Post by: roaddogg on October 31, 2004, 03:24:07 PM
Post by: scotts33 on November 01, 2004, 05:49:43 AM
Their view point on PBA registration of their products is well explained there.
Scott
Post by: roaddogg on November 01, 2004, 11:28:38 AM
Post by: I_Bowl4Money on November 01, 2004, 12:36:33 PM
Roaddogg,
quote:
Our corporate goal has always been to serve the bowling public with high quality, high performing bowling balls at an affordable price. In order to maintain these goals, and continue serving bowlers and pro shops with the same commitment and price structure that they have become accustomed to, we felt the only option was to temporarily step away from the PBA.
I understand where you are coming from, as does the rest of Visionary Bowling Products. At this point in time, do you think that the regional events are worth the time and effort with the poor payout?....I'm speaking from my own personal opinion and asking this question to you as one bowler to another. I mean, how do you feel about finishing in 19th place in a Regional and the guy who finishes 41st gets the same amount of money that you do?
I know nothing about you, but feel you are a little quick to turn face on a ball company trying to bring a better and stronger future to the bowling industry and it's supporters. Obviously you've been dedicated to Visionary for it's products and pricing and not just because you could throw them in a PBA event. From one bowler to another, unless bowling is all you do for a living, missing a few Regionals isn't hurting you financially. Besides, in the reverse scheme of things, Visionary has gotten their name out there because they didn't pay the sponsorship....everyone knows that and will be eager to see what happens when the company makes the move back over.
Just be patient my friend.....and if you just can't wait, your loyalty over the years has been greatly appreciated.
Steve
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Visionary Shirt Staff
VBP 100% - - If you have the money then I've got the time!!
http://www.bowl4money.com
http://www.visionarybowling.com
Post by: scotts33 on November 01, 2004, 01:08:20 PM
By the by...if you are new to PBA you better check to see if your shoes, wrist support if you use one, etc are registered with the PBA. I assume you have done that homework.
Scott
Post by: htotheizzo3561 on November 01, 2004, 09:56:42 PM
Post by: scotts33 on November 02, 2004, 06:57:17 AM
quote:
Visionary last year I believe was called all around. Meaning that it could be used in Regional, Senior, and National events except on tv.
htotheizzo3561--What do you mean "called all around"? I'm not getting it.
From my recollection Visionary has NOT been PBA registered for two years...before that yes.
Anybody else remember?
Scott
Post by: roaddogg on November 02, 2004, 11:05:28 AM
Post by: htotheizzo3561 on November 02, 2004, 08:18:53 PM
Post by: scotts33 on November 02, 2004, 08:39:45 PM
To that end what does it cost to be registered for Regional, Sr. and Nat'l PBA? Anybody?
I assume the cost for Regional and Sr. registration is much less as some mfgs. like Lane #1, MoRich, Visionary chose to do that for a time. Nat'l registration must be a large sum.
Scott
Post by: htotheizzo3561 on November 02, 2004, 08:46:27 PM
Post by: BigWillyStyle on November 03, 2004, 09:30:00 AM
BigWillyStyle
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"I was raised by a cup of coffee..."
Post by: scotts33 on November 03, 2004, 09:36:01 AM
I e-mailed John Weber Midwest PBA director and he referred me to Samantha Mulligan with the PBA in Seattle. Here's the info. via e-mail verbatim.
Hi Scott:
Thanks for inquiring about Product Registration. To be Fully Product Registered at National, Regional and Senior levels the cost is $111,750 and includes TV rights. All Tour Competition gives you the same rights as Full Registration without TV privileges and costs $55,000, if your player was to make TV the cost would be $7,500 per player, per episode. Grassroots costs $35,000 and includes just the Regional and Senior tours. If you have any other questions, or would like a registration package sent to you, please let me know.
Best wishes, Sam
Very interesting and now you know the costs involved.
Scott
Post by: charlest on November 07, 2004, 10:12:10 AM
Does this mean the company can pay $55K for all rights except TV, but when Haugen was scheduled to appear on TV, then, before the telecast, Visionary had to hand over a check for $7,500.00 to the PBA in order for Haugen to use Visionary's balls on TV?
