BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: sawsemdown on November 23, 2017, 06:32:22 PM
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A couple weeks ago, I ordered a hustle ink from my pro shop. He has usually always treated me decent, which is why I would like to buy more from him instead of buying online and having him drill. After a week, he said that he could not get one, due to them being backordered. It would be another 2 week wait until he could get one. I told him ok. I guess I have to wait. That night bowling league, a buddy told me that he could get me one. He would order tomorrow. 5 days later my buddy has the ball. He tells me I owe him his cost $68.00. After work I stop at the pro shop. I walk in the door, he tells me that he has my ball. I don't even think twice, it's an entry level ball, I'll just buy both. I tell him to drill it, I'll be back before league starts and we can finish up. I come back. Fits great, everything perfect...............til I pay. He ran my card, I didn't have him print receipt........did he say $160.14.......nah. Couldn't be. Its a hustle. He said 116.14. Checked my credit card next day
160.14 for a hustle............ Was I hustled. He got the ball from same distributor as my buddy did, cost was $68.00
This is the 3rd ball I've purchased from him this year, along with 2 balls he has drilled for me that I purchased elsewhere.
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Sells online for $89. Cost plus shipping, plus tax, plus mark up, plus drilling, plus any accessories.
You know you are not getting the ball from a shop at their cost. Subtract what you know the cost of drilling is, accessories, and tax then you will have an idea on the mark up you were charged.
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I understand that. But when you see this ball in other places for 109.99 -119.99 drilled, what I was charged seems a little high. I completely understand retail. And expect and want him to make a profit.
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He also told me that since someone shot 900 with this ball, Roto Grip was holding on to this ball making it difficult to get. Creating a demand for this ball.
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Yeah, $90 markup is a bit steep, but do you use grips and a slug? That could jump the price up at least $20. But that's almost a 100% markup before grips and slug. Ask him about it.
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A couple weeks ago, I ordered a hustle ink from my pro shop. He has usually always treated me decent, which is why I would like to buy more from him instead of buying online and having him drill. After a week, he said that he could not get one, due to them being backordered. It would be another 2 week wait until he could get one. I told him ok. I guess I have to wait. That night bowling league, a buddy told me that he could get me one. He would order tomorrow. 5 days later my buddy has the ball. He tells me I owe him his cost $68.00. After work I stop at the pro shop. I walk in the door, he tells me that he has my ball. I don't even think twice, it's an entry level ball, I'll just buy both. I tell him to drill it, I'll be back before league starts and we can finish up. I come back. Fits great, everything perfect...............til I pay. He ran my card, I didn't have him print receipt........did he say $160.14.......nah. Couldn't be. Its a hustle. He said 116.14. Checked my credit card next day
160.14 for a hustle............ Was I hustled. He got the ball from same distributor as my buddy did, cost was $68.00
This is the 3rd ball I've purchased from him this year, along with 2 balls he has drilled for me that I purchased elsewhere.
It seems steep to me, but you say he has always treated you fairly.
If so, what was his markup on other balls he sold you? You know what the prices are delivered; check any internet website. It includes UPS or FEDEX delivery. He may or may not pay that much to get his balls; it depends. Your friend definitely did not pay any shipping.
So you compare what he charged you for this vs what he charged you for th past 3 or 4 balls.
And, no, I very seriously doubt if RG is holding back on this ball. They don't make much on it at all. They make all they can and send them to the distributors. Maybe the distributor in your area is trying to make some extra money on this ball?
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Both balls arrived from the same distributor on the same day. I also only paid 40$ more for my no rules exist, than I did my hustle, less than a month ago. And I know that the cost of the exist was at least 2.5 Times of the hustle
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He also told me that since someone shot 900 with this ball, Roto Grip was holding on to this ball making it difficult to get. Creating a demand for this ball.
This is bullshit.
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I understand that. But when you see this ball in other places for 109.99 -119.99 drilled, what I was charged seems a little high. I completely understand retail. And expect and want him to make a profit.
Where might these places be? That's a pretty low price if the quality of service is passable.
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He also told me that since someone shot 900 with this ball, Roto Grip was holding on to this ball making it difficult to get. Creating a demand for this ball.
This is bullshit.
Agreed, readily available through online stores and distributors.
