Author Topic: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers? (Read 8548 times)

Constantine · « **on:** December 09, 2009, 08:41:28 AM »

Felt a need to rant a bit...

On the plus side, my local bowling center is spending money to make the center look nicer, but they keep making choices that do not make any sense.

First, we got new chairs in the settee area. We used to have 4 chairs per side and now we get three and a little table. All leagues I bowl in a four or five man teams, so it must be logical to have three chairs. And the table is so handy since you are supposed to bring your drinks and food onto the lane with you.

Next, they take out the synthetic approaches and replace them with new synthetic approaches. I live in a humid area which makes sliding on synthetic a challenge anyway, so they added many seams all over the place which help us slide so much more.

Next, they updated the overhead lights above the lanes with brighter fixtures. Its a nice inviting look until you try to focus on the lane surface when you see this great reflection and glare bouncing back at you.

Finally the masterwork...we get new ball returns. The ball returns are 2 1/2 wide than the old ones on each side which is oh so helpful. And the old returns held 13 balls so they've improved that to 11. Because all the best bowlers only use one ball. And everyone loves when a ball goes crashing to the floor and rolling across the center.

I really think that the people at the top of these big bowling chains are so smart! Its no wonder that league bowling is such a growing sport!
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Good luck & good bowling

JessN16 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 10, 2009, 07:16:07 PM »

My center loves its league bowlers. I have no complaints about how we're treated, or the seating arrangements.

I do wish every ball return in America held at least 12-16 balls, though. Failing that, I wish the returns were higher off the floor so that getting to the spare rack underneath didn't involve breaking your back.

However, I do sympathize with those who have problems with their houses. The Brunswick BRC centers in this state are poor on their best day. Too many counter personnel who know nothing about bowling and try to herd customers at the desk like cattle. Best way I can describe it is that they act like they're running the rental skate desk at a skating rink, not the counter at a bowling center.

Also, we have a new epidemic: Guys hired to run the oil machine who either don't bowl, don't know what an oil pattern is, or both. I would like for the person laying down the pattern to actually understand it well enough to have an intelligent conversation about it.

Jess

Atochabsh · « **Reply #32 on:** December 10, 2009, 07:24:29 PM »

quote:
Oh, plus each table has 4 chairs, where does the the 5th person or, god forbid, any vistors sit/stand?

Keep in mind that the remodels and newer centers are also thinking of adhering to new disability rules. Not that there were not people in wheelchairs back in the 50s and 60s, but buildings didn't have to build to certain codes. So they maynot be able to get those extra chairs in there because then wheelchairs cannot get through. I'm not on the up and up with the specifics, just that there are probably laws that have to be followed in this area for such a place as a bowling center. Because most of us are just bowlers, we do not have little idea of building codes and such that have to be followed to remodel.

David Lee Yskes · « **Reply #33 on:** December 10, 2009, 08:50:47 PM »

Well this is my rant about the "old" bowling alley I usta bowl at....

So the "house" was sold back in the summer of 2000, to a big business owner from Vegas, who did bowl alot. Well the following summer they remodel the place, Which did turn out NICE, but the old setup had a sitting area of the bowlers down by the approach for 5 or 6 people, plus had a sitting area behind the scoring table for both teams. Which was made up of chairs and banquet type tables.

Well after the Re-model they took out all the sitting area down by the scoring table, and were the old tables were, you had two tables for both teams and 5 chairs... And thats IT. 4 of the chairs were swivel chairs attached to the table, which i believe was a brunswick model, and one solo pull out chair.

Bad part was if you were sitting just right, and someone on the other side of the table got up the table would tip over.

Besides the sitting area, the only thing i hated was how they jacked up the cost of everything and gave you ALOT less in return for drinks and food.

Nothing like going from 1.50$ pop with free refills to 2$ a pop and a smaller glass and no refills. Oh and how does a 20oz bottle of coke for 1.75$ sound??

And they implemented the No outside drinks very like the Gestapo...

My team and several others voiced our opinions by just getting pitchers of water from the bar, and 5 glass's lol. Yes i would tip the bartender, cuz she is still working...

