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Author Topic: The price wars continue ...  (Read 8523 times)

charlest

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The price wars continue ...
« on: February 09, 2012, 02:05:15 PM »
Just saw Buddies post the new Ebonite Pursuits for $169.95, joining the ranks of Lane#1 balls as the most expensive balls on the internet (excepting for Bowlers Paradise's Elite line at $249 which I assume virtually no one in their right mind buys).
 
Pretty soon BTV's Quantum $300 balls from the late1990s are going to look cheap.
 
And all in the midst of a depression!  Fascinating!!


"None are so blind as those who will not see."

 
 
Edited by charlest on 2/9/2012 at 11:08 PM
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JOE FALCO

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #31 on: February 10, 2012, 08:49:59 PM »

The rude awakening! One thing for sure when they did this PRICE FIX they certainly weren't doing it for the BOWLER!

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northface28

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #32 on: February 10, 2012, 10:09:30 PM »

 
billdozer wrote on 2/10/2012 9:30 PM:
I can agree with the storm/roto shelf life...for example if I saw a second dimension in a shop or an agent ball Id probably buy it in a heartbeat.  Just wait for the virtual gravity nanos to get scarce, ppl will fight over those soon.  the best thing about EBI for me as the consumer, is I know their seriously hyped up products, go on fire sale very quickly...Like right now...the vital energy which was supposed to be a "great release" just like the signals was...on buddiesproshop.com you can get the vital energy for $60 ...and signals for $99...as soon as more and more consumers realize this...there will be no point to have a pro shop with inventory.  they need to charge a fee to the online sellers or something...but remember the companies gotta sell balls and if the online shops sell more why wouldnt you cater to them.  its a nasty cycle and theres gotta be a way to fix it...and honestly if they help proshops, theyre going to lose sales online...Im starting to think no one wins this war....except the ball companies. 
 



Perfect Approach Pro Shop wrote on 2/10/2012 7:19 PM:A lot of good info posted so far. Have to agree as a Pro Shoo owner I have not seen the huge increase that I have paid for balls. It is about time these ball manufactures start putting pressure on the online sites. Pretty sad when a bowler not in the industry can buy a ball shipped to his door cheaper than a pro shop gets it for. Then we raise drilling to compensate so we can pay rent, wages, ect ... and people gripe about that.
Have to agree with the overreleasing of balls thought. Seems this years everytime Columbia would release a ball I would get literature a week prior to release date on a new release that they were producing. Hell why do I want the Ransom Demand when the Encounter is coming out in 3 weeks. Why do I want the Encounter when the Omen is due to be released. Why do I want the Omen when the Dark Encounter is due out. And that leads to why most pro shops only have 1-2 balls on hand so they don't get stuck with old inventory.
I thought EBI was cutting back on mass releasing also. HOPE EBI READS THESE FORUMS. Huge reason why I Storm/Roto Grip are my primary stocked items as I can sell there products 2-4 months after released because they are not outdated and they seem to be more durable.

J. Helton
Perfect Approach Pro Shop


e="color: &39966">Don't throw strikes, throw BOLTS!



Doesnt matter much to me, EBI can come out with a ball once a day until the end of time. I wont acknowledge their releases. Their whole ”throw crap against the wall and hope it sticks” is infuriating. Sure, other companies ”miss” but Ebonite specifically strikes out way more than other brands.

I have a feeling these Pursuit balls will be much like the Killer Instinct line from years ago. (arguably some of the.worst balls in history) I could be wrong, but then again its Ebonite.

”Im a really good bowler, ask Ron”
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completebowler

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #33 on: February 11, 2012, 11:05:14 AM »
No it wasn't Joe...They were clear in stating that the MAP pricing was to help level the playing field for pro shops that couldn't compete with the online prices. It never was originated to bring the product to the consumer at cheaper prices. As I have stated before...you had that for a decade with the online prices. Now it is going to get back to the way it was in the 90's. Enjoy the fact that balls were sooo cheap for a decade.
 



