Author Topic: How would you run your ball company? (Read 4615 times)

Mr Buzzsaw · « **on:** August 13, 2004, 01:34:19 AM »

It looks like the "Wal-Mart selling mentality", buy more and undercut the competition, is getting to everybody. It's discouraging for us to see our product being sold in this manner, because we pride ourself on performance and service. In the long run, this "Wal-Mart" type selling strategy doesn't help anyone, except for the one with the deepest pockets.

Lane #1 only puts out premium line bowling balls, and we price the product accordingly. We do offer a buy 4 get 1 free special on some new release's, for the pro shop guy to try out, or make an extra buck. But, when internet sellers try to take advantage of this, it makes them all fight and look bad (including us), by seeing who can undercut the other one prices each day. This is only good for 1 person, while the others are left holding the bag.

It also makes the rest of the pro shops look bad, because they're blasting low prices all over the internet. Like I stated earlier, this will knock out all the small guys, because the one with the deepest pockets and lowest prices will win, leaving only 1 place to buy.

Maybe Lane #1 should come out with 20 balls a year like some of the other guys, slash prices and oversell a bunch of balls, leaving the pro shops and distributors stuck with them, then, discounting them the next week even further to get rid of the glut? How would the customers who bought them the week before feel?

It's a tough and sticky situation for all of us, because we're trying to do the right thing, by putting out premium products, and making it fair for everyone to sell them. We feel we have the most loyal customers of any company, and would like to keep it that way. I guess no matter how hard you try, you just can't win.

Hopefully this situation won't discourage anyone from trying, using, or continuing to use our products, now or in the future.

Lane Bed · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2004, 12:52:12 AM »

Welcome to the FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM called ... Capitalism

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EvEryOnE rOlls OvEr thE lanE bEd

Lane Bed · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2004, 12:55:53 AM »

IEQ Track did not "go" bankrupt. It was a business thing to combine with Columbia as AMF did as well. Probably for tax reasons. Del explained it in a post on this site.

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EvEryOnE rOlls OvEr thE lanE bEd

Lane Bed · « **Reply #18 on:** August 17, 2004, 11:18:06 PM »

Let's see who else declared bankruptcy, Chrysler, Exxon, Mobil, MCI, Sprint, Enron, PG&E, American Airlines, K Mart, Expos, Donald Trump ...

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EvEryOnE rOlls OvEr thE lanE bEd

shimozukawa · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2004, 07:47:30 AM »

Umm... arguing against a generalization with specific events is stupid. Regardless of a few instances where a bankruptcy didn't destroy the company, in general they still indicate a poor financial position.

In addition, in each of the mentioned cases, the company or individual named had BIG financial problems.

Mike Austin · « **Reply #20 on:** August 18, 2004, 12:47:57 PM »

Why is it "free enterprise" and "capitalism" for Lane #1 to charge whatever they want for their products, but pro shops or web sites are NOT allowed to charge whatever we want? There is a supposed imposed "floor". If it is really free enterprise then we can charge whatever we want. Birddog was trying to take advantage of a special "offered" by Lane1, and passing the savings on to the consumer.

What do you think pro shops pay for these balls? When you buy Lane1 balls on the internet you are getting them at about the same or even less than what I (pro shop) can buy them for. Birddog was buying 4 or 8 balls and getting 1 or 2 free, lowering the per unit price. In turn, Precision (my shop) is going to put one of these on the shelf, and buy them from Birddog if I sold one. We would both get some benefit, I could run a special in the shop, $189.00 plus drilling and still make a "few" bucks.

Lane1 balls top end are regularly $229.00 plus drilling in my shop, and absolutely no discounts on Lane1 balls. I have one Black Cherry Bomb and that is it. I cannot afford to sit on that $180.00 per ball to display or stock Lane1 balls. The only reason I have that one is because we ordered it for someone who backed out. (I have never before heard of this credit policy Mr. Buzzsaw mentioned) I have about 100 balls on display plus bags, shoes, and accessories. I am considered #1 or #2 in the Houston area, and in the top 4-5 in Texas. If I can't afford to stock/display them, then how are the "little" guys going to?