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You just got Hustled on your Hustle. :o
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The ball is $89.99 on Buddies, 87.99 on bowlingball.com
Ball-90
drill-40
inserts-20
tax-10
$160 is reasonable. You need to take the $68 figure out of the equation. That is wholesale cost. Drilling with grips and slug at Buddies is $50 for a total of $139.95+the tax you should be paying on your state income tax, so you paid an extra $10.
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The ball is $89.99 on Buddies, 87.99 on bowlingball.com
Ball-90
drill-40
inserts-20
tax-10
$160 is reasonable. You need to take the $68 figure out of the equation. That is wholesale cost. Drilling with grips and slug at Buddies is $50 for a total of $139.95+the tax you should be paying on your state income tax, so you paid an extra $10.
like
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Did you agree on a price? If so was it met?
If you didn't learn the shops price before purchasing then a lot of this is on you.
You wouldn't be feeling cheated if not for the unusually low price you paid for the second ball.
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That's the same amount I paid for my Hustle INK from my pro shop, including drilling, grips, and Switch Grip out sleeve. The pro shop price seems inline with what I paid.
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I've watched this thread since it started and finally I think I know how I feel (not that you all care).
Only you can decide what you would do. We can all chime in and give our ideas but you need to be comfortable with whatever action you take. I am all for pro shops making a profit, especially if they are good at their craft. Pro shops that don't turn enough profit won't stay in business very long.
Think of it as the serviceman you called out to the house to fix the washing machine who put a $2 part on it and billed you $65 for the repair. That's $2 for the part and $63 for knowing how to fix it.
Many years ago I literally tried every shop in town until I came across my current one, and haven't looked back since. Not that the others were horrible; it's just that this one was the best for me. A talented pro shop operator is worth a lot to me.
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I purchased the very same ball and picked it up yesterday and the total price for ball, drilling, inserts and slug was $180.00 and I don't think I got hustled I am satisfied.
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Thank you all for your input. If this piece is regularly retailed at that price point, I feel much better. I just wanted to be sure that I was not charged more, because of demand.
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I just bought the Intense at my local pro shop. I paid $180 total - that is with grips and a thumb slug and tax all included. So $160 sounds a bit high to me for that piece, and $180 for the Hustle no way!
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I just bought the Intense at my local pro shop. I paid $180 total - that is with grips and a thumb slug and tax all included. So $160 sounds a bit high to me for that piece, $180 no way,sorry.
I don't know how he sold it to you at that price the ball alone is $169 at Buddies as well as bowling ball.com
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If you paid $180 for an Intense I would start looking for a new shop because the one you are using can't afford to stay open at those margins.
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I don’t think you got taken. Let’s look at some raw numbers.
$68 for the ball. Shop is going to have a small markup, since he is in business to make money, so let’s call it $78.
$78 plus a standard drilling fee, which around here us $50, so we’re up to $128.
Going to assume you use inserts since 95% of us do. $10 for fingers and $15 for thumb add another $25, so now we’re up around $153.
Add in sales tax, which here is 8.75%, and you get $166.39
After all of this, the shop made about $50-$60, and had to order the ball, verify the specs, deal with the distributor on the back order issue, keep track of the transaction for tax purposes, and drill it satisfactorily to your specifications.
If he sells one everyday, all month long, he may be able to pay his rent.
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This is acceptable if he does a good job. I work in IT, and I get billed out at $150 an hour, and I get $20 of that. Our customers know they're getting quality service, and that I'm not making $150 an hour and that there is a markup. Our doors have to stay open and make sense for the owner to stay open. No one bitches about the markup on soft drinks at fast food restaurants, which a $2.50 glass of coke costs them 5 cents. Why not ask them to give it to you for 10 cents? That's enough markup!
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Sells online for $89. Cost plus shipping, plus tax, plus mark up, plus drilling, plus any accessories.
You know you are not getting the ball from a shop at their cost. Subtract what you know the cost of drilling is, accessories, and tax then you will have an idea on the mark up you were charged.
my shop sells them for $124ish out the door, drilled and taxed
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I just bought the Intense at my local pro shop. I paid $180 total - that is with grips and a thumb slug and tax all included. So $160 sounds a bit high to me for that piece, and $180 for the Hustle no way!
