No more Proshop

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

Well, I went yesterday to my Proshop to buy some Energizer ball cleaner and look at some shoes, well they were closed. So I called the # and the line had been disconnected. So I went over to the nearest bowling alley because my Proshop has a little shop inside the bowling alley, well the lady working the front desk told me that the guy had closed down. I was pretty shocked so I went to another alley and the guy at the front desk there said the guy who owned the Proshop went Bankrupt. So seriously, now I dont know what I'm gonna do. They have a Proshop inside the main bowling alley here, but its way overpriced, I was looking thru the window at some prices because they were closed, and they wanted like $150 for the CV, $200 for the BWP and NMB, and like $170 for the Anger. Too me thats way too much. So now I dont know what I'm gonna do, and I'm pretty p*****.

[Lonewolf300800]

i feel your pain, that would most definately suck big time. i drive 75 miles to the proshop i use even though there are others far closer. as for the prices you quoted in your post; those are about the same as my proshop has and that price, for me anyway, includes grips and a slug. the price "discounts" from buying online sometimes don't always pan out when you figure in cost of drillina and slug/grips, so most times it's best to stick with your local proshop. the only time i buy a ball online is a discontinued ball that i'd really like to have. hopefull you will be able to find another proshop in your area that will be able to drill your equipment for you.

[can-ham]

This is the effect of people buying their balls on-line. As for the quoted price that is very fair if it includes drilling and grips. $200 for a BW or beat'n is right on the money (hell it's $270 in Canada and the dollar is at par). Sure you can get it for $135 on line but you don't know the exact specs till you get it, and it's still $65 to get drilled with grips so that's the same.
http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/09/78/22567809.jpg
Support your local proshop or kiss it good bye...

[JoshWithrow]

Support your local proshop or kiss it good bye...

Luckily we have a good following for our proshops around here, and but only if you're good and fair. The tards dont do so well and get all surprised when nobody comes to them for business, but the good guys get frustrated because they can't get enough done fast enough to keep up with their demand. We also have a pretty thick spread in a 30 mile radius (we have 4 good ones who are known in this area).

[VmsTopGun]

$200 for the BWP and NMB, and like $170 for the Anger. Too me thats way too much. .

I can empathize, my local lanes guy now chooses not to open on Saturdays. Go figure on that one..

those prices if they included drilling and all the grips and slug wouldnt be all that bad considering the distance to drive.

[BubbaRay]

I know alot of us here do support our pro shops, but unfortunately this is the affect of online sales. I know I have suggesteted some online sites when you have asked but I have also suggested to visit your pro shops also.

At one house I bowl at the pro shop is only open on tues. nites Other nites you could buy the small stuff but not balls or anything. Go figure.


Prices var from pro shop to pro shop. I have seen an Anger selling for 130.00 in one shop and 175.00 in another.

Hawg-zilla, I know it's a hard thing to decide but you might only have a couple otions. Just choose what you think will be best .

[Mike_N_Nashville]

I can empathize, my local lanes guy now chooses not to open on Saturdays. Go figure on that one..

those prices if they included drilling and all the grips and slug wouldnt be all that bad considering the distance to drive.

Yeah, I've known some of the pro shops in my area that don't want to be open on Saturday/Sunday or nights during the week and then wonder why they can't make any money.

I realize that being open from 2:00PM-10:00PM Mon-Fri may not be the most fun hours to work, but being available to your league bowlers is where you are going to make your money.

Mike

[ravenhammer]

I believe in supporting your local Pro shop as long as they are good at what they do. Most LPS's have way more to offer than just buying a ball.

On a side note, do bowling pro shop's everywhere have the strangest hours?

[can-ham]

I used to be in retail (not bowling) and the key to any retail success is Good service, good products and good prices. And in that exact order. If you treat your customers right which includes hours that suit their availability then you will have a following. Our pro shop is run by two dudes and between them they bowl in most of the leagues. The shop is never open during league but you can come early and get what you want before league starts. Plus when I ordered my ball, the owner came in on an off night, drilled it, and then bowled with me. (On a side note he liked the I beat'n I bought so much a month later he drilled one up for him self)

Obviously you don't need to support jerks that take their clients for granitite, but if you have a good pro shop, I would suggest spending the extra $10 and getting the service...

[Steve1591]

On a side note, do bowling pro shop's everywhere have the strangest hours?

Id say hours depends on their location...There is a shop at one of the alleys here that is barely ever open except during league nights, but then the most well known shop is open from 10 am til 8 pm m-th and 11-6 on fridays, along with being open 11-5 on saturdays, closed on sundays, so as i said, it depends on where they are located, and also when they would get the most business. Makes no sense for a shop to be open during the day when theres only a few people that come in to shoot some plastic balls down the lanes :rolleyes:

[Rowdy]

Hawg what kind of prices does Galaxy Lanes have? Since it's an Ebonite house I would have thought you'd be in "Hawg" Heaven. I couldn't resist.

