Buying bowling balls from popular internet auction sites

[Cochese]

Not sure if the forum has rules about naming websites for this kind of stuff, so I will keep names out of it, but pretty sure you guys know what I am talking about. I was wondering if you guys ever buy balls from places like this? If the seller (who has more than 10k positive feedback) describes the Exact Wieght, Pin, Top Weight and CG details, is it safe to say the ball is ok?

Also is it ok if a ball has number like this 3-4" Pin, 2.1oz top weight, and CG 1.25" left of Pin/Mass Bias line? Is it ok if the CG is outside the Pin/MB line?

[75lockwood]

There shouldn't be a problem, care to share the ebay link so i can take a look?

regarding buying online, bowlingball.com has been the cheapest source....

[Cochese]

I will keep the link to myself as it might be a good deal and down want any extra competition ;)

I was also wondering if you guys ever have bowlingball.com drill your ball for you or if you always take it to your shop and have them do it?

[75lockwood]

I will keep the link to myself as it might be a good deal and down want any extra competition ;)

I was also wondering if you guys ever have bowlingball.com drill your ball for you or if you always take it to your shop and have them do it?

LOL, i won't be bidding, i promise you that.

as for bowlingball.com, personal no, never even bought one, but if you have your exact measurements, then there is not problem with it

[Cochese]

My proshop was kind enough to give me a copy of my measurements, but I use a urethane slug for my thumb, so I would be kind of wary about that fitting. Also feel kind of guiltly about not buying from them though. They have reasonable prices and it would only be about $20 difference on most balls vs bowlingball.com prices.

[75lockwood]

My proshop was kind enough to give me a copy of my measurements, but I use a urethane slug for my thumb, so I would be kind of wary about that fitting. Also feel kind of guiltly about not buying from them though. They have reasonable prices and it would only be about $20 difference on most balls vs bowlingball.com prices.

Then support your local pro shop! its $20 and you get it on the spot, plus the pro shop would probably be willing to check your pap to drill the ball best for you

[Cochese]

Then support your local pro shop! its $20 and you get it on the spot, plus the pro shop would probably be willing to check your pap to drill the ball best for you

I have no problem supporting them, in fact I would much prefer it living in a small midwest town. But if I can snag a ball on the bay for less than $100 that bowlingball.com sells for $140 undrilled and the proshop sells for $190 drilled, would be an easy way to save $40 or even more. Plus my proshop still gets the profit from the drilling, which I would be willing to bet is where they make most of their $$ anyway. Probably not a ton of markup on a ball for them.

As far as specs listed online, if they CG is not in line with the Pin/MB, is that a big deal? What is normal specs?

[75lockwood]

I have no problem supporting them, in fact I would much prefer it living in a small midwest town. But if I can snag a ball on the bay for less than $100 that bowlingball.com sells for $140 undrilled and the proshop sells for $190 drilled, would be an easy way to save $40 or even more. Plus my proshop still gets the profit from the drilling, which I would be willing to bet is where they make most of their $$ anyway. Probably not a ton of markup on a ball for them.

As far as specs listed online, if they CG is not in line with the Pin/MB, is that a big deal? What is normal specs?

Someone else would need to answer that question..... what ball is this btw?

[Cochese]

Original Hell Raiser, price is already more than I wanna pay so here is the link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DV8-HELL-RAISER-BOWLING-ball-15-lb-269-NEW-IN-BOX-/290802856114?ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

[Zothen]

$76 is a damn good price for that ball considering the pro shops charge anywhere from $160-$200 with drilling. So even if bowlingball.com charges $50 to drill,your still paying less then you would at a pro shop.

Zothen

[Cochese]

$76 plus 25 shipping.....

[75lockwood]

Original Hell Raiser, price is already more than I wanna pay so here is the link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DV8-HELL-RAISER-BOWLING-ball-15-lb-269-NEW-IN-BOX-/290802856114?ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

The guy does have some nice deals, there is a $50 misfit on there lol

[Cochese]

I really want to get the Terror anyway. Just don't want to pay for it :p I am rolling a Storm Frantic right now and it is a good ball, but it was drilled without the proshop watching me throw. I am sure it is mostly, if not all, operator error, but I would like to get a ball with stronger backend action. Plus I really want to try DV8's products.

My proshop owner and the bowling center coach that works at the shop are both sponsored by Storm. They push the airfreshners pretty hard and they also don't endorse Brunswick/DV8 because they are made in Mexico. I would like to buy US product and I like my Frantic, but I really do not care for my bag smelling like fruit loops. But even the coach at the shop admitted Brunswick does make really good stuff, she just won't but it because of the Mexico thing vs Storm being made in US.

[HughScot]

I'm not affiliated with any bowling company, pro shop, etc. But I would never have a ball drilled by someone not around the corner. Too many times you may need slight adjustments and your pro shop will not be happy to help you. It is too personalized to allow someone out of state to do.

[Cochese]

I agree with that too. Customer service is something that many people overlook, but I am willing to spend a couple extra bucks to pay for. A few days after I bought my Frantic, I saw the shop owner at the center while I was breaking it in, throwing a couple practice games. He came over, watched me throw a few, gave me a couple quick tips and asked if the ball felt ok. Told him the span felt a little short, showed him my old ball and he pointed out my old ball (10+ yrs old) was drilled incorrectly. He then put a piece of white grip tape in the thumb, and viola! Instantly felt 100% more comfortable. He also said if that didn't fix it, they would redrill the thumb and put in a new slug for not charge. That alone is worth spending the extra dollars.

[dutchlefty]

Hei,

Bought a few balls online..Has always went ok. N.I.B was new in box, never damaged or other faults.
First time was just for fun and curiosity.. a try-out. Placed some bids and won a Nomad Pearl for $ 71.

Prices for premier line bowlingballs vary from $350 - $400 here in Norway. Even bought online, send and shipped, custom charges and driling at the local shop i can save more than $100 !!

My experiences with online buying of bowlingballs have only been positive so far...