Author Topic: Disrespectful Proshops (Read 2467 times)

Monty · « **on:** January 12, 2008, 04:35:52 AM »

Ok, I just got me new Twisted Fury in the mail this week, along with my wife's new ball. We take it in to our house lanes which have a pretty nice proshop. First off the guy behind the counter take a look at our balls, and asks, "Where did you get those?" In an OBVIOUS tone that translated to me as, "Why didn't you buy those from me?" I told him i ordered them online. He asks how much did i pay, and i told him. He replies, "Oh i could have beat that price."
So then we get to measuring my hand, and like a dummy i left my current ball at home. He asks, "so do you have a ball now?" I tell him, "uh, yeah." In the back of my head I'm thinking, No, I just decided to buy this top of the line ball because its pretty, and i wanted something cool to put as a table decoration.
Then he asks if i want it fingertipped, i said yes. As he is writing down all the measurments, I ask him, "What about a thumb plug?" He replies, oh did you want one? I said, "yes please". So then, he writes it all down, tells us how much it will be and says ok they will be ready by monday. As he is there just looking at us, waiting to leave, I asked, "Don't you want to know what drilling pattern i want?" as i hold up the drilling instruction sheet from Brunswick. He replies, "Oh i know way more about that ball than what that sheet will tell me." So then i said, "well please show me how you were going to drill it please." So he marks it up and shows me, and starts explaining to me about the core, the PAP, etc, like i'm a 12 year old learning about bowling. Luckily it looked as though it would be pretty close to what i wanted any way in the drilling. If this ball goes too far, or doesn't perform reasonably like i want it to, I may come unglued on the guy.
It just sucks being new to the city and bowling ally, since my wife and I just moved here. Nobody knows us, he has no idea how we bowl, or how hard i throw the ball. It just really aggrivated me. I was really close to saying no thanks, and taking our balls else where, but I dont think anyone else could have gotten them drilled before our league monday night. I needed to vent, thanks.

sdbowler · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2008, 12:47:38 PM »

Monty I hear ya on being in a new town and all that. I just had to move as well and it is odd to have to get to new everything in a new town. Sorry to hear of your experience hopefully all works out for you.
--------------------
Brunswick
Kyle

Dewey24 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2008, 12:50:34 PM »

Monty sorry for your experience. Maybe let the folks on here know what city you moved to and they can help you find a little more accomodating pro shop. Nothing worse then getting poor service. Another thought is to get the measurements for the ball you bought and try somewhere like buddies proshop. The folks there have always been wonderful, and although it is a "internet pro shop", it is actually located in a bowling ceter and they will do lessons if you ask, they've always willing to help. The guy you went to should learn that first impressions never go away and he's probably cost himself some business.

Monty · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2008, 01:03:25 PM »

I actually ordered it from buddiesproshop.com.
They were very prompt in there shipping and everything. It was a great purchasing experience.
I just moved to Olathe, KS. I love the lanes so far, but everyone that works there (except for one guy, and one of the servers) has been very short and rude with us. I think we may explore different lanes this summer for some other leagues.

DP3 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2008, 01:23:04 PM »

"They all"? Pay me a visit sometime next week, BOWL, and I'll be more than happy to learn you a thing or two.

I do agree that you should have either
A) Spoke up about the way the operator was talking to you and challenge his thought process. Ask him if he would rather find a PAP for you to get a more precise layout, or if he would mind watching you throw a few shots and then use his experience to map out the ball best for you.
B) Took your ball back and went elsewhere.
C) Explained what you wanted out of the ball when you first brought it in and why you purchased it. Usually if the operator thinks that you have a clue about what you're talking about, or doing, then he wouldn't have talked to you like a "12 year old" as you put it.

--------------------
-DJ Marshall
...The Twelve In a Row Pro Shop. Hyattsville, MD

Edited on 1/12/2008 2:23 PM

floater163 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2008, 01:47:49 PM »

I had a similar experience and ended up getting my specs and having Buddies do my drilling. I have never had a problem yet and you can talk on the phone with them about the drilling if you wish.

I know it is a little far fetched to have them see you bowl (because of your location) but you could post a video for them to view. I drove about 3 hrs one way to have them see me bowl the first purchase, after that it is over the phone and to the door ready to go.

Good luck.

charlest · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2008, 02:47:28 PM »

Monty,

On the other side of the coin, (yes, he did not do things the polite way, nor the right way) you also did not really do it either. The point I'm making is you never know how pro shops or even different drillers in the same pro shop feel about your bringing blanks into the shop. Some have no problem; some don't want to see them under ANY conditions, and some just charge a lot more.

You should have visited them first and try to initiate a good working relationship. See how they feel about blanks; see what their prices might be. If you drill up a lot of balls during the year, a good, friendly business relationship is essential.

Courtesy and respect must come from both sides of the counter.

Also realize you could have just caught him on a very stressful day. He could be the most polite guy in the world but if his business day and his personal day went like crap, he could have been in a bad mood to begin with. Yes, he shouldn't bring his problem to the next customer, but we all have our limits.