[Spare Time Proshop]

Well my shop is open...
MON 5-10
TUES 3-10
WED 5-11
THUR 3-11
FRI 4-1 AM
SAT 9AM -2AM
SUN 4-10
Online sites has done alot of this to the proshops...the proshops in our area charge 35.00 to 75.00 to drill online balls....One shop willnt even drill them.....So please support your local shops as much as you can or you will have to pay alot in gas to get them drilled in a larger citys.......

[JoshWithrow]

Honestly? If people bothered to do the math they'd realize they're spending more money ordering on line then paying the drilling cost than if they bought the ball at the proshop, as those prices usually include drilling w/ inserts and slugs.

It's ignorance on the buffoons part for actually believing they're getting a better deal. Mind you, this isn't in EVERY instance, but in most.

[jeffy300]

Spare Time Pro Shop which is owned by me and a buddy of mine are open on Tues. from 6-9 Wed from 5-10 Thurs 6-11 Fri 5-11 Sat 9am - 1 am and Sun 5-9 Mondays we are listed as closed but my buddy is usually in there doing something. If you can get your specs and grip sizes we can get you a ball and send it to you at a very reasonable price, if your from out of town that is??? LOL

good luck and high scores to all

[TenPinSniper]

Those prices are fairly wierd, think Vibes go for 130-140, Raw Hammers 140-160, BW 200 and NM for 220-230 in my area.

Hours of the proshop I frequent. :)
Tues-Fri 10-6
Sat 10-3
Sun and Mon closed.
He does not operate inside a bowling alley. Think if you really needed him by appointment, he would work with most customers, when it's possible.

I figure that I could save maybe $20 bucks if I bought my stuff on-line... the nice thing is that I can pick and choose what he has in stock or he'll try and order anything for me.

Every now and then he does not carry certains balls, aka the Cherry Vibe. His reason is Red Bowling Balls don't sell as well. Guess that goes with particle balls... but if I ask for something he'll get it.

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

I loved this Proshop. He had the main shop about 10 miles from my house, then there was 1 in two different bowling alleys, and one was the alley I used to bowl league in. His prices were great, I know I paid $85 for my BV with drilling included, just paid $5 for each insert. Then my HZ I paid $120 with drilling included and $5 for each insert. Honestly, I'm not sure how your guys Cities are when it comes to bowling, but there are tons of competitive bowlers here where I live and there are 4 bowling alleys within like a 10 mile radius, and each one has packed leagues 6 nights a week. I dont know, maybe he just got in over his head with the ordering and nobody was buying as much as he thought. I'm probably gonna head to this one alley tonight and see if the owner is there, he usually is so I'm gonna ask him whats up. I think the reason I dont wanna settle for the "expensive" proshop inside the main alley here, is because I really dont like the bowling alley. Its seriously way to expensive to even bowl there, I think its $3.75 during the day for a game, and like $4.25 after 5pm. I used to bowl there for fun using a house ball, but once I started practicing and getting back into league mode I left for the more down to earth alley that had just been re-constructed with new lanes and everything. And its only like $2.25 per game there. I dont know what I'm gonna do, I understand the whole support your local Proshop, but the only one left is only open a very limited time. Like Mon-Thurs its 4pm-8pm, then Friday its 12pm-6pm, and Saturday its 2pm-6pm, and closed Sunday. The one that just closed was open Mon-Fri from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 12pm-6pm, and closed Sunday. Ohwell, I guess I'll figure something out. Would I be able to just go to the Hammer factory and get my balls drilled there, LOL.

[TenPinSniper]

Yeah I think if I was with-in 30 miles or so of Galaxy Lanes, I might try them out. Just be careful summgling bowling balls accross state lines. :D
I've heard the PD is Clarksville is cracking down on bowling balls from Kentucky. ;)

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

Yeah I think if I was with-in 30 miles or so of Galaxy Lanes, I might try them out. Just be careful summgling bowling balls accross state lines. :D
I've heard the PD is Clarksville is cracking down on bowling balls from Kentucky. ;)

Thats funny, but seriously I might go check out the Hammer factory, you think they'd let me in?

[TenPinSniper]

You might have to sign something and swear not to share what new unreleased bowling balls you see.

I know with the 5 Day Power House Training Class, they give a tour of the factory. I've wondered if they'd do it for the 2 Day Class.

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

You might have to sign something and swear not to share what new unreleased bowling balls you see.

