To all who work in a pro shop, no owners please.

I am thinking about taking a p/t job working in my local pro-shop but havent decided yet and was hoping your input and replies could make my decision easier.
My coach/driller/pro shop owner made it well known to me about a week ago that they are very short on staff and need help desparately. I was in there last night and he stressed the lack of staff again. He offered me a job last week and I just kinda shrugged it off. But now I am thinking, working in a pro shop would be such a learning experience for me. They just ordered up a new drill press and all types of new gadgets and he would be teaching me all of this stuff. He said the first thing would be to teach me how to drill a ball properly.

I dont really need the money so that is really not even any reason for persuading me to take him up on his offer. Like I said, it would be more for the learning experience. Plus I could work on my own equipment for FREE!! The only thing that is holding me back from taking the position is having to deal with the public again!! I hate dealing with customers!! I worked retail for 4 years and cannot stand dealing with customers.

Basically, to all who work in pro shops, what is your take on working there?? Pro's vs Con's, likes vs. dislikes. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks
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How am I supposed to knock all 10 down with one ball?!?

Edited on 9/12/2003 2:15 PM

I have worked with the public, I haven't worked in a proshop,
but I hang around it a lot so I see the people that come in.

IMO The bowling public, is a little different from the public as a whole.
YOu will have those that will get on your nevers, but I think they are few a far
between as far as  seeing them in a pro shop.

I think the experience would outweigh the dealing with the public.
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Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
 Visionary Test Staff Member

Edited on 9/12/2003 3:44 PM

Edited on 9/12/2003 8:26 PM

i enjoy 99.9% of all the people i drill for, this includes men, women, and children. there's always that one that's a tough one to satisfy, you just have to go that extra mile. and the benefits from when they shoot high scores and win jackpots are great too!!!

I don't know about your situation personally, but taking a job in a pro shop was one of the best things I've ever done.  And it's even cooler if you have a certain feel for drilling.  When you start having people requesting that you be the one that drills their ball, it makes you feel that much better, AND that in turn generates more business.  But there are those people that drive you crazy.  I'm like you in the sense that I hate dealing with people, but I can tolerate it for the most part.  AND free (or discounted in my case, grr) work on equipment is PRICELESS.  If you get free or discounted practice in the bowling center too, that's an added bonus.  If you want to advance your bowling game quickly, that's the best way to do it.  You learn so much more about drilling, coverstocks, layouts, surface prep, etc.  And if you drill your own equipment, your mistakes are on you, lol.  Your first couple balls will be pretty nerve wracking, but once you've done it for a month or so, you just put them on the machine and punch them out without so much as a second thought.  I'd say if you can squeak it in, try it for a little while at least.  Nobody says you have to stay there, and it's an experience well worth having.  Besides, how many people do you know that would kill to work in a pro shop and can't wiggle their way into one, let alone being ASKED (begged, blackmailed, lol) to work in one.  I'd say give it a shot, and make your decision based on the experiences you'll have.
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Forget Ron Bahr, I know his hot wife . . and her hot daughter . . . .

Being in adult leagues teaches you many things.  

1.  You're not on top anymore, but there are a lot more people that suck worse than you do now.  

2.  The myth about the youths having an easier shot is NOT TRUE.  I'd have an entire ring collection if it was.  

3.  Drunk adults are a lot funnier than drunk youths.

Rock,
Four years ago, I was in your situation.  Today, I have been working in the shop part time for four years, and I'm glad I decided to do so.  When the time comes that I retire from my day job, which I hope to do within five years, I'll be spending more time in the shop.

Here are the pros and cons as I see them applying to you.

Pros (these could vary, depending on the shop and the bowling center):
- Exposure to extensive knowledge of the sport.  I have had the good fortune of working closely with two excellent ball fitter/drillers, one of whom is a silver level coach and the other a gold level coach, both PBA players.
- Access to equipment and services at a discount - sometimes free
- Access to advice and/or coaching, mostly free, sometimes too much
- Discounts on bowling, food, and drink

Cons:
- Dealing with customers
- Less free time (time to spend with family, time to bowl tournaments, etc.)

You obviously have some issues with which you have to deal, not the least of which is dealing with customers.  I came into the situation with absolutely no retail experience and never having worked with the public a day in my life.  However, I do like to talk and I love bowling, so dealing with customers is a pretty natural thing for me.  Of course, I have gotten to know all the regulars, so that makes things much easier, as well.  BTW, one of the things that makes it easier to deal with customers in the shop is that, for the most part, they are there because they want to be, not because they have to be.  That changes the retailer/customer dynamic quite a bit.

Other than that, there isn't really much else I can add to what has already been said by the others here.  You have to evaluate your personal situation and decide for yourself whether the good points outweigh the bad ones or vice versa.

Good luck with your decision!  Keep us posted.
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RW (THB)