That said, considering you had no base ball from which he could take measurements and that he had never seen you throw a ball, nor knew your PAP (ESSENTIAL for the layout of the Twisted), only the fact that he was close to your previous idea of what layout you wanted (hope you're right) saved or will save this ball for you.

Regarding: "explaining to me about the core, the PAP, etc, like i'm a 12 year old learning about bowling."

Since he doesn't know you, there's hardly any way to prove you know what you're talking about, UNTIL he and you get to know one another. This might have been initiated as part of that "Introducing yourself first" before just bringing in a blank. I think many drillers have run into the situation where the bowlers tells him what he wants, the driller does it, then the guy comes back and complains the ball doesn't work. This is NOT saying you'd do this; just realize this can be an everyday occurence for many drillers.

--------------------
"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ

« **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2008, 06:35:02 PM »

When a pro shop treats the customer well, they will want to buy from us because they want us to stay in business, too.

So many times our "first drill" may be a ball bought elsewhere, but after that it becomes less of an issue. They want to support us, and we want to help them, too. We are always out on the lanes with them, (no charge) helping them with their game, and ball selections. No online store can do that for them.

We still have the occasional customer who will buy everything online, even to save $10, and we honestly try to make them just as welcome as the guy who buys everything from us.

--------------------
Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

Nicanor · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2008, 07:47:46 PM »

Monty,

If you have a ball that fits great and you don't use it much, especially a great fitting thumb, send the ball to Buddies pro Shop, they will take your measurements, make you a thumb mold and you will have a ball that fits to perfection next time you order a ball from Buddies Pro Shop. You get internet prices, free shipping and if you're out of state, no taxes. You can call or email Chris at Buddies ( there are others to talk to but I like working with Chris)and let him know what you want and what reaction you're looking for.

Just so others don't ask how Buddies can drill a ball without seeing me bowl because I live in CA and their shop is in CT, they asked both my Son and I to video us bowling and email them the video so he can use the video to help with the drilling.

This worked out really great for my Son and me.

--------------------
Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

Russell · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2008, 08:01:33 PM »

quote:
Ok, I just got me new Twisted Fury in the mail this week, along with my wife's new ball. We take it in to our house lanes which have a pretty nice proshop. First off the guy behind the counter take a look at our balls, and asks, "Where did you get those?" In an OBVIOUS tone that translated to me as, "Why didn't you buy those from me?" I told him i ordered them online. He asks how much did i pay, and i told him. He replies, "Oh i could have beat that price."
So then we get to measuring my hand, and like a dummy i left my current ball at home. He asks, "so do you have a ball now?" I tell him, "uh, yeah." In the back of my head I'm thinking, No, I just decided to buy this top of the line ball because its pretty, and i wanted something cool to put as a table decoration.
Then he asks if i want it fingertipped, i said yes. As he is writing down all the measurments, I ask him, "What about a thumb plug?" He replies, oh did you want one? I said, "yes please". So then, he writes it all down, tells us how much it will be and says ok they will be ready by monday. As he is there just looking at us, waiting to leave, I asked, "Don't you want to know what drilling pattern i want?" as i hold up the drilling instruction sheet from Brunswick. He replies, "Oh i know way more about that ball than what that sheet will tell me." So then i said, "well please show me how you were going to drill it please." So he marks it up and shows me, and starts explaining to me about the core, the PAP, etc, like i'm a 12 year old learning about bowling. Luckily it looked as though it would be pretty close to what i wanted any way in the drilling. If this ball goes too far, or doesn't perform reasonably like i want it to, I may come unglued on the guy.
It just sucks being new to the city and bowling ally, since my wife and I just moved here. Nobody knows us, he has no idea how we bowl, or how hard i throw the ball. It just really aggrivated me. I was really close to saying no thanks, and taking our balls else where, but I dont think anyone else could have gotten them drilled before our league monday night. I needed to vent, thanks.

No offense, but if you came in a pro shop I ran with an internet ball, and were okay with a complete refit, and wanted a drilling "off the sheet". It would be obvious you had no idea what you were talking about, and that the drilling wasn't going to matter a whole lot.

Pin above the fingers and the mass right of the thumb would have been safe enough to make your ball hook on the backend which is 99% chance all you wanted.

I'm not sure what you were expecting, but with what you gave him he did all he needed to. The sheet means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING without a PAP.
--------------------
http://www.myspace.com/rlrussell

The artist formerly known as "jabroni"

justdale · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2008, 08:03:39 PM »

I work with "noyclay" and the one thing I think he forgot to say is that we love it when someone brings in a ball, we don't mind drilling online balls, thats extra money for us. the fact that he can get it online, where we might have a problem with our distributor even having the equipment saves us a headache.

Monty, it probably would have been better if you could've brought your other ball in, just so the ball driller can see where you track, and to possibly find your PAP, and if possible watch you throw a couple of shots. But, being that you didn't, shouldn't have had any reason for the way you were treated.