Your shop is about to close down with those prices or your ball driller is homeless and very hungry.
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This is acceptable if he does a good job. I work in IT, and I get billed out at $150 an hour, and I get $20 of that. Our customers know they're getting quality service, and that I'm not making $150 an hour and that there is a markup. Our doors have to stay open and make sense for the owner to stay open. No one bitches about the markup on soft drinks at fast food restaurants, which a $2.50 glass of coke costs them 5 cents. Why not ask them to give it to you for 10 cents? That's enough markup!
Waiter, ill have a water.
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Had to weigh in here. This is why no one talks cost, because people get upset. The cost to a fast food restaurant to sell you a $2 Coke is about 15-20 CENTS. Also in the restaurant industry, if your food cost is over 30% of what you sell the food for, you're not going to be in business long. Most pro shops sell for cheap because it's a hobby for the majority of them. They get free rent, or don't keep stuff in stock, or don't run like an actual business. Those that run like an actual business need to operate on margins that can sustain an actual business.
I asked a customer one time who asked me for a discount, "so what if you walk into work tomorrow and your boss asks you to work for 10% less today?" Naturally the answer was what you would expect. Look at ball retail prices. The Sure Lock retails for $254.95 BEFORE drilling. That's what the industry considers a fair markup just for stocking and selling the product before any additional work or services. You know what the markup is just for stuff you go into a grocery store for just to grab off the shelf and walk out with? All they have to do is put it on the shelf and ring it up for you. The pro shop is a trade industry like being a mechanic or a heating and air tech.
The only reason stuff in bowling is so cheap is because everyone uses price to get sales instead of quality and service. I don't understand how people can do actual math and still think they got screwed over on something. I'm stunned so many pro shops stay in business the way it is. $124 out the door for a Hustle? That's not your day job then unless you do Walmart level volume. Once you figure in all the various associated costs with just doing business, and then I don't know, maybe some kind of a salary for being there and knowing all that pro shop ops have to know, you arrive the vast majority of the time at prices that still don't reflect what they should be. I'm not saying I'd ever pay $350 for a bowling ball, but people drop that kind of money on a driver and don't blink, but the second a bowling ball approaches $200, people get crazy.
Everyone wants to go to their job and get paid way more than they probably deserve, but want to throw a few quarters at their pro shop guy and walk out still acting like they got screwed . . maybe he should pay you for the opportunity and privilege to serve you? I KNOW that's not what anybody meant, but that's how it comes across . . just FYI.
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++1 everything Luke said
My friend is a PSO, long timer, great guy, in business in same house 25+ yrs and I laugh when people complain prices of a ball. They just don't understand the business aspect which is how he makes a living. The guy who got the Intense at $180 drilled well your PSO did not make much or anything out of that sale. And to they guy who got the Hustle Ink for $160 that is fair my guy would sell it for $150 and his distributor did not have it available last week for some reason so your guy probably was not lying to you. One guy I subbed for was complaining recently about prices and how he could get same ball cheaper at Buddies and all I did was say an extra $10-15 is not unreasonable when one guy can buy in bulk thus cheaper prices vs the one man shop and really is that an amount you want to change you get equipment from? Remember the PSO is in business to make some a living and if you have one that is in as a hobby consider yourself lucky if you are happy with their work.
Had to weigh in here. This is why no one talks cost, because people get upset. The cost to a fast food restaurant to sell you a $2 Coke is about 15-20 CENTS. Also in the restaurant industry, if your food cost is over 30% of what you sell the food for, you're not going to be in business long. Most pro shops sell for cheap because it's a hobby for the majority of them. They get free rent, or don't keep stuff in stock, or don't run like an actual business. Those that run like an actual business need to operate on margins that can sustain an actual business.
I asked a customer one time who asked me for a discount, "so what if you walk into work tomorrow and your boss asks you to work for 10% less today?" Naturally the answer was what you would expect. Look at ball retail prices. The Sure Lock retails for $254.95 BEFORE drilling. That's what the industry considers a fair markup just for stocking and selling the product before any additional work or services. You know what the markup is just for stuff you go into a grocery store for just to grab off the shelf and walk out with? All they have to do is put it on the shelf and ring it up for you. The pro shop is a trade industry like being a mechanic or a heating and air tech.
