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Author Topic: When do we reach TOO MUCH?  (Read 9755 times)

JOE FALCO

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When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« on: January 05, 2013, 10:36:56 PM »
Undrilled bowling balls:
Storm Lucid: $159.95
DV8 Nightmare: $139.95
Brunswick Aura: $154.95
Motive Primal Scream: $148.99
Hammer Taboo: $164.95
Roto Grip Defiant: $154.95
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Russell

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2013, 10:41:33 PM »
Actually if you look back 10 years bowling hasn't kept up with inflation....it's very underpriced from where it was 20 years ago at the retail level.

The real problem is a game the requires bowlers to buy a new ball every 6 months...
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Steven

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2013, 10:48:11 PM »
Joe, the cost/benefit for any consumer product will vary from one person to another.


There isn't a one size fits all answer.


For me personally, the prices you listed are more than acceptable if the ball fits a nitche I think I need filled (BTW, the Primal Scream is more than worth the price of admission). Ball prices would have to rise considerably before the cost becomes a major factor in a purchase decision.


On Edit: Russell, I don't buy into the new ball every 6 month requirement. If you clean your equipment right after each session, refresh covers on the spinner as needed, and perform periodic oil extractions, you'll get several hundred games of effective use. Most bowlers are lazy -- it's the only reason for fast ball deterioration.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2013, 10:53:56 PM by Steven »
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stc067

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2013, 11:44:02 PM »
Quote from: JOE FALCO on January 05, 2013, 10:36:56 PM
Undrilled bowling balls:
Storm Lucid: $159.95
DV8 Nightmare: $139.95
Brunswick Aura: $154.95
Motive Primal Scream: $148.99
Hammer Taboo: $164.95
Roto Grip Defiant: $154.95

I don't mean any disrespect Joe,But I'm curious why you periodically bring up the price of bowling balls?I remember paying about $110 for a black U-dot in 1985. $50 doesn't seem like a ridiculous increase for a top tier ball twenty-eight years later.
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DP3

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2013, 12:07:56 AM »
Look at things one time from the perspective of the pro shop operators who are making a living off of the business.  In 1995 how much was your living expenses (rent, fuel, groceries, utilities, family expenses)?  Why would you work in any business for 20+ years while making less money on profit?  If you keep up with regular inflation of everything in America 18-20 years ago, high end bowling equipment should retail no less than $329.99

....just using logic
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kidlost2000

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2013, 01:31:48 AM »
If you want to stay in the 120 or less range there is plenty of bowling balls that work on any condition in that price point. Not to mention if you dont buy the new release you can get a better price when it gets replaced in two months.
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David Lee Yskes

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2013, 01:58:13 AM »
and honestly, if you look around you can find pretty decent deals on balls....

I picked up a 811c/t and 508A for about 223$ shipped ...   

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loop_zero

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2013, 06:01:16 AM »
I think the prices are very good. Have not really gone up at all in years and years. I mean I remember paying around the same price for balls 15+ years ago. Might be the only thing that had not gone up in price with time.
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Russell

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2013, 07:47:35 AM »
Steven in many cases you're right...but it's unrealistic in any sport to produce products that require as much maintenance as some bowling balls do now.  If someone bowls 20 games a week they would be in there having their ball cleaned weekly, and extracting oil once a month.  Is this really realistic?

The majority of society won't maintain their cars properly, and we expect them to maintain a toy?

Pointing a finger at bowlers and saying "shame on you" is not the way to keep them interested in our sport.
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charlest

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2013, 09:27:15 AM »
Quote from: Russell on January 06, 2013, 07:47:35 AM
Steven in many cases you're right...but it's unrealistic in any sport to produce products that require as much maintenance as some bowling balls do now.  If someone bowls 20 games a week they would be in there having their ball cleaned weekly, and extracting oil once a month.  Is this really realistic?

The majority of society won't maintain their cars properly, and we expect them to maintain a toy?

Pointing a finger at bowlers and saying "shame on you" is not the way to keep them interested in our sport.

