Author Topic: If Online Pro Shop closed (Read 5060 times)

BuddiesProShopcom - Bill · « **on:** December 20, 2007, 07:55:05 PM »

There was an article in this month's Bowlers Journal and a statement was made that if all the internet sites closed, ball sales would remain the same. My question is do you think if you had to pay retail for your bowling equipment you would buy as many bowling balls?

-Bill

DanH78 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2007, 12:32:52 PM »

I rarely buy online, so it wouldn't make any difference to me. I buy 2-3 balls per year. Usually, I only buy the high end stuff when he puts it on sale. Last January/February I bought a Black Widow and a Special Agent for about $200 each. Sure, I could save a couple bucks buying online, but the small savings isn't worth the convenience factor.
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It IS next year!

DP3 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2007, 02:33:54 PM »

quote:
Do you think $259+ for a high end ball is fair? Thats what my local shop charges. Thats why I started drilling my own stuff. If I had to buy my equipment locally, I would be throwing the equipment I have now for the rest of my days. I realize thats not the going rate for most other shops. Ours is just greedy and its the only shop within a 45 mile radius. IMO a high end ball with drilling should not be over $179-$189. I
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****Kids in the back seat cause accidents; accidents in the back seat cause kids.****

Most pro shops(especially smaller shops) are paying between $132-141 for most high end releases. Are you saying we only deserve $40 on a sale?

Ridiculous. Pro shops are not in the business of screwing people over. We are here to provide a service and make a living for ourselves as well. The most common misconception is people thinking pro shops are drilling balls all day long. Maybe if you're Buddies on a Friday night or another bigger shop on the weekend, but it isn't like anyone is getting rich drilling 20 balls a day.

This is the real thing that's killing brick and mortar shops, guys thinking that they're being screwed over by having to spend money, and the attitude that the guy drilling their equipment only deserves ($xx) amount of money.
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-DJ Marshall
...The Twelve In a Row Pro Shop. Hyattsville, MD
Coach: University of Maryland Baltimore County Mens Bowling

JMORRIS · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2007, 02:42:57 PM »

Yes, I would.

The shop where I do business treats his repeat customers very well, so I have no reason to buy a new ball off the internet.

102101 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2007, 03:04:24 PM »

Yes but then again I always purchase my equipment at my local pro shop except for the few I have gotten on BR from tekneek. (thanks again Steve) I choose to support the local pro shop for a variety of reasons. Just a few are

1. Owner knows my game and he is always there for a little help or assistance when needed.

2. If the local pro shops are not supported and close down then who will drill your bowling balls correctly? Sure online shops can drill but don't forget surface adjustments, Flare increasing or decreasing holes to adjust reaction after you decide you need them, repairs, new grips, etc.

3. The dollars I spend locally helps support the community where I live, in to many ways to list. One question how does your community use the tax dollars they receive? You might be shocked how important this is if you have never looked into or payed attention to this.

There are more but just about time to head out to the bowling alley. What a way to spend our anniversary.

Lucky for me she enjoys bowling as much as I do.
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102101? Hmmmm

www.blackhawklanes.com

Edited on 12/22/2007 6:34 AM

legend4life95 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2007, 04:39:46 PM »

quote:
quote:
Do you think $259+ for a high end ball is fair? Thats what my local shop charges. Thats why I started drilling my own stuff. If I had to buy my equipment locally, I would be throwing the equipment I have now for the rest of my days. I realize thats not the going rate for most other shops. Ours is just greedy and its the only shop within a 45 mile radius. IMO a high end ball with drilling should not be over $179-$189. I
--------------------

****Kids in the back seat cause accidents; accidents in the back seat cause kids.****

Most pro shops(especially smaller shops) are paying between $132-141 for most high end releases. Are you saying we only deserve $40 on a sale?

Ridiculous. Pro shops are not in the business of screwing people over. We are here to provide a service and make a living for ourselves as well. The most common misconception is people thinking pro shops are drilling balls all day long. Maybe if you're Buddies on a Friday night or another bigger shop on the weekend, but it isn't like anyone is getting rich drilling 20 balls a day.

This is the real thing that's killing brick and mortar shops, guys thinking that they're being screwed over by having to spend money, and the attitude that the guy drilling their equipment only deserves ($xx) amount of money.
--------------------
-DJ Marshall
...The Twelve In a Row Pro Shop. Hyattsville, MD
Coach: University of Maryland Baltimore County Mens Bowling

I'm saying $259+ is unreasonably high. I expect him to make a reasonable profit, but I think $120 profit on one ball is way too much! I have talked with him before about prices he gets equipment for and 125-130 is average on high end balls. $60 profit is fair IMO for 30-45 minutes of work. I should also add that he does not locate PAP's or even take time to watch you bowl before drilling for most people. So really all he does is take your span if you are a new customer, and drill. Thats it. So, yes I think $179-$189 is fair. That's $60 bucks for a half hour work.
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****Kids in the back seat cause accidents; accidents in the back seat cause kids.****

Mike Austin · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2007, 08:47:14 PM »

quote:
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Most pro shops(especially smaller shops) are paying between $132-141 for most high end releases. Are you saying we only deserve $40 on a sale?

