Bowling ball pricing?

[Bendial]

Hi Guys,

Do most of you guys buy your balls directly from pro shops or buy them online? I'm curious why pro-shops charge so much more for bowling balls. Yes, they say the drill is included "if you buy the ball from them", but if that's the case, why is the ball usually 50%+ higher than MSRP? If I buy a ball online and have it drilled by a pro shop it still comes out cheaper than if I bought it directly from the pro-shop, even with the $50 drill fee.

[JPbowl]

Got to find the right shop, the one i goto now is within $20 of the best online prices and he includes drilling.
The other guy i was going to would be 70$ over the cheapest online price.

[Jaescrub]

Yes and no. Some equipment you can get a good deal on at the pro shop. We ordered 6 balls from Bowlingball.com cuz the prices where great. out of the 6 with drilling and everything we only saved about 100$ but ya just research my local lanes are 60$ higher then the proshop I use in the next town. Just a close but better prices.

[got_a_300]

The Pro shop has to make some money as they have overhead
expenses they have to cover and they have to make money so
that they can pay themselves or the employee(s).

Then you have the expense of maintaining all of the up keep and
buying of new equipment such as drill bits, drill presses or other
equipment, then the price of buying and stocking bowling balls
then you have the costs of buying plugging compounds, and the
ball polishing compounds, and buying sanding pads, finger/thumb
inserts etc. etc. etc.

[JPbowl]

Yes shops have to make money, but they should be willing to make deals with their regulars.
I had been going to the local place for 3 years, buy a ball each year way over priced. had a ball plugged and re drilled (fingers only) 60$.
Asked him about working out a price on a new ball. Wouldn't budge.

Herd about another shop 15 min away, down to earth pricing. plug and redrill is $25.
Ended up buying the most amount of bowling equipment i've gotten in a single year, within 1 week.
Bought new ball, roller bag, & had 2 balls redrilled

[got_a_300]

Asked him about working out a price on a new ball. Wouldn't budge.

Herd about another shop 15 min away, down to earth pricing. plug and redrill is $25.
Ended up buying the most amount of bowling equipment i've gotten in a single year, within 1 week.
Bought new ball, roller bag, & had 2 balls redrilled

Yep if you are a regular and buy a lot of stuff from a shop and then the
shop does not or will not work a deal with you then it is definitely time
to look for another shop that will.

The only thing about changing shops is you have to be careful about
who you let drill and plug your equipment as some of the real cut rate
shops are just that................. cut rate on their service and drilling by
someone that is not really a qualified ball driller.

[Faithacabra]

Bendial,

What I would say is very similar to what Jeascrub said, do some research. Find out what is going to work best for you. Make sure the website you are going to potentially order from is a safe website that sells first quality bowling balls. Make sure that you have an exact price for the drilling from whomever you are having drill your bowling ball. Make sure you have a good bowling ball driller. I know some websites offer drilling options for the bowling balls as well. I am definitely a bowlingball.com customer, and know that they have done an amazing job drilling my bowling balls. What I suggest is to just find out what would work best for you. I do not suggest having an online website drill your first custom fit bowling ball. I think you should most definitely go to a pro shop and have them take your measurements and watch you bowl, to get a good layout and fit. But once you have a good fitting bowling ball, you can have the measurements taken from that ball and have it drilled from bowlingball.com! I prefer it that way, but I know a lot of people do not. I understand why, but for me the prices were better and the fit was just as good.

It's all a matter of personal preference and getting ALL your facts!

[RoccoRock]

It depends on the pro shop. I used to go to a shop that always would advertise one price, then add the drilling on after. Even when I would ask them, how much would this ball cost after drilling, I would still be surprised when they rang it up. It was always $10-$20 more than what they said before. I switched pro shops a few months ago and its a totally different story. The prices on the ball are what you pay, unless you are a regular, then is cheaper than advertised. For the prices I get with my current pro shop, buying a ball on line and taking it to him would cost more.

[Bendial]

Yeah what's the story with that? It seems like its really hard to find a reliable pro shop. My partner and I have bought 4 balls, 2 bags and tons of other gear from our pro-shop and he can't even remember our names lol...not to mention he took the DV8 towels and resold them (the ones that are supposed to come with the ball). When we called them out on it he blamed his supplier, but still didn't provide us towels.

