, throw it right, and strap it like a trojan!!
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No.!
Mark
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already tried that didnt work out...nobody beats the driller u trust the most
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formerly known as absoluteinferno76
buddies pro shop best proshop in the industry!
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn297/hammer76_photos/021.jpg
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http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn297/hammer76_photos/022.jpg
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You know everyone on here is going to say no
For some reason, we here are all PBA pros and would drive 500 miles to get a ball drilled...but yet 3/4 of posters here can't avg 200
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quote:
I will head to my local pro shop. Right after I buy it online.
Sport Bowling is a F**king joke
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You know everyone on here is going to say no
For some reason, we here are all PBA pros and would drive 500 miles to get a ball drilled...but yet 3/4 of posters here can't avg 200
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The choice is rather simple (at least it is for me), I'd rather stick with my current driller(s) who I have confidence in prefered to having Grimmjow Jaggerjack who I have ZERO confidence in drill my equipment at a cheap price.
You wouldn't go to a blind dentist because he's cheaper than your regular dentist would you?
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Founder of H Phi H
Member of Hoss Central Inc
-Ive been called Cocky and Arrogant thorughout my career...Being humble is alright and all but I prefer to Shut my critics up and Shut'em Down and if that makes me Cocky and Arrogant then I am what I am- K.C.D
I don't care if my signature is long. Deal with it.
If THS is so easy why dont you have a 220+ average
BANKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI!!!!!!!!!!!!
Win or Go Home...Shwosh-The SuperHitMan
Opponent: Another victim.....
K.C.: ...................
Opponent: Scared speechless are we?
K.C.: Win or Go Home
Opponent:
K.C.: Lets Fight
Opponent: WTF I lost....
K.C.: Go Home
Opponent:Ouch my pride
K.C.: Lesson learned.
R.I.P Eddie Guerrero Viva La Raza
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quote:
It's a liberal thing. They hate profit.......
ROFL Adolphus works at Wal-Mart...
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Donnie Ray
"You can say what you want about the South, but I ain't never heard of anyone retiring to the North."
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ive seen a ball from dick's sporting goods certified ball drillers had 3 holes(obviously) all the same size 31/32 with the spand being off one finger by 3/4 inch the other by 1 inch. Im no certified ball driller i learned the old fashion way was tought went to a couple seminars and so on but i wouldn't trust some highschool kid that has a piece of paper saying hes qualified to drill my ball working for a little over min wage. even more so cause how's that person going to know how you throw where your pap is and so on i sure as helll aint going to walk into wally world with my bowling bag on my shoulder
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" when you dislodge your head from your a@! make sure to whipe your eyes"
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Well first off....this is never going to happen. Walmart likes products moving off the shelves and bowling balls are not going sell.
One word states it all for me why I will not give my business to anyone else:
SERVICE!!
I know I am going to get a excellent product! (A ball with a good pin placement and drilled right!)