Author Topic: OK I have a question???? (Read 1044 times)

Smash49 · « **on:** May 01, 2009, 05:02:50 AM »

We see a lot of conversation about online dealers and the internet. How many brick and mortar pro shops actually have a website? If you do not why? Are you thinking of getting one? Recently I was asked by a leading bowling magazine about pro shop operations and thinking/getting outside the box(shop walls). We do a lot of things on the internet at Striking Cat / SLSM Designs but no where near what we would like to. We recently updated our end of season web page. How are pro shops working in this ecomomy and what changes they are making were a couple of the questions. Any thoughts?

Smash49.
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Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop, Duncan Oklahoma! IBPSIA Certified Technician
www.strikingcatbowling.com

JohnP · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2009, 05:16:55 PM »

We don't even have a web site for the bowling center. I've been trying to get the owners to have one developed. Off topic -- I just ordered another slide sock. -- JohnP

Smash49 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2009, 05:45:41 PM »

JohnP

I just told Sandra and she said yep just got the order. Thank you and should go out tomorrow or Monday.

One of the comments was what are you doing in this day and age to improve business? Since the beginning of time pro shop operators have just waited for whatever the center they were located in brought through the doors. If the center was doing poorly so was the shop and if the center was doing great most likely the shop was also. There are plenty of ways to get outside the bowling center that a pro shop is located in. I get Dino Castillo's shops newsletter all the time. There are websites, forums and chat rooms. On the ground grass root networking has been done for years. Working with bowlers and treating them right brings other bowlers to the business. We sold a ton of MORICH by doing this. I see people complain about the internet dealers but they need to help themselves too. I'm tinkering with a portal website in my spare time(yeah right what's that)that may help.

Smash49

Smash49
--------------------
Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop, Duncan Oklahoma! IBPSIA Certified Technician
www.strikingcatbowling.com

Skizriz · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2009, 06:51:24 PM »

Here's where I take my business. When he decided to move to a new center, a lot of bowlers took their business along with him.

http://www.ramflexbowling.com/

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"I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather....Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car"

Smash49 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2009, 07:27:41 PM »

That's a pretty good looking site. That's what's needed.

Smash49
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Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop, Duncan Oklahoma! IBPSIA Certified Technician
www.strikingcatbowling.com

JohnP · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2009, 11:01:32 AM »

quote:
One of the comments was what are you doing in this day and age to improve business?

My only answer to this question is - treating the customers the way I always wanted to be treated. I am a part time employee in a small (20 lane) rural center. Management considers the pro shop to be a service to the bowlers, not a major profit center. I am retired and have a good retirement income. I drill about 150 balls a year, and probably 125 of those are plastic or entry level reactive. And I really don't want to drill more than that, then it would become more like a job than a hobby. I enjoy being able to work with my customers and try to help the beginners develop good skills and habits. After drilling every ball I take the customer to the lanes and watch him throw some shots. If I think I can help him, I can leave the lanes on for 30 minutes or so without charging him, the center considers that an investment in the center's future income. We carry little inventory other than plastic balls, and most of my work is done by appointment. -- JohnP

Smash49 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2009, 12:46:05 PM »

The golden rule is great and the word gets around. Reputation and quality go a long way. Funny thing about rural areas is they are sometimes not internet backwards as many people think. A few years back Best Buy's number one computer sales store was in Little Rock Arkansas. Farmers from all around would come into town and buy computers. Small internet sites can tell people you exist and how to find you. The yellow pages has all but disappeared in some places. Talking on forums helps too. I have had people come to our center by reading this forum.

This brings up some interesting thoughts. In JohnP's case the internet dealers most likely do not bother him, his shop and center. At what point does the internet dealer really become a factor on business? How many balls do they actually cost a pro shop a year? What kind of shops do they effect? And JohnP's golden rule counters some of the internet by great customer service.

Not everybody in the Pro Shop business is interested in being the next Macy's or big online dealer. I do think that even doing little things like treating the customer right, a small website or some way of getting the word out about your shop and thinking ways to let people know about you outside the four walls of the shop really helps.

Smash49
--------------------
Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop, Duncan Oklahoma! IBPSIA Certified Technician
www.strikingcatbowling.com

JohnP · « **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2009, 10:27:27 PM »

quote:
This brings up some interesting thoughts. In JohnP's case the internet dealers most likely do not bother him, his shop and center.

You can't beat our price on plastic balls on the internet, $57.95 + tax, which includes fitting and drilling. Thumb slugs/sleeves and finger grips are extra. That caters to the youngsters and beginners. On mid-priced balls it's about a wash. You can save money on top line balls. We charge $60 + tax to drill any ball not purchased through the center, which includes a slug or sleeve and finger grips. Management tells me we make almost as much on internet balls as on balls we sell, especially since we have no warranty liability. Management sets pricing on balls. I like it that way because I don't have to waste time dickering on pricing. I just tell customers to talk to our manager. She never cuts prices unless it's on a ball we've had in inventory for a long time and want to move. In fact, if I know a customer is interested in a new top line ball I frequently offer to steer them to a reliable internet supplier. -- JohnP

Author Topic: OK I have a question???? (Read 1044 times)

Smash49

OK I have a question????

JohnP

Re: OK I have a question????

Smash49

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Skizriz

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Smash49

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JohnP

Re: OK I have a question????

Smash49

Re: OK I have a question????

JohnP

Re: OK I have a question????