Granted I have a ball over 20 years old I still use from time to time, but how often do you have a ball as your favorite go to ball more then 2 years? The ball will usually still be unable longer than 2 years. But I bet most of you probably buy a new ball on average every 2 years anyway. So while a four year warnty is nice Hammer was 3 before Brunswick took them over. 2 years is probably sufficient. Balls that have been on the market more then two years in a lot of cases are hard to find never been grilled anyway if the bell was released more then 2 years ago anyway. So you won't be getting the same type of ball anyway.
I agree 4 year warranty is nice. But if the ball is more then 2 years old already you probably already are looking for a new go to favorite ball anyway, or if the ball surfers damage that the warranty would cover odds are its going to happen after the ball has already been retired so you would be getting something else, or the same type of ball, but used off of eBay or something like that. So probably between 90 & 90 percent of the time. No matter which ball is your go to brand. Storm, Brunswick, Motiv and all the rest a 2 year warranty on a brand new never drilled out of the box bowling ball is in most cases sufficient, or at least it should be.
I am sure market research has shown that the average league bowler even the ones with higher sport averages probably purchase a new ball on average at least once every 2 years. Some might try to go 3. But most its probably at least one new main ball every 2 years. Some hardcore bowling ball junkies might by 2 if they bowl on a lot of different lane conditions.
I may be one of not many who can say this. But all of my stuff is still rolling great and have had them for at least 5 years.
Deep Freeze
Violent Eruption
Gamebreaker 2
Arson Low Flare Solid
I have taken care of my equipment and haven't seen a need to make another purchase as they still all perform very well. I am about to jump on a Beast here fairly soon, though.
Agreed all of my older bowling balls still roll just fine. I actually never had to have a ball replaced because of damage to the ball. Actually my 20 year old plastic ball made by ebonite which has a noticeable nick in it. That has been there probably about 19 and half years.😄 But I still use it because it has always just been primarily a spare ball. Sometimes it will get a little action as a strike ball on a real short pattern like the wolf, or if I am doing late night cosmic bowl. The nick which looks more like a small chip is no where near the ball track, or even close to where the ball was drilled. So I keep using it. I don't remember what the warranty was on it. I got it back in 97 or 98.
As for buying a new ball. I did back in February. Unfortunately after getting in 20 games with it Covid shut down all the bowling centers. So its just sitting on the floor in a two ball roller. in my room.
Unfortunately even if the centers reopened tomorrow. I don't know when I will be called back to work.😟 I have one of those jobs that have at least temporarily went away because of covid. I can only hope my company survives this, and that I have a job to go back to in the next 5 or 6 weeks.🤞🏻 If I don't I won't be able to bowl regardles of rarher or not the centers are open or not.😟