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Author Topic: Pre-pay for open bowling  (Read 4867 times)

Sawuser

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Pre-pay for open bowling
« on: October 02, 2005, 10:17:07 AM »
Just curious how many of you bowl where you must pay first before bowling, even if you are a league bowler there.
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Wayne
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EagleHunter

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #16 on: October 03, 2005, 10:29:35 AM »
Quite frankly, if centers were smart they would all do pre-pay only.

Sure if you don't do pre-pay, then there is the possibility that the bowlers will bowl more games and consequently generate more revenue.  Unless of course they choose to walk-out, in which case the center takes a loss.

As someone said earlier, when was the last time you got to golf the course first, then pay?  Have you ever been able to hit balls at the range BEFORE paying?  How about hitting balls at the batting cage?  Riding go-carts?  Putt-Putt?  Do GameWorks or Dave & Busters let you play first, then pay?  Better yet, when was the last time you walked into a bar and told them you'd pay AFTER you were done with your drinking for the night?

It might be a bit inconvenient (note sarcasm) for you to make that LONG walk back to the counter to say "can I add a few games?," but I think it's much more inconvenient for the center to say "hey, where'd that guy/group on lane 12 go?  That was 16 games at $3.00 out the door!"
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BrianCRX90

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #17 on: October 03, 2005, 10:39:11 AM »
ya right..how is that a good idea? The center would be loosing money. People would bowl far less games. Going back to the counter is a whip most of the times. Either they are always busy or are so slow it's not worth it.
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dez

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2005, 11:44:54 AM »
When prepaying I decide how many games to bowl, bowl then leave.

When paying after bowling I may have come in thinking I'd bowl 3-4 games and bowl 6 or 7.

So prepaying has saved me money, taken $ away from the bowling alley and made me focus a little more on what to do when practicing.
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azguy

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2005, 01:49:23 PM »
I don't remember who it was in here, but last year someone said they have "prepaid cards", they mark off or punch out the card as the games were bowled. I like that idea as well, plus there was a discount or free game, I can't remember, but nice idea.

Where we bowl, it's prepay, after the games are done, the counter folks will ask me if I want more, then they turn on the lanes and I bowl as much as I want. When done, pay and go home. Not the best place in the world, but SOME of the people there are nice and some are just plain slugs...it all depends on the day/person there.
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AZ Guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
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Sawuser

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2005, 06:52:39 AM »
Thanks for all of the replies. They just started the prepay arrangement where I bowl, & it doesn't matter if they know you well or if your a total stranger. I can understand the business aspect of it if people have been walking out without paying. When I go bowl, I never know if I'm going to do 2 games or 10 games. It just seems to me that if you're a league bowler there , that they could issue a little cheap card & keep that until you pay. I think the golf course comparison is a little different than bowling. Oh well, I guess I'll get used to it, & yes it is annoying when the computer shuts you off before you finish your tenth frame, or before your ball comes back.
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Wayne
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Bomb Squad & Diamond Cutter

Romans 14:11 Every knee shall bow


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BrianCRX90

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #21 on: October 04, 2005, 10:18:53 PM »
This is the 2000's!

Since we are on this pre pay bandwagon, why not have a machine for every lane you can pay from there and it turns on the lane itself. Prepay or pay afterwards, sometimes dealing with the front counter can be a inconvenient or bad experince anyways. So many times waiting endless at the front desk on the slowest teenage rep they go on the desk makes me wish I could just turn the dang lane on myself!

Edited on 10/4/2005 10:12 PM
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Panic

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #22 on: October 08, 2005, 09:09:14 PM »
i pay after im done
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Lukas  

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BrianCRX90

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #23 on: October 08, 2005, 10:34:29 PM »
quote:
. I think the golf course comparison is a little different than bowling.
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Yes, like apples and oranges. I'd like someone to show me the proof that a bowling alley would get more buisness from prepay only. I have gone to alleys where you had a choice. That would be good if the place is packed and you just wanted to bail when your done.
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novawagonmaster

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #24 on: October 09, 2005, 09:50:08 AM »
BrianCRX90, that has been around for years...it's called Skeeball. If you enjoy bowling, you will continue to do it no matter how/when they choose to collect their money.



quote:
This is the 2000's!

why not have a machine for every lane you can pay from there and it turns on the lane itself.

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Jon (in Ohio)
CHROME WON'T GET YOU HOME!
F.O.S. Proud Saw user... "Measure twice, cut once!"


Edited on 10/9/2005 9:45 AM
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novawagonmaster

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Re: Pre-pay for open bowling
« Reply #25 on: October 09, 2005, 10:00:24 AM »
I open bowl at 3 houses. One is prepay (44 lanes). The other two are pay after (30 and 8 lanes). Does not matter to me how they do it. I have payed for 3 games at the 44 lane house, then walked ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE FRONT DESK 20 LANES from the end I was bowling on to pay for 3 more games. At that point, I stopped at the snack bar to get some food and drink as well. I needed a short break anyhow! The 30 lane house does offer a prepaid card. It has 20 games for $35. I jumped on that since open bowling there is usually $3 per game. If it was my facility to run, it would be all prepay. Sure, there are those of us who are honest and would gladly pay what is owed at the end of a session, but I feel there are just as many who would not. As the years pass by, I trust fewer and fewer people to do the right thing.
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Jon (in Ohio)
CHROME WON'T GET YOU HOME!
F.O.S. Proud Saw user... "Measure twice, cut once!"
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