I was in a similar situation. I managed a pro shop for 8 years and finally got tired of being crapped on by the owners. I left and started my own business out of my "garage." I went and registered my business name, got a tax ID and used my supplier at the time. I started my own business for a couple of reasons: 1) I love the sport and 2) I am good at what I do and I feel bowlers need a respectable driller. I operated my business out of my "garage" for 6 years before the center owner and I had a meeting of our differences and I came went back to the center. I own my pro shop and just lease the space. During my time operating out of my "garage" the center where I was located at went through 6 ball drillers in 6 years. When I operated out of my "garage", my pricing mark-up was the same as it currently is at my location at the center. Why did people come to me as to the pro shop at the center? Because I had a reputation as being one of the best not in my city, but in my state. I had customers that came to my "garage" pro shop from over 200 miles annually. When stocking, I stocked about 12 balls of the current line-up of what I felt would sell. I did not stock shoes or bags and ordered upon payment. A decent distributor should work with you given the circumstance knowing you are a legitimate business and promoting the sport as to a garage hack that is just trying to save a buck from utilizing their local pro shop.
