I don't really understand why some balls are big hits and others, just as good, aren't. I think a lot of it has to do with when they are released and what other balls are released along with it, or even what was released recently. When we got our Smash Zone from the pro source deal a week or 2 before its release date, I decided to drill it for myself, and found, even after having the ball for 2 weeks, there were still no reviews for it. I think I ended up writing the first one at that point. And I was one of very few people, throwing the ball in town.
I guess that's where color comes in, not in shelf appeal, but in attracting attention on the lanes. I shot 300 the 3rd or 4th week I had that ball, and nobody asked, "what was that boring black ball you were throwing?" lol. A few months later, I shoot 300 with a virtual gravity, and the question goes more like this, "Holy crap! What's that crazy thing you were throwing?". Well, I can tell you, my virtual and my smash zone have very similar reactions. Both are fairly angular, and both hit well, probably why I shot scores with both at the same house. So why does the virtual get so much attention, because when it's rolling down the lane, it catches peoples eyes, and they watch it strike (a lot..little figjam there), but my smash zone looked like every other ball out there. Nobody can tell it's a new release. And don't get me wrong, I love the look of the smash zone, and i could sell one to anybody if they came in the shop but werent already looking for something they were attracted to on the lanes. The twisted is a good example of this (wicked colors). We sold a ton of them, because when they are more noticeable on the lanes, people start noticing more and more of them and wanna jump on the bandwagon. Its not hard to tell what ball people are throwing when the color jumps at you.
Rob, this is some food for thought. It's not the shelf appeal to be concerned about, its the appeal on the lanes. Most centers where I live are dark, and can feel like dungeons. Bright colors catch your eye quick. Especially, if it doesnt look familiar.
