Do you buy used balls?

[ghoul31]

Do you buy used balls off of Ebay?

If you do, do you try to find a ball with the same span as you? Or do you just get it redrilled?

[CeKnauss]

I've bought some used balls before, and they have worked fine for me. I bought them locally though, through a league bowler who was not pleased with the balls. I had my thumb plugged and redrilled while merely replacing the finger inserts with my size. Sometimes, it can be a good way to get a versatile arsenal at a discount price, and sometimes it could be a waste of money. Just make sure the Ebay seller is reputable and uses paypal.

[ecub]

Yes, I buy used balls from the internet. For me, it doesn't matter if the span is the same or not. I usually have them drilled with my favorite layout, RICO. Most bowlers would PREFER to buy balls with similar span, since it saves you money from plugging/drilling the ball.

[e-tank]

yea ive got 3 used ones. I just get the thumb plugged and re drilled and finger grips replaced

[swingset]

Usually I get lucky and can work with the layout, but sometimes I plug/re-drill.

The obsession some people have with latest/greatest always puzzles me, most balls last a long friggin time if you take a little care of them and some 10 year old balls are every bit as effective on the lanes as the newest equipment.

[e-tank]

i have a angle from the 80's that i use for a spare ball or when the lanes get dry enough. Works as good for me as it did for my dad when he used it

[unclemantis]

I have 2 15# AMF balls. One is a Bobcat and the other is an X thingy. I will get the serial numbers.

Anyone interested? They are both urethane.

Asking price unknown.

[unclemantis]

Do you buy used balls off of Ebay?

If you do, do you try to find a ball with the same span as you? Or do you just get it redrilled?

Finding someone with the same finger sizes and span is going to be really tricky to do.

[billf]

I have bought a few balls but mostly local. I did buy a ball off Ebay a few years back and traded it for one I wanted. It cost me $25 with shipping and the ball I traded it for was my span, pitch, etc.

[mxjosh]

I have a few used balls. I generally look for a layout I like so I don't have unsightly plug circles on the ball. I like pin up so I buy pin up. I've also purchased used balls I was unsure of but still wanted to try or layout I had never tried so I don't waste money.

[rand]

Ive also wondered about buying used balls as well.Does plugging them effect their performance at all?

[ecub]

It will effect it, since the holes usually go through the weight block. You're not replacing the same amount of weight in the weigh block, with a plug. It may or may not be noticeable. It's usually not preferred to get a ball with 3 or more plugs/re-drills.

A used ball (plugged/redrill) is still a good option than buying a new ball.

[unclemantis]

It will effect it, since the holes usually go through the weight block. You're not replacing the same amount of weight in the weigh block, with a plug. It may or may not be noticeable. It's usually not preferred to get a ball with 3 or more plugs/re-drills.

A used ball (plugged/redrill) is still a good option than buying a new ball.

It's like buying a used car. Doesn't quite have that new smell but it will get you to where you need to go!

[J Anderson]

Most of the balls that I've bought have been previously owned, two from the pro shop and three from friends. All were plugged and re-drilled.

My highest game this season as well as my high series was shot using a Hammer Black Widow that I bought used almost 5 years ago. My favorite left-handed ball is a Storm HyRoad that I bought from a friend last year.

[I suck at bowling]

If they are cheap, I will buy it and then get it plugged and re-drilled to my PAP.

Being a two hander I can throw almost anyones ball with no problem though.

[unclemantis]

If they are cheap, I will buy it and then get it plugged and re-drilled to my PAP.

Being a two hander I can throw almost anyones ball with no problem though.

What is your span? :P

[GeoLes]

I got one at a garage sale once. My thinking was it would be a spare ball. I had it plugged redrilled and refinished. I was told by the pro shop it is not a spare ball. It is an old Columbia TI Messenger Pearl, CA 1990. It natrually rolls deep before breaing and is a great ball in the right oil conditions.

At one of the lanes at which I roll I saw my current ball, Raw Hammer Jacked on sale for about $80. I thought Hammer was discontinuing it or something until I looked closely and noticed that it had been plugged polished. That ball comes out of the box with resin finish. It was reconditions and on sale. The following weekend, the guy in the next lane was rolling a polished Raw Hammer Jacked. Yes, he had just purchased it from the pro shop and had it drilled for him. It worked for him becasue he is largely a straight bowler.

So used balls are a good way to add to your aresenal.