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Author Topic: Calling all VBP staff members  (Read 1602 times)

janderson

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Calling all VBP staff members
« on: April 23, 2004, 11:28:47 PM »
In regards to the Visionary Test Staff membership, the details list the benefits as 50% off the suggested retail price for balls.  It sounds as if you get the balls direct from Visionary, is this true?  Also, can someone give me a ballpark or an example of what the suggested retail price is for a couple of balls?  Thanks in advance.
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beeker

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2004, 02:53:27 PM »
Yes you get the balls directly from Visionary for dealer cost.  The high end balls (Gryphons, Executioners) sell for around $115.00 and the so called low end balls (Gargoyles, New Centaur) sell for $78.00-$89.00.  I think retail prices are roughly 50% higher.  But keep in mind most retailers include drilling in their prices.

The Test Staff Membership is a great deal.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2004, 05:28:04 PM »
I thought VBP did not want the prices to be disclosed by their test staff members?  They must have eased up on those requirements in the last couple of years.

The test staff offer is a great deal and members should ensure that the program is not discontinued because of abuse.
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TheSpot

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2004, 10:47:54 AM »
quote:
Yes you get the balls directly from Visionary for dealer cost.  The high end balls (Gryphons, Executioners) sell for around $115.00 and the so called low end balls (Gargoyles, New Centaur) sell for $78.00-$89.00.  I think retail prices are roughly 50% higher.  But keep in mind most retailers include drilling in their prices.

The Test Staff Membership is a great deal.


How is that a great deal ???? I can go to buddiesproshop.com and order a gryphon for $125 which is only $10 more and a gargoyle for $85 so why would I spend $100 to get a membership alone that will allow me to buy balls for the prices above when I can basically already do it buddies proshop
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omegabowler

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2004, 11:10:09 AM »
if you have the top membership there is free shipping. on all orders

the initial membership also includes a 3 ball roller, 2 shirtsd and a towel and 4 balls. so you get a real ggod deal for 500.00.

after that you save 10 to 20 dollars a ball. so it's pretty good over the long haul.


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Juggernaut

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2004, 11:14:17 AM »
Man, I just KNEW this was going to open a big ol' can of worms when I saw those prices posted!

  Truth is, I used to work in a proshop, and let me tell you, If they are selling balls for $250, they are making a profit.

  Most shops, not all, don't sell for the M.S.R.P., but that is what visionary is using when they are giving you the 50% discount.

  The M.S.R.P.(manufacturers suggested retail price) for a gryphon may be $230 dollars. The M.S.R.P. is set by visionary because they ARE the manufacturer.  A 50% discount from that price would be $115.

  Don't stress over it too much.  The test staff membership is still a good deal because it gives you just as cheap a pricing as you can find anywhere, especially if you are going to buy multiple balls, and they give you first shot at the new stuff, plus you can get all the peripherals ( shirts, bags, etc...) from them directlyat the same 50% off.

  Visionary is not in business to give their stuff away, but at test staff prices, they ain't making a killing off you either.
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TheSpot

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2004, 11:43:39 AM »
The less expensive package you buy the worse deal you get. But if you do get the best package they offer for $500 it can be a very good deal.
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Juggernaut

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2004, 11:51:15 AM »
Spot,

  I am not sure about this, so don't hold me to it, but visionary is a small company. They make a high quality product, but that doesn't mean squat if nobody knows.

  I think part of having the test staff membership is to help get their stuff into the hands of bowlers across america much easier.  Lots of distributors will only carry the big name, high volume stuff due to a lack of storage space and need to turn over the inventory quickly.  They don't want to take a chance and get stuck with something maybe nobody will buy because they don't know who or what it is.

  With visionary offering the memberships, they don't have to rely solely on un-cooperative distributors to get some of their stuff out there.  And yes, the more you buy, the better the deal. That's the whole idea.
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Edited on 4/25/2004 11:44 AM
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janderson

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2004, 11:44:43 PM »
Sorry gang - wasn't trying to get anyone in trouble.  If a test staff member had replied with "per the terms of membership, we can't disclose prices" I would have understood and respected that.  I've been wanting to try some of Visionary's stuff and thought it might be a good way to do so - just wanted a little more information.

So maybe a better question would have been, why did you become a member and what have you liked about the program?

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beeker

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2004, 01:10:56 PM »
I don't remember reading anything about not posting prices.  Besides why wouldn't they want them posted.  It might make people try the test staff program and buy some Visionary balls.  
Every rational person expects to pay a profit to a pro-shop when they buy a ball for retail.  A store has to make a profit in order to stay in business.  So if a pro-shop charged me $159.00-$179.00 for a Gargoyle that I know is $78.00 if your a test staff memeber, thats fine.  Usually most shops include drilling in their prices. If a shop makes a $30.00-$50.00 profit on a ball, that seems more than fair to me.  But when you get raped like I did once, I paid $239.00 for a Granite Gargoyle before I knew of the test staff program, then you will understand why I posted the prices.  Besides I don't see how anyone is affected by someone posting prices.  Except for pro-shops like the one that screwed me!
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Monster Stitch

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2004, 05:26:04 PM »
How do you become a test staff member? I am interested in trying out
Visionary Equipment.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2004, 05:34:35 PM »
Jonathan,

http://www.visionarybowling.com/membership.html
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Calling all VBP staff members
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2004, 05:49:23 PM »
quote:
why did you become a member and what have you liked about the program?


Back about 2001 when I was shopping around for some new equipment, my proshop told me about the Visionary program, so I checked out their website to find out more about their products.  I liked the $500 offer but my proshop driller did not have any experience with Visionary balls so I called and talked to someone at Visionary and found out that I could pay the $500 and try out one ball, then call them back and let them know which other 3 balls I wanted.  That way, I would have a reference to their other balls, since each company compares hook and length, etc within their own product lines.  

Worked out great, Visionary makes some great balls with good quality control  and their descriptions of the balls are pretty accurate so it makes it easy to fill in gaps by comparing one ball to another.  Plus, their customer service is outstanding.  Got a question?  Call them and you may get the answer from the president of the company.  My biggest savings came from the free shipping.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"
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Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

ABC/USBC Lifetime Member since Aug 1995.
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