My problem with other pro shops is that they have no advertised hours and every single time I call one they are gone for the day or they are closed, or they don't work ___day, or they're not sure when hes going to be in, or he left early...etc etc. It seems like all pro shops in the bay area are on vacation 24/7, which I guess is how their outrageous pricing is justified lol. If anyone in the bay area knows a great, reliable and reasonable pro shop please let me know. I don't mind spending a little more over online prices as long as the guy can remember my name to make it worth the extra cost.

[Jaescrub]

I guess I'm lucky as our pro shop guy is great at his job very nice and always willing to do what he can. He does not own the shop but manages it. He is very truth full. He even had my wife hold off or drilling her lucid till she worked on getting her revs up gave her 1hr free coaching when all he was going to do is watch her bowl to see what layout to use. She has got better just in the week after ;)

[Jaescrub]

Also the 10-20$ more you where seeing is the cost for the inserts he always reminds us the price on the wall is for the ball and drilling but not the inserts so we always ask out the door so he quotes tax and all.

[Jaescrub]

Also the 10-20$ more you where seeing is the cost for the inserts he always reminds us the price on the wall is for the ball and drilling but not the inserts so we always ask out the door so he quotes tax and all.

[billf]

I don't have this isse being a staff member but before that...I didn't have this issue. Both of the shops I frequent and use to buy from, are the same or cheaper than on-line for the ball. $35 for fingertip drilling, $10 for finger inserts and thumb varies depending on what you use.

I still layout balls at both of these places so I'm certain about the pricing. If your shop isn't keeping specific hours, then it's not a good business for them. Either they suck at business, don't take it serious or whatever. Good luck in your search for a real pro shop and make sure they are certified. Amazingly, any person with a sign and drill press can open a pro shop.

[Greenday]

It depends on the pro shop. Really, there's very little difference in prices between bowlingball.com and my pro shop. I can just call my guy up, tell him what ball I want, and pick it up that Saturday. If I buy it on bowlingball.com, I have to wait a week to get it, then I have to wait for the next weekend for it to be drilled, add in the price of drilling it, finger tips, and thumb slug and it's the same price.

[billf]

This is actually the first time I've heard of on-line being cheaper after drilling, grips, slugs, tax, etc..

[stumblintowards100]

I've been rolling 2-3 nights a week for nearly six years now. I guess I'm fortunate that our local house has a superb Pro Shop "in-house". The owner can be a prick, but the "Pro" is awesome (of course I have spent a ton of jack with them, lol). I can count on our guy to give me spot on advice, listen to me $itch about lane conditions, and even tell from time to time to stop whining! lol. The ball pricing is a lil high, but as a small business owner myself, I prefer to support our in-house shop. It's worth the xtra $$ to me, to have a "Pro" on hand to lend a hand when I need it, and one who knows me and has never let me down.

[GoodGravy]

We only have 2 pro shops here, so you don't have a lot of choices. There is no market competition so we are all pretty much at the mercy of the pro shops. Fortunately, we still have a 'small town' mentality here so I is not as bad as it could be. The biggest problem is shipping costs KILL YOU if you order on-line! The prices are so high, it is almost laughable. Ebay stores have a few more options, but you only get good deals from the local shops if you buy their balls. The bottom line here is that you are going to spend no less than $200 for any custom drilled ball, except for plastic, which will run you about $100 with inserts.

[Jaescrub]

Bowlingballs.com has free shipping if the drilling cost is good priced that might be the way you need to go. If I got my dv8 at my local lanes or my wife's lucid it would have been 220$ + tax + inserts and that lucid would have been 249+ tax + inserts! We found the pro shop in the town over that is the same distance as our house lanes was way cheaper. But still Bowlingballs.com has been the bast bet for most of our equipment needs. Not always cheaper, but 90% of the time they are.

[classygranny]

I like supporting my local businesses for the most part - providing they have good customer service, quality products, and comparable prices.

Yesterday I picked up my RG Defiant Soul and an Ebonite Maxim. The Soul was $161.95 and bowlingballs.com had it listed at $154.95 so internet would have saved me $7. The Maxim was $49.95 and bowlingballs.com has it listed at $59.95 so it would have cost another $10. Shopping local saved me $3.

The drilling on each was the same at $40; finger grips at $10/ball (comparable) and then the expensive part - IC thumbs. Got two sets of three for a total cost of $150.

All in all, I think this is comparable in the industry. I like that I learn something new at the local shop, can ask questions, test, and try. I plan on supporting the best local ProShop in the valley as much as I can. Some of the smaller items I might purchase online, but I don't think the ProShops care about that, they just carry it to be a "complete" shop.

