Yes

they drill everyday

I've never understood the allure of getting a ball drilled there.  You're having a ball drilled by someone who doesn't know you, doesn't know your game, has never drilled a ball for you before, and it doesn't matter if you don't like it or something is wrong with it, because you've already finished bowling and are returning home, likely to never see them again.  They're really just there to take your money because there's a certain buzz about getting a ball there.  What's more, you're getting a brand new ball you've never thrown before, and you're going to try to get used to it during the tournament?  And if you aren't planning to use it at the tournament, why buy it there?  Nationals would be the absolute last place I'd ever consider getting a ball drilled.  Buying one there?  Sure, a lot of the time they have some good discontinued balls that are hard to find, but there's absolutely no good reason to ever have a ball drilled at nationals. 

The VAST majority of the time, you go pick out a ball, they drill it, and send you on your way.  One of my buddies once just had to get a ball drilled there, once again thinking that well those guys are there every day, they know what's working.  So I went with him, gave the guy the drill specs, he didn't know how to interpret them so he measured himself, and when I offered PAP, speed, tilt, etc., he just told me, "nah I don't need any of that," and then proceeded to tell my buddy, "well if you put the fingers here it will do this, and if you put them here it will do that," because everyone knows that pin above the bridge does the same thing for everyone regardless of PAP, and then put holes in it.  He was able to throw it a game in doubles and singles and then had to put it away because it was too angular because he throws it 18mph and has a 475 rev rate (unneeded information of course) and then when we got home I had to fix it because it wasn't quite right.  Another time I had to walk my father in law through it, he's a full roller and of course I had to make sure they knew that because they don't ask, they don't even ask to look at one of your other balls to get even a guesstimate of where your track is at.  This is the story for anyone I know who buys a ball down there.  I end up fixing it, adjusting it, and most of the time they sell it because it didn't work for them because the booth guys just take money and put holes in stuff. 

I somewhat disagree
if you go there once the shift has went out to the lanes, they are far less busy
The EBI guys are usually top notch, I'm surprised that you had that experience
IMO, these guys know whats working and what to drill
not a problem matching up the layout I have
tweak the surface and you should be good to go
I will have 1 of the booth guys come watch our practice session and recommend surface or even equipment if needed.
It's nearly impossible to duplicate pattern and surface at home center, these guys are a resource for some players who might not have access to a top level shop who knows the sport game.
I'm fairly certain I have the arsenal I need for these patterns, I will rely on the practice session and booth guys to help adjust my surface or maybe even lane play once there
Just my $.02 worth

The VAST majority of the time, you go pick out a ball, they drill it, and send you on your way.  One of my buddies once just had to get a ball drilled there, once again thinking that well those guys are there every day, they know what's working.  So I went with him, gave the guy the drill specs, he didn't know how to interpret them so he measured himself, and when I offered PAP, speed, tilt, etc., he just told me, "nah I don't need any of that," and then proceeded to tell my buddy, "well if you put the fingers here it will do this, and if you put them here it will do that," because everyone knows that pin above the bridge does the same thing for everyone regardless of PAP, and then put holes in it.  He was able to throw it a game in doubles and singles and then had to put it away because it was too angular because he throws it 18mph and has a 475 rev rate (unneeded information of course) and then when we got home I had to fix it because it wasn't quite right.  Another time I had to walk my father in law through it, he's a full roller and of course I had to make sure they knew that because they don't ask, they don't even ask to look at one of your other balls to get even a guesstimate of where your track is at.  This is the story for anyone I know who buys a ball down there.  I end up fixing it, adjusting it, and most of the time they sell it because it didn't work for them because the booth guys just take money and put holes in stuff. 

Quote from: Dave81644 on March 11, 2016, 06:18:21 PM

I somewhat disagree
if you go there once the shift has went out to the lanes, they are far less busy
The EBI guys are usually top notch, I'm surprised that you had that experience
IMO, these guys know whats working and what to drill
not a problem matching up the layout I have
tweak the surface and you should be good to go
I will have 1 of the booth guys come watch our practice session and recommend surface or even equipment if needed.
It's nearly impossible to duplicate pattern and surface at home center, these guys are a resource for some players who might not have access to a top level shop who knows the sport game.
I'm fairly certain I have the arsenal I need for these patterns, I will rely on the practice session and booth guys to help adjust my surface or maybe even lane play once there
Just my $.02 worth

I've had two balls drilled at the Motiv/Visionary booth, both by Frankie May. He did want to drill it using one of his three "Perfect Drillings", but after a little back and forth he finally agreed to drill it as I asked.

I gave him a ball to measure from and the fit was dead-on accurate. Plus, I enjoyed meeting, talking too and having a ball drilled by a Hall Of Famer and a legend.

I just got back from Reno. I talked with the Brunswick guys and storm and Hammer. The Hammer booth was by far the most friendly and helpful . They answered all of my questions. So I had them drill my ball. I had a ball for them to see how to drill it like I wanted.I got a Hammer Scandel. I just threw it when I got home. This thing is a monster! But it needs oil.I think it will be a great ball.

So you had a ball drilled down there but never used it? Why I have to ask? What was their thoughts on on balls for down there?

Plus there are coupons for $20 off some of the EBI stuff in the USBC coupon book
Scandal is one of them