I know with the 5 Day Power House Training Class, they give a tour of the factory. I've wondered if they'd do it for the 2 Day Class.

Hmm... I might have to check it out. I live like 20 minutes from it so it might something to do on my next day off.

[keglerskave]

Yeah, I've known some of the pro shops in my area that don't want to be open on Saturday/Sunday or nights during the week and then wonder why they can't make any money.

I realize that being open from 2:00PM-10:00PM Mon-Fri may not be the most fun hours to work, but being available to your league bowlers is where you are going to make your money.

Mike

Try to realize that many proshop operators may also be working other jobs (not many folks driving a Lexus who drill!) as well as bowling somewhere to promote the equipment. Not to mention, many have families they might want to spend some time with.

Believe it or not, the economy as well as the e-tailers have really hurt us. A good pro shop operator cares more about his bowlers than his overhead, but there are still many expenses that must be covered.

Try not to look just at the price alone when buying a ball, but what is the value of his or her service to you? Every ball bought online or on ebay is a slap in the face to your pro shop. It says you don't think he's worth the price of that ball, but good enough to drill it for you! Any ball you can buy online could also be ordered through your shop. If you honestly think the balls are overpriced, try buying everything you need and drilling them yourself sometime...remember, it's not one size or one color of inserts, it's an inventory of a thousand..It's also not just a couple of balls in your preferred weight, but 3 or 4 of up to 100 new balls released each year. Would you ever consider buying a steak and taking it to a restaurant to cook it for you? But many feel no remorse about trying to save $20 on the total price of a new ball. ($130 + drilling, plus insets and slug plus tax = $195 - ish)

Many of us have always charged a "reasonable" fee for drilling a ball purchased elsewhere, but today, every ball purchased through a faceless e-tailer is money lost to a proshop somewhere......

Anyway......good luck finding a new shop. I hope you find a good one. Make sure you thank your next driller everytime you toss a new personal high. Believe it or not, most of us love to hear it!

Jim
Keglers Kave Pro Shops

[agroves]

They have a Proshop inside the main bowling alley here, but its way overpriced, I was looking thru the window at some prices because they were closed, and they wanted like $150 for the CV, $200 for the BWP and NMB, and like $170 for the Anger. Too me thats way too much. So now I dont know what I'm gonna do, and I'm pretty p*****.

That is good pricing in my opinion. We charge 179 for the Raw line, 239 for highend stuff....Momentum, Attitude Shift, Furys.

When I work, I will usually toss in inserts for most customers. My counterpart may or may not toss in the inserts. Comparing to buddies...

Anger--$110.50
Blank Drill--$40.00
Inserts--$27.00
Total before tax--177.50

So you can see we are about inline with internet pricing.

Andrew

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

That is good pricing in my opinion. We charge 179 for the Raw line, 239 for highend stuff....Momentum, Attitude Shift, Furys.

When I work, I will usually toss in inserts for most customers. My counterpart may or may not toss in the inserts. Comparing to buddies...

Anger--$110.50
Blank Drill--$40.00
Inserts--$27.00
Total before tax--177.50

So you can see we are about inline with internet pricing.

Andrew

Maybe some places are cheaper than others. Like I mentioned I paid right around $100 for my BV and paid like $5 per insert. Then my HZ when it was brand new, I believe I paid about $170-175 total for everything, the ball, drilling, inserts and tax. To me, thats a good deal.

[Pinhammer]

Are you talking about the Pinnacle? their Prices include drilling for those prices on their balls

[Stampy79]

If you bring a ball to our shop that you bought online, the price to drill a fingertip ball with inserts and slug is $50

[can-ham]

His prices were great, I know I paid $85 for my BV with drilling included, just paid $5 for each insert. Then my HZ I paid $120 with drilling included and $5 for each insert.

I wonder why he went out of business...

zero margin + lower volumes = lights out!

[Rowdy]

zero margin + lower volumes = lights out![/quote]

zero margin + lower prices + closing the shop an hour before the league bowlers get there = standing in the unemployment line!!!

[Rowdy]

We've had this discussion before. It's Business 101. The Pro Shop HAS TO BE OPEN when it's customers are most likely to spend money there. It's just that simple. I've seen guys walk in before their league looking to drop $300-$400 in the pro shop. They didn't expect to have the ball drilled right then,they just wanted to buy the ball and have measurements taken. But the pro shop closes at 3pm! I didn't realize there was such a huge market of little old ladies raiding the pro shop during their afternoon leagues. That seems to be the only time they're open. There is ONE Pro Shop around Charleston that is open when there is league play at night. Guess who gets all the top rollers business? I don't even roll in that house and the guy in the Pro Shop knows me by name and reputation. I go in,get what I need or drop off a ball to be worked on. Fair prices,fast service. BTW-They don't open until 4pm. They get all that "family time" in the morning!

