Agreed. If you don't end up liking it, sell it or trade it to me because I love mine! Seriously though, I had the same situation you did at first. The box shine just wasn't for me. I hit mine by hand with a 2000 pad, and I've LOVED the ball ever since. It still gets down the lane just fine, but it actually gives a little read of the midlane, and it no longer comes in sideways, which has helped my carry percentage a great deal. It's a great ball. Just keep messing with the surface until you get the look and shape you want.