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Author Topic: $35 a year seems too much - should be free  (Read 5946 times)

trash heap

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$35 a year seems too much - should be free
« on: November 10, 2014, 09:06:26 AM »
USBC Bowling Academy

http://www.usbcbowlingacademy.com/join/?vscid=A318

It's a great idea! But really? Charge your members for this service. This should be a free service for all USBC Members or maybe a one time fee. Not a monthly or yearly fee.

There is so much in this sport where the participants know very little.  There are a lot of execllent tips and in video form there.

Once again USBC looking for ways to get more money where the effort should be getting more members. Instead they keep trying to take more from the current members.
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milorafferty

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2014, 09:37:16 AM »


They should pay US, right?

Get real, USBC needs money to operate and the membership have voted down any increase in the yearly dues. What else are they supposed to do?


Bowlers are the cheapest people on the planet. Unless of course, it's a shiny new toy to put in their bag, then that's no problem.
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luv2C10falll

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2014, 10:20:49 AM »
+1 on the previous post !

trash heap

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2014, 10:44:59 AM »


They should pay US, right?

Get real, USBC needs money to operate and the membership have voted down any increase in the yearly dues. What else are they supposed to do?


Bowlers are the cheapest people on the planet. Unless of course, it's a shiny new toy to put in their bag, then that's no problem.

No I don't want them to pay us. I want the sport to grow and expand. I think $35 is steep as a yearly fee. Not all those tips are going to apply to everyone.

You state the truth about bowlers. More willing to buy the next greatest ball instead of putting some of that money towards a two hour lesson. ($200 vs $60, which is going to give the greatest return)

I also get it too. Not everyone wants to improve their game. They are content to stay where they are. Nothing wrong with that either. That's what is really great about this Sport you can take it to what ever level you want.

It just seems that those who want to work at it, must also pay a bigger expense. Why not offer all these videos free. Those that view these videos are going to be the bowlers that go to regional and national tournaments. Give them some tips and help them compete. Not everyone comes from a big bowling region.
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milorafferty

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2014, 10:51:15 AM »
I don't find $35 a year to be too much personally. That's not even one lesson from a decent coach. And while I agree that a video lesson is not the same as live personal coaching, it can still be pretty helpful and informative.

As for why they aren't offered for free, I suspect it's just that USBC doesn't have the money. It costs money to make them, and the USBC does need the extra income.

Besides, if they were free, they would probably end up with at least half of the content being commercials.
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xrayjay

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2014, 10:59:41 AM »
It's very true, bowlers are cheap.....but $35 a year??? really? wow, it's like $3 a month....
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ImBackInTheGame

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2014, 11:14:58 AM »
$35/year = cheap

Anyone that might be interested in it should give it a shot.  If it doesn't work out, don't renew.

ksucat

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2014, 11:36:12 AM »
I have paid for this service for my family of 4 to use.  I have 16 and 13 year old kids that I set the goal to watch 5 videos per week.  They must write down what they watched and discuss with rest of family what they learned. 

Already, my daughter had the light bulb click on after watching some videos about timing.  She has a family full of knowledgeable bowlers, lessons from professional coach, pro shop operator teaching, and other various resources available to her.  However, a couple of these videos just "showed" her many of the things she's heard before.

While I'm not averse to having proper equipment, I still spend more on learning and practicing than the new shiny bowling ball.  This is just another resource available that I'm willing to pay for.  I did this mainly for the kids as they need constant reinforcement to retain and use the knowledge they already have and hopefully learn a few new things as well.  These videos are well done and short enough to keep kids interested.  The cost compares to annual magazine subscription or 1/2 hour lesson. 

trash heap

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2014, 12:39:15 PM »
ksucat, what you are doing is exactly what I want to do. Only I want to expand it to kids in the youth league. Especially teenagers. I think there could be some really good tips for them. I just don't think parents are going to fork up the $35 when they are spending money each week for lineage and practice, plus spending money on a ball. This is where I am coming from. I am not discussing adults here, its kids, and the parents who pay to have their kids in this sport. 
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ksucat

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2014, 02:56:02 PM »
Money is always an issue for kids that want to get better in sports.  Look at any sport and it's a rare case where you'll find a child who is exceptional without money being spent for knowledge somewhere along the way. 

trash heap,
Thanks for helping out with kids in whatever capacity you are doing.  It's up to the parent to be fiscally responsible and decide what provides the most value for them.  You can help provide some of the resources available with the USBC Training among the options.  I personally took the plunge after watching a few free videos and looking at the topics of the premium ones to see that it looked worth the money. 

USBC needs to improve its image.  Many bowlers, as they should, expect value for their money.  I view my annual dues to provide rules for me to play by.  In part of establishing these rules, USBC has several knowledgeable folks available to them.  I am glad they are finding ways to market this knowledge and share with the masses.  I guess I see this similar to me going to a coach and paying for a lesson and later buying his book/video as well.  I pay for each separately.   

trash heap

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2014, 03:32:51 PM »
I wish these videos would be at least be a one time purchase. The idea you have to be connected to internet to get them is very restrictive (I get the whole making sure only those who pay for it get it).  I called the USBC today. I asked if I could purchase the videos. I explained I wanted them as a coaching tool. The only service they have is online. Oh well. I will probably sign up for them. Just like you ksucat, my kids will watch them. Probably pay the $5 month fee for a couple of months.
 
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JustRico

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2014, 09:25:07 PM »
Ya know what I'd wish...entities such as this would quit giving away knowledge...this is another devaluing of the game and it's top level coaches
If I was a gold level coach that went thru their bulls**t program and spent the approx $3K it would've cost. I'd be more pissed....but this is the way our game goes...everyone wants everything FREE...I refuse to give my knowledge (which has taken me 30+ yrs to gain) away for free...,and to me this is a slap in the face
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trash heap

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2014, 11:16:54 PM »
Justrico,

These videos cannot take the place of your expertise. They provide no feed back that a top level coach could provide in one session. No comparison.

From all the free videos I have seen its more like a starting point.
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JustRico

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #13 on: November 10, 2014, 11:44:01 PM »
Trash (I feel strangely weird referencing you that btw)
I see your point but you have too many that will either use these as contradictory info or in refuting a coach/instructor/teacher in their skills.
I feel it is another way of our game/sport devaluing those that are not immediately impacted..another way for an entity in improving their value, see my point?
If no one listens to you, your next option is giving your services away to create interest...
Co-author of BowlTec's END GAMES ~ A Bowler's COMPLETE Guide to Bowling; Head Games ~ the MENTAL approach to bowling (and sports) & (r)eVolve
...where knowledge creates striking results...
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trash heap

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Re: $35 a year seems too much - should be free
« Reply #14 on: November 11, 2014, 08:25:12 AM »
Yes I see your point. Well stated.
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