[Jaescrub]

O they care about the small things very much so my pro shop guy said that's the bread and butter. But your pro shop sounds like it has very good prices lucky you ;) font forget to post up what you think of that roto grip

[billf]

I like supporting my local businesses for the most part - providing they have good customer service, quality products, and comparable prices.

Yesterday I picked up my RG Defiant Soul and an Ebonite Maxim. The Soul was $161.95 and bowlingballs.com had it listed at $154.95 so internet would have saved me $7. The Maxim was $49.95 and bowlingballs.com has it listed at $59.95 so it would have cost another $10. Shopping local saved me $3.

The drilling on each was the same at $40; finger grips at $10/ball (comparable) and then the expensive part - IC thumbs. Got two sets of three for a total cost of $150.

All in all, I think this is comparable in the industry. I like that I learn something new at the local shop, can ask questions, test, and try. I plan on supporting the best local ProShop in the valley as much as I can. Some of the smaller items I might purchase online, but I don't think the ProShops care about that, they just carry it to be a "complete" shop.

Believe it or not, as with most businesses, the biggest profit margins are with the smaller items. Let's use the Vise grip tape as an example. A roll cost the pro shop $12. It retails at $21.95. A DV8 Brutal Nightmare costs the pro shop $125 + shipping. Most retail this ball at $154.95 + grips, inserts and drilling. So as you can see, after they pay shipping, they don't make squat on the ball itself. That's why I don't understand the shops that get upset when somebody brings in a ball to get drilled.

I used the real prices here just to show a reality. Please people, don't inundate me with questions about the cost of items the pro shop pays. Wholesale is their business.

[josheaton16]

My pro shop is usually about the same as ordering online. Fingertip drilling (grips and thumb slug included) is only $45. Most new high performance balls are about $200-$210 with drilling included, so its pretty much the same as buying online.

[classygranny]

Believe it or not, as with most businesses, the biggest profit margins are with the smaller items. Let's use the Vise grip tape as an example. A roll cost the pro shop $12. It retails at $21.95. A DV8 Brutal Nightmare costs the pro shop $125 + shipping. Most retail this ball at $154.95 + grips, inserts and drilling. So as you can see, after they pay shipping, they don't make squat on the ball itself. That's why I don't understand the shops that get upset when somebody brings in a ball to get drilled.

I used the real prices here just to show a reality. Please people, don't inundate me with questions about the cost of items the pro shop pays. Wholesale is their business.

I guess I wasn't thinking of the markup being that great. But you still have the labor involved of ordering, receiving, stocking, and cashiering. Just seems like the ProShop I go to is so busy that stopping to take care of the little stuff would not be cost effective. Since he is the best in the valley, his business is just constant. In fact, I was there Friday - opens at noon, I arrived at about 1:15 and he got to me at about 2:30 and I was out of there around 4:30. He does concentrate on doing things in order, but will stop and check people out, or get a ball for someone that is just stopping in the pickup - both happened when he was working on mine. I don't mind waiting for the best, but it would drive some people nuts. At $40 a ball for drilling, and that's actually all profit, seems like you would want to do as much of that as you could to make more profit. My guy claims he does it because he likes the people, not the work - but I have a hard time believing that.

[billf]

Drilling isn't all profit. Electricity to run the equipment, the drill press, bits, labor...all that has a cost. Just the pro-sect to mark the layout cost $80+. Nevermind the class that with food, lodging and class time is well in excess of $1,000. How many all profit jobs at $40 will it take to pay off that $11,000 drill press? How many bits will need to be replaced at an average cost of $100 each?

My boss always compares the price of new equipment to see how many jobs we have to charge for and work for free before the cost is covered. Tons of people want their check engine lights checked for free. The scan tool was $1,400. Without even paying me, using the average cost of $62/hr, at one a day we have to use it 93 days before it's paid for. 174 days if I do them all. He included the electricity needed to keep the power pack charged. This doesn't include the hours of training and certification we do each month. And this is something at least half the people think we should do for free, "because it doesn't cost you anything".

I'm not trying to berate anybody just point out what so many don't see. I was told many times how lucky I was to start the coaching business, "as it doesn't cost you anything". Really? Then why did I lose $6,000 last year? Because computers, programs and all that goes into any of it, isn't free just not seen by those outside the box. The Ebonite Bowler's Map computer program is awesome. It should be for $2,000.

