Ok, as some of you may know, or maybe not, I own a Proshop in Southeastern Kansas just south of Wichita. I took over the proshop and signed a one year contract on December 12, 2006. (meaning im there till december 11, 2007)

The bowling alley i am in has a lot of league bowlers and has various leagues every night. My hours of operation are as follows:

Monday 5-7 (the one night i bowl league)
Tuesday 5-8:30
Wednesday 5-8:30
Thursday 9-noon (senior league) and  5-8:30
Friday  5-9
Saturday 9-noon (juniors)

I believe that that covers every league except one small womens league during the day on wednesday.

The trouble i am having is, one, getting customers into the shop, and two, getting said customers to purchase something.
I have worked at this bowling alley for 2 years prior to taking over the shop so i feel have a good sense of what goes on and i definately know most league bowlers.

I believe my biggest problem is my age. I am 19 years old and, not to sound cocky, i know what i am doing. I have been to a week long jayhawk class, a powerhouse clinic and i have participated in an IBPSIA HOTS seminar. I have the certificates displayed in easy view in my proshop.

It appears to me as though the bowlers see a "kid" and think... who is he and what does he know about bowling?

My prices are also very reasonable/low side. For a blank drill i charge 30 for plastic and 40 for others (grips, but not slugs, included). For a full plug and redrill i charge 25 plus grips/slugs. The pricing on my balls and other equip is also very low compared to surrounding areas. For example, a proshop in wichita that i know the owner and am friends with charges 219 drilled for the TNV. In my shop, i have the TNV for 184 drilled. Thats 35 dollars cheaper, as is the case on most of my goods.


I guess my request is, if anybody has been in the situation i have been in or think they know something to get people in the shop... please tell me. Any suggestion at all will be greately appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

PS. i dont think its the summer months causing this, it has been a going thing for about 2 months.

its prolly a trust thing bout ur age i know u more than likely no ur stuff but people are very reluctant to let a quote unquote kid drilling there retail ball. u need to get a rep have someone talking bout u. ur prices are good i wish those prices were around here i would b in there and i know ton of others would b also. just keep at it get ur name out and u may want to extend hours. you dont really leave a lot of time. thats just my honest opinion if u need anything else pm me
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Adam Carreon

Northern Illinois
University Bowling
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what kind of hours would you, as a "customer" like to see?... just curious

I personally think your hours are to short, especially on Saturday. The weekends are sometimes the only free time people have for doing stuff like pro shop work.. maybe even open up Sunday 5 hours..

Also, don't just target league bowlers. My friend owns a pro shop and he makes alot of $$$ off open play bowlers that just stop in on the weekends to bowl and end up buying a ball shoes and a bag..

Just my 2 cents..
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I think the great slump of 2006-2007 is finally coming to an end!!

Huskerfan,

You said you took over the Pro shop from a previous owner?  I was just curious as to how much business the shop did under the old ownership?

As far as age goes, It doesnt matter to me how old a driller is as long as he  knows his stuff.  I take it you are a pretty experienced bowler yourself and I would agree that a reputation has a lot to do with pro shops.  The shop I go to has three people working in it, the owner age 40 or so, another worker age 40 plus and a kid 21.  Guess who drills my stuff?  Yep the 21 year old.  He has learned a lot from the owner and he knows what kinda drills I like etc., so I have no problem going to him.

A little aside for you.  I used to frequent another Pro Shop for a long time, however I finally switched to the Shop I go to now.  Why did I switch?  Well, for one the old shop didnt have convenient hours for me and the owner/ driller was never there.  Service is a big thing in my book and I saw the old shop loose a lot of business to this factor.

Keep plugging away and best of luck to you.

Some nice suggestions above.  One thing I have started doing (not sure if it would work for you since you are "separate" from the lanes) is to hand out a couple "free game" passes with the purchase of a ball.  I usually tell them to try the ball out, make sure the fit is just right.. and the surface is properly adjusted.  If I have an opportunity, I go out to the lanes (as usually they use the passes that same day) and watch them throw a few shots.  Just knowing that you are willing to help and make sure everything is right goes a long ways.  Since I started this, I have had multiple repeat customers AND references from these customers.  It has worked out quite well.

S^2
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Thank You... Only a Year Late!

I was shocked! says Theismann

Matt .. I've read every bit of this .. I don't think I've ever seen this much GOOD ADVICE! I wish you luck ..if I were closer I'd give you some business .. from your posting/presentation I feel you have a good head on your shoulders and will survive. Once more .. GOOD LUCK!
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Hit them light and watch them fight
      J O E - F A L C O

I doubt very much the age is an issue, but my wondering is that if you take the time to go out and watch the bowlers and talk to them while their bowling. Introduce yourself to them, and offer them a league discount ( doesn't have to be much, but if the bowlers see that you are there to help, maybe that'll give them incentive to come in the door). Once they are in the door, half the battle is won. Just a thought

Good luck