[JoshWithrow]

We've had this discussion before. It's Business 101. The Pro Shop HAS TO BE OPEN when it's customers are most likely to spend money there. It's just that simple. I've seen guys walk in before their league looking to drop $300-$400 in the pro shop. They didn't expect to have the ball drilled right then,they just wanted to buy the ball and have measurements taken. But the pro shop closes at 3pm! I didn't realize there was such a huge market of little old ladies raiding the pro shop during their afternoon leagues. That seems to be the only time they're open. There is ONE Pro Shop around Charleston that is open when there is league play at night. Guess who gets all the top rollers business? I don't even roll in that house and the guy in the Pro Shop knows me by name and reputation. I go in,get what I need or drop off a ball to be worked on. Fair prices,fast service. BTW-They don't open until 4pm. They get all that "family time" in the morning!

The proshop at the house I bowl at was like this. They were letting him stay, regardless (that is until he messed up one too many balls and they told him he had 30 days to vacate, but that's another story) as he paid his rent. But he was always complaining that he wasn't doing much business.

However, the guy that moved in to take his place is the exact opposite. He doesn't open until 5PM or 6PM, but he's there from then until 9-10PM AND he's open 7 days a week during those hours. Actually, I think he opens @ 3PM on the weekends. But he's tailored his business hours to when he knows the crowd is most likely to spend their money. The geriatric leagues during the day all use old plastic or urethane balls, but they throw them 8 miles an hour and/or straight and so they have no desire to go into the proshop for anything. But the night leagues are filled with us spendhappy bafoons just looking to drop a dime on the newest and greatest every week ;)

And to top it off, he does top notch work.

[SledgeMe]

Does Hammer offer a drilling seminar? I would love to attend one if they did and open my own pro-shop.

[Stampy79]

If you get a chance, go to a seminar by
jeff Ussery. I think he is the best at teaching you the proper methods

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

Are you talking about the Pinnacle? their Prices include drilling for those prices on their balls

Yes I'm talking about the Pinnacle, dont really care for the alley or Proshop. Does that price include drilling plus inserts and whatever else you need?

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

zero margin + lower volumes = lights out!

zero margin + lower prices + closing the shop an hour before the league bowlers get there = standing in the unemployment line!!![/QUOTE]

Just so you know, he closed his shop at 6pm because him and his other workers all bowled in leagues in the area. The Proshops he had in the 2 bowling alleys didnt open til 5pm and stayed open the whole league.

[JoshWithrow]

Just so you know, he closed his shop at 6pm because him and his other workers all bowled in leagues in the area. The Proshops he had in the 2 bowling alleys didnt open til 5pm and stayed open the whole league.

Yes, but it may have still been a big part of his downfall. At that point there's a choice to make... work or play. Work obviously wasn't as important as play. But his other shops couldn't have been doing that well if he filed for bankruptcy.

I think all it really amounts to is that people weren't spending their money there. It's about more than just "he charges too much to drill balls". There's the stock he kept, there's his overhead (rent, utilities, salaries, etc), and they must not have been pulling in the income to break even. It doesn't help that his prices were THAT low, but he was probably desperate to get customers, which seems like it was a futile effort because apparently they were determined to spend their money elsewhere.

Anyway this is all speculation. All I'm trying to say is that it takes money to run a business, and it takes clients to pay those bills. No clients, no business. And the smartest thing a business owner can do is try to fill an existing need, not hope that they can create one. The most obvious guess to his final demise seems to be that there just wasn't a demand for his services/products.

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

Yes, but it may have still been a big part of his downfall. At that point there's a choice to make... work or play. Work obviously wasn't as important as play. But his other shops couldn't have been doing that well if he filed for bankruptcy.

I think all it really amounts to is that people weren't spending their money there. It's about more than just "he charges too much to drill balls". There's the stock he kept, there's his overhead (rent, utilities, salaries, etc), and they must not have been pulling in the income to break even. It doesn't help that his prices were THAT low, but he was probably desperate to get customers, which seems like it was a futile effort because apparently they were determined to spend their money elsewhere.

Anyway this is all speculation. All I'm trying to say is that it takes money to run a business, and it takes clients to pay those bills. No clients, no business. And the smartest thing a business owner can do is try to fill an existing need, not hope that they can create one. The most obvious guess to his final demise seems to be that there just wasn't a demand for his services/products.


