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Author Topic: Pro Shops  (Read 11336 times)

byronk

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Pro Shops
« on: March 26, 2014, 10:43:01 PM »
I mostly buy used balls online and occasionally some new stuff. Just bought the wife a Diva Pearl through the pro shop and price was competitive to what I would've paid online plus having him drill it. A week later I  asked for a price on another ball and it was way out of line, so I purchased online and will take it in to be drilled. I take all my stuff and the wife's to the same driller. Is this frowned on by pro shops? Do they make enough drilling equipment that they don't mind it or is it more of hassle for them drilling stuff not being purchased through them? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm still new to bowling and am just curious how this sort of thing works. Thanks.
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itsallaboutme

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #31 on: March 28, 2014, 12:02:00 PM »
Sorry, I read number 1 wrong.  I read it's not worth $50.  And yes, English is my first and only language.

Sometimes you need to call people out and let them know if you are going to go above and beyond they need to be your customer.  If you didn't say anything to him after the first time you made a recommendation and he purchased elsewhere then still let him throw 4 of your bowling balls before he bought ball #2 elsewhere then the problem is you are afraid of sticking up for yourself. 
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Perfect Approach Pro Shop

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #32 on: March 28, 2014, 12:08:58 PM »
Quote from: milorafferty on March 28, 2014, 12:00:48 PM
Quote from: Impending Doom on March 28, 2014, 11:55:04 AM
When I ran my own shop, I had a decision to make regarding what it was I was willing to deal with. Downward economy, saturated marketplace in the area I am, and people undercutting me. I chose to get out of the business. I love it and miss it and wish that I could make a feasible living at it. It's not because I am not good at it, but because of the market.  I have several friends that are in it still, and they're mostly hurting. The investment of time and energy, along with sales periods that swing like a bipolar person, wasn't anywhere near equal to my compensation. It makes me sad to this day. If money wasn't an object, if I knew I could take care of my family with a pro shop job, I would open one tomorrow. No lie. However, I am not able to.

Make a choice. Either change your business policies, change your prices, or change your profession.

Best comment in this thread!

I have to agree, very well said. Exactly why I work full time and not at my pro shop.
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J. Helton
Perfect Approach Pro Shop

Gizmo823

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #33 on: March 28, 2014, 02:24:37 PM »
Eh, it's not quite that . . we love it so much that we hope and wish it could be better.  Just like having kids, they can frustrate you and drive you insane 95% of the time, but that 5% that's great makes it all worth it. 

Quote from: milorafferty on March 28, 2014, 11:52:23 AM
Most of you guys(Pro shop owners/employees) make me wonder why you continue to do something you hate so much.
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JustRico

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #34 on: March 28, 2014, 02:33:50 PM »
Receiving advise or information at discounted price or free is generally expected by too many consumers...they do not understand the value of experience...they tend to assume it's rather simple to understand the complexities of a complex sport....I do what I do because I enjoy it and for every spoiled individual, there are countless appreciative ones...my services are what they are, I charge what I charge for the simplicity of the fact, if you want to pay what I'm worth, then I will work with you over & above...the rest I do not lose sleep over
A majority of the time, the ones trying to save a dollar get what they've paid for...and will make every excuse possible to justify it
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Impending Doom

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #35 on: March 28, 2014, 02:36:39 PM »
Gizmo, it's not like kids. It's how you feed and clothe your kids. It's how you put food on the table. I live in the Chicagoland area. There are more pro shops around here (that do a really crappy job) than I can shake a stick at. Over saturated with a waning market. Not shocked that I got out. Every day I worked at my shop, or a shop, it was like not going to work. It's too bad the profession I love to do pays out so poorly. If I had no kids and my wife had a job, then sure, why not? She would get health insurance. She would be able to bring in a steady income while I am at the mercy of the ball market.

Milo, when you find something that you actually love to do, and you're good at it, that's the nut, my friend. Being your own boss, actually being interested in what you do, having your sport as your life? That was my dream. Too bad my dream wasn't profitable.
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byronk

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #36 on: March 28, 2014, 02:59:28 PM »
Quote from: JustRico on March 28, 2014, 02:33:50 PM
Receiving advise or information at discounted price or free is generally expected by too many consumers...they do not understand the value of experience...they tend to assume it's rather simple to understand the complexities of a complex sport....I do what I do because I enjoy it and for every spoiled individual, there are countless appreciative ones...my services are what they are, I charge what I charge for the simplicity of the fact, if you want to pay what I'm worth, then I will work with you over & above...the rest I do not lose sleep over
A majority of the time, the ones trying to save a dollar get what they've paid for...and will make every excuse possible to justify it

