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Author Topic: Question about buying bowling balls online  (Read 3746 times)

benyo24

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Question about buying bowling balls online
« on: October 31, 2009, 05:33:08 AM »
I just bought an Ebonite Evolve online, and my friend told me that they're going to send me one with a random PIN.  Whatever that means, I was wondering if someone could clarify for me what this means?
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BrunsNick

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2009, 01:53:01 PM »
It means you should have talked to your pro shop person and bought it there.
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Juggernaut

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2009, 02:12:55 PM »
quote:
It means you should have talked to your pro shop person and bought it there.
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Nick Smith ... A.K.A. BrunsNick
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  Spoken like a true proshop owner, Nick.

  What it means is this. Unless you were able to specify what pin out distance you desired, they will send you whatever they have available.  Many times they will send you a ball with less than desirables specs with either a very short pin out distance(1/2 inch or less) or a very long one (5 inches or more).

  May I ask where you got it from?
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shelley

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2009, 02:13:19 PM »
It means that you didn't specify the pin length or top weight when placing your order.  Pin length and top weight can affect the options you have when drilling the ball.  However, if you paid for a top-quality ball (and not a blem, 2nd, X-out, or pro-pin) then you should get pin length and top weight that give you plenty of options when it comes time to drill the ball.

You probably should have consulted with your pro shop ahead of time or at least thought about what kind of reaction you were looking for.  That can influence the pin and top weight you order, but not so much as to make a "random PIN" ball undrillable.

SH
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VIXIV

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2009, 02:17:39 PM »
You can request specific pin and top weight specs, and the site will send a ball that's as close as possible to what you asked for. I don't know how accurate they are since I've never bought a ball online. Although, the accuracy might depend on which online store you bought it from.
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Atochabsh

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2009, 11:23:27 PM »
It means that unless you specificed pin and cg distance, they will send you the crappiest ball they can find to get rid of it. Which in turn will limit the ball's reaction and a driller's ability to drill it to its proclaimed performance.  I other words, it gives them free reign to send you a lemon.  

But maybe you'll get lucky, who knows.  

Buy it from your local pro shop and you wouldn't have to worry about it.  I know you'll spend more money but you will get a decent ball. And you won't have to wait. Internet balls are strickly buyer beware and be willing to take a risk.

Erin
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jkiser01

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2009, 05:51:12 AM »
There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying balls online. There is also nothing worng with going to your local pro shop. Its what ever works best for you.

I have ordered online (not Ebay) for years and only had 1 bad experience. If you bought the ball from reputable online retailer, you will be just fine. Getting a random pin is not a bad thing. Most pins are 2-4 inches anyway so I wouldn't worry about it.

I have ordered from bowlingball.com a dozen or so times and always specify 2-3 pin and that's what I get.

I do agree though, before ordering online you should have a little bit of knowledge of what specs you want.
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rvmark

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2009, 06:17:49 AM »
I buy both online (off ebay and bowlingball.com as well as buying a few through members of BR)and from the local proshop and have always got what I was looking for, if they could not supply the specs I was looking for I waited until my proshop found one or I could find one myself.

I would also agree that you should know a little more about the specs that you want if you are going to order online.

Mark

Edited on 11/1/2009 12:32 PM
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Atochabsh

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2009, 10:40:51 AM »
The whole problem is that is sounds like the OP did not request a pin to cg distance.  Therefore, free license for the online company to send him crap.  Everyone that has said they had positive experience buying online has also said they specified pin distances.  

I bought only one ball online from bowlingball.com and got screwed.  The ball was fine, it was a plastic ball and I got what I ordered.  However, my actual invoice (what I ended up paying) was different then the online invoice.  You can't get a hold of them, you have to leave a phone message and wait for their return call.  That never happened.  
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fluff33

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2009, 05:03:41 PM »
If you do not know what different pin distances do, then you hdo not know if the Evolve is a ball that would fit your game and do what you want.  Definitely visit your pro shop and get his recommendation for a ball and even have him watch you bowl.  Otherwise you are just guessing.  But do not insult your pro shop operator by pumping him for information and then buy the ball on line.
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notsohotshot

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2009, 05:36:32 PM »
Some on line shops that keep stock will send back the undesireable balls and if they are going to have a ball drop shipped and the customer does not request pin distance and tw then I would require a pin of 2-3" and tw between 2-3 oz.
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Strapper_Squared

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2009, 06:05:16 PM »
Unless you end up with something on the "extreme" side of the specs (either very short (i.e. 1.5" inch or less) or very long (over 4.5"), you should be able to get almost any layout/reaction desired.  If you happen to receive something with the extremes, you may need to get a little more creative to achieve the desired reaction.  This is where a "good" shop is important.  Remember, regardless of the pin specs of the ball, surface preparation is going to give the largest influence on reaction ...

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defwu3

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Re: Question about buying bowling balls online
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2009, 04:11:39 AM »
not only what everyone else said but also watch out for mass bias placement! i specified pin and top weight and buddies screwed me by sending me a ball with the mass bias a mile away from the cg, would be ok if i was left handed, i am not unfortunately. i learned my lesson and now only buy from my proshop.
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