Besides the Proshop inside of the Pinnacle bowling alley, this was the only shop and everytime I was in there, he was pretty packed. I'll find out why he went bankrupt, just not sure when. I'm pretty sure he had the business, just not sure on most prices. I found the receipt for my Zilla, it was $120 for the ball + $50 for drilling and the inserts, so after tax it was around $190 or so. Probably not the cheapest, but cheaper than most other places I saw besides the internet.

[Rowdy]

He closed the Pro Shop so everyone could bowl??? Huh??? Didn't any of these rocket scientist's figure out to join a league on a different night? Or at least hire someone to watch the joint for one night? C'mon,I know a guy who owns four Pro Shops. Business is booming for him. His guys all roll and have won numerous tournaments. But they don't all roll in a league on the same night. Someone is always in the shop when a league rolls. People come from NY to Florida to see him in NC. Why? SERVICE!!!!!!!!! Does your Pro Shop have a book of ball reviews on every table in the house? He does. Does your Pro Shop offer free bowling when you buy a ball? He does. Did you get a bottle of the correct cleaner with your new ball? I do. Am I gonna drive 5 hours to get my Bite? Bet your butt. I won't be ALLOWED to leave until that ball is PERFECT! Your Pro Shop do that? Hah. You wish. They drill it and it's pay up and get out. Face it,most of the people in the Pro Shop business couldn't hold a job if it came with a handle. They think it's "easy money". Nothing could be further from the truth. The hours suck,the margins are slim if you don't market the Pro Shop correctly. The real problem comes when it's time to put a "value" on the work a Pro Shop does. Most of these guys are geniuses at drilling,but dunces when it comes to running a business. Don't expect me or any other bowler to lose sleep over the fact that you can't manage your business. If that's the case,sell the Shop to someone who CAN run a business and hire on as a driller. Of course,the guy who can run the business ain't looking for an employee like you. He wants someone who knows how to smile(thats the teeth thing)be nice(thats the...forget that one)and give the customer what they want.

[Mike_N_Nashville]

Does Hammer offer a drilling seminar? I would love to attend one if they did and open my own pro-shop.

They do at their plant south of Nashville, in Columbia, TN. I don't know about up in Clarksville though.

Mike

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

He closed the Pro Shop so everyone could bowl??? Huh??? Didn't any of these rocket scientist's figure out to join a league on a different night? Or at least hire someone to watch the joint for one night? C'mon,I know a guy who owns four Pro Shops. Business is booming for him. His guys all roll and have won numerous tournaments. But they don't all roll in a league on the same night. Someone is always in the shop when a league rolls. People come from NY to Florida to see him in NC. Why? SERVICE!!!!!!!!! Does your Pro Shop have a book of ball reviews on every table in the house? He does. Does your Pro Shop offer free bowling when you buy a ball? He does. Did you get a bottle of the correct cleaner with your new ball? I do. Am I gonna drive 5 hours to get my Bite? Bet your butt. I won't be ALLOWED to leave until that ball is PERFECT! Your Pro Shop do that? Hah. You wish. They drill it and it's pay up and get out. Face it,most of the people in the Pro Shop business couldn't hold a job if it came with a handle. They think it's "easy money". Nothing could be further from the truth. The hours suck,the margins are slim if you don't market the Pro Shop correctly. The real problem comes when it's time to put a "value" on the work a Pro Shop does. Most of these guys are geniuses at drilling,but dunces when it comes to running a business. Don't expect me or any other bowler to lose sleep over the fact that you can't manage your business. If that's the case,sell the Shop to someone who CAN run a business and hire on as a driller. Of course,the guy who can run the business ain't looking for an employee like you. He wants someone who knows how to smile(thats the teeth thing)be nice(thats the...forget that one)and give the customer what they want.

Actually you did get a free game of bowling and something else with your ball. He had hundreds of balls in his shop that were drilled for customers on a daily basis. I know this guy and I knew all the guys that worked there, something bad had to of happened, because his business was boomin. There were 2 times that I called him about 5 minutes before closing and asked him if I could swing by there and pick something up, and both times he said yes and he stayed about 30 minutes later than closing.

Some of you guys are seriously hating on this guy and his Shop. I know him pretty good and I know he wouldnt have messed up this bad. Being it was 1 of 2 shops here in Clarksville, he had way more business than the other one. Some of you guys are pretty big d*cks and think you know everything, which obviously we all know you dont. So please stop talking sh*t when you dont know the story.

[JoshWithrow]

Actually you did get a free game of bowling and something else with your ball. He had hundreds of balls in his shop that were drilled for customers on a daily basis. I know this guy and I knew all the guys that worked there, something bad had to of happened, because his business was boomin. There were 2 times that I called him about 5 minutes before closing and asked him if I could swing by there and pick something up, and both times he said yes and he stayed about 30 minutes later than closing.