If ever in our area come see us, we will be more than happy to go out on the lanes and help you figure out the best possible layout for the way you throw the ball

--------------------
Dale Williams
Columbia 300 Utah Amateur Staff

vrbowlinfl · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2008, 08:06:08 PM »

I have a good relationship with a few ball drillers in the area. I like one particular guy and I will always get a price from him before I would ever think of buying a ball off the internet. I always want to support my pro shop guy than an internet site. I good pro shop guy is well worth the extra couple of bucks and in some cases it is cheaper to use them to buy a ball after you pay the extra money for the drilling and the cost of shipping the ball.

If it I owned a pro shop, I would ask the customer to come in before buying a ball from the net because I can help maybe getting a ball that might be better than the one that they were looking at. Only thing that this guy did was make you mad and he might have lost your business. Any pro shop guy will tell you that they amke more money off the drilling than the sale of the ball.
--------------------
"Kids don't F* with God or bears will EAT YOU!"

Mike Austin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2008, 08:45:29 PM »

Monty,

The employee handled the situation wrong. You can't treat people you don't know like they are newbies. He should have had a number of questions to ask you, to feel you out, to find out what you know, and what you want. He also should not be offended that you ask questions. This was his opportunity to win your confidence and demonstrate why he gets the drilling price that he does. You should feel confident that he knows his stuff too, how do you know he's not drilling his first two balls without the boss watching? Which leads to....

Drilling a ball is somewhat like a tattoo, once you put holes in it, it's done. Yes, the ball can be plugged, but you did not purchase a ball to have it plugged. Yes, you needed to vent, but what happens Monday when you go back and the two balls are not up to your expectations?

Olathe has some pro shops in the area. Depends on how far you are willing to drive. A number of good ones withing 30-45 minutes. Unlike where BOWL lives, there are some bowling people smarter than a tree in that area, Kansas City is just down the street, good bowling area.

Some people are just not "people persons". They may know their stuff, but can't handle people very well. The pro shops that are good with people will always be busy. I would advise you to look around over the next months.

Like some others have mentioned, I always looked at internet balls as an opportunity to earn a new customer. If I treated them right, 3 things could happen, 2 are good: 1) They buy from me in the future instead of the internet. 2) They continue to bring their internet balls to me. 3) They don't come back.
--------------------
www.myspace.com/strikes4days

Check out Tony's Journals - they are FREE!!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=67&leagueid=563

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2008, 09:18:50 PM »

monty, welcome to the area ! i live in cameron, missouri, which is about 50 miles northeast of downtown kansas city. if you want the best pro shop service and experience in the area, it's worth the drive to indpendence, missouri, and go to bill smith's ams bowling supplies. he's been in business for over 15 years and is very knowledgeable and professional. he rates customer service as priority #1. i've been going to him since 1995 and wouldn't go anywhere else.

bill smith's ams bowling supplies
301 E. 23rd
independence, mo
(816)833-2695

closed sun and mon
tue thru fri 10am to 6pm
sat 10 am to 3pm

Sjf · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2008, 09:45:25 PM »

[quoteSo then we get to measuring my hand, and like a dummy i left my current ball at home. He asks, "so do you have a ball now?" I tell him, "uh, yeah." In the back of my head I'm thinking, No, I just decided to buy this top of the line ball because its pretty, and i wanted something cool to put as a table decoration.
So he marks it up and shows me, and starts explaining to me about the core, the PAP, etc, like i'm a 12 year old learning about bowling. It just sucks being new to the city and bowling ally, since my wife and I just moved here. Nobody knows us, he has no idea how we bowl, or how hard i throw the ball.

Sir, Don't judge all pro shops the same. Today we drilled 5 outside balls.
We don't ask where they bought the ball!!! Don't care!!! All that is important
is where they are getting the ball drilled.
Now you complained about the way you were handled. Yet did you bring in one of your balls? NO!!!! Then you say you had to ask how he was going to drill Your ball? He should have asked you!!!! And exaclty how does he talk about your "pap", if you did not have one of your balls there???

And you say this was the only place that could drill your ball and have it ready by Monday. Today was Saturday. If you were in early enough in the day, why were the balls not drilled? Our last customer was fitted at 4:30,
and by 5:10, his ball was fitted, drilled, adjusted, weighed, and checked out.

Drilling outside balls is a big part of "pro shop" business today. and the way you say you were treated, does not make sense. "i tell him, uh yeah"
Like he was suppose to know that. Remember, you were the one who forgot to bring your ball in!!!!
And the pro shop, should have asked you, where you bowl, what you are expecting the ball to do, and then go over some layouts that will fill your needs. Of course, not knowing you pap, does not help!!!

So please, don't judge all pro shops, by the way your were treated.

Edited on 1/13/2008 12:54 PM

Author Topic: Disrespectful Proshops (Read 2467 times)

Monty

Disrespectful Proshops

sdbowler

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

Dewey24

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

Monty

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

DP3

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

floater163

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

charlest

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

Nicanor

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

Russell

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

justdale

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

vrbowlinfl

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

Mike Austin

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

DON DRAPER

Re: Disrespectful Proshops

Sjf

Re: Disrespectful Proshops