Quote - Ridiculous. Pro shops are not in the business of screwing people over. We are here to provide a service and make a living for ourselves as well. The most common misconception is people thinking pro shops are drilling balls all day long. Maybe if you're Buddies on a Friday night or another bigger shop on the weekend, but it isn't like anyone is getting rich drilling 20 balls a day.

I agree with this. I was wrong in the past. Companies like Buddies cannot keep selling Balls under Cost and making a living by eating the Shipping Costs. We do pay top dollar for High end Balls. But there are Pro Shops who charge $229.00 for a Ball. That is a little much.

CBB/Bowl, as usual you don't make a lot of sense. You contradicted yourself with your reply. Which is it? Pro shops cannot keep selling cheap, or right around suggested retail is too much? Can't have it both ways.

It's called supply and demand. Who is to say that they think X amount of money is all another person should be allowed to make. If a good driller can command $259 for a high end ball, then more power to him. I'm definitely happy for him. It is your decision/right as the consumer not to buy at this person's shop. But to say he doesn't deserve this amount, or shouldn't charge this amount is wrong. Do you know what his expenses are? Salary(s), rent, phone, insurances, CPA, cost of goods, supplies, machine maintanence, bits and sharpening,..... Some parts of the country cost more, period. I think it would be safe to say that $259 in California is not odd. In Oklahoma, never happens.

MOST pro shops are trying to make a decent living. Why should they be denied this? I don't look down on successful AC/Heat guys. Would you want your AC fixed by a guy that gives gigantic discounts just to get your business? There is a reason he has to discount his services. Same with the pro shop. If a person doesn't feel he/she is getting his/her moneys worth from his/her pro shop operator, then they should shop elsewhere. Don't assume because the price is more that the price is not justified.

Bill, don't want to hijack your thread. I think the total number of balls sold in the country would drop off slightly. The large majority of ball purchasers don't buy on the internet. Some might find this hard to believe. Many rabid ball buyers would probably buy less balls. Your 1-4 balls a year bowlers would probably go right on the same way.

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www.myspace.com/strikes4days

Check out Tony's Journals - they are FREE!!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=67&leagueid=563

BuddiesProShopcom - Bill · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2007, 02:41:16 AM »

My question was only if bowlers would continue to buy the same volumes of bowling balls.

We were, and still are a brick and mortar pro shop.
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Thanks
Bill
BuddiesProShop.com
"The Place All Bowlers Shop"

Nails · « **Reply #23 on:** December 23, 2007, 08:17:31 PM »

http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?CategoryID=5&ForumID=16&TopicID=182905&PageNum=2

I think this should answer the question. If people are buying this many balls per year, the only way to afford them is via internet/Ebay pricing.
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Telling it like it is.

MegaMav · « **Reply #24 on:** December 26, 2007, 10:21:17 PM »

quote:
My question was only if bowlers would continue to buy the same volumes of bowling balls.

No.

n00dlejester · « **Reply #25 on:** December 31, 2007, 02:26:29 PM »

I think sales would slump a bit on the whole. But with bowling, at least in my experiences, people research and buy gear only as needed, not on a whim like clothes or something meaningless (being a guy everything that isn't a bowling ball or new computer is trivial). Granted purchasing a piece on the web is cheaper, after getting it punched up, I'm paying maybe 25 bucks less than my driller's shop, so I don't see sales slumping to far if at all.

tenpin477 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 16, 2008, 07:42:43 PM »

I don't buy balls very often, so my habits wouldnt change. My local shops list price includes drilling and grips as well, which is pretty good. I always give them my business, whether its drilling up something or new, or getting a used ball plugged and redrilled.

BowlerKidR · « **Reply #27 on:** May 19, 2008, 03:01:50 PM »

I would buy just as many balls as i always did whether or not Online Pro Shops were around. I pay cost so either way it has no affect on me.
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"Strike for show, spare for dough"
Im A Hammer Head 100%
http://ryman624.googlepages.com

1MechEng · « **Reply #28 on:** May 19, 2008, 03:03:59 PM »

What happened to all of the previous replies to this post?! There was literally pages and pages worth of responses that are now missing!
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Dan
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Engineering * Bowling = a fun and practical application of rotational kinematics.

Bowling Nerd Herd (TM) Member

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #29 on:** May 19, 2008, 03:11:06 PM »

I believe the total money spent might be the same, but total number of balls sold would decrease slightly....say....just 15% or so....

About the amount of net internet savings(including drilling cost and shipping costs.

REgards,

Luckylefty
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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

BeansProShop · « **Reply #30 on:** May 19, 2008, 06:03:08 PM »

What's going to happen is more and more Brick and Mortar pro shops will close and the bowling world will suffer.

My opinion....

And I sell online, too!!

beans
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www.beansproshop.com
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Thomas "Beans" Biniek Jr.
PBA Member and Lane#1 Ball Drilling Expert
Thanks for reading and be sure to check us out at the Lane#1 booth in Albuquerque. Check out current eBay auctions at:
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Author Topic: If Online Pro Shop closed (Read 5060 times)

BuddiesProShopcom - Bill

If Online Pro Shop closed

DanH78

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

DP3

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

JMORRIS

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

102101

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

legend4life95

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

Mike Austin

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

BuddiesProShopcom - Bill

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

Nails

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

MegaMav

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

n00dlejester

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

tenpin477

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

BowlerKidR

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

1MechEng

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

LuckyLefty

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed

BeansProShop

Re: If Online Pro Shop closed