Welcome to reality. Nice to see I'm not the only one here.

  I've said it for a long time, the ball companies DO NOT care about bowlers or bowling, only about how much money they can make off it.

 They absolutely flood the market (an artficial market they helped create) with more and more stuff, all the while playing to the people out there with the "Man, if you'd only had this ball" spiel.

 Bowling balls used to be high quality and durable, lasting for years.

 Now they wear out, burn up, and crack open, all while costing 2-3 times what they did back then.

 It didn't have to be this way.  Sadly, that horse is out of the barn now.

Why does it seem as though the strongest covers die the fastest regardless of maintenance?  Then, just like clockwork, as soon as something dies after 40-50 games then the next "strongest ball on the market" comes out.  It almost makes me want to stick with the midlevel stuff and just direct it on heavy oil conditions.  These bowling ball companies remind me of Apple.  The Iphone 6 is the BEST until the 6S comes out a few weeks later. 

I understand your frustration.  I think it has more to do with bowlers have become accustomed to the "norm" in regards to releases that companies will continue to release balls at that frequency because there are always individuals that show up and spend the cash.  I can guarantee you that even though the Scandal is still available; people are going to spend the money on the Gauntlet when it releases. 

On my end where I help manage a distribution center; I can already tell you the Timeless when it releases is going to sell like crazy. 

Here is another thing.  We have a pretty decent size closeout list.  People want newest.  However; how much worse is a GB2 Gold compared to a GB 2 Phenom Pearl, its replacement?  We have a decent handful of Golds in our warehouse here yet people will spend the extra cash to get a Phenom when the Gold is on closeout.  We have a bunch of Sky Rockets and Optimus Solids yet people will spend the extra money on the Daredevil, No Rules Pearl, and other "newer" balls at that price point.  Both Scandals sold extremely well and the Code Black flew out of here when they released.  It wasnt that long ago when internet price on high end was less than $130.  Now we are up to $160 and bowlers are still spending.

I believe ball death isnt as bad as it was around 10 years ago.  I just believe there is always a market for the latest and greatest and when we see the balls in action on TV; it gets our juices flowing and wanting to make a purchase based on what we see.   

 

This is very true.  I had to learn the difference between strong/traction and strong/angular.  However, I did have the same end result or opposite reaction with most of my strong high end balls such as Guru, Scandal, etc.  I don't want to hook the entire lane but I do want some kind of reaction. 

Welcome to reality. Nice to see I'm not the only one here.

  I've said it for a long time, the ball companies DO NOT care about bowlers or bowling, only about how much money they can make off it.

 They absolutely flood the market (an artficial market they helped create) with more and more stuff, all the while playing to the people out there with the "Man, if you'd only had this ball" spiel.

 Bowling balls used to be high quality and durable, lasting for years.

 Now they wear out, burn up, and crack open, all while costing 2-3 times what they did back then.

 It didn't have to be this way.  Sadly, that horse is out of the barn now.

Isn't the intent of a business to make money? So why are people surprised they cater to the people spending the money. I like to make up statistics, so I would guess for every person that complains about a saturated market, there are 50 other people texting their  pro shop guy asking for the "next best thing". There's nothing wrong with people who want to throw the latest stuff, its personal satisfaction, no different than buying a new car, albeit a lot cheaper. Bowling is a sport for some, a hobby for others, and equipment is a part of it, and people choose equipment for all sorts of reasons, and many times it has nothing to do with achieving a higher score. And the best part is, the people who don't want a new ball are still allowed to bowl with the people who do. What a concept!

I am glad they bring out balls every other month.I drill my own stuff.Means I just wait buy it on clearance for next to nothing.Problem is when is enough enough.Bottom has to fall out sometime.I notice last two years more and more really good balls on clearance.Anybody who buys a ball at 169.00 before drilling needs to really look around.You will find something just as strong for around 80 to 90$.Plus most are using high end stuff on toasty houseshots when a Boost or Rhino is plenty.

I totally agree, I also purchase discounted equipment, and I'm totally as satisfied as the newest stuff (and much cheaper 😉)

Strong covers create their friction as much through abrasive reaction as chemical ( resin ) reaction.  Abrasiveness is impossible to retain at a high level because the lane polishes the ball in addition to oil absorption.   I always take my solids up to 4000 before I even throw them.  Makes the transition of the surface less and you dont really need a lump of coal blowing up the heads anyway

Might try that going forward.