Post by: xrayjay on November 10, 2011, 02:04:39 AM
I know many of you drill your own or have a good proshop close by, but I know there are a few, if not more, people having their equipment drilled online. I may be looking towards this direction (online drilling) since the guy who drilled my equipment moved out of state. I've had two balls drilled out of this same proshop but my thumb mold came out wrong. One felt/is tapered and the other just feels tight/small. And since I have tools to work my thumb hole, I'm thinking of going to online drilling.
The other option I have is to drive 2 hours away, but with my schedule and lack of free time makes it a bit difficult. Also, there's a guy who moved into the empty proshop at a local center, but I'm a tickler for good attitude and customer service - he didn't show it for me. It's clean and reasonable pricing, but customer service is important. I used to train hotel/airport/restaurant staff in hospitality services back in the day......
Anyway, how many of you here have used Buddies Proshop to drill your equipment? It'll be helpful if you all kindly share your experience, or your opinion with me.
Thanks in advance.
Tag Team Coaching Success Story 
AKA: addik
Post by: BuddiesProShopcom-Chris on November 16, 2011, 08:12:55 PM
Chris
BuddiesProShop.com
Post by: xrayjay on November 20, 2011, 12:25:54 PM
Order placed...<37174
Tag Team Coaching Success Story AKA: addik
Post by: rustylegacy on November 20, 2011, 04:40:23 PM
Post by: rodneylynn1977 on October 16, 2013, 05:06:44 PM
Post by: bradl on October 16, 2013, 06:00:56 PM
So here is my question..
What happens when a fit doesn't feel right? Obviously, you'd have to send the ball back for any corrections, but that is a lot of money and time spent in shipping..
What happens in that scenario?
BL.
Post by: rodneylynn1977 on October 16, 2013, 06:12:56 PM
Post by: bradl on October 16, 2013, 06:45:58 PM
Never had that problem, I had my fit on a turbo tech sheet... Faxed it to them and they paid to ship one of my balls back there to confirm the fit was right. Never had any issues at all, so I can't answer that question. I guess I pray that i don't run into that lol.
Good to know.
I'm thinking I may have to go the online route as well, but didn't know what would happen if, say, the thumb was too tight, or needed sanding out, etc. Not everyone has access to quick pro shop tools, and it would be kinda tacky to ask another pro shop to do that kind of work on a ball they never handled.. see what I mean?
BL.
Post by: Stan on October 16, 2013, 07:05:11 PM
"Doing a better job than your local pro shop" is a great goal but remember they are not seeing your hand, all they are doing is replicating a ball from your spec sheet or copying the specs from an older ball. They have no clue if your specs are correct, they just know what you tell them that its a perfect fit.
If there is no reputable shop in your area and you do not want to take a road trip, then try online. Just remember, all they are doing is replicating a grip, they are not verifying that your grip is correct.
Post by: bradl on October 16, 2013, 07:32:35 PM
Your best bet is to find a local pro shop and give them your business. If the shop is reputable, they will take care of any and all problems that might come up.
"Doing a better job than your local pro shop" is a great goal but remember they are not seeing your hand, all they are doing is replicating a ball from your spec sheet or copying the specs from an older ball. They have no clue if your specs are correct, they just know what you tell them that its a perfect fit.
If there is no reputable shop in your area and you do not want to take a road trip, then try online. Just remember, all they are doing is replicating a grip, they are not verifying that your grip is correct.
True, but my problem is goes back to how awkward one feels when they order equipment at that shop, though the owners of the shop have changed companies and now represent a company whose equipment you no longer use, and try to get you into the equipment from the company they represent. That makes the buyer feel very much out of sorts when they throw equipment from the company the owner used to represent.
Example: Owner switches from Company A to company B in the summer, after being with Company A for nearly 20 years. They fill their entire pro shop with equipment from Company B; they study up on all products from them, stock and preferred layouts, performance, the whole lot. Customer comes in, who throws equipment from Company A, and is looking at adding the latest ball from Company A to their lineup. Owner isn't going to know much on Company A's new gear, because they aren't using it anymore, don't represent them anymore, and who knows? There could be bad blood between Owner and Company A.
