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Author Topic: Time to STOP!  (Read 10146 times)

JOE FALCO

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Time to STOP!
« on: December 17, 2010, 08:51:58 AM »
I read all the postings on EBONITE and how they were going to do something to fix the price on there bowling balls. I thought at the time I can see the argument! But these prices are crazy. Ebonite and Hammer balls going for $155 undrilled is OUT OF BOUNDS! I see where the online shops were cutting the throats of the B/M shops but .. now the companies are SHOVING ridiculous prices down the throat of bowlers.

I think it's about time for BOWLER'S to take a stand and start investigating some of the newer companies. If we accept these prices and don't revolt we might as well give up the game. EBONITE and company has lost me as a customer .. don't care how good there advertised balls appear!
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Bigbowler

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2010, 05:08:09 PM »
I'm done with them to.
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Pinbuster

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2010, 05:15:33 PM »
They are not shoving anything. You don't have to buy any of their equipment.

But obviously you feel you are missing out on something by not buying their equipment or it would not bother you so much.

Simple supply and demand.
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Juggernaut

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2010, 05:27:23 PM »
Like I said when this first started, I WILL NOT OWN/BUY/USE ANYTHING NEW MANUFACTURED UNDER THE EBONITE UMBRELLA UNTIL THINGS CHANGE.

 I understand wanting your product to bring a premium price, but to mandate that price, REGARDLESS OF WORTH, is ridiculous.

 I know that limits my options though. Without the Ebonite stuff, I'm limited to only using Global900, A.M.F., Visionary, Seismic, Lane#1, Brunswick, Storm, RotoGrip, AZO, Elite, Lane Masters, MOTIV, and Mo-Rich.

 Guess I can tough it out.
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Gunny

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2010, 05:46:33 PM »
Better stuff out there!....just saying....
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Dave-bestbowlingproshops

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2010, 05:50:49 PM »
The pricing now being seen online is higher than before.  Most of the high end from what I've seen online from the Ebonite brands is around $149.99.  I can beat that price....in fact now because of this I can beat all online pricing on any Ebonite International ball released.  If you think these prices are always going to be this high you're not paying attention and/or have no idea why this is really being done.  I'm not going to get into a debate about this everyone because this is how I feel but ebonite is the only one so far with a policy in place to protect pro shops.  <-----please read I said PRO SHOPS.  Very few of my customers are like a lot of you on here.  A lot of you guys on here have the knowledge to get something that matches with your game and gives you the look you need.  But most of my customers don't know what they're getting and I've seen too many people get a ball that isn't what's going to match up with what they're looking for.  For those of you that don't care if pro shops are protected or not remember this....if pro shops are no longer around say good bye to the sport of bowling.
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rvmark

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2010, 06:39:32 PM »
I have purchased three balls Ebonite company balls this fall,

Hammer Midnight Vibe  $115 drilled with inserts
Track 300C  $119  drilled with inserts
Columbia Pure Physics  $180 drilled with inserts

All from my local pro shop.  

How comparing the Storm Anarchy to the Pure Physics (high performance line balls)
bought online for $139.99 and paying for drilling and inserts I would end up paying 35 for the drilling and 15 for the inserts for a total of $190 now I could just have it drilled and put in my own inserts and end at $180 so in my case because I can not drill my own equipment where is their pricing out of line.  If you don't feel like buying their equipment then don't that is your right.  

Mark
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kidlost2000

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2010, 06:55:10 PM »
I drill my own stuff and have for years now. For me the pricing isn''t an issue. Since my cost is the ball and thumb insert my cost on equipment is very low.  Most high performance bowling balls are online from $129 to $139 with the EboInt being $155.

I don''t think $15-20 more for a HP by EboInt vs other brands is a huge increase if your only buying one ball or so a year. I do understand how many others that buy more may consider other options. It is an industry of slim margins. We will see how this continues to play out.

 

Very rarely Do I feel the need anymore to get something when it is first released.(because the next thing is literally around the corner) So I wait a bit till the price starts to drop. That is something you won''t likely see anymore with the Big 3 online retailers for EboInt.

I know it varies by area, but with so many new releases so close together our local shop has been selling the EboInt stuff with very little mark up. Many HP bowling balls are under $200 drilled. Which is a very good deal in my opinion for local bowlers.


