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Author Topic: Pro Shop  (Read 1035 times)

Shizz

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Pro Shop
« on: October 06, 2008, 09:48:53 AM »
For people who own their own proshop I was wondering what did you guys do and needed when you first started and roughly how much money should I look at having when opening one?

 

bwproshop

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Re: Pro Shop
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2008, 08:54:29 PM »
Plan on at least: a drill press, a scale, a spinner, a span stick, a hand measuring ball, not to mention pencils or a scribe, polish, sand paper, plug kits, ball cups, super glue, and some stock just to have on hand. Most bowling alleys also charge rent for the space the shop uses.
 When all is said and done, you're looking around $3000 to $5000 if most of the bigger stuff is used, but plan on more just in case.
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TWOHAND834

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Re: Pro Shop
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2008, 09:04:30 PM »
If things you get for the shop is used, plan on closer to $8-$10,000.  However, we opened a shop 4 years ago and was able to buy new stuff through a distributor and it was closer to $15,000 to get started with minimal stock on hand.

The drill press itself was $10,000.  Factor in the scale which I believe was another $1,000.  Also, factor in the cost of stuff like a register, credit card machine, computer to help keep track of sales and inventory.  With some creativity, you can get away with starting with minimal cost.  But, if it were me, I would plan on at least $10,000 to get started.
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Doug Sterner

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Re: Pro Shop
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2008, 09:18:12 PM »
I bought the basic starter kit from Jayhawk for around $6,000.

I would not think about stocking a whole lot up front. Inserts I'd go with Turbo and order direct thru them. Stick to 2-3 colors (white, black, clear and orange is what I keep), go with mostly 1-1/4 slugs and use their duo color urethanes.

If you want to buy balls, go with the new ball packs from the main companies. Ebonite, Hammer, Track and Columbia all have packages that give you 1 of each of their "new for fall" balls at great prices. I think the Track one was Tantrum, UpRising and Kinetic Pearl for $240. Hammer was Bite, Venom, Psycho and Emerald for $295. Ebonite was NVD, Playmaker, One and Bash or Clash for $340. Columbia was Momentum Swing, Noize, Arch Rival and Jazz for $340. Storm has their VIP program for $700 that gets you 1 each of their new equipment for a year and a similar deal comes from Brunswick.

If you venture into shoes stick to the common sizes and only a couple of styles. Don't get crazy the market is too volatile.

If you need any more advice let me know....my shop is small and has been so since I opened due to limited clientele.

Lemme know!!!
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Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY

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Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY

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Smash49

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Re: Pro Shop
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2008, 09:55:38 PM »
I inherited our pro shop when my father died.  He had a 3 year old Ebonite mill, Donkee spinner, dodo scale and other tools.  I paid off the bills that were outstanding and built onto the business.  I would recommend $10000 to $15000 to start the business and be prepared to spend a lot of it right at the first.  I buy 50 or more shoes at a time and usually 10 to 20 balls at a time. We buy bags at around 25 to 50 at a time. You will need chemicals for pluging and tools. All the colors for coloring ball plug are not cheap.  Dams, abralon, sand paper, cleaners and polishes all add up.  Signage, advertising, association credentials and training cost money.  I have 2 copies of Bill Taylors book at over $100 a pop.  We carry $2000 worth of grips and slugs at cost.  I recommend highly purchasing Ebonite's Pro Shop Coordinator.  It's worth every cent for inventory and cost controls.

Smash49
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Smash49

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