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Author Topic: what would you do  (Read 2201 times)

abrown

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what would you do
« on: July 25, 2008, 02:21:21 PM »
the other day i was working on a ball in the shop and a customer came in and was looking at a ball. i talked to him for 10 min. or so then decided to watch him throw a ball, he threw 3 gutters in the 8 balls i saw him throw. he's never bowled in a league or even plan too but he wanted the biggest hooking ball we had on the wall at the time, here's my delima take the quick sale get my prophet and send him on his way or work with him on a ball that may best suit him. well here's what i did I talked to him and explained that he should look into getting a starter ball like a tornado or a vibe at the most and look into getting a coach and learn to bowl if he really want's to before he goes out and spends 220+ on a ball, i had him watch me throw a few balls with my temper and then threw a vibe i had in the shop and let him throw the vibe he was impressed with it and i sold him a vibe and refereed him to a certified coach a town away. my question for all you would you have done the same or sold him the ball and sent him on his way
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srlunatic

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2008, 10:29:13 PM »
Would have done exactly as you did...and have..


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B-Team 300

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2008, 10:30:59 PM »
u made the right judgement call, kudos to u
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charlest

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2008, 10:43:24 PM »
Now, with 20/20 hindsight, if that were me, I would have loved if someone took the time to show me the right way to do things. I'm glad this guy was of the right temperment, because, although I think you did the perfect thing, many people's ego are so fragile,  that any contradiction, no matter how honorable the intention, would set them off like a firecracker.

What you may have done, while also being the perfectly correct action, was also earn yourself a customer for life.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

abrown

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2008, 10:48:59 PM »
well the guy was really greatfull cause he had been to a few other bigger shops and they were not willing to work with him. he called this evening and set up and appoinment for his wife to get a ball. so some may think i was stupid for not saling him the big ball but i get paid the same pay if i drill him a 250 ball or a 60 ball so it doesn't effect me to sale a cheaper ball yeah the shop still has it on the wall but if a ball dont sale i usually run it off on a tip board
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" when you dislodge your head from your a@! make sure to whipe your eyes"
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SVstar34

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2008, 11:07:53 PM »
You did the right thing.

I hate when people think they are good because they bought a ball that is supposed to hook off the wall and I kick their (fill in the blank) with my blue vibe and they completely melt down.

A bowlers best friend isn't their ball that hooks the most, its the ball that goes the straightest.
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cenastyle

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2008, 02:16:00 AM »
You did the right thing.  I wish the same thing would have happened to me when I came back after a 13 year layoff.  I did like an hours worth of research on the internet (including on here) and foolishly decided that I wanted a Black Widow Bite for my new ball, even though the closest thing to a reactive ball that I had ever thrown was a Columbia Wine u-Dot.  I went into my local pro shop, said I wanted the ball and (after a quick hand measurement) was told it would be ready in an hour.  He didn't even have me throw a ball nor did he know anything about my swing.  At the time, I didn't know any better (remember, I hadn't bowled in 13 years!) and didn't realize the importance of pin placement, MB, etc.  Needless to say, the ball didn't work for me...in fact, I even said some harsh things about the ball on different forums (including on here) that I wish I could take back as I later realized it wasn't the ball's fault (but, is it really ever?).  It was the layout that was determined without knowing anything about me just to get the $200+ sale!  I wish someone would have helped me out like you did, abrown!  Even though the next closest pro shop to me is 30-45 minutes away, I will drive there and avoid my local shop because of this!  I have since purchased 11 balls (including balls for my wife and kids), bags, shoes, cleaners, towels, etc in the last 6 months and haven't spent any money at that shop!  Thank you for what you did, abrown...I wish all pro shop owners/managers were like you!
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Mike Austin

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2008, 02:44:25 AM »
quote:
well the guy was really greatfull cause he had been to a few other bigger shops and they were not willing to work with him. he called this evening and set up and appoinment for his wife to get a ball. so some may think i was stupid for not saling him the big ball but i get paid the same pay if i drill him a 250 ball or a 60 ball so it doesn't effect me to sale a cheaper ball yeah the shop still has it on the wall but if a ball dont sale i usually run it off on a tip board
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" when you dislodge your head from your a@! make sure to whipe your eyes"


No question, you did the right thing.  You already have made another sale/customer with him bringing in his wife.  If you treat her well, you can bet they are going to tell others.  You will have made many sales instead of one.  I did the exact same thing many times.  Stick to your guns, you are doing great my man!!!


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laddog54

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2008, 09:02:00 AM »
You did a great job. What you did is grow the sport and not just make a profit.
I would like to say THANK YOU from us bowlers who appriciate what you did for the sport.
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JohnP

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2008, 10:58:05 AM »
Yes, you did the right thing, and it will pay dividends in the future for you and your employer.  I try to always do the same.  I have told a few customers to wait a couple of weeks so they could work on their release (I watched them and suggested some changes) before buying a new ball.  --  JohnP
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nd300

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2008, 11:02:07 AM »
Kudos for your choice!!!!!!!!!! That's one customer that you'll get back,and possibly refer friends to you also,so there's more potential business.
 Even if he doesn't get any friends to come in,you've probably gotten future repeat business from him.
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Chris
 JTTDB---Just Throw The Damn Ball
 Don't "think"---that ball isn't in your bag yet..........
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sdbowler

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #11 on: July 26, 2008, 11:24:52 AM »
I would say you did the right thing. As you stated he called back to set up an appointment for his wife. Since you set time aside for him and talked to him he will remember that and if he knows somebody else looking for equipment he will send them your way. I know a few proshop people that would have sold him the high end high hook ball. I am sure he is glad he went to you and you worked with him. Job well done pleasing one customer that already has brought in one other customer and hopefully many more.
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no300tj

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Re: what would you do
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2008, 07:54:21 PM »
Abrown, you did the right thing. Like others have said, thank you.I've seen people who haven't learned bowl yet,wind up with a ball they have no idea how to deal with. In stead of becoming a lifelong bowler, they get frustrated and eventually quit. As we know, that is not a good outcome. Just make sure you are ready to follow up after he has seen the coach and had time to practice what the coach tells him. He'll be full of questions and that is the opportunity to lock him in as a loyal customer. Good luck to both of you.
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