Some of you guys are seriously hating on this guy and his Shop. I know him pretty good and I know he wouldnt have messed up this bad. Being it was 1 of 2 shops here in Clarksville, he had way more business than the other one. Some of you guys are pretty big d*cks and think you know everything, which obviously we all know you dont. So please stop talking sh*t when you dont know the story.

I wasn't hating on him. I wasn't insulting him. I was just making a few assumptions for converstions sake. Sorry.

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

I wasn't hating on him. I wasn't insulting him. I was just making a few assumptions for converstions sake. Sorry.

This isnt really aimed toward you, but those who criticized the shop owner and said he was a bad business man.

[agroves]

Maybe some places are cheaper than others. Like I mentioned I paid right around $100 for my BV and paid like $5 per insert. Then my HZ when it was brand new, I believe I paid about $170-175 total for everything, the ball, drilling, inserts and tax. To me, thats a good deal.

Proshop cost on a Blue Vibe is around $80. About $3 for thumb inserts, $1 each for finger inserts. Making $20 on a ball is why the dude went bankrupt. You just can't do that....

We look at the cost of ball and determine the price we charge based on that. You also have to realize that minimum wage in the state of washington is almost $8 an hour. Cost of living will certainly influence the proshop pricing.

I used to pay $180-200 for high end stuff. We give our scratch bowlers or high volume customers pretty good deals on new equipment as well. Plus we usually throw in inserts for them as well.

Andrew

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

Proshop cost on a Blue Vibe is around $80. About $3 for thumb inserts, $1 each for finger inserts. Making $20 on a ball is why the dude went bankrupt. You just can't do that....

We look at the cost of ball and determine the price we charge based on that. You also have to realize that minimum wage in the state of washington is almost $8 an hour. Cost of living will certainly influence the proshop pricing.

I used to pay $180-200 for high end stuff. We give our scratch bowlers or high volume customers pretty good deals on new equipment as well. Plus we usually throw in inserts for them as well.

Andrew

Well considering the $80 included the drilling, I think it was a pretty good deal. And its funny how some are saying he wasnt charging enough, and then some of you are saying he charged too much.

[agroves]

Well considering the $80 included the drilling, I think it was a pretty good deal. And its funny how some are saying he wasnt charging enough, and then some of you are saying he charged too much.

Did you bring him the vibe from an online retailer or did you purchase it from him?

If you purchased it from him for $100, then hell yes it was a good deal. Too good if he wanted to stay in business.

Andrew

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

Did you bring him the vibe from an online retailer or did you purchase it from him?

If you purchased it from him for $100, then hell yes it was a good deal. Too good if he wanted to stay in business.

Andrew

I cant remember how much exactly, but I know the ball wasnt more than $100 itself. I paid $140 for the HZ and then the cost of inserts and tax. In your last post you said that since he is selling for $100 and he is making $20 on the ball no wonder he went out of business. I mean, is $100 for the BV alot or no? I bought all of my balls from his Proshop.

[agroves]

I mean, is $100 for the BV alot or no? I bought all of my balls from his Proshop.

$100 is extremely cheap. Generally speaking, the cost you see at online retailers is pretty close to what distributors charge proshops. Buddies listed the Vibe at $87.50. I'd think we charge about $120 to $135 for that ball. So, at $100 that is a pretty awesome deal for you. If he was doing that for more than a few select folks, it would easy for him to go bankrupt.

We have 2-3 customers that get "free" blank drills, but they give us all their used equipment to resale in the shop. That works for us, but it is only a select few individuals.

Andrew

[Steve1591]

I cant remember how much exactly, but I know the ball wasnt more than $100 itself. I paid $140 for the HZ and then the cost of inserts and tax. In your last post you said that since he is selling for $100 and he is making $20 on the ball no wonder he went out of business. I mean, is $100 for the BV alot or no? I bought all of my balls from his Proshop.

I cant honestly say $100 is a lot...the shops here sell them for $149, before tax and grips/slugs :rolleyes:

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

$100 is extremely cheap. Generally speaking, the cost you see at online retailers is pretty close to what distributors charge proshops. Buddies listed the Vibe at $87.50. I'd think we charge about $120 to $135 for that ball. So, at $100 that is a pretty awesome deal for you. If he was doing that for more than a few select folks, it would easy for him to go bankrupt.

We have 2-3 customers that get "free" blank drills, but they give us all their used equipment to resale in the shop. That works for us, but it is only a select few individuals.

Andrew

I understand what your saying, but I doubt he sold all his balls for cheap. That would seriously put him under fast, which he was open for about 3-4 years or so.