Don't get me wrong, I like Lane1 products. They are made by Brunswick, we have the least defects from Brunswick made products than any other. I think Lane1 design is good, simple, nothing really new, but predictable. If I wasn't on Storm Staff, I would probably had drilled the two Cherry Bombs, those really interested me. I am not upset with Lane1 or how much they charge, for me it is just simple economics. Being tied to Birddog, I tried to take advantage of the sites ability to buy a little more bulk. We did this with the original Uranium, but did not offer a special price. We have done it with some Columbia and Brunswick balls in the past. I just don't like "being told" what I can sell my products for, either on the net or in my shop. I paid for it, I can sell it for whatever I want.

I'll let you guys in on another thing. In case you didn't know, Lane1 and Brunswick made stuff costs a little more to manufacture. Brunswick is in Michigan which is a strong union state. There are long time employees at Brunswick that make $20-$30 an hour. It just flat costs more for them to make bowling balls. My own opinion also is, since Lane1 isn't "buying" many thousands of every ball they market from Brunswick, Lane1's cost per unit is probably higher, plus Brunswick ships this balls to Lane1, this adds to the cost also.

Sorry so long, got to ranting.....

--------------------
Mike Austin
Mike Austin's Precision Pro Shop
Houston, TX
strikes4days@sbcglobal.net
mike@birddogbowling.com
precisionproshop@sbcglobal.net
Storm Pro Shop Staff Member
Storm VIP Shop Member
Brunswick Pro Source Member
Drilling and Tech Advice BirdDogbowling.com
Coming soon !!! BowlingBallAuctions.com
Coming soon !!! PrecisionProShop.Allbowling.com

Driller to many "Stars" and Tony Melendez too!
Onward through the Storm!!!!

Curly · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2004, 01:11:42 PM »

Well, if it was mine, I would probably avoid a minimum retail. I would get my price and let the pro-shops scrap it out. Because I am a small company, I would just be happy to see MORE people using my stuff. But..... thats just me. You asked. LOL! Oh yeah, I would bring back some incarnation of the solid PK18 with the dual minis in a big diamond type ball. Man, I really messed that one up. I must have been smokin something really good the day I decided to discontinue my flagship ball. Man, that stuff REALLY must have been good cause I had forgotten how superior that one ball was over my entire line! Yeah, I am definitely quitting this time.......

BTW, Mr. B, I doubt your postings go unappreciated. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

brimar · « **Reply #22 on:** August 18, 2004, 01:33:15 PM »

wow mike thank you for that....good to hear from someone at your level. not to change the subject but id actually like to see a ball made...i watched some of the movies columbia 300 had up on the process but id like to see it in person...specially how they get the colors to mix
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Go Yanks

Bri

Steven · « **Reply #23 on:** August 18, 2004, 01:35:58 PM »

quote:
Why is it "free enterprise" and "capitalism" for Lane #1 to charge whatever they want for their products, but pro shops or web sites are NOT allowed to charge whatever we want? There is a supposed imposed "floor". If it is really free enterprise then we can charge whatever we want.

Mike: I think the disconnect here is that you are a reseller, not the primary owner. So if you choose to sell Lane#1 equipment, you do so under their terms and conditions. Conversely, when it comes to your personal labor and services, you can choose to charge whatever you want.

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"You want the truth? -- You can't handle the truth! "

Ragnar · « **Reply #24 on:** August 18, 2004, 01:39:03 PM »

Just to answer the original question, I would run my company pretty much any way I wanted to as long as it was legal. If people didn't like it and didn't buy my product and I went broke - well, it's my fault. Remember, you don't have to buy from me, I'm just one of many options and if I'm not a good one market economics will, sooner or later, eliminate me.
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"Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,"
I'm Ragnar Floggurass, and I approve this message

Mike Austin · « **Reply #25 on:** August 18, 2004, 01:53:17 PM »

quote:
quote:
Why is it "free enterprise" and "capitalism" for Lane #1 to charge whatever they want for their products, but pro shops or web sites are NOT allowed to charge whatever we want? There is a supposed imposed "floor". If it is really free enterprise then we can charge whatever we want.

Mike: I think the disconnect here is that you are a reseller, not the primary owner. So if you choose to sell Lane#1 equipment, you do so under their terms and conditions. Conversely, when it comes to your personal labor and services, you can choose to charge whatever you want.

