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Author Topic: Buying USED Bowling balls!  (Read 7473 times)

JOE FALCO

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Buying USED Bowling balls!
« on: February 04, 2005, 09:22:43 AM »
Recently I've been buying USED bowling balls. Most of my transactions have been from BR members and I have fortunately picked great deals. The balls have been good and the sellers have been excellent.

But in all of my transactions I have been worried till the ball is delivered. My question is .. what should I be asking the seller about the ball I'm looking to purchase? I've thought of the following . please help me to be SMART:

Weight?
Drilled for right or Left?
How many games?
More then ONE drilling?
Has surface been adjusted?

What else should I be asking?

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      J O E - F A L C O
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C300_Rye

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2005, 05:28:29 PM »
i like to ask for a pic just to see the knicks myself so i know what i am getting
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Brickguy221

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #2 on: February 04, 2005, 08:56:46 PM »
Weight?
RH or LH drill?
Has the ball ever been plugged?
Where is that persons PAP?
Pin Size?
Pin Location?
CG and/or MB location.
Span size?
Grips?
Thumb Slug?
How many games on the ball and condition of cover.

Joe this will cover most of it and is the same questions I ask.
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Rev_O

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #3 on: February 04, 2005, 10:40:47 PM »
definatly ask for pics. I personally would never buy a used ball w/o seeing a few pics of it first.
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Rev-O


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Overhand

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2005, 11:07:17 AM »

Why the span and previous drill pattern?  I mean, you're plugging it, right?
The plugged holes don't cover enough of the ball to affect performance.

I understand a right-sider looking for a lefty ball for the fresh track area.
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It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.  It is by the beans of Java that my thoughts acquire speed.  The hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning.  It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.
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ozsweet

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2005, 12:22:19 PM »
Since I like to experiment with a lot of balls / drills, I will look for a span that it close to mine and often can use the same drill by switching grips, etc. Not all are like me, but it can save time & money.

One question is to make sure it's not a blem / 2nd (unless that's what you know you arte buying).
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Ragnar

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2005, 12:27:03 PM »
quote:

Why the span and previous drill pattern?  I mean, you're plugging it, right?
The plugged holes don't cover enough of the ball to affect performance.

I understand a right-sider looking for a lefty ball for the fresh track area.
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It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.  It is by the beans of Java that my thoughts acquire speed.  The hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning.  It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.


Actually I completely plug and redrill very rarely.  I'll usually slug the thumb to adjust the span, but almost never do I plug the fingers.  So, yes, I'm using the other guys drill pattern, but if the pattern is what I want (or close) I'm more inclined to buy.  Plus, I've discovered a couple of peachy keen drill patterns this way.
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FBM357

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2005, 12:31:29 PM »
Not trying to hijack but, I'm curious to know how many of you have actually purchased a NIB after learning the used ball worked great?

I only deal with a VERY small list of people and trust their judgement as I've only received quality stuff from them.  Haven't been steered wrong.  Nice to know pin and top weight.  Span is "almost" irrelevant because I have to plug & redrill.  In most cases, I'd like the span to be relatively close hoping not to change the dynamics too much.

Don't fix something that isn't broken...

V
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"The eye is blind if the mind is ABSENT!!!!
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jkiser01

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2005, 01:27:10 PM »
also, don't be afraid to buy balls with plugwork. If the plugwork is good and color matched, it will have zero affect on the roll of the ball and normally plugged balls are a tad bit cheaper than single drills..
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livespive

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Re: Buying USED Bowling balls!
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2005, 01:36:16 PM »
quote:
Not trying to hijack but, I'm curious to know how many of you have actually purchased a NIB after learning the used ball worked great?

I only deal with a VERY small list of people and trust their judgement as I've only received quality stuff from them.  Haven't been steered wrong.  Nice to know pin and top weight.  Span is "almost" irrelevant because I have to plug & redrill.  In most cases, I'd like the span to be relatively close hoping not to change the dynamics too much.

Don't fix something that isn't broken...

V
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"The eye is blind if the mind is ABSENT!!!!


I have bought several NIB balls after using a used ball.
For me, buying a used ball is like a test drive especially if you
are buying a lane 1 ball.  I would rather buy a used ball for $80
and not like it, than to pay $160 and not like it.
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Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
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