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"When we choose an action,
we also choose the consequences of that action.
Post by: scotts33 on November 07, 2004, 10:32:25 AM
Scott
Post by: VBPadvertising on November 07, 2004, 12:28:40 PM
First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Jason Wonders, VP of marketing for Visionary Bowling Products. Up to this point, I have tried to refrain from posting on ballreviews because it is my belief that one of the best ways to get non-biased opinions from bowlers is to view forums like this as an outsider. The last thing I want is for my presence here to change the way anyone posts about our equipment.
As for the PBA, many things have changed over the past ten years, including the Registration fees and format. As I am sure most of you are aware, the product registration has increased dramatically over the past few years and companies like ourselves have been forced to make very tough decisions on our involvement with the PBA.
While the information that Scott received from Samantha are factually true, there are many other factors that go into product registration that most bowlers are not aware of. For example, every company that registers with the PBA, no matter which level, must comp a certain number of balls for each Senior Tour event. This amounts to approximately $7,000 that gets tacked on to the registration right from the top. In addition, if you ever expect to get a touring player to use your equipment, you must also comp a fair amount of balls to the national tour truck. Add to this the cost of staff members, incentives for bowlers who make the telecasts, the additional PBA fees for bowlers using our equipment on TV, and a touring ball rep (if you desire), and costs add up significantly. What starts out as a $55,000 investment can very easily become $150,000 or more.
Now, if you decide to take the grassroots program, the cost is $35,000 plus the seed balls to the Senior Tour. This registration package allows all Regional and Senior players to utilize the equipment. However, if for some reason the PBA decides to televise a senior event, the bowlers will not be allowed to use the equipment during the TV finals. Add to this the cost of Senior and Regional staff members and what it essentially amounts to is a company spending at least $45-50,000 to have the PBA give their approval so that bowlers can use your equipment in non-promotional bowling events.
After numerous board meetings, and countless hours of discussing our options, we decided to remove ourselves from the PBA for the 2004-2005 season. It is our opinion at this point in time, that the promotional value we receive from registering with the PBA is no longer equal to the cost of registering. Now, this in no way means that we will not be registered in the future, and hopefully at some point our company will grow to the point where the PBA registration fees will no longer be an issue.
I want to take this opportunity to apologize to all of the senior and regional players that use our equipment, or purchased some of our equipment with the intention of using it during this PBA season. We understand that our decision has inconvenienced some bowlers, and for that we are truly sorry.
There are many reasons beyond those discussed here that influenced our decision, and to go through all of them here would be unnecessary, but if you have any particular questions that you would like answered, I will do my best to answer them for you.
As always, we thank you for your support,
Jason Wonders
Visionary Bowling Products
To answer questions that were previously asked:
scotts33: We have been fully registered with the PBA up until this season. Any bowler could use our equipment during any PBA event (televised or not) prior to this year.
charlest: While it wasn't necessary for us to hand over the check before the bowlers bowled in the finals, it was agreed to that if someone did make the telecast, we would pay the PBA an additional $7500 per bowler, per event. So, if 3 people made the telecast it would cost us $22,500 plus incentives (usually between $2,000-$6,000 per bowler)
Post by: TappaKegga on November 07, 2004, 12:42:14 PM
Edited on 11/7/2004 1:42 PM
Post by: scotts33 on November 07, 2004, 05:50:04 PM
I believe as do many that your input will have the best effect on Visionary ball users.
I look forward to your input and will be using Visionary for a long time.
BTW--the Centaur is really one of the best secrets out there for a THS. So glad you guys haven't just brought out one hook in abox after another.
Scott
Post by: roaddogg on December 01, 2004, 12:29:46 PM
Post by: scotts33 on December 01, 2004, 12:49:24 PM
Who else renewed or came on board this year?
Scott
Post by: MI 2 AZ on December 01, 2004, 02:38:51 PM
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________
I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing! I see nothing! NOTHING!"