JOE FALCO wrote on 2/10/2012 9:49 PM:

The rude awakening! One thing for sure when they did this PRICE FIX they certainly weren't doing it for the BOWLER!



ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI

 

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Brickguy221

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #34 on: February 11, 2012, 11:38:29 AM »
Around my area in the late 90's, premium balls were $180 to $190  "out the door". People were able to continue buying premium balls for that same price until this past year when the pricing changed. Now those same premium balls are $225 - $230  "out the door". To sum it up, balls here weren't all that cheap in the 90's, but were cheap in the 2000's when you figure in inflation and the cost of things of the 90's vs the 2000's.
 



completebowler wrote on 2/11/2012 12:05 PM:
No it wasn't Joe...They were clear in stating that the MAP pricing was to help level the playing field for pro shops that couldn't compete with the online prices. It never was originated to bring the product to the consumer at cheaper prices. As I have stated before...you had that for a decade with the online prices. Now it is going to get back to the way it was in the 90's. Enjoy the fact that balls were sooo cheap for a decade.
 






JOE FALCO wrote on 2/10/2012 9:49 PM:

The rude awakening! One thing for sure when they did this PRICE FIX they certainly weren't doing it for the BOWLER!




ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI


 




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glssmn2001

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #35 on: February 11, 2012, 11:46:45 AM »
I have to ask, isn't ball pricing relative to what area of the country you bowl ? Here in Metro Detroit some pro shops have some pretty decent prices as compared to what I see discussed in general.

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Brickguy221

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #36 on: February 11, 2012, 11:54:38 AM »
There is some truth to what you said. Also, the name of person running the pro shop makes a difference. We have a local pro shop in the OKC area run by a former pro and the prices in that shop are higher than other shops in this area because of the mane of person running the shop. The driller's name alone sells balls.
 



glssmn2001 wrote on 2/11/2012 12:46 PM:I have to ask, isn't ball pricing relative to what area of the country you bowl ? Here in Metro Detroit some pro shops have some pretty decent prices as compared to what I see discussed in general.



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glssmn2001

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #37 on: February 11, 2012, 12:10:55 PM »
 Yeah, one of the shops around here with a well known owner has pretty high prices also, so be it. I will pay whatever the price if that shop gets me products that work. Not that I go to the most expensive shop, but I am the bowler who shows a sense of loyalty and expect the same back, no matter the cost....
 
Brickguy221 wrote on 2/11/2012 12:54 PM:
There is some truth to what you said. Also, the name of person running the pro shop makes a difference. We have a local pro shop in the OKC area run by a former pro and the prices in that shop are higher than other shops in this area because of the mane of person running the shop. The driller's name alone sells balls.
 



glssmn2001 wrote on 2/11/2012 12:46 PM:I have to ask, isn't ball pricing relative to what area of the country you bowl ? Here in Metro Detroit some pro shops have some pretty decent prices as compared to what I see discussed in general.



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charlest

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Re: The price wars continue ...
« Reply #38 on: February 11, 2012, 12:15:10 PM »
Retail pricing - yes, to some degree.
Some localities can only charge so much depending a lot on the local economy. BUT the internet pricing is consistent across the country, usually being the lowest price that the manufacturer allows plus shipping.  Most local pro shops can only buy balls at that price because they don't buy in large quantities. Large volume places, like many internet shops, do buy in volume and can offer lower prices generally.
 
Local pro shops have to make a living and stock balls and have lots of equipment and other overhead. They can't make living charge $25 for drilling and the internet price for a sold, drilled ball. Even adding $50 these days would not allow a small pro shop owner to "earn a living".
 
The price I quoted that started this thread was the "internet" price, which is the lowest price allowed by Ebonite.
glssmn2001 wrote on 2/11/2012 12:46 PM:I have to ask, isn't ball pricing relative to what area of the country you bowl ? Here in Metro Detroit some pro shops have some pretty decent prices as compared to what I see discussed in general.



"None are so blind as those who will not see."

 
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