win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan  (Read 7980 times)

JOE FALCO

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6298
B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« on: August 16, 2013, 11:41:14 AM »
Was wondering how the proposed plan of Bowlmor (for converted AMF Centers) is going to effect Pro Shops? If little attention will be giving to LEAGUE BOWLERS will this hurt ball sales and the necessity for Pro Shops? Maybe not minimize the necessity but have a drastic cut in BALL SALES!
RIP Thongprincess/Sawbones!

 

bradl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1663
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2013, 01:28:28 PM »
Was wondering how the proposed plan of Bowlmor (for converted AMF Centers) is going to effect Pro Shops? If little attention will be giving to LEAGUE BOWLERS will this hurt ball sales and the necessity for Pro Shops? Maybe not minimize the necessity but have a drastic cut in BALL SALES!

A good question, but it would seem to only apply to AMF centers and their shops. Anything non-AMF should be okay.. but in the area I'm from, most of the pro shops were at free-standing locations, and not at an alley. If I can, I'd go there first. But yes, that could lead to a drop in sales. The only thing that would keep people there would be loyalty to the shop and how they treat their customers and how good of a fit they get from balls being drilled. That's a big risk to hedge against.

BL.

Gravity-Reign

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 687
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2013, 04:20:06 PM »
My friend that works for AMF said that AMF centers that are being converted into Bowlmor centers want the pro shops out.

He lives on long island and said one of the centers that's converting to Bowlmor wants to kick the pro shop out and convert it into a gaming area.

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2013, 04:55:43 PM »
My friend that works for AMF said that AMF centers that are being converted into Bowlmor centers want the pro shops out.

He lives on long island and said one of the centers that's converting to Bowlmor wants to kick the pro shop out and convert it into a gaming area.

From a business standpoint, they'll make more money from games than from the rent a pro shop pays, the teenagers will want to come back for the games, and who gives a crap whether the league bowler has to go somewhere else for pro shop products and services. That doesn't affect their bottom line. win-win scenario for Bowlmor, now known as Suck-More.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

bradl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1663
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2013, 05:11:32 PM »
My friend that works for AMF said that AMF centers that are being converted into Bowlmor centers want the pro shops out.

He lives on long island and said one of the centers that's converting to Bowlmor wants to kick the pro shop out and convert it into a gaming area.

From a business standpoint, they'll make more money from games than from the rent a pro shop pays, the teenagers will want to come back for the games, and who gives a crap whether the league bowler has to go somewhere else for pro shop products and services. That doesn't affect their bottom line. win-win scenario for Bowlmor, now known as Suck-More.

Problem is, what games are they going to have? Another outdated Dance Dance Revolution? Guitar Hero is outdated, and kids really aren't going to play a zombie FPS game with a plastic gun anymore. Driving games? my current bowling alley has one of each of these, and none get any play. The air hockey table gets more play than that, and I've only seen it used maybe once each night I'm there. So for all intents and purposes, the video arcade is dead; it was put to death back in the mid/late 90s. So unless someone like Namco or Midway or Capcom comes out with some killer upright console game that will have people flock to arcades, I don't see that strategy taking off. They'll lose people on the lack of a pro shop, lose people loyal to that pro shop because of them kicking out that shop, and they won't come back.

Secondly, how would they handle a problem with the alley or the pit or machinery with damaging a bowling ball? As is, bowling centers don't like refunding the money for a damaged ball without letting their pro shop handle it.. What would they do when they don't have one period?

BL.

Gravity-Reign

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 687
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2013, 06:03:45 PM »
I'm not sure what my friend meant by games but its probably pool tables. I remember going to a bowling club in Canada that had 8-10 pool tables.

I don't agree with anything Bowlmor is doing, our local AMF only has 1 pool table and it gets a lot of use. But on the other hand we have pool halls, if you want to play pool go there, bowling alleys should be for bowlers.

bradl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1663
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2013, 06:21:19 PM »
I'm not sure what my friend meant by games but its probably pool tables. I remember going to a bowling club in Canada that had 8-10 pool tables.

I don't agree with anything Bowlmor is doing, our local AMF only has 1 pool table and it gets a lot of use. But on the other hand we have pool halls, if you want to play pool go there, bowling alleys should be for bowlers.

I agree. My alley used to have a pool table, and it was rarely used. The alley decided to spend the money renovating the bar and lounge area, opening it up a bit more instead of replacing nearly 40 year old pinsetters and ball returns. There is a fully dedicated pool hall roughly 4 blocks away, so all of the pool action is there.

Here's a question.. with this 'merger', does that mean that all AMF alleys have to become AMF/Bowlmor alleys? or could they stay under the AMF brand and not go along with the business strategy that Bowlmor wants to implement?

BL.

Gravity-Reign

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 687
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2013, 06:30:22 PM »
I think AMF is completely out. But only certain alleys are going to be turned into Bowlmors where its main purpose is club bowling. Others will remain league centers, and when league is not going on then it will either be closed or "glow bowling"

My center use to offer $1.79 games Sun-Thurs from 9-Midnight, and any other time is was considered "prime time" at $3.50 a game.

