Author Topic: Thanks Ebonite.... (Read 5279 times)

Russell · « **on:** May 17, 2011, 12:41:22 PM »

For flooding the market with more bowling balls that really don't roll different than the last 1,428 pieces you've released. God forbid we try and find a way to make balls last more than 80 games before they crap out on people, instead lets just convince them they need to spend $200 on something that is new (new = recycled technology) and "better".

Yes I know other companies do the same thing...but not to this level. The game is dying and Ebonite is holding its head under the water.

Little known fact: In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"

Xx 12 X 300 xX · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:22:32 PM »

This is why I am buying up last years balls for pennies on the dollar on the close out lists. You can buy last years ball, that truly is only a few months old and have the same type of ball reactions. Lets face it, what exactly is so new about these balls. They all hook, they all have aggressive covers and very few of us bowl on oil anymore.

spiders2283 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:40:43 PM »

Are you referring to just Ebonite or their companies as well like Hammer, Columbia, and Track? Because the Arson actually looks like a pretty decent ball.

"Bowling is like sex...it's only fun if you're doing it"

kidlost2000 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2011, 10:44:24 PM »

I do not like Ebonite,(not in recent years) and hated it when I heard they bought out Track and Columbia.(two brands I did like)

The problem for me, and maybe for others, is that it is hard to view (Ebonite, Columbia, Track, and Hammer) as four different companies. Even though they are ran that way, everything still comes from the same place, same assembly line, likely same materials.

Does that mean they are the same? No, not likely. Still you have that perception.

I really like the Hammer stuff and a few of the Track pieces they are currently making. Still for many people it is "four companies" that are under one umbrella releasing 4 new bowling balls each, all in the same time frame. That is a hard pill to chew for many of the bowlers that may not stay up on bowling as much as a few others do. Also can be problematic for proshops to have to pick up all at once in the slow time of year leading up to the new season.

Where this may slow down is that allegedly EBI is only releasing two high performance balls from Columbia and Ebonite, and one High performance ball from Track and Hammer for the season. This was the sales pitch from the end of this past season, but that may all change in a matter of a few months. This doesn't apply to how many in the other lines will be released.

Something to watch for the next few months this upcoming season.

Be good, or be good at it.

Edited by kidlost2000 on 5/18/2011 at 9:34 AM

TheFreeAgent · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2011, 10:50:45 PM »

I guess I'm an out cast I thought the only reactions were arch shape and skid flip :/

REFS: MrEddie(BBE), notsohotshot(BR), akanayte(UTA), Tywithay(BBE), BKloss(BR), therealdeal24(BR), lsf_21(BR), 308d76d (BR), cjb13(BBE)

Formerly RotoStorm2008

jensm · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2011, 12:59:45 AM »

In what respect do the Ebonite brands differ much from the other full range ball manufacturers? Any numbers to support your claim?

Regards,

jensm

Strider · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2011, 03:56:55 AM »

Ebonite has a habit of dumping 8+ balls all at once, then introducing 8+ balls at the same time. MAP or not, it's got to be a nightmare for pro shops. If they carried a decent stock of the "old" (meaning 6 months ago), it's now pretty much worthless because either people will want the new stuff, or online places will sell the old stuff so cheap that the pro shops won't be able to compete.

Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

AlBundy33 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2011, 04:31:29 AM »

I have to respectfully disagree with the "ball death" comment.....I've been throwing Ebonite stuff ever since I got my first bowling ball in 1983 and never had an Ebonite ball die out me. Now Brunswick and Roto Grip, that's another story.....

But I agree that they do tend to come out with 87 new balls at the same time, which is a bit ridiculous. That's where Storm gets it right where they release a new ball or two every two months or so.

"Pretty women make us buy beer, ugly women make us drink beer"

qstick777 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2011, 05:17:29 AM »

Whoa, are you guys talking about Ebonite International, or GM?

Look, it's all about economies of scale. They have the facilities and the production capabilities, so what do you expect them to do? They are paying for the building, utilities, salaries, and all those other things, so they might as well be producing as much as they can.

As far as "ball death," why not? Planned obsolescence is smart business. What's the point in producing a product that lasts forever and never needs to be replaced?

As far the function of bowling balls, is there really a difference? It's all a marketing game. Different colors, names, and shapes. Everybody had a fit when Elite wouldn't show the core shape. Why? Does it really make a difference. Not in the grand scheme of things, but apparently bowlers like to tell others that their ball is special because it has a "gas mask" shaped core, or a "Leggo" (not to be confused with the trademarked "Lego") core.

I hear a lot of people say "I don't care what color it is, or what the name is, as long as it performs I'll throw it." Then you also hear a lot of people say "brand X, please make ball Y in such and such a color. I like the way it reacts, but I just can't bring myself to throw a ball that is "that" color." (See Lane1 Pink Panther). Or see the AMF OMG......."sorry, can't see myself throwing a ball with such a stupid name, it reminds me of a bunch of pre-teen girls at the mall...." (Yep, pretty sure I said something just like that!)

