I recently sold 2 Columbia Wrath SF balls for $150.  The person they were sold to was a friend so I felt not collecting the money upfront was OK...About 6 months went by and all was given to me was $25 of the original bill...Last night, we bowled against their team and he was using one of the balls.  Once the match was over, I just took the ball back in front of him and all his teammates.  Come to find out that he owes money to at least 2 pro shops in the area.

Needless to say, he has completely burned his bridge with me.  First time I have had to REPO a bowling ball.

devildog819

My buddy was in a shop where the father of one of the better bowlers in the area was moaning that one of his son's balls wasn't working well.

Father says..." You know, my son is not going to spend another $200 on a ball that doesn't work for him!!!"

The shop owner says " you/he didn't pay for that ball yet so don't worry about getting another".

Dad reaches into his pocket and pulls out $60.

I agree with JohnP, he should have never walked out without paying in the first place.

Edited on 4/2/2009 12:37 PM

I sold the balls from my personal inventory, but this guy was supposed to be a friend.  He also owes money to at least 2 other pro shops in the area

devildog819

Don't be surprised if he tell's the story different. I had a very similar situation and the guy basically said it was my fault. (I guess it was since I didn't ask for the money upfront, but like you he was a friend)

Well he came to me a year later asking for something else and reminded him what happened before. Somehow he forgot....

Once you give someone something for free, its a sure bet they will be coming to you again.

You did the right thing...too bad you couldn't get back the other ball.

Outstanding stories, guys! Way to go!
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Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, but it still holds the universe together.

Some days you're the bug some days you're the windshield.

devildog819,

The thing that amazes me about this type of person (there's probably one in every league) is that they never seem to be short on cash for everything else. They buy beer by the gallon, enter every side pot available, even winning their share, yet they still don't make any attempt to fulfill their obligation to you.

I'd be willing to bet that you would have let him pay $10 a month as long as he was trying, but when they make zero effort then it feels like you're the one being taken advantage of and being played for the fool. That's when you need to send the message that you did by repossessing the ball regardless of it's current condition. It's not as much about the money as it is feeling used by the clown. Good for you.




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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

Sad but ever so true. For a lot of people,their word means nothing to them. For the rest of us, it means everything.

CC
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Those that can do. Those that can't complain. Pimpin ain't easy, but it's mandatory.

Most things we like, we don't need. Most things we need, we don't like. Don't confuse your likes with your needs.

I pay for the ball or ballwork done as soon as it's ready---in full, EVERY TIME. No exceptions.
 If I buy a ball from someone here(and I have),that's been paid in full before the ball has shipped. My transactions are in my profile.
 If I buy from someone here again, I'll be more than glad to pay in full before the ball ships. What's a few more days of waiting??? I've obviously waited that long to get said ball,so another couple of days won't kill me.
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Chris
 JTTDB---Just Throw The Damn Ball
 Don't "think"---that ball isn't in your bag yet..........