tenpinspro was in Reno last week for Nationals and he's going back to Reno this weekend for another tournament.  I think he's been busy trying to keep up with work because he didn't leave his pro shop until around 10:30pm last Sunday.
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It is not enough to succeed.  Others must fail.

Hey PNJ,

What's up bud?  Minimum Bob is correct, I haven't had a lot of time to be here due to my schedule.  Excaliber is at Kegel fine tuning his game, should be back by the weekend I think.  Let me know if you need something, I'll be in and out of here.  Thanks!

Rick

Hey MC, (Welcome to BR)

This is what I do for my customers, first I'd ask you what you currently have as an arsenal and then ask what are you looking for(more or less hook, arc vs snap...etc).  If I can, I try to have them throw some balls to see how they bowl.  To some degree you are placed at the mercy of your ball driller and his/her knowledge in equipment.  Hopefully they're not just a used car salesman.  I personally will not carry balls in which the manufacturer will not assist me in seed/test balls to try.  I personally refuse to sell a new $200 ball and not know what reaction it actually provides unless the customer acknowledges that fact and insists on wanting that ball.  

You are doing the next best thing, "ask".  It never hurts to ask around, here on BR looking up reviews, posts, magazines which offer writeups and so on.  Without "ever" seeing a ball in action can make it difficult to make a choice but with a little homework, you can get a decent idea of what a ball will do.  

Another helpful aid is find out your personal data (speed, revs, rotation, tilt, pap..etc)  This way, when you read a review, you can try and match up his/her stats to see if you have a similar type game.  

Hope this has helped you in some way, feel free to pm me if you need any further info.  If I don't stop now, I'll just keep babbling....just ask the guys, they know me by now...haha.
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Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Amateur/Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff

Edited on 6/10/2004 8:36 AM

Man...this felt like a scene from a Simpsons episode, the one where their lemon tree is stolen.  Grampa Simpson sits down to tell a story, and Millhouse says something like "hey, there's an old guy talking!" and all the kids sit down around him and stare intently and listen closely.  I love it when the elderly impart their knowledge of the game on the young whippersnappers.

Gotcha Mr. Leong!

But on a serious note, I second (or would it be third?) his notion about researching and witnessing a ball's reaction before purchasing it.  Also as you bowl more and more, you'll find that certain cores (the Morpheus 2.0 core) and certain coverstocks (i.e. C300's Superflex) match up to your game more.  If you have any questions though, definitely ask someone!  Most everyone on here is willing to give a helping hand.
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Andrew Loose
"King of Them All"
"Evolutionary. Revolutionary."

LMAO....

Good one Loose...I think I saw that episode too or maybe it happened to me in real life....

McCracken, "How Old"?  Old enough to have your respect and young enough to still take it from you on the lanes....haha.

Where's Chapman?  Want some of this too big boy?   GAME ON!!!!