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Author Topic: Bowling Ball Prices??  (Read 1013 times)

Hammer Jim

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Bowling Ball Prices??
« on: January 25, 2010, 11:49:22 AM »
Why are Storm / Roto balls lower in price? Usually they are comparable to the other brands. It seems like there are moving into different directions. Has the Mutant Cell really not met their expectations? The biggest issues we have in Tampa is that the centers don't put out enough oil in the front and the Mutants "hook" too much. Reading up on the Invasion says it is going to be stronger than the Virtual Gravity and earlier? Why has the focus changed to hooking earlier rather than later and prices are starting to fall? Something just doesn't sound right.
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charlest

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Re: Bowling Ball Prices??
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2010, 08:17:56 PM »
Storm's are not cheaper. Their premium balls are in the $140 range, on the internet, with delivery included. Only some small companies, like AZO, Lane#1 and Lanemasters are more money on average, on the internet.

SOme RG's are ... less expensive. Market penetration?

Focus has not changed. Just because one new ball, the Invasion is earlier than the VG does not mean that focus has changed. Most manufacturers are making stronger balls that hook more at the backend:
Mutant Cell
C-Systemem 3.5
Craze
Black Widow Sting
Evolve
(a few examples)

Most TRUE heavy oilers must grab earlier to handle true heavy oil. The VG was never a true heavy oiler. The Invasion is intended, I believe to handle true heavy oil.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

dizzyfugu

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Re: Bowling Ball Prices??
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2010, 06:24:48 AM »
quote:
SOme RG's are ... less expensive. Market penetration?


It is part of the marketing strategy. In the case of RG and the Cell series, I'd also assume that the balls were intentionally placed into the market at a lower price point than other high end balls - maybe also not to snatch sales from Storm's high end line(s).

Whatever is a high or low price is up to the buyers' perception. One can argue that "a cheap ball is not as good as an expensive one", or that "big price tag = big hook". It is all in the buyers' minds.
And, beyond that, even if a manufacturer puts out a price recommendation, dealers (both real life pro shops and online stores) have their own marketing agenda, which might differ from the manufacturers' recommendation.
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DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

jls

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Re: Bowling Ball Prices??
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2010, 03:49:22 PM »
Every company has price points... The Cell line was targeted at a certain  price point.

Storm's Reign line is in a similar price range...

Roto did have balls in a higher price range when the Cell's first came out, that are in the same range as the Virtual line...

However, they were not big sellers, atleast in my area... and the Cells were..

The widow line is another example of a price point... Jigsaws are at a higher price point..

The Pure Swing is at a higher price point then the Total Bedlam...

Titleist Pro V1's are at a higher price point then the Tour Prestige..




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