Post by: jjweb on October 20, 2004, 12:11:13 PM
Say there was a bowling service that came to your house. Offering not only drilling and normal proshop services. But was also a complete showroom with balls, bags, shoes and accessories at great prices.
Would you consider it a helpful service?
How much would you be willing to pay as a service charge to have a pro shop come to you?
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The bowling gods said "let there be strikes" and then there was Dyno-Thane!
Post by: Strider on October 20, 2004, 09:20:29 PM
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Penn State Proud
Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Post by: TheBowlingKid25 on October 20, 2004, 09:40:22 PM
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BALLREVIEWS.COM MOD SQUAD! <---member
16 years and still going strong! 16 years old that is!
The names Warrior Princess, Xena..Warrior PrincessAnd why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS!
Post by: jjweb on October 20, 2004, 09:54:01 PM
Point taken about the reputation... You have to start out with a reputation, somewhere.
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The bowling gods said "let there be strikes" and then there was Dyno-Thane!
Post by: The Righty on October 20, 2004, 11:22:31 PM
Thanks,
The Righty.
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My mama always said... Life is like a pair of lanes, You never know what your gonna get.
Post by: RandyO on October 20, 2004, 11:30:16 PM
Post by: rkaycom on October 20, 2004, 11:54:26 PM
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Post by: jjweb on October 21, 2004, 12:58:08 AM
If it's not the nickel and dime treatment, it's the lack of knowledge. I firmly believe you shouldn't pawn a ball off on someone you know it's not going to match. Just because you can make a couple of extra bucks off.
A lot of people in the leagues here barely make it to league, let alone have enough time to take a trip to the shop.
Our thought was if you are within 10 miles, no charge to visit. Anything outside of that a $10 charge would apply.
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The bowling gods said "let there be strikes" and then there was Dyno-Thane!
Post by: scotts33 on October 21, 2004, 09:32:20 AM
quote:
Chances are if you parked your mobile Pro Shop at any bowling center that had a Pro Shop someone is going to politely ask you to remove yourself from their property.
Randy0 said it right on the $.
Scott
Post by: TheBowlingKid25 on October 21, 2004, 10:17:42 AM
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16 years and still going strong! 16 years old that is!
The names Warrior Princess, Xena..Warrior PrincessAnd why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS!
Post by: Ernie McCracken on October 21, 2004, 10:48:09 AM
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Evolutionary. Revolutionary.
Post by: tgs300 on October 21, 2004, 10:49:51 AM
My neighbor and I have talked about this same concept for cycling...building a trailer with clothing/etc...the difference for us is that we can show up at an event and not worry about competing with a brick and mortar shop....
Post by: Next Level PS on October 21, 2004, 11:12:17 AM
their is a mobile pro shop out of Spokane, WA ran by a guy by te name of Julius Williams jr. From what I hear it is very successful.
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www.bowlritelanes.com
www.nextlevelproshop.com
Edited on 10/21/2004 11:03 AM
Post by: jjweb on October 21, 2004, 01:03:21 PM
That's exactly what we had in mind. Running some sort of a schedule around leagues. I know that plenty of the bowlers in my current league, would already benefit from such a service that would be willing to travel to them.
We would be a complete shop: Balls, Bags, Shoes, Tape, Towels, Wrist accessories, Grip accessories, etc...
We are still deciding on what Mill to get. Tri-Oval, Innovative or Ovalmatic.
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The bowling gods said "let there be strikes" and then there was Dyno-Thane!
Post by: scotts33 on October 21, 2004, 01:09:16 PM
quote:
Honestly, I think there is a market for it in my area. We plan on dropping off flyers at local centers, handing around business cards, basically good old fashioned networking.
Do these centers that you are going to visit have pro shops?
Scott
Post by: jjweb on October 21, 2004, 01:12:22 PM
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The bowling gods said "let there be strikes" and then there was Dyno-Thane!
Post by: scotts33 on October 21, 2004, 01:18:33 PM
The other is when a pro shop operator leases space from the center. You are in direct competition with them and you have nothing invested as far as lease, etc.
Put yourself in their shoes. What their business practices are that's their choice.
I'd ask center proprietors before I'd go make the large investment you are talking about and make sure it will fly. Draw up some type of agreement. You will be on their private property and they can ask you to leave at any time.
Just being the devil's advocate here.
Scott
Post by: bamaster on October 21, 2004, 01:18:59 PM
Why not approach ball manufacturers, like Ebonite/Hammer, and offer to take their Demo Days program on the road. Local pro shops that are members of the Ebo/Hammer pro shop program will welcome this and if you're lucky you could get Ebo/Hammer to subsidize your trips.
You could make money on every ball sold, like a commission. If you're smart, you'd partner with local stars like Randy Pederson who are not touring but would be a valuable resource/attraction for bowlers. The local pro could do the layouts and you could do the drilling. Not to mention all the coaching (see Kegel's Digital Coach program) and other service/accessory sales.
Yes, it's another great Bamaster "Ideas for Future Millionaires" post.
Tony
http://www.allBowling.com
Post by: LuckyLefty on October 21, 2004, 01:20:08 PM
1. Bowlers in general compared to golf do not have the disposable income necessary to make it a profitable adventure, versus as a golf repair van you would make a fortune!!!
2. Distributing flyers at centers with proshops could lead to banishment, broken legs arms or other non appendage bones. This would also apply to tournament sites.
3. A bunch of bowling balls rolling around a 24 foot van can develop a lot of momentum don't stop quick. Many or some bowlers with vans have been killed by flying 16 and 15 pound projectiles during a quick stop. * thru 13 will do a hell of a whack too! Drive safely! Stop smoothly.
You have been given a great tip. I would contact Julius Williams in Tacoma Washington to see how he navigated these landmines. Proshop owners, middle to lower income average bowler, safety, last thing is having lanes to practice throw on. Of course I've been to sites with a 12 to 9 foot piece of lane and it was great to practice release!
REgards,
Luckylefty
Post by: jjweb on October 21, 2004, 01:37:46 PM
Neither of the shops here are leased, they are both owned by the alley. Although there is a guy that does drill out of his house, and does seem to be affecting the local shops. Why? His prices and service. He doesn't stock anything, just places orders for the balls and drills the span and pitches from your current ball.
We look at it this way. If it fails, we can always say we tried. But we still have the option on opening a shop somewhere.
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The bowling gods said "let there be strikes" and then there was Dyno-Thane!