[#1_HawgZilla_Owner]

I cant honestly say $100 is a lot...the shops here sell them for $149, before tax and grips/slugs :rolleyes:

You say $100 is alot, but then you say the shops where you are sell for $149? Damn it it way too expensive where you are then.

[fluffy]

here in montana, where we barely have running water and indoor plumbing, there are only 10 "pro" shops in the state. if you dont live near one you may have to drive 50-400 miles to find a good one. i have ordered balls on line and our pro shop guy drilles them for me for $22.50 with inserts (which I only use a thumb slug). i do buy most of my equipment from them. with a purchase of a ball at usually 10%-20% of cost you get free drilling and inserts. the philosophy is to give away the proshop and get bowlers into bowling. it seems to work for this particular center.

[keglerskave]

I have the Vibes priced at $119.95 (includes drilling, but not slug/inserts) in one location and $129.95 at my other location.

The Tornado is $91.95 and $109.95...the NVS is $224.95 and $209.95...depends on overhead, supplier cost, demand, etc....I'm sure in New York, 2hours away, they are a bit different...

I charge $10 to install a pair of inserts (less to regular customers), $10-$15 for installing a slug....

$25 to label drill a ball purchased elsewhere, $50 if knowledge/experience (PAP layout) is needed and a predetermined ball reaction is expected...depending on the individual.

My biggest pet peave right now is taking half an hour to talk to someone about which new ball is best for them, using my knowledge and experience, and they go out and buy the darn thing online, thus costing me my profit margin, and then expect me to drill it for $20....this bugs me more everyday, especially when someone says, "I saw that ($209.95) ball online for $124.95. Why do you charge so much?"

The ball companies need to seriously alter pricing to faceless online suppliers who have no storefront or public access. Either that or start taking better care of the pro shops who are saddled with having to make their products work. Would it kill them to at least supply one new ball each year of all new releases to each registered pro shop? Honestly, without us, who is going to drill them?

Jim
Keglers Kave Pro Shops
(...stepping down from my soap box....)

[can-ham]

I have the Vibes priced at $119.95 (includes drilling, but not slug/inserts) in one location and $129.95 at my other location.

The Tornado is $91.95 and $109.95...the NVS is $224.95 and $209.95...depends on overhead, supplier cost, demand, etc....I'm sure in New York, 2hours away, they are a bit different...

I charge $10 to install a pair of inserts (less to regular customers), $10-$15 for installing a slug....

$25 to label drill a ball purchased elsewhere, $50 if knowledge/experience (PAP layout) is needed and a predetermined ball reaction is expected...depending on the individual.

My biggest pet peave right now is taking half an hour to talk to someone about which new ball is best for them, using my knowledge and experience, and they go out and buy the darn thing online, thus costing me my profit margin, and then expect me to drill it for $20....this bugs me more everyday, especially when someone says, "I saw that ($209.95) ball online for $124.95. Why do you charge so much?"

The ball companies need to seriously alter pricing to faceless online suppliers who have no storefront or public access. Either that or start taking better care of the pro shops who are saddled with having to make their products work. Would it kill them to at least supply one new ball each year of all new releases to each registered pro shop? Honestly, without us, who is going to drill them?

Jim
Keglers Kave Pro Shops
(...stepping down from my soap box....)

Jim I agree with every thing you are saying, except the fact that you yourself have alterd pricing between the two stores. The fact that you can justify a higher price in one store and a lower in the other, gives an argument for cheap online pricing. Best case senario is strait pricing across all retail (and online) shops this would keep brand integrity then shops would sell on service (obviously need to account for drilling, which for the most part is already in place). But this is a free market and the American dream runs on someone getting rich while many suffer...

[Stampy79]

Here in our shop we have adjusted our prices to attempt to compete with the online craze. That Vibe mentioned before would be exactly


$130.83 drilled out the door with inserts and slugs


The thing that probably amazes me the most is they always say "Well what is the price of the ball ? How come you only charge about $!7 to drill this ball with inserts, but if I buy it and bring it in, then its $50 !!!"


My answer "Convienence"

[Stampy79]

By the way, if you want to see guys making money at the Pro Shop Business, take a look at this shops prices ( I have posted this before)

http://www.alabamabowling.com/mccorvey/labor.htm

[JoshWithrow]

By the way, if you want to see guys making money at the Pro Shop Business, take a look at this shops prices ( I have posted this before)

http://www.alabamabowling.com/mccorvey/labor.htm

wow! I like his "drilling packages". Very nice! Great prices, too!

