They are steadily going up as you see the new Storm Nova is retailing online at almost $190. I remember when the high end stuff was $169-179. Its just a matter of time. Thank god I drill my own stuff or you can add 60-80 on top of that for drilling, some places by me charge $100 to drill a ball.

Been watching prices for the last few years. I know that life is expensive, and things naturally increase in cost, but just wondered how high they can go and still have enough people willing to spend the bucks to get “the good stuff”.

 If they went up like everything else, they’d probably already be $300-$400 bucks (I gave $130 for a Black Hammer in 1984, lol), but they haven’t.

 When they do, are you in, or are you out?

The Quantums in the 90s went for $299 retail and they didnt have a hard time selling.  The rising cost of balls now are more due to the stupid inflation that has the costs of everything rising.  The thing is, league bowlers can get away with being competitive with mid performance stuff (see GB4, and Rubicons).  The only people that really need the high end stuff are the ones that are pretty speed dominate.  With this increase in inflation; you could very well see sales on the high end side go down and instead have bowlers focusing on balls like the Burners, the Hypeds, Rubicons, and other balls in that mid performance price point.  Had we continued to have the economy we had from before the pandemic; I dont think the cost of a high end ball would make much difference in ball sales.  However, with the cost of everything going up; we could very well see ball sales in those higher price points go down until our federal government wakes up and makes some decisions to stop this insane inflation.

Mid-1970s: Brunswick LTDs, AMF Dick Weber 5-Stars, Ebonite Gyros, Manhattan Rubber Pro-Makers were all going for $35 or so retail. Columbia 300's, Brunswick, AMF and Ebonite mid-tier balls were going for $30 and less. Brunswick came out with the 8583 at $50 retail. I remember the consternation that caused: Even with the 8583's cloth snugger bag included. 

$150 is as high as I will go. Period!

My older stuff works just as good as this so-called new technology stuff! In many instances it works better.

I still own quite a few Brunswick Zones from the 90's. I'm here to tell you, those balls with Powercoil 18 cover stocks are virtually indestructible! I have not had 1 ball crack, and its now 2021!

They can increase prices but I won't be biting. That's just my take.

I remember Lane #1 getting high in price with their bowling balls. They come out with the Difference and Difference Hybrid with a price tag of $350 a ball.

I remember Lane #1 getting high in price with their bowling balls. They come out with the Difference and Difference Hybrid with a price tag of $350 a ball.

Yeah, makes one wondering how they (Lane 1) are doing presently? 

Hp balls will hit $200 by 2024-2025.

I still find deals for $100 or less. I typically don't care about the newest ball...