However, Owner has been drilling balls for Customer for 4 years. Should Customer:
- Tell Owner to be professional, order the equipment, and lay it out, even though they know nothing about the ball,
- Find another pro shop, who now has to take fittings all over again to get the right fit for you, compared to other balls you have (hoping they aren't in the same boat as Owner,
- stick with Owner, even though you know that equipment from their new company doesn't fit in your game, or
- look somewhere online, where the pro shop there may or may not have such all-or-nothing allegiances (read: not a ball rep for any company, or has multiple companies' gear at their shop).
That's the situation I am in at this moment. I am lucky to be able to head back to somewhere like Vegas, where the pro shop I used there is still in business, but that doesn't help when I live 600 miles from that shop.
So that puts me back to my original question. If they get the fit right, and say, the thumb feels a bit too tight, it looks awkward to go to another shop to ask them to sand out the thumb, as they did not work on that ball whatsoever, and you're looking at days for it to be shipped out, worked on, and shipped back to you. I was wondering if the latter has ever occurred before to someone who's had gear ordered and drilled online, and if so, how often, and what they did to resolve it.
BL.
Post by: rodneylynn1977 on October 16, 2013, 08:38:52 PM
Pretty easy and painless...
Post by: itsallaboutme on October 17, 2013, 07:26:24 AM
I used to run a shop. Then I went to work p/t for company A while still running the shop. Then I went to work for company B. Then I was out of bowling for a few years, came back and went to work drilling balls for one of Buddies online competitors. Now I sell balls for company C.
I can tell you that shop that you've been going to for 4 years still want to sell you a ball regardless of the brand. They could have switched brands for one of many reasons. They weren't renewed as a staff member, the staff agreement is better with company B, the rebates to the shop are better with company B. It doesn't mean they don't know anything about company A's balls any more, they just probably make more money by pushing company b's product. Just be straight with them and tell them what you want. There are a few deals where a shop can't display a competitors product in order to get a larger rebate, but there aren't any deals where they can't sell a competitors product.
If you are worried about working out a ball drilled by an online guy, your best bet is to either have them make a thumb mold or do an IT or Switch Grip. Then you won't have to work out every ball you get. Or if you think you're up to it, buy a bevel sander and a couple of workout tools and be a DIY'er.
As for the stuff about the online guy not seeing your hand and such, if you have a grip you are comfortable with and have been using it with success, there is no risk in having a ball drilled online. If you have problems with your grip tearing up your hand, something hurts or is uncomfortable, an online guy isn't for you yet.
Post by: rodneylynn1977 on October 17, 2013, 08:08:10 AM
Post by: bradl on October 17, 2013, 07:24:19 PM
I went to Ron Hoppe for my grip. Purchased a bevel sander for making light adjustments.
One of my coaches when I lived in Vegas, and bowled league with him. Went to coach Singapore for a while, then started IAB with Belmo and Asbaty. Great guy. If you're seeing him, you're in great hand (pun intended).
Bradl,
I used to run a shop. Then I went to work p/t for company A while still running the shop. Then I went to work for company B. Then I was out of bowling for a few years, came back and went to work drilling balls for one of Buddies online competitors. Now I sell balls for company C.
I can tell you that shop that you've been going to for 4 years still want to sell you a ball regardless of the brand. They could have switched brands for one of many reasons. They weren't renewed as a staff member, the staff agreement is better with company B, the rebates to the shop are better with company B. It doesn't mean they don't know anything about company A's balls any more, they just probably make more money by pushing company b's product. Just be straight with them and tell them what you want. There are a few deals where a shop can't display a competitors product in order to get a larger rebate, but there aren't any deals where they can't sell a competitors product.
If you are worried about working out a ball drilled by an online guy, your best bet is to either have them make a thumb mold or do an IT or Switch Grip. Then you won't have to work out every ball you get. Or if you think you're up to it, buy a bevel sander and a couple of workout tools and be a DIY'er.
As for the stuff about the online guy not seeing your hand and such, if you have a grip you are comfortable with and have been using it with success, there is no risk in having a ball drilled online. If you have problems with your grip tearing up your hand, something hurts or is uncomfortable, an online guy isn't for you yet.
Very good insight here. Thanks. While the pro shop I used when I lived in Vegas is online, it still helps to be able to physically go in and talk to them there, so I see both sides of it.
My concern with the pro shop I'm at in my current town is that without knowing what happened between them and Company A, I didn't want to force them into any conflict of interest, especially since a lot of company B's balls are being used in this area. I'll just be straight up with them, and if there is a problem or they may not be able to accommodate, my guys in Vegas have my specs, so I could always order from them. They drilled my last 2 balls, and I just happened to be down there on day trips doing work, so it didn't take much for me to pop over there, get a ball punched up, and carry it on the flight with me.