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Edited on 12/17/2010 8:56 PM
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Brickguy221

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2010, 07:43:01 PM »
I may be wrong here and if so tell me I am, but didn't Ebonite try this same or similar thing something like 1 1/2 to 2 yrs or so ago?
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JOE FALCO

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2010, 07:43:52 PM »
quote:
They are not shoving anything. You don't have to buy any of their equipment.

But obviously you feel you are missing out on something by not buying their equipment or it would not bother you so much.

Simple supply and demand.
If it was NOT for the price I would have an order in for the TABOO ..No bowling ball is worth $200 .. i.e., Undrilled ball $160/$40 for drilling .. I don't know if I'm missing anything .. but I'll look someplace else before I spend that much! Figure I can get 3 balls for the price of two .. If one of them is THE BALL I'm ahead of the game!
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JPratt

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2010, 08:43:25 PM »
Joe, as a pro shop owner, I applaud what ebonite has done.  I will sell an ebonite branded product before any other if the customer does not come in with a preference.  You think those prices are "out of bounds"?  Did you think it''s fair that as a business owner, there are some balls that I can get on the internet for LESS than my distributor sells?  If you owned a retail business, do you think the general public should be able to buy a product for less than your wholesale price?  


Edited on 12/17/2010 10:44 PM
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Stan

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #11 on: December 17, 2010, 09:02:27 PM »
Some of you pro shop guys don't get it. Ebonite has said, at least in public, that they would not sell to an online shop for a few years (but they did, in a very sly way).  Now, they have selected 3 shops that have to buy direct from them or not sell their products at all.  All they have done is to eliminate the middle man and establish a new distribution channel with all the brick/mortor blessings.  Yes, these shops are currently not happy, but Ebonite is in business to sell their product.  Eventually, they will work out an agreement with these 3 online shops and then they will add additional online shops to the list.  Do any of you guys really think that you sell more Ebonite product than either one of these 3 shops ?  And, you really think Ebonite is just going to throw away their business, especially in these tough economic times ?  I have talked to quite a few shops in my area, and for the most part, we all are in agreement.  Do you guys really feel that you have the only right to sell bowling equipment ?  The bowling environment has been changing for a number of years, and it still is.
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Doug Sterner

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #12 on: December 17, 2010, 09:16:37 PM »
I really do not know where all of you guys are getting your numbers from....

Pricing on select balls in my shop....

Drilling prices regardless if you buy ball from me or elsewhere:
Conventional...$25
Finger tip.....$35
Inserts........$ 4 each
Thumb slug.....$12
Inserts and slug with ball purchase...$15
SwitchGrip Thumb outer....$15
Switchgrip thumb inner....$15
SwitchGrip Finger inner (includes grip)...$ 8
Switchgrip Finger outer...$ 8

Balls....
Storm Anarchy....$149
Hammer Brawl.....$109
Hammer Taboo.....$139
Brunswick Wicked Siege....$139
Ebonite Mission 2.0.......$139
Motiv Cruel.......$135
Columbia Pure Physics...$139
RotoGrip Theory....$139

I don't see how you guys can say that Ebonite is screwing the bowler. Your local pro shops are screwing the bowlers....it's not Ebonite that's setting the prices on the shop shelves...the pro shop owners are setting those prices.

Every price listed above makes me money and I don't get any volume discounts since I don't sell many multiples of balls.


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Doug Sterner
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mainzer

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #13 on: December 17, 2010, 10:14:51 PM »
where is JLS?
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JPratt

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Re: Time to STOP!
« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2010, 10:35:24 PM »
Stan, I must not get it, because I really don't understand the point you are trying to make.  One shop will not out sell all of the online shops.  But the majority of shops together will.  Online sales are around an estimated 30%.  The pro shops control the rest.  If the pro shop owners push ebonite equipment, they will more than retain market share.  Regardless if this actually happens, I will do my part because they are the only brand that has really done anything substantial to help out individual shops.  

"Do you guys really feel that you have the only right to sell bowling equipment ?"

This doesn't make any sense to me.  Please explain.  I am not asking to be the only one to sell it.  I am asking that I am able to compete REASONABLY when I CANNOT buy direct from the manufacturer.
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