As far as different shapes and reactions, that is a toss up. At one point in time you have guys saying that CG placement doesn't matter - studies show that a dramatic shift only results in a change of "shape" by 2 feet, and 2 feet isn't a big deal too anybody other than a professional. Then those same guys turn around and tell you to buy the newest ball because the reaction is 2 feet earlier....and guess what, suddenly 2 feet is a big deal!

In the grand scheme of things, these are just bowling balls. They are made to be thrown 60 feet and knock down ten pins. On the other hand, they are complex - how many times do we all hear (and talk) about how you just don't "match up" with a ball, or even a company?

I'm starting to believe that all of us just like to complain about bowling. This site is full of posts asking "so when is Company X going to release something new," and that is usually within a month or two of their last release. When they finally do release something new, then people complain that they are releasing too many balls.

This site is full of people complaining about a lack of oil on the lanes and no need for heavy oil balls. Take a look at the used ball forum. You usually won't have a problem finding the latest "hook monster" for sale because "I just don't see enough oil to use it." And there is a good chance that the person selling it, or the person buying it, is somebody that was complaining about the lack of oil or Company X being stupid for releasing too many aggressive, heavy oil balls.

trash heap · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2011, 07:45:24 AM »

Apparently there are enough ball whores out there to keep this market going. From a manufacturer stand point it makes perfect sense in today's buying market. I Agree - Most buyers think "NEW IS BETTER". So the manufacturer don't produce alot of one ball. Why take a chance on a ball that might be a complete flop. So you give your product a short time line. By the time the bowling comunity figures out a ball is a bust, well you got two new pieces of equipment out there that makes the problem ball obsolete.

It's all about color, a catchy name for the coverstock and the core.

icefiction · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2011, 08:22:27 AM »

I completely agree with the need to find actual new ideas and technology to shove into a bowling ball, however I would like to point out that although they released info on 12 balls yesterday, this is because of bowl expo coming up and many of the release dates are staggered over the next three months. So 12 balls are not actually available yet.

Stan · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2011, 08:50:58 AM »

First off, like already said, Ebonite is a business. They need to make money in order to stay in business. They are also, probably the leader, in Bowling equipment marketing. They will do or say anything (legally) inorder to sell their product. Remember Bowlers Map. Their marketing was so good that just about every pro shop went out a bought a copy. Soon after, ABC picked up the pace and coaching was now the big savior of bowling. We all can see that worked.

Remember, Brunswick flooded the market with Zones. Seemed like a new one came out almost every 2 weeks and look where they are now. Sooner or later, it will catch up with them or maybe they just want to cash in before bowling really dies.

kidlost2000 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2011, 09:42:07 AM »

That is nothing. I remember when Ebonite (just Ebonite) released their 8 or 9 ball package at once that had the wave, cat and stinger series in it. That was all low to midline and still had the Wolf series on top of that. Now you are spreading out probably 16 over four different yet same companies. So you can expect the four ball packages to be coming online soon.

Be good, or be good at it.

Russell · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2011, 12:27:17 PM »

I'm referring to Ebonite Intl, and yes I know this has been going on for years, but it has gotten MUCH worse in the past few. I personally think it's the main reason the game is dying. People get tired of buying new balls and them lasting one season, or less god forbid they bowl more than 3 games a week. Golf has become cheaper because of this happening.

As far as the "I've been throwing Ebo since 1983 and never had one die"...well you've obviously not thrown anything high end in the past 5 years, because the XL covers (Missions, Evolves), and most Hammer covers last 100 games max before they completely puke out and die. I have never seen a Mission roll good past 100 games.

Little known fact: In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"

hhhbs1 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2011, 02:55:36 PM »

If you want to see one come on up to Raleigh, NC. I have a Mission domination that has about 120 games on it. It still rolls awesome. Shot 279 and 735 last week with it.

On the Ebonite int. releasing all these balls. What do you expect? They have 4 companies. Do you expect one of the four not release new equipment? They all operate as individual companies they all have to make money to stay in business. Another poster mentioned GM. Does GM flood the market with cars since they have Chevy, GMC, Buick, and so on? If people are having issues with the balls giving up then why keep going back to that company? If I bought a car and it died after 1 year or so do you think I would go back to that company to buy my next new one? Heck no.

I do want clarify when you say Ebonite int. I assume you mean the whole ebonite company not just the ebonite "brand". If I am wrong you can ignore the first part.

Russell wrote on 5/18/2011 12:27 PM:I'm referring to Ebonite Intl, and yes I know this has been going on for years, but it has gotten MUCH worse in the past few. I personally think it's the main reason the game is dying. People get tired of buying new balls and them lasting one season, or less god forbid they bowl more than 3 games a week. Golf has become cheaper because of this happening.

As far as the "I've been throwing Ebo since 1983 and never had one die"...well you've obviously not thrown anything high end in the past 5 years, because the XL covers (Missions, Evolves), and most Hammer covers last 100 games max before they completely puke out and die. I have never seen a Mission roll good past 100 games.

Little known fact: In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"

Author Topic: Thanks Ebonite.... (Read 5279 times)

Russell

Thanks Ebonite....

Xx 12 X 300 xX

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spiders2283

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kidlost2000

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TheFreeAgent

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jensm

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Strider

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AlBundy33

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qstick777

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trash heap

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icefiction

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Stan

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kidlost2000

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Russell

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hhhbs1

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