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Author Topic: Why not go to your local pro shop  (Read 7710 times)

brinen28

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Why not go to your local pro shop
« on: September 15, 2005, 12:45:07 PM »
Everyone always talks about buying bowling equipment online.  Well, did it ever occur to anyone about being loyal to your local pro shop that actually drills your equipment.  I mean, yes, online is cheaper.  But after you pay for shipping (usually around 20.00) and drilling (anywhere from 50.00 - 60.00 for basic drilling), are you really saving that much money.  

Besides that, you can actually talk to someone who can help you select the right ball, and you will get a good ball with good specs.  I have heard from a few people that they got an x out or blem, when they thought they were buying 1st quality.  And I have heard from others about iffy specs.
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brinen28

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2005, 09:25:28 PM »
Well, I can honestly say I have never heard of a Pro shop telling you to go online so he didn't have to order it for you.  But anyway, i guess for smaller pro shops it would be ok.  I personally go to a larger one, that usually takes good care of me.  I wouldn't go buy anything online, just because I would feel bad going into a pro shop with a blank ball.  

I read an article somewhere that had the quote "Would you ever go to Outback Steakhouse with a steak you bought at the grocery store and ask them to cook it?  Then why would you bring a blank bowling ball into a pro shop and ask him to drill it?"
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Djarum

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2005, 01:15:47 PM »
I personally would rather go to my proshop locally for bowling balls. For buying shoes and bags and misc. type stuff, online is most definantly cheaper.

When I baught my crash last year : Online was 100 bucks + 10 bucks to ship +50 dollars for drilling.  Then about 15 for slug and grips. This is 175 online.

I got it from my proshop for 150 with slug and grips.

I would say someone probably would save money on a high end ball. The Rule GP2 is 210 dollars at my pro shop. Can probably get it online for 125 + 15 for shipping. Then 50 for drilling. This would save you about 20 or so bucks.

Dj

Edited on 9/20/2005 1:09 PM
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Chazman819

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2005, 01:17:45 PM »
I use to get my stuff drilled at the local shop, but don't anymore. Instead, I drive the 1.5 hours to go see Doug. I guess you could consider him "online" seeing as how that's how we first came in contact. But I don't mind the travel or ordering from him and having it shipped because the fit and help I get from him is much better than anything locally.
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Wylie

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2005, 01:24:13 PM »
About the only thing I get "Online" anymore is used balls and some accesories.  Other than that, If I buy a new ball, I get it from my local proshop simply because I get great pricing since I work on his computer equipment.
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Slopsurprise

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2005, 01:01:09 PM »
I am not sure where to go anymore! I have never ordered online and dont really intend to but, either way it has turned into a craps shoot for me! I got a great deal from a pro shop that is about an hour away from me but, I cant use the damn ball! It is a dry lane ball but, he drilled it to go into its roll early (even though I told him I wanted it to go long) and I guess he may of thought I was a low track player of something. I cant keep the ball from rolling on the damn thumb hole!!!

The local shop has high prices, sloppy work, bad service, but most of the time (except one) they have got the drilling correct!

I guess I will have to get my stuff done at a shop that is 1.5-1.75 hours from me. I know he does good work and he has always impressed me!!!! He prices are average though!!
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dpunky

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2005, 01:25:21 PM »
I usually buy my new bowling balls online from Buddies Pro Shop (www.buddiesproshop.com).  Their prices are really good, with very quick shipping and good customer service. I still get my new bowling balls drilled at my local pro shop, since they've done a superb job.

Right now, I'm actually buying used bowling balls from Ebay.  I know my finger span and preferred layout, and I find bowling balls that have the same finger spans and layout.  That saves me the money of plugging and redrilling.  I usually save $50-$70 per ball.  I mostly have to change the inserts and do some resurfacing, but it's no problem.
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2005, 01:40:57 PM »
Since I have my own drill press I buy stuff online often.

When I didn't have a drill press the extra $10 to $20 bucks including drilling was worth their expertise.

