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Author Topic: Traveling pro shop opinion  (Read 2762 times)

jjweb

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Traveling pro shop opinion
« on: October 20, 2004, 12:11:13 PM »
I want to get some opinions on a project I am working on.

Say there was a bowling service that came to your house. Offering not only drilling and normal proshop services. But was also a complete showroom with balls, bags, shoes and accessories at great prices.

Would you consider it a helpful service?

How much would you be willing to pay as a service charge to have a pro shop come to you?
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Strider

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2004, 09:20:29 PM »
It would be an interesting experiment, but I doubt it would succeed.  Too many people are comfortable with who they already use.  I pay $10-20 more per ball drilled than a few other shops in town because the guy I use is the best and his skill is worth it.  You would need a top notch reputation as being the best for it to work.  Good luck if you decide to try it.
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TheBowlingKid25

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2004, 09:40:22 PM »
So how would that work? Like get a big van, kinda like a gutter truck? Im not sure how much I would like that. I mean its a nice idea, but thats kinda like going on a roller coaster at a carnival, you dont know what will happen, or if somethings gonna fall apart.
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jjweb

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2004, 09:54:01 PM »
Actually, we are planning on using 24' truck for the shop. We've already figured the layout and how to properly secure everything. We not only plan on doing house calls, but also service tournaments, leagues and such.

Point taken about the reputation... You have to start out  with a reputation, somewhere.
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The Righty

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2004, 11:22:31 PM »
Hey I think that's a great idea! It would really help out busy people like me. But if sometimes you don't have time to get work done on your equipment because you don't have enough time between work and league can you just get it dropped off at your office? But do i need to give measurements over the phone or will you take my measurements at my office and drill it while i'm working?


Thanks,

The Righty.
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RandyO

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2004, 11:30:16 PM »
Chances are if you parked your mobile Pro Shop at any bowling center that had a Pro Shop someone is going to politely ask you to remove yourself from their property.
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rkaycom

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2004, 11:54:26 PM »
I can't really see it working for "house calls" be good for Comps though...
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jjweb

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2004, 12:58:08 AM »
I find that many people in my area, don't trust their pro shop operator. I watched a person walk in and layout $250 (insert, slug and tax) for a ball (Triple X-factor). They went and bowled a few frames of a game, walked back in and asked if he would polish it. The guy charged him $3 for polishing a ball the person just paid $250. I don't think that's good customer service.

If it's not the nickel and dime treatment, it's the lack of knowledge. I firmly believe you shouldn't pawn a ball off on someone you know it's not going to match. Just because you can make a couple of extra bucks off.

A lot of people in the leagues here barely make it to league, let alone have enough time to take a trip to the shop.

Our thought was if you are within 10 miles, no charge to visit. Anything outside of that a $10 charge would apply.
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scotts33

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2004, 09:32:20 AM »
quote:
Chances are if you parked your mobile Pro Shop at any bowling center that had a Pro Shop someone is going to politely ask you to remove yourself from their property.  


Randy0 said it right on the $.

Scott
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Scott

TheBowlingKid25

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #9 on: October 21, 2004, 10:17:42 AM »
Yea, set up dates and times almost like a demo-day. You could always get some radio ads, and cheap stuff like that, and maybe ask to 'rent out' a parking lot for a day or so, and have people come check you out. Give out buisness cards. That way you get exposed more, just dont do it in the parking lot of say, a bowling alley. LOL.
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And why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS!
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Ernie McCracken

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2004, 10:48:09 AM »
Years ago, like in the 1960's and 1970's, there was a team of brothers out of Sioux City, Iowa that did this very thing.  These two guys went all over the place in a van offering to drill balls for those in smaller communities.  It didn't last very long.  I knew the younger brother because I worked for him in the bowling center that he later managed.  He told me that they were doing this for 3 years and didn't really make any money.  I guess most of the money made to keep the van going was from the older brother betting on horses.  He mentioned that he'd do it again in todays market since there is more to choose from, both for balls and drilling techniques.  I suppose back in those days anyone could put three holes into a rubber ball.  If you try this venture, good luck!  Sounds like a pretty cool plan.
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tgs300

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2004, 10:49:51 AM »
I would also suggest that you carry shirts/shoes/etc....those are where you can differentiate yourself from the average proshop...

My neighbor and I have talked about this same concept for cycling...building a trailer with clothing/etc...the difference for us is that we can show up at an event and not worry about competing with a brick and mortar shop....
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Next Level PS

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2004, 11:12:17 AM »
Good subject!!
their is a mobile pro shop out of Spokane, WA ran by a guy by te name of Julius Williams jr. From what I hear it is very successful.
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Edited on 10/21/2004 11:03 AM
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jjweb

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2004, 01:03:21 PM »
Honestly, I think there is a market for it in my area. We plan on dropping off flyers at local centers, handing around business cards, basically good old fashioned networking. Most of the bowlers near me are "Ball of the Month" club type people. They blindly purchase whatever the pro shop guy suggests, most of the time it's completely the wrong choice. You know the old "I guarantee this will hook off the lane" ploy. I guess I 'm tired of seeing that.

That's exactly what we had in mind. Running some sort of a schedule around leagues. I know that plenty of the bowlers in my current league, would already benefit from such a service that would be willing to travel to them.

We would be a complete shop: Balls, Bags, Shoes, Tape, Towels, Wrist accessories, Grip accessories, etc...

We are still deciding on what Mill to get. Tri-Oval, Innovative or Ovalmatic.
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The bowling gods said "let there be strikes" and then there was Dyno-Thane!
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scotts33

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Re: Traveling pro shop opinion
« Reply #14 on: October 21, 2004, 01:09:16 PM »
quote:
Honestly, I think there is a market for it in my area. We plan on dropping off flyers at local centers, handing around business cards, basically good old fashioned networking.  


Do these centers that you are going to visit have pro shops?  

Scott
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Scott
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