I understand what your saying and agree but in my case I have a great appritiation for the knowladge he passes on and dont take it for granted. I've only been bowling a year, my wife much longer 17 years. Wanting to get good and learn the correct way to do things I do value experiance wich is why im going to the driller I am. Theres not a person doing what he does in my aria with more experiance and knowladge of bowing than him. More experience drilling? yes, but bowling no. He is also someone i've been getting coaching from and he's been great to me and my wife. This is one of the main reasons for me asking the question I did, while I want to make sure and get my money's worth I also dont want to devalue what he does going above and beyond just drilling balls for us. My main question wasnt about paying too much for a new ball but if its worth it for him drilling as much used stuff for us or is it more of a pain for him? Theres not a person I know or bowl with I havent told about what a great job he does and I couldnt recomend anyone better to get work done by. If it matters he's been charging us between $40-$50 for drilling with grips and thumb slugs.

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Gizmo823

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #37 on: March 28, 2014, 03:00:59 PM »
Well it's not my meal ticket, so for ME it's like a kid.  My day job pays the bills, the pro shop pays for bowling and is something I look forward to doing.  Fortunately for me, I don't have to deal with the stress of the market, nor do I own the shop.  I understand completely that's a totally different story for you and others, I can just do it and enjoy the job, and I do . . very much.  But sometimes people who don't understand are frustrating. 

Quote from: Impending Doom on March 28, 2014, 02:36:39 PM
Gizmo, it's not like kids. It's how you feed and clothe your kids. It's how you put food on the table. I live in the Chicagoland area. There are more pro shops around here (that do a really crappy job) than I can shake a stick at. Over saturated with a waning market. Not shocked that I got out. Every day I worked at my shop, or a shop, it was like not going to work. It's too bad the profession I love to do pays out so poorly. If I had no kids and my wife had a job, then sure, why not? She would get health insurance. She would be able to bring in a steady income while I am at the mercy of the ball market.

Milo, when you find something that you actually love to do, and you're good at it, that's the nut, my friend. Being your own boss, actually being interested in what you do, having your sport as your life? That was my dream. Too bad my dream wasn't profitable.
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itsallaboutme

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #38 on: March 28, 2014, 03:10:37 PM »
Byronk,

Obviously you have a good relationship with this guy and value his services and knowledge.  Just be upfront with him and ask him how he feels about it.  The last thing you want is any hard feelings either way over something trivial like $20.
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milorafferty

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #39 on: March 28, 2014, 03:20:54 PM »
Quote from: Impending Doom on March 28, 2014, 02:36:39 PM
Gizmo, it's not like kids. It's how you feed and clothe your kids. It's how you put food on the table. I live in the Chicagoland area. There are more pro shops around here (that do a really crappy job) than I can shake a stick at. Over saturated with a waning market. Not shocked that I got out. Every day I worked at my shop, or a shop, it was like not going to work. It's too bad the profession I love to do pays out so poorly. If I had no kids and my wife had a job, then sure, why not? She would get health insurance. She would be able to bring in a steady income while I am at the mercy of the ball market.

Milo, when you find something that you actually love to do, and you're good at it, that's the nut, my friend. Being your own boss, actually being interested in what you do, having your sport as your life? That was my dream. Too bad my dream wasn't profitable.

Yea, I understand where you are coming from. Not that I have experienced it personally. Every job I have ever worked had to pay me to show up.  ;D

I was just commenting about how much some pro shop guys complain about what they do. Then again, using the same logic, I have to wonder why some of the people even bowl.  :o ;D
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Impending Doom

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #40 on: March 28, 2014, 03:47:11 PM »
Because we're all masochists. :)
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milorafferty

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #41 on: March 28, 2014, 03:50:25 PM »
Quote from: Impending Doom on March 28, 2014, 03:47:11 PM
Because we're all masochists. :)

No, that's golfers.  ;D ;D
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"If guns kill people, do pencils misspell words?"

"If you don't stand for our flag, then don't expect me to give a damn about your feelings."

byronk

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #42 on: March 28, 2014, 04:44:28 PM »
Quote from: milorafferty on March 28, 2014, 03:50:25 PM
Quote from: Impending Doom on March 28, 2014, 03:47:11 PM
Because we're all masochists. :)

No, that's golfers.  ;D ;D

Oh dang dont get me started on golf!!  ;)
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JustRico

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #43 on: March 28, 2014, 06:10:44 PM »
It's a fine line between fanatic and masochist...in both games! I believe ever course should have a ball return on each tee and foul lights thru out the course...notice I didn't say fairways...not there enough
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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Pro Shops
« Reply #44 on: March 28, 2014, 08:56:57 PM »
Fairways?  We don't need no stinkin' fairways!  The rough is where real men hone their skills...

And now back to your regularly scheduled pro shop talk...
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