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" Lift Your Skirt Grab Your Balls and Learn How to Bowl " http://coolluvr4u1976.bowlspace.com/

Smash49 · « **Reply #34 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:28:16 PM »

Coke is a $1.79 around here for 20oz in the stores. Beer is $1.09 for 24oz. figure that one out. When I was a kid Coke was a penny an ounce in most places(the slogan). What is at Walmart? In 1975 you could be a loaf of bread for a dime. Today it is $2.49. So over the 35 years it has gone up 25 times! Another factor as my friend Laufaye tells me is the part of the country you are in. It is more expensive to drill a ball in San Francisco than Duncan Oklahoma due to economies of the different regions.

Smash49
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Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop, Duncan Oklahoma! IBPSIA Certified Technician
www.strikingcatbowling.com
Bowlers Journal International's Top 100 Coaches!!! 2007, 2008, 2009
USBC Register Volunteer

TheFreeAgent · « **Reply #35 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:51:51 PM »

quote:
quote:
1. Must be an AMF house....
2. JLS is a Cub fan so I hope he is drinking Old Style...LOL
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DBAR 71
DA BEARS...

"I'll BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN!" ---- Jackie Moon

DBar71,,, Hammns.... Don't you remember...The Commercial...

WGN TV... Cubs Games... Hammns the beer refreshing, brings you big big baseball today.... And it's from the land of sky blue waters...

Old Style..... NO... Only older construction workers drink that beer...

Miller Lite... No... Yuppies under 30 drink that beer...

Bud Lite.... No... Older yuppies drink that beer...

Coors Lite.... No... too close to San Fran... oops

Busch... No... Only rednecks fro Ga. drink that beer...

Old Milwaukee... Ya right... that's L & S drink...
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jls

You seem like much more of a smirnoff ice girl to me.

Back to topic, league bowlers mean nothing to a bowling center, the center i bowl at put couches in for people to sit on. And one question, why does it matter if the rack only holds 11 balls? 5 on a team means 10 on a rack why do you need more than one? You dont throw your spare ball every frame so keep it in the bag until you need it.

TheFreeAgent · « **Reply #36 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:56:45 PM »

It sounds like you guys want freaking bleachers in a bowling all to be happy. 4 chairs at a table 5 man team 4 sit and 1 bowls any more confusion?

mainzer · « **Reply #37 on:** December 11, 2009, 08:57:44 AM »

This is why I bowl where I bowl, Old house still has over the top returns, no auto scoring, not even hand driers, but they make their money in leagues they dont see as much open play as the big houses in the area do so the league guys are treated like royalty.
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"His Loyalty couldn't be bought at any price
but it could be rented remarkably cheaply"
-Inquisitor Allendyne-

Founding Father of the BR Inquisition

MainzerPower

jls · « **Reply #38 on:** December 11, 2009, 09:33:14 AM »

quote:
quote:
quote:
1. Must be an AMF house....
2. JLS is a Cub fan so I hope he is drinking Old Style...LOL
--------------------
DBAR 71
DA BEARS...

"I'll BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN!" ---- Jackie Moon

DBar71,,, Hammns.... Don't you remember...The Commercial...

WGN TV... Cubs Games... Hammns the beer refreshing, brings you big big baseball today.... And it's from the land of sky blue waters...

Old Style..... NO... Only older construction workers drink that beer...

Miller Lite... No... Yuppies under 30 drink that beer...

Bud Lite.... No... Older yuppies drink that beer...

Coors Lite.... No... too close to San Fran... oops

Busch... No... Only rednecks fro Ga. drink that beer...

Old Milwaukee... Ya right... that's L & S drink...
--------------------
jls

You seem like much more of a smirnoff ice girl to me.

Back to topic, league bowlers mean nothing to a bowling center, the center i bowl at put couches in for people to sit on. And one question, why does it matter if the rack only holds 11 balls? 5 on a team means 10 on a rack why do you need more than one? You dont throw your spare ball every frame so keep it in the bag until you need it.