Stop being so freaking logical, Russell. :(
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JOE FALCO

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2013, 10:34:43 AM »
OK relating it to cost of living tends I see the point. let's see if we can look at it from a different view.
Charlie is looking to get into bowling (something I think we are trying to do .. get new people into bowling). He bowls and feels I want to do this! He buys a ball (lets say the average ball cost him $200). He bowls for a couple of weeks and feels he can do this!
He enters a tournament and finds the ball didn't work. He hears about Balls working on certain conditions and three months into it he buys a ball for A different condition (another $200). Opps now he finds shoe rental is expensive so he buys shoes reasonable $100 (yes there are much cheaper but he's in for the long run). Now Charlie has two balls guess he'll need a two ball bag .. reasonable $100. Having trouble making end pin spares .. advised to get a spare ball .. reasonable $150 ..
Looks like Charlie's in for $750 ..
When I say balls are priced out of line this is what I'm thinking .. but then I'm not considering the cost of living .. how many AVERAGE people have that much disposable income to put into leisure sports? Perhaps we are not trying to lure the AVERAGE person but only the ABOVE AVERAGE .. I guess there's plenty of THEM!
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Joe Cool

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2013, 11:05:30 AM »
The elite bowlers are thriving.  They make more than enough money to pay for their new balls (for the few that don't get them for free anyway), their travel expenses (nationals and other tourneys), and so on.  The regular casual bowler just shows up to league for fun and many of them use house balls or balls that are several years old and in some cases not even drilled for them.  The ones getting squeezed are the ones in the middle class.  It's hard to improve and take that next step to get to elite unless you can afford (and have the time for) practice time, lessons, new balls, ball maintenance, etc.  In many ways it mirrors society here in the US as a whole.

I'm not knocking the elite - they deserve what they get for putting in the time, effort, and money.  I'm just making an observation based on what I've seen.  Maybe others are experiencing something different.
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scotts33

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2013, 11:24:50 AM »
Quote
The ones getting squeezed are the ones in the middle class.  It's hard to improve and take that next step to get to elite unless you can afford (and have the time for) practice time, lessons, new balls, ball maintenance, etc.  In many ways it mirrors society here in the US as a whole.

Well said JC!

In my lil reality, I'd spend $$$ on instruction before equipment.  I'd guess that's the minority here.  More would expect to alleviate real issues via equipment rather than instruction....take the easy way out.

Then, take that to the majority of players bowling in hdcp leagues on THS lane conditions and one would wonder why are you purchasing ball after ball for these conditions?  Two lower end symmetrical  strike balls would suffice for 95% of house type conditions.  Take care of them and Replace one every 3 - 4 years and you aren't spending huge amounts of $$. 

Consumers get caught up in the next best marketing hype. 



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Russell

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2013, 12:06:37 PM »
Quote from: Joe Cool on January 06, 2013, 11:05:30 AM
The elite bowlers are thriving.  They make more than enough money to pay for their new balls (for the few that don't get them for free anyway), their travel expenses (nationals and other tourneys), and so on.  The regular casual bowler just shows up to league for fun and many of them use house balls or balls that are several years old and in some cases not even drilled for them.  The ones getting squeezed are the ones in the middle class.  It's hard to improve and take that next step to get to elite unless you can afford (and have the time for) practice time, lessons, new balls, ball maintenance, etc.  In many ways it mirrors society here in the US as a whole.

I'm not knocking the elite - they deserve what they get for putting in the time, effort, and money.  I'm just making an observation based on what I've seen.  Maybe others are experiencing something different.

I don't know what world you live in...but I have friends on tour that are barely making ends meet.  Not sure where the lap of luxury for the good bowlers is....?
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michelle

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Re: When do we reach TOO MUCH?
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2013, 12:19:16 PM »
Quote from: JOE FALCO on January 06, 2013, 10:34:43 AM
Charlie is looking to get into bowling (something I think we are trying to do .. get new people into bowling). He bowls and feels I want to do this! He buys a ball (lets say the average ball cost him $200). He bowls for a couple of weeks and feels he can do this!
He enters a tournament and finds the ball didn't work. He hears about Balls working on certain conditions and three months into it he buys a ball for A different condition (another $200). Opps now he finds shoe rental is expensive so he buys shoes reasonable $100 (yes there are much cheaper but he's in for the long run). Now Charlie has two balls guess he'll need a two ball bag .. reasonable $100. Having trouble making end pin spares .. advised to get a spare ball .. reasonable $150 ..
Looks like Charlie's in for $750 ..

Charlie made a decision to bowl tournaments, a decision he likely did not make blindly.  And, even if one uses your figure (which I don't concur with even not having bowled for several years now save for an annual office party), the $750 is STILL less than some golfers spend on getting set up for bag, shoes, balls and a full set of clubs.  And they won't think of dropping $$$ every so often for the latest and greatest in anything from drivers to lob wedges.

Quote
When I say balls are priced out of line this is what I'm thinking .. but then I'm not considering the cost of living .. how many AVERAGE people have that much disposable income to put into leisure sports? Perhaps we are not trying to lure the AVERAGE person but only the ABOVE AVERAGE .. I guess there's plenty of THEM!

There are plenty of average people with disposable income, although admittedly, the current politicos in charge saw to it that it went down last week. 
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