[Rowdy]

Actually you did get a free game of bowling and something else with your ball. He had hundreds of balls in his shop that were drilled for customers on a daily basis. I know this guy and I knew all the guys that worked there, something bad had to of happened, because his business was boomin. There were 2 times that I called him about 5 minutes before closing and asked him if I could swing by there and pick something up, and both times he said yes and he stayed about 30 minutes later than closing.

Some of you guys are seriously hating on this guy and his Shop. I know him pretty good and I know he wouldnt have messed up this bad. Being it was 1 of 2 shops here in Clarksville, he had way more business than the other one. Some of you guys are pretty big d*cks and think you know everything, which obviously we all know you dont. So please stop talking sh*t when you dont know the story.

Whoa,Hoss. YOU brought this up. YOU supplied the info. YOU were responsible for reporting the whole story. YOU did not do that. YOU don't even know WHY this guy is going down the tubes. Guess YOU really don't know him at all. And YOU should back off calling us dicks,we've been through this before,YOU haven't.

[Stampy79]

Josh, your not seriuos about McCorveys prices are you ? They are expensive man ! If this guy was to drill a ball for me it would go like this.

Drill $25
Measure Hand $15
Performance layout $10 (Cause thats what I use)
Xtra Hole $8
Locate PAP $5 (Cause he has to to drill the ball properly)
2 inserts $5.50 ea $11
Solid thumb slug $13
That totals $85.00 after buying a $135 ball ! Hmmm , where did I save money buying online ? $220

[agroves]

Josh, your not seriuos about McCorveys prices are you ? They are expensive man ! If this guy was to drill a ball for me it would go like this.

Drill $25
Measure Hand $15
Performance layout $10 (Cause thats what I use)
Xtra Hole $8
Locate PAP $5 (Cause he has to to drill the ball properly)
2 inserts $5.50 ea $11
Solid thumb slug $13
That totals $85.00 after buying a $135 ball ! Hmmm , where did I save money buying online ? $220

I added up the cost for one of his "package" deals and the total was $195.99 for a raw hammer. That is close to ours with inserts.

However, his ala cart pricing is very interesting. What is a "super shine ball" for $15? $6 just to "enlarge" a hole? $12 to enlarge 3? $10 to write down my span and pitches on a piece of paper? Are you kiddin me?

Andrew

[BubbaRay]

I don't agree with charging to write down you measurements. If you have been doing business with the pro shop for a period of time and you have built a trusting relationship, he should give you the measurements without charging or questioning.

[TenPinSniper]

I don't agree with charging to write down you measurements. If you have been doing business with the pro shop for a period of time and you have built a trusting relationship, he should give you the measurements without charging or questioning.

Hope most of that pricing plan is aimed at trying to steer you into the shop purchase, if not there way out of line, IMHO.

But at the end of the day, he could be losing money. Looks like they have 13 or 14 shops, so probably not.

[keglerskave]

Jim I agree with every thing you are saying, except the fact that you yourself have alterd pricing between the two stores. The fact that you can justify a higher price in one store and a lower in the other, gives an argument for cheap online pricing. Best case senario is strait pricing across all retail (and online) shops this would keep brand integrity then shops would sell on service (obviously need to account for drilling, which for the most part is already in place). But this is a free market and the American dream runs on someone getting rich while many suffer...

In one shop, the bowling center purchases the equipment and has a different price plan with their supplier than I do. In my other shop, I personally pay C.O.D., shipping and use 3 different suppliers. Both locations have the same markup percentage. I charge the same to drill a ball purchased elsewhere in both locations.

If someone chooses to purchase equipment online, I can choose to charge what I want to compensate for lost revenue, no? I've tried ala cart pricing in the past, and it was too confusing for the average customer.

Jim
ps.....I'm cheaper in this pricing with the other local shops for drilling blank balls purchased elsewhere.

[GreenRidgePro]

I would like to thank everyone that has posted above that supports the local proshops.I personally have been in the business 23 years,although only part time,I am proud of the fact that I have been around so long.As far as hours,I work full time 7:00-4:30 at my regular job and I am in the shop every week day except Monday,because I bowl at 6:30 on Mondays.I am also there all day on Saturday,and usually the same on Sunday.I can remember many times going into the shop at 2:00 or 3:00 am just to get caught up on my work.Again,THANKS to all that support myself and others trying to survive in the Pro Shop business.

[can-ham]

ps.....I'm cheaper in this pricing with the other local shops for drilling blank balls purchased elsewhere.


See Jim this is the problem if all proshops united and had a set price for drilling "internet balls" of $65 then the proshops would make more sales. Because if drilling is around $65 there is little benefit or savings to buy your ball online from a face less discount center...

I don't own a shop and am not trying to ridicule you in anyway. I'm just a big believer in supporting your local proshop.