I share your frustrations Andrew. All the balls I now use were bought used. Most have multiple drills. I bought a new Absolute about 8 months ago but have sold it as it was too much for our oil.
My wife has 6 balls, although two are plastic. All were purchased new for her. One has had the thumb plugged and redrilled but nothing else has been plugged. She is getting a new Inferno for Christmas.
I should say that I have had over 10 different balls this year and perhaps 50 in the last 4 years. i currently have 8 ro 10 balls rolling around the house. I don't mind the plugged balls. I know I will find one with a 300 in it sooner or later.
TT
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"Following the course of least resistance makes for crooked rivers and crooked men."