BL.
Post by: Matt Fortney on October 18, 2013, 07:10:45 AM
As far as the research and knowledge about other company's products goes, I feel that as an operator it's my responsibility to have knowledge of a variety of brand's offering specifically for my customers. One of the first questions I ask customer's looking for someone new is "do you have a brand that you'd like to stay with?" And if they do, I can guarantee you that I will not even slightly attempt talking them out of that. I don't think that's the operator's job. I feel like it's my job to help my customers select a ball (from whatever brand they want) that will fit what they're looking for, react well, and fit well.
A little off topic, I know, but I had to chime in a little bit.
On topic, I would say that if you've got a drill sheet set up by someone that you trust, I wouldn't hesitate with Buddies. They've never shown me any reason not to trust anything they do. Great place.
Matt
Post by: itsallaboutme on October 18, 2013, 07:17:56 AM
I can tell you there is nothing more puzzling than having a customer that you thought you had served well, got along with, had good conversation with when they were in the shop or you saw them at another center, that drilled 15 balls a year suddenly leave and go to another shop for no apparent reason. Then you find out it was because they wanted to try a ball you didn't have on the wall that you could get the next day if asked.
Post by: Bill Thomas on October 21, 2013, 03:50:37 PM
Post by: bowlingnut76 on October 22, 2013, 07:29:28 AM
Post by: millertime0299 on October 22, 2013, 08:59:03 AM
Post by: Buckwild on July 31, 2014, 02:14:58 PM
Buddiesproshop.com is the absolute BEST place to have your ball drilled. Best service. Best price. Best quality. What more could you want?
+1
Post by: cheech on August 01, 2014, 09:28:09 AM
Post by: Radical In RI on August 01, 2014, 09:36:37 AM
Post by: xrayjay on August 01, 2014, 04:07:21 PM
the folks at buddies did a great job with my grip, even when I went through the changes during my time with them. A++++
As of today, I have found a local shop that's about 45 to an hour drive and I have since got 3 balls drilled from him. Great guy, great service, and all three balls done perfectly. also, i have a friend who can drop or pick up balls for me :D so I save on gas.....
It was cool when it took only 15 20 mins to get to a driller in the city back in the day, but he left to put a bucket in front of his truck to dig up snow on his drive way. it's too bad he doesn't drill anymore (i think), best in town IMO.
Post by: milorafferty on August 01, 2014, 04:16:56 PM
update:
the folks at buddies did a great job with my grip, even when I went through the changes during my time with them. A++++
As of today, I have found a local shop that's about 45 to an hour drive and I have since got 3 balls drilled from him. Great guy, great service, and all three balls done perfectly. also, i have a friend who can drop or pick up balls for me :D so I save on gas.....
It was cool when it took only 15 20 mins to get to a driller in the city back in the day, but he left to put a bucket in front of his truck to dig up snow on his drive way. it's too bad he doesn't drill anymore (i think), best in town IMO.
Did what?? :o
Post by: xrayjay on August 01, 2014, 04:50:40 PM
update:
the folks at buddies did a great job with my grip, even when I went through the changes during my time with them. A++++
As of today, I have found a local shop that's about 45 to an hour drive and I have since got 3 balls drilled from him. Great guy, great service, and all three balls done perfectly. also, i have a friend who can drop or pick up balls for me :D so I save on gas.....
It was cool when it took only 15 20 mins to get to a driller in the city back in the day, but he left to put a bucket in front of his truck to dig up snow on his drive way. it's too bad he doesn't drill anymore (i think), best in town IMO.
Did what?? :o
That's what he said....hahaha
He got redneck when he moved lol....his drive way is pretty long, so he needs it....with the view on his property, he prolly needs a John deer with a small block too.. ;)
Post by: itsallaboutme on August 01, 2014, 08:44:33 PM
There are real rednecks where we are now. Roanoke, VA.
I had you fooled, I might not have even been the best driller in our shop.
Post by: xrayjay on August 02, 2014, 01:53:52 AM
It's for sale if you want to move to 06084.
There are real rednecks where we are now. Roanoke, VA.
I had you fooled, I might not have even been the best driller in our shop.
Selling your rig? Oh no.... Hehehe
Keith is bad $$A too
Post by: itsallaboutme on August 02, 2014, 03:12:23 AM