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Author Topic: What about the new equipment cycle?  (Read 3969 times)

lefty50

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What about the new equipment cycle?
« on: March 20, 2020, 12:07:26 PM »
Since I haven't seen this obvious topic come up yet.....

We're flooded with new equipment every 3 months... Some more, some less. We're seeing alleys close everywhere, and already lots of reports about new equipment not being able to be thrown (Redemption Solid and others for example). If the paranoia continues, and it logically will, followed by further delays returning to the lanes, what will happen to both the current generation of new equipment when no one gets to throw them, and the never-ending pipeline of the next greatest rock? Will the current crop be lost to the next greatest thing, or will the vendors hit pause on the cycle?
Thoughts?

 

TWOHAND834

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Re: What about the new equipment cycle?
« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2020, 08:06:47 PM »
That's the point though. New stuff now, new stuff coming at Bowl Expo, and they won't miss that chance, even if Expo is cancelled probably. So Axiom, Redemption, etc, etc, will be basically untested and up against the next cycle, right?

https://www.replaymag.com/bowl-expo-trade-show-cancelled-meeting-still-on/

As you can see the Expo has been cancelled.  So there are going to be questions left unanswered until the virus gets under control.  However; if it were me, I would sort of combine the 2 cycles.  Maybe the summer cycle you would not produce the usual amount of new balls to introduce and instead, you take balls like the Axiom, Authority, Outlook, Latitude, and others and add a few to go along with them?  It's hard to say.  But at the end of the day; there are those balls that were released in January and February that need to be pushed even if at some discount.  Otherwise I don't see how you could introduce several new rocks with so many "older" ones still sitting around unsold.  I know from having worked at a distributor that balls goes on closeout lists almost monthly to make room for the new releases.  But I can't see balls only having been on the market for 3 months already going on that list just to make room for a new cycle.  Those balls like the Redemptions need to see the light of day and ball companies, especially Ebowick, need the opportunity to get a return on the time and money invested into producing those balls.  Whatever the case may be; I am sure CEOs like Mr. Chrisman will make an intelligent decision in the coming weeks as to what direction they are going to go in.
Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator
Former Classic Products Assistant Manager

Bo.Wler

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Re: What about the new equipment cycle?
« Reply #17 on: March 22, 2020, 11:02:18 PM »
I bought the Redemption solid.  I managed to get 20 games on it before Covid shut down the centers. So its sitting in.my bowling bag on my bedroom floor.

Sad part its really only been a week tomorrow that all the centers in my area were closed because of Covid.  But it seems like 6 months.😟

On the upside I was able to use my Redemption solid enough before this forced hiatus to know I like mine.😁 At least on the heavy volume, and long oil pattern sport shots. House patterns were more of a mixed bag.

Dragon 6 games good.👍🏻👍🏻

Chameleon 3 games before the shut down.  Still good.👍🏻👍🏻 I had half a dozen poorly timed bad shots. But those were bowler error. The ball can't do everything for you.


11 games between standard house pattern and burned up late night open play practice.  Mixed bag
👍🏻👎🏻 Not a total disaster not stellar either.  You really need to be light hand with the redemption solid.  On anything that is not a heavy oil volume and or a longer sport shot.

Which is something I have a difficult time doing.

Really though all that means is the ball is as advertised a ball for heavy oil.

🤔🤔 Maybe I should have put those observations about the ball in the review section Oh well.🤘🏻