The only reason stuff in bowling is so cheap is because everyone uses price to get sales instead of quality and service. I don't understand how people can do actual math and still think they got screwed over on something. I'm stunned so many pro shops stay in business the way it is. $124 out the door for a Hustle? That's not your day job then unless you do Walmart level volume. Once you figure in all the various associated costs with just doing business, and then I don't know, maybe some kind of a salary for being there and knowing all that pro shop ops have to know, you arrive the vast majority of the time at prices that still don't reflect what they should be. I'm not saying I'd ever pay $350 for a bowling ball, but people drop that kind of money on a driver and don't blink, but the second a bowling ball approaches $200, people get crazy.
Everyone wants to go to their job and get paid way more than they probably deserve, but want to throw a few quarters at their pro shop guy and walk out still acting like they got screwed . . maybe he should pay you for the opportunity and privilege to serve you? I KNOW that's not what anybody meant, but that's how it comes across . . just FYI.
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I had to make a comment. There could be a reason the price is what it is. Maybe he has been in business so long and sells a ton of balls, that he gets a special deal from the distributor and is kind enough to pass it on to his customers. He will not be going out of business, I can tell you that for sure. He has MANY customers. I guess it boils down to where you live and what the market bares for prices in your area. We have many choices here, where others will not be so lucky. I know I am lucky to be going to a place I trust AND get awesome prices. ;)
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Had to weigh in here. This is why no one talks cost, because people get upset. The cost to a fast food restaurant to sell you a $2 Coke is about 15-20 CENTS. Also in the restaurant industry, if your food cost is over 30% of what you sell the food for, you're not going to be in business long. Most pro shops sell for cheap because it's a hobby for the majority of them. They get free rent, or don't keep stuff in stock, or don't run like an actual business. Those that run like an actual business need to operate on margins that can sustain an actual business.
I asked a customer one time who asked me for a discount, "so what if you walk into work tomorrow and your boss asks you to work for 10% less today?" Naturally the answer was what you would expect. Look at ball retail prices. The Sure Lock retails for $254.95 BEFORE drilling. That's what the industry considers a fair markup just for stocking and selling the product before any additional work or services. You know what the markup is just for stuff you go into a grocery store for just to grab off the shelf and walk out with? All they have to do is put it on the shelf and ring it up for you. The pro shop is a trade industry like being a mechanic or a heating and air tech.
The only reason stuff in bowling is so cheap is because everyone uses price to get sales instead of quality and service. I don't understand how people can do actual math and still think they got screwed over on something. I'm stunned so many pro shops stay in business the way it is. $124 out the door for a Hustle? That's not your day job then unless you do Walmart level volume. Once you figure in all the various associated costs with just doing business, and then I don't know, maybe some kind of a salary for being there and knowing all that pro shop ops have to know, you arrive the vast majority of the time at prices that still don't reflect what they should be. I'm not saying I'd ever pay $350 for a bowling ball, but people drop that kind of money on a driver and don't blink, but the second a bowling ball approaches $200, people get crazy.
Everyone wants to go to their job and get paid way more than they probably deserve, but want to throw a few quarters at their pro shop guy and walk out still acting like they got screwed . . maybe he should pay you for the opportunity and privilege to serve you? I KNOW that's not what anybody meant, but that's how it comes across . . just FYI.
Bowlers’ are cheap as a 50 bag of chips.
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I had to make a comment. There could be a reason the price is what it is. Maybe he has been in business so long and sells a ton of balls, that he gets a special deal from the distributor and is kind enough to pass it on to his customers. He will not be going out of business, I can tell you that for sure. He has MANY customers. I guess it boils down to where you live and what the market bares for prices in your area. We have many choices here, where others will not be so lucky. I know I am lucky to be going to a place I trust AND get awesome prices. ;)
$180 is either an exaggeration, a mistake or stupidity. $180 with tax is under MAP and no extra for drilling, grips or slug. If he's paying what the biggest distributor customers pay (big internet guys), which he's not, he's making $40 on the ball after sales tax. You can't drill enough balls to make that work.
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Hmm how did you not ask how much for it all in before ordering it???! I will say, you did the correct thing in purchasing both.