Rotostorm, OMGoodness... really now, I remind you of you....

BTW, your not ready for primetime...

just so you know
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jls

9andaWiggle · « **Reply #39 on:** December 11, 2009, 12:28:19 PM »

quote:
4 of the chairs were swivel chairs attached to the table, which i believe was a brunswick model, and one solo pull out chair.

Bad part was if you were sitting just right, and someone on the other side of the table got up the table would tip over.

God, I HATE those tables! Don't know how many times (myself included) I've seen people get whacked in the knee when someone gets up to bowl and the chair springs back to the table. Usually it's the 5th guy on the end that takes it in the knee if he's scooted up close to the table.

I also find it a PITA to get in/out of those seats too.

Where I grew up, they had old centers that had bench seating around the telescores, as well as table and chair seating in the concourse. One of them also had a counter between the concourse and bowling area that was open towards the bowling area and made good storage for bags and coats. The other side had stools where you could sit there at the counter and watch the league. It was a good set up, many options and plenty of space for gear and visitors.

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9~

Internet Tough Guy

Cyberspace Sheep Lover

tc300 · « **Reply #40 on:** December 11, 2009, 02:42:03 PM »

both amf centers in my town suck @$$ period.... one is just "ran-down" has a pretty good shot tho. doesnt have air for the summer, dumb employes

the other is nice, mostly due the area/side of town its on... nobody cleans there. pits are ALWAYS dusty and not mention the candy, popcorn along with spilt soda is always great.... counters/tables are the same.
*
neither amf house have porters also.. and WAY TO PRICEY TO DRINK THERE!*

the other house is privately owned... its always been the "better" house to bowl at. more updated and so forth. the past couple years it has gotn a lil bad tho, is has a restaurant in. theyve put WAY to much effort into it. instead of a bowln alley with a restaurant its more like a resaurant with a bowln alley!! restaurant ppl get mad if you bring your bowln equip there the doors(in the middle of the house by the way) the parking was black top, but in august or so they made it gravel!!! WTF its a b i t c h dragn 3baller through it... lol

astrodanco · « **Reply #41 on:** December 12, 2009, 12:56:43 PM »

quote:
This is why I bowl where I bowl, Old house still has over the top returns, no auto scoring, not even hand driers, but they make their money in leagues they dont see as much open play as the big houses in the area do so the league guys are treated like royalty.

Where is that? I want to bowl there! I do hope they have automatic pin setters and a lane machine.

T_Bone · « **Reply #42 on:** December 12, 2009, 02:39:33 PM »

quote:
It sounds like you guys want freaking bleachers in a bowling all to be happy. 4 chairs at a table 5 man team 4 sit and 1 bowls any more confusion?

My biggest complaint is a stupid table with 4 chairs at any bowling center. I want to be able to set my beverage and whatever else I might have down at a spot/chair on the table where I know it will be when I get back from the approach. I do not want to play musical chairs. I totally believe that being together with your team to discuss lane conditions, ball changes or even what they had for dinner helps bring your team together and helps your team be more competitve if you so wish. My Friday night league has a 4 chair and table layout across 34 lanes and ususally I sit in the bar overlooking the lanes and I hate it. This is not by choice as much as it is by necessity. Recently, the center brought in a new GM and he asked me why I was sitting in the lounge. After I explained my reason he said he understood but he doubted that he would put in new tables. This is the first and last year I bowl at that center. I just believe that it is a lot better when your team can sit together.
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Todd

BBU · « **Reply #43 on:** December 12, 2009, 10:02:30 PM »

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Complaint_Department_Grenade.jpg
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Its Hammer Time!!
HammerHead 4 Life

Author Topic: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers? (Read 8548 times)

Constantine

Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

JessN16

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

Atochabsh

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

David Lee Yskes

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

Smash49

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

TheFreeAgent

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

TheFreeAgent

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

mainzer

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

jls

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

9andaWiggle

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

tc300

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

astrodanco

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

T_Bone

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?

BBU

Re: Do bowling center owners hate bowlers?