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Author Topic: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts  (Read 2267 times)

splendorlex

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I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« on: June 01, 2005, 07:27:51 AM »
Honestly, I don't want to rip it to shreds here, but I get better info here for free.  You pay the 20-30 bucks (I paid 20 due to a "rebate" for doing a survey) and you get very little for it.  A few different arsenals depending on how many balls you want to use, but there is NO explanation, and it's basically a computer program that spits the info back at you based on how you answer a few questions.  What you get seems to have NO personal touch whatsoever...I was thinking maybe I'd get SOME degree of real advice out of it, but all I have really is a list of balls by type and manufacturer.  Argh, should have put that money towards a new ball.  

 

bamaster

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2005, 03:30:54 PM »
How long did it take to get your results back?
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Tony
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splendorlex

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2005, 03:42:38 PM »
Instant, which is why I am sure it's just spit out by some program on their end.  For 30 bucks not even CLOSE to valuable.

bamaster

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2005, 03:57:31 PM »
Well, even though I haven't tried it myself I doubt it's not valuable information considering the source, Jim King.  

Have you thought about contacting Jim about this?  Being a new website, it might be in everyone's best interest to work with them about the product and the value you feel you're getting.

Personally, if I bought a service and all I got was a four bullet point list of balls without any guidance as to why, I think I might feel a little shorted too.

How about posting your arsenal and let us see what the program recommended?  
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splendorlex

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2005, 04:04:19 PM »
I actually emailed Jim first off and gave him my detailed thoughts on it.  I was trying to be real nice, but it can be hard when you just spent 20 bucks on nearly nothing!    I'll try to give you the basics.

Right now I have a Sling Blade, Vortex I, Apex Addiction, and a ZC Green Pin and a Big Deal on the way.  Here is what was recommended:

SLOT 1: (Low Differential, Tame Hook, All Covers)

YOUR CURRENT BALLS IN THIS SLOT:

NONE. You have a hole in slot 1.


OTHER CHOICES FOR THIS SLOT: (possible replacements)

 STORM BIG HIT PEARL  

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 EBONITE BLACK ICE  

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 LANE #1 BULLET  

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 LANE #1 BUZZSAW XXXL  

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 VISIONARY CENTAUR  

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 COLUMBIA FLIPSIDE PANIC  

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 STORM HIT  

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 STORM HOT ROD HYBRID  

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 STORM HOT ROD PRO STOCK PEARL  

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 EBONITE ICE  

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  COLUMBIA SCOUT/R  

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 ROTO GRIP SONIC BOOM  

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 COLUMBIA SUPER TROOPER  

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 COLUMBIA TROOPER  

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 AMF 300 VALOR P  

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 COLUMBIA WILD  

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They have a little picture of the ball so you can see what the core looks like, and a link to the manufacterer's website for each.  That's it.  No text, no explanations, nothing.  I'll post more later when I get home, but gotta catch my bus!

splendorlex

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2005, 06:12:38 PM »
I gave Jim pretty extensive feedback, and though I was complaining about it, I believe he, if anyone, can make a huge improvement to it, and I think in the long run it could turn out to be a great tool.  I just want more "Jim" and less "computer spittin' out data."

bamaster

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2005, 07:38:08 PM »
quote:
I just want more "Jim" and less "computer spittin' out data."


That's a nice way of putting things.

Jim has one of the best resources available with his job at Bowling This Month.  It would be hard to compare the other sites with his, based on knowledge base alone.  It does seem, however, that BuildAnArsenal.com could use a little more "content" to compliment the "data".  


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Tony
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TheIronMan

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2005, 12:09:49 AM »
I've always been one to listen to my critics, in the hope it will make me better at what I'm trying to do. I made the mistake of assuming that everyone would know what types of lane conditions these balls were suggested for. You know what happens when you assume. So said, I've taken splendorlex's objective (I thought) criticism to heart and am in the process of adding some more personal descriptions to the ball groupings, though the program has to still "spit it out", since I'm can't be sittin here 24/7 waitin on customers. Level II will receive my personal attention, because I have to review the tape of dvd, then suggest layouts to go with the ball suggestions. My website designer will, hopefully, get them loaded in the next day or two. Though, she's very pregnant and Mother Nature may call her away. I really appreciate all the feedback from all who answered the survey. We're working on being able to make the Level I more affordable, but these websites aren't cheap. Thanks again for the feedback

splendorlex

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2005, 08:23:08 AM »
Just an update, Jim was very gracious and it sounds like he'll be taking some of my advice.  At the very least he's a top notch guy and I'm sure the site will be quite valuable in the near future!

jimensminger

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2005, 08:49:17 AM »
Jim is one of this games "good guys"...

bamaster

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2005, 09:49:02 AM »
quote:
My website designer will, hopefully, get them loaded in the next day or two. Though, she's very pregnant and Mother Nature may call her away. I really appreciate all the feedback from all who answered the survey. We're working on being able to make the Level I more affordable, but these websites aren't cheap. Thanks again for the feedback


Well, maybe if you selected a mess'kin website designer.... *AHEM!*.... you'd have the ability to update this yourself.  



But you are correct sir.  Websites are not cheap.


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Tony
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Jeffrevs

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Re: I went ahead and tried buildanarsenal.com...my thoughts
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2005, 09:57:35 AM »
quote:

ultimately, the best thing you can do is find a professional fitter/driller who can become familiar with your game.  there is no substitute for that, afaik.
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kotm



Tell me about it!!....NOW if I could only find someone like that !!!!
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JEFF
"Chance to squint at a sky so blue that it hurts your eyes just to look at it."