If things didn't work out I had something to complain about!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS back in those days I bought often...made sure he had a moderate and reasonable profit margin and he gave me a little deal compared to other clients who were not so regular.
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iommifan

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2005, 01:56:52 PM »
I think the problem is not all pro-shops are good. Support the good ones even if it costs a little more, they are just trying to make a living like everyone else. If your pro helps you out a little with tips and extras and treats you like a valued customer, you owe it to him to patronize his business. If not go else where.
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sspeckma

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2005, 01:58:22 PM »
The best ball I ever bought was through bowlers paradise.
Last spring when I tried to support my local "amateur" shop, I was told
that wasn't the type of ball I wanted or needed and they suggested a HDB from Lane #1. It came in but the driller didn't have a clue how to drill it. That
was a direct quote from another semi local pro shop owner that Lane #1 recommended when I brought the problem to them. So, after three practice games,
I had the second shop re drill it. But even his assistant who is highly thought of in the area had a lot of trouble with my thumb hole. She kept telling me where it needed material removed as opposed to listening to me tell her where
it was sticking. I ended up taking it with me to Las Vegas and stopping by the Gold Coast to get it fixed ( The thumb hole that is) The ball never did get drilled the way Doug suggested it get drilled. Bottom Line it was just way too much pain and head aches and expense the last time I tried to support my local
amateur shop.

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Steve Speckmann
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v02maxlefty

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #10 on: September 23, 2005, 02:05:06 PM »
On high end balls you can save $50-70 dollars by ordering from the net and having the ball drilled.  On the med to low end balls you usually break even, so you might as well get what you need from the pro shop.
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shelley

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2005, 02:16:30 PM »
quote:
Last spring when I tried to support my local "amateur" shop,


I think this is one of the best arguments to make when buying a ball online.  It'd be great to support a real pro shop, where the driller had a lot of knowledge and skill, was willing to work with you to find the right ball, and so on, kept a decent inventory, and was nearby.

But that's not always the case.  The local guy is such a PITA to deal with that very few people actually use his services.  He can change grips or adjust a thumbhole or resurface/clean a ball ok.  That's it.  Drilling and layouts, equipment suggestions?  Forget it.

The closest good shop is over an hour away.  I don't want to drive 75+ miles to hope he's got something in stock for me.  I don't want to drive 75+ miles to find out he doesn't have any 14# equipment that I'm interested in and having to order whatever we'd decide on.  Maybe with 15# or 16# it'd be different.

So I usually watch the clearance rack at Buddies and pick something up based on discussions here.

"Pro" shop my foot.

SH
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Cbjdc

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #12 on: September 23, 2005, 02:28:31 PM »
Leftside here is something that I really feel is wrong with local proshops.

I say there are alot of great proshops in the country.  I wont take anything away from that or them.  However, where I have moved to I will not allow any of these jokes down here to touch my equipment after hearing conversations about sticking a ball into and oven at 400 degrees, or telling me that baking a bowling ball will allow it to hook more.  I am sorry just cleaning it will allow it to work better.  Reason why I am all for shopping online with these proshops is that one I like that they are quick.  Second is that the choices you get are alot at a resonable price.  My local proshop only carries two balls in stock for a particular brand once they are sold you have to wait a week or more.  Then pay almost 200 dollars plus drilling on such balls as the ICON or Xfactor.  Come on these balls are all outdated.  

To be honest I have one proshop operator who I will only trust and I am willing to drive 530 hours to see him.  I think he is great and he distributes morich equipment.  He is really great honestly.  So I am more for paying the price online but it really boils down to who your local proshop person really is that sparks loyalty
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brinen28

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2005, 05:56:37 PM »
I am going to assume that all of the pro shops that you guys are talking about being "not good" are not Certified.  IBPSIA Certified pro shops are the way to go.  In the Chicagoland area, there are pro shops of all kinds.  The one I go to has 60+ Balls to choose from.  Ya, they are 219+ on all the new high end stuff, but they know what they are doing.  They take their time, and know what they are doing.  They have always helped me out, no matter what I go in there looking for.

I know this is a standpoint from a bigger market.  Obviusly, i dont have to drive 500+ miles away.  So, I guess I am spoiled, but I would make the trip to THIS PLACE if it was 500 miles away.

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Panic

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Re: Why not go to your local pro shop
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2005, 06:10:24 PM »
i always go to my local pro shop, but the only thing is that its across the river about 25 min away.
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