win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......  (Read 2768 times)

agroves

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4939
Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« on: December 21, 2009, 08:38:28 PM »
........knowing that the person is going to have a difficult time with?

I drilled a ball today for a customer.  Senior, female, spinner, very, very slow speed, very little revs.  Mostly just a dump it out there and let it go.

The ball she purchased?  Cell Pearl.  I tried my best, but I don't know if it will every work for her like she wants/expects.  The cover is just too strong, combined with a core that is too strong for her ball speed and desired target(2nd arrow).  The ball was rolling out at 30 feet.  I moved her target into the oil and at least this produced alittle energy at the pins.

No, I didn't suggest this ball, nor would I.  IMO, she needed a Mars, Neptune or maybe even a Natural.
--------------------
Proshop Operator
North Bowl Bowling Center
www.northbowlspokane.com

 

Danes07

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1418
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2009, 05:50:43 AM »
I''m not a pro shop operator....but with that being said:

She is the customer, who ultimately will be right (pardon the old expression).  You didn''t suggest the ball to her or try to push her in the direction of something too strong for herself.  Some people will listen when the pro shop guy tells them to avoid a ball, some won''t.  You can only do so much to help people.  If they aren''t going to listen, then drill them what they wanted, since you are in business to make money.
--------------------
University at Albany 2007
    -Let''s Go Danes-

ROTO GRIP - King of Them All
STORM - The Bowlers Company

Harry E. Inglis 3/31/1915 - 2/3/2009

Edited on 12/22/2009 6:51 AM

Gunny

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1543
  • Zombie Hunter
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2009, 08:02:51 AM »
I do it all the time.  they are the customer, and what they want they get.
Although I do mention to them that i think the ball is the wrong one and if
they want the one i suggest, than we go that route.  but usually they go
with what they want.  they always come back for a surface adjustment because
the ball was WAY too strong and having difficult throwing it.  I dont say "I
told you so!", but I do say that my feelings were that ball wa the wrong one,
but you chose otherwise.  New ball syndrome gets them all the time.  But as long
as they keep coming back, I'm happy.

stormed1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1755
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2009, 08:30:20 AM »
I end up doing it more than i like. Customers will bring in or purchase a ball and ask for a layout that will not suit them at all. I will make suggestions and explain why what thery want or want to do won't work but ultimatly it is their decision. I do make notes on their drill chart concerning this for a later date if needed. Sometimes it's a good thing to happen as that customer realises the ball did exactly what you said it would do and why it would'nt work . They then start listening to your suggestions.
--------------------
Arsenal: Mega Friction, S-75, Break Point x 2, Break x2,Clutch x 2,Maniac,Awakening,Lunatic,SX-1,Link,Hype urethane,Global Globe, 14# golden globe

Bowlingboards.com
Current arsenal


Break Down 60x4.5x60 @3k+polish
coming soon X,Desert Ops,Special Ops, Shadow Ops., Truth Pearl ,Drift

pro shop guy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2403
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2009, 08:54:13 AM »
Ive learned a while back, ALWAYS give your best advice.....ultimately the customer is always right. I will even make note on their drill sheet that they went against my judgement. This way if there are any problems later.....its understood. ALWAYS have to watch your back when something like that happens. Expecially with internet bought balls...short pin higher tops and customer hates a balance hole.....lol....always one of my favorites!

Goof1073

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2433
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2009, 08:59:28 AM »
Yup...it happens.  All a pro shop operator can do is give a customer their opinion with their reasoning and let them decided what they want to do.  This applies to ball selection, drips, drillings, etc.  

In the cases where someone brings in a ball off the internet and it's just not the right ball for the reaction I just tell them that upfront and explain why I'm putting in a certain drilling or adjusting the surface to try and get them as close as possible.

The only time this matter becomes an issue is when a customer isn't happy with the outcome and blames the pro shop for it.  I've seen folks buy the biggest oil monster out at the time and blame us for drilling it wrong because their medium oil pearl is out hooking the ball.
--------------------
-Chris: DJ's Pro Shop : Auburn, MA

dizzyfugu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7606
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2009, 09:10:55 AM »
quote:
ALWAYS give your best advice.....ultimately the customer is always right. I will even make note on their drill sheet that they went against my judgement. This way if there are any problems later.....its understood. ALWAYS have to watch your back when something like that happens. Expecially with internet bought balls...short pin higher tops and customer hates a balance hole


Second that. In the end, you are the "professional" who drills up the ball. It is IMO your "role" to listen and make suggestions, even utter warnings. But if a customer won't listen or knows better (for whatever reason), punch up the ball as desired by the customer. Sometimes, arguments won't get through, and starting a discussion with an ignorant person will get you nowhere - you'd rather risk bad-mouthing. Just be quiet, drill the ball, and if someone complains afterwards remind them of your doubts and warnings. Watch your back!
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section
DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

Bluff

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1011
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2009, 02:47:56 PM »
quote:
........knowing that the person is going to have a difficult time with?

I drilled a ball today for a customer.  Senior, female, spinner, very, very slow speed, very little revs.  Mostly just a dump it out there and let it go.

The ball she purchased?  Cell Pearl.  I tried my best, but I don't know if it will every work for her like she wants/expects.  The cover is just too strong, combined with a core that is too strong for her ball speed and desired target(2nd arrow).  The ball was rolling out at 30 feet.  I moved her target into the oil and at least this produced alittle energy at the pins.

No, I didn't suggest this ball, nor would I.  IMO, she needed a Mars, Neptune or maybe even a Natural.
--------------------
Proshop Operator
North Bowl Bowling Center
www.northbowlspokane.com


Polish the hell out of it with finess it
Sometimes they thing Expansive = better
--------------------
"A man with no skills can be taught. A man with no honor, has nothing."

actsbowler21

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 293
Re: Proshop guys: Ever drill a ball.......
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2009, 04:30:26 PM »
quote:
........knowing that the person is going to have a difficult time with?

I drilled a ball today for a customer.  Senior, female, spinner, very, very slow speed, very little revs.  Mostly just a dump it out there and let it go.

The ball she purchased?  Cell Pearl.  I tried my best, but I don't know if it will every work for her like she wants/expects.  The cover is just too strong, combined with a core that is too strong for her ball speed and desired target(2nd arrow).  The ball was rolling out at 30 feet.  I moved her target into the oil and at least this produced alittle energy at the pins.

No, I didn't suggest this ball, nor would I.  IMO, she needed a Mars, Neptune or maybe even a Natural.
--------------------
Proshop Operator
North Bowl Bowling Center
www.northbowlspokane.com


Happens all the time, especially with some customers thinking "The more I pay, the better I'll be"..I can't tell you how many customers I have had in my short career, that should be in a Freeze, Tornado, Tropical Storm, etc., but have instead walked out with an HP ball scratching their heads.. Sometimes no matter how much advice you offer, someone will get what they want from you, or move on and get it from somewhere else..I learned that first hand when a customer brought a ball in from the internet to have me drill it. Bought it online because he thought I wouldn't sell it to him because I told him that I thought the ball was too much for what he needed..

As stated before, do your best to educate your customers, 90+% of them will value your suggestions and listen to you, the others will spend their money however they want regardless of what you say. But as long as you give the best service as you possibly can, they will come back if they are happy
--------------------
Justin Buford
Brunswick, Georgia
Cliff Barnes Pro Shop- Strike Zone, Brunswick,GA & Gold Cup Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA
Storm Amateur Staff Member
http://www.cliffbarnesproshop.com
http://www.myspace.com/wildcat300
http://www.stormbowling.com