Since the change they don't open until 4PM, and its considered glow bowling at $5.50 a game. I just got an email today advertising $3 a game specials for Thursdays (which is NO special)

I live in a small city with only 1 AMF, I use to hear people complain about $3.50 games all the time (the only time the center was packed was during the $1.79 special) I don't see how they are going to get people to pay $5.50.

My dads team has bowled the last 5 years, this season they aren't going to bowl because of the changes, I heard a lot of other teams might do the same.

Also my friend said the food prices have gone up and you can't use your league card for discount food unless leagues are actually going on.

Dave81644

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1662
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2013, 07:07:21 PM »
Multiple AMF centers in this area
couple will close I'm guessing

The larger, successful one has 72 lanes, a great pro shop
Its where they had the TV finals for the summer swing
Business as usual from what I can tell, wed night 3 man went to 40 teams
Monday 5 man has 30+ teams

Pro-shop just expanded, busier than ever
Gold level coach and experienced driller-Cliff Barnes shop

The place needs some upgrades for sure, AMF nickel and dimed it for years even though the place is always busy.

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2013, 07:20:23 PM »
My friend that works for AMF said that AMF centers that are being converted into Bowlmor centers want the pro shops out.

He lives on long island and said one of the centers that's converting to Bowlmor wants to kick the pro shop out and convert it into a gaming area.

From a business standpoint, they'll make more money from games than from the rent a pro shop pays, the teenagers will want to come back for the games, and who gives a crap whether the league bowler has to go somewhere else for pro shop products and services. That doesn't affect their bottom line. win-win scenario for Bowlmor, now known as Suck-More.

Problem is, what games are they going to have? Another outdated Dance Dance Revolution? Guitar Hero is outdated, and kids really aren't going to play a zombie FPS game with a plastic gun anymore. Driving games? my current bowling alley has one of each of these, and none get any play. The air hockey table gets more play than that, and I've only seen it used maybe once each night I'm there. So for all intents and purposes, the video arcade is dead; it was put to death back in the mid/late 90s. So unless someone like Namco or Midway or Capcom comes out with some killer upright console game that will have people flock to arcades, I don't see that strategy taking off.

I'm sure they will find some games that kids love to play while they've been "dragged" to a boring Bolwing alley.

Quote
They'll lose people on the lack of a pro shop, lose people loyal to that pro shop because of them kicking out that shop, and they won't come back.

Secondly, how would they handle a problem with the alley or the pit or machinery with damaging a bowling ball? As is, bowling centers don't like refunding the money for a damaged ball without letting their pro shop handle it.. What would they do when they don't have one period?

BL.

(Playing Devil's advocate here)

Brad,

Not being sarcastic here at all, but why would you think that BowlMor would even care about these situations, given all the other things that they have done or are planning on doing?

They might lose some league bowlers, but that leaves more cosmic bowlers to use those lanes.

They'll most certainly have a sign that says something like, "Damage to balls is not the management's responsibility. Bowl at your own risk", just like many houses do today.

I think they do not see leagues as part of their bottom line, but as a problem to be done away with. Remember that a large part of BowlMor's corporate experience isa NEw York City (Read: Manhattan) type of bowling center, where there are zero blue collar people to form the basis, the core of the league community. The hard core visitors to their centers are young people looking for a thrill, looking for someone to entertain them. The sport of bowling is not part of the services Bowlmor is looking to provide.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2013, 07:25:07 PM by charlest »
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Gravity-Reign

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 687
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2013, 07:38:55 PM »
Bowlmor was successful because it was a niche. Younger people went there for the entertainment, real bowlers went to AMF because they like bowling.

Now Bowlmor owns AMF, they have to realize they can't run all AMFs with that attitude not everyone wants to "glow bowl"

tennispro11_7

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 70
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #11 on: September 04, 2013, 09:58:36 PM »
Multiple AMF centers in this area
couple will close I'm guessing

The larger, successful one has 72 lanes, a great pro shop
Its where they had the TV finals for the summer swing
Business as usual from what I can tell, wed night 3 man went to 40 teams
Monday 5 man has 30+ teams

Pro-shop just expanded, busier than ever
Gold level coach and experienced driller-Cliff Barnes shop

The place needs some upgrades for sure, AMF nickel and dimed it for years even though the place is always busy.

I also bowl at Bowlero in Wauwatosa, which is where I think you are referring to.  According to the people on my team who went to the league meeting, lineage went up, drinks went up, and pitchers went up 2 bucks.  That must be to pay for the new carpet, which is the only upgrade that place has seen in 10 years.  They don't even have a flat screen tv lol

Bill Thomas

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 692
Re: B/M Pro shops /Bowlmor plan
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2013, 03:33:04 PM »
One of our local independent centers was purchased several years ago by one of the industry's icons (writes a column in BJI).  They closed the pro shop and used the space for a meeting room which sets empty probably more than 90% of the time.  What a way to generate revenue.