--------------------
"You want the truth? -- You can't handle the truth! "

I never signed any contract, there were never any "terms and conditions" mentioned. I haven't done it with them or any other company. Storm doesn't tell the distributors what price they can sell to pro shops at. Ragnar's post applies here.

I sell at the price "I" determine is correct for my business, I have no contract with anybody. Too high, people will go somewhere else. Too low, I lose money, unless I make it up in HUGE volume, which we are not doing (at this time LOL). That is free enterprise.

MikeA.

Edited on 8/18/2004 1:48 PM

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #26 on:** August 18, 2004, 01:56:57 PM »

Guys, this has got to stop. It happens everywhere whether you like to admit it or not and I'll give you a real-life prime time example that occurred lcoally here with a car dealer.

Did anyone here know that it was against GM "law" to sell the Chevy SSR for less than the sticker price? Shortly after thier introduction one of the local dealers was "caught" selling an SSR for $500 under the sticker price. Why did he do it? The customer wanted the vehicle but was not really fond of the yellow. He liked the blue one at the dealer in the next town over. So the dealer with the yellow one knocked off $500 to keep the guy's business.

When GM found out about this they blew a gasket and now refuse to sell him any of the SSR trucks as well as any of the new "limited" that they run like the Z-06 Corvette etc.

So if Lane 1 wants to set a price for their balls to be sold at, it is for them to do. They can do it and if a certain seller chooses to not obey the price mandate, Lane 1 has every right to refuse to sell to them ever again.

Also we really do need to get off the "who's is bigger and better?" kick here guys. I mean the entire Ford vs Chevy debate has gone on forever and will continue.

If people don't like the prestige and glitz of a nameplate than why does Cadillac even exist? It's nothing more than a Buick with a higher sticker price.

Why do people have Ferrari's? Lamborghinis?

Who needs a Z-06 Corvette? Won;t the regular one do the speed limit just fine?

Think about it people and do yourselves and everyone else a favor....

build a bridge and get over it!!!
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Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
The Cherry is the Bomb
And the Uranium blows them all away!
Now accepting VISA/MC and Discover for your purchases

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #27 on:** August 18, 2004, 06:04:32 PM »

LANE1_BoWlEr

Is that language really necessary to get your point across?
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

brimar · « **Reply #28 on:** August 18, 2004, 06:23:37 PM »

wow lane1bowler must be a friend of beans!
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Go Yanks

Bri

BeansProShop · « **Reply #29 on:** August 20, 2004, 11:53:33 PM »

No...All of my friends used "Hooked on Phonics"
To all this Internet debate and the small shops...

Let the people who want to buy through the internet do that. They have to get them drilled somewhere..Charge a premium price for drilling.. If you are reall that good..People will pay the extra money for your service.....I prove that in my area. Highest priced and still the busiest shop..Hands down... Try an Ala Carte srevice.. Charge a price for balls with out drilling included!!! Then give discounts on drilling if the ball is purchased in your shop...My Pro shop thrives on my IN SHOP services. Not on my INTERNET SALES!!!! We all should think together... Be better ball drillers and your shop will survive!!!

Beans
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Thomas "Beans" Biniek Jr.
PBA Member and Lane#1 Pro Staff Member
Thanks for reading and be sure to check out my current eBay auctions at:
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=bubby856

Iketown300 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 21, 2004, 12:03:07 AM »

I was wondering if mr. buzzsaw would reply to my previous post on this thread, if pro shops are allowed "to credit all bowling balls so they won't get stuck with them" then how would they run out of business? They could just trade it in get one of the newer ones in the future and sell it.
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Ike Brownfield

Author Topic: How would you run your ball company? (Read 4615 times)

Mr Buzzsaw

How would you run your ball company?

Lane Bed

Re: How would you run your ball company?

Lane Bed

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Lane Bed

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shimozukawa

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Mike Austin

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Curly

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brimar

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Steven

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Ragnar

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Mike Austin

Re: How would you run your ball company?

Doug Sterner

Re: How would you run your ball company?

MI 2 AZ

Re: How would you run your ball company?

brimar

Re: How would you run your ball company?

BeansProShop

Re: How would you run your ball company?

Iketown300

Re: How would you run your ball company?