[CeKnauss]

I purchase from a variety of pro shops and online. Sometimes, you can find certain equipment online that you can't find elsewhere. Sometimes, pro shops have some older stock they want to get rid of and will offer discounts to rotate their stock.

Every shop has their policy. I've even seen some that refuse to drill balls purchased from outside their shop.

I tend to lean more toward the shops that seem to care most about my satisfaction in their service. Price is always an issue, as I am poor right out of college, but at the same time, there are deals to be had and good people who will help out. If price is an issue, buy used balls through the message boards, on ebay, or whatever. Plugging and redrilling won't give you that much of a different reaction.

There are always alternatives. Just be open minded and show them some respect. Some people may seem like jerks and some people are just trying to make a living.

[Jaescrub]

I'm with Bill there is a cost to everything. But like I said its ok to buy online and its ok to use the pro shop using both when the time and expense is right is the key I want both to stay in business.
I get all my tape,powder cleaning supplies and what not from the pro shop I know it cost me more but it's also easy and fast as most buys and not planed out but a now need. Balls and bags would depend on cost vs. savings some balls I got good prices online and drilled at my pro shop and it saved me more money then in house. But the same has been the opposite. My pro shop guy is great I just wish he owned the shop.

[billf]

The point is for us all the buy where we get the best price AND best service. If one shop is cheaper but won't watch you bowl, ask questions about what you want the ball to do, etc. then it really doesn't matter how cheap they are. The real, real cheap places are that way usually because they aren't that good. The really, really expensive places usually aren't as good as they think they are either. There are exceptions in both directions so be cautious, do the research and make an informed decision.

I go with people a few times a month to either one of the two shops I use to frequent. Both shops know me well and wouldn't dream of treating a bowler I'm with poorly. Lately all I've had to do it send them with a business card with the ball and layout the bowler needs. If the older shop isn't familiar with the layout he will call me so I can lay it out when the ball comes in or run up and do it real quick if it's in stock. At first he was leary to do this but realized the customers would appreciate the honesty and getting it right instead of feeling that they wasted their hard earned money.

[Jaescrub]

My pro shop guy is like that he watched my wife Bowl to see what drilling to use on her Lucid after giving her an hr + free coaching "he would not take my money" he gave her some drills to work on at home and at practice and told her to come back in two weeks to see where she was with the work and when she gets to a point he feels with the ball she has now then he will address what she wants the ball to do and the drilling needed. And we did not buy any of her balls from him. But he is now the only person she trusts and she tells every one about him.

[classygranny]

Sorry, I should have watched my terminology closer. I meant to indicate the $40 drilling charge was all "gross profit" as opposed to having to pay any "cost of goods". All profit on the labor and markup would then go towards "business/equipment" costs with the remainder being the businesses "net profit" and hopefully not a "net loss". All businesses operate like this, I was just thinking that the labor was easier profit as it doesn't have the ordering, stocking etc involved. I understand what you are indicating.

I think the bottom line (no pun intended) is that we all want the best service/product for the minimal amount of expenditure. Whether we get that online or local, depends on what the individual really "feels" is the best service/product at the least amount of money - one is not right, one is not wrong. This is just good ol' competitive business! Let's be glad we have it!

[billf]

Sorry, I should have watched my terminology closer. I meant to indicate the $40 drilling charge was all "gross profit" as opposed to having to pay any "cost of goods". All profit on the labor and markup would then go towards "business/equipment" costs with the remainder being the businesses "net profit" and hopefully not a "net loss". All businesses operate like this, I was just thinking that the labor was easier profit as it doesn't have the ordering, stocking etc involved. I understand what you are indicating.

I think the bottom line (no pun intended) is that we all want the best service/product for the minimal amount of expenditure. Whether we get that online or local, depends on what the individual really "feels" is the best service/product at the least amount of money - one is not right, one is not wrong. This is just good ol' competitive business! Let's be glad we have it!

I agree. Maybe my accounting and business management backgrounds had me reading too literal and for that I apologize.
Yes, I'm one of the few auto technicians with a bachelor's in business management and accounting. It's too bad a suit and tie didn't appeal to me when I was younger.


My pro shop guy is like that he watched my wife Bowl to see what drilling to use on her Lucid after giving her an hr + free coaching "he would not take my money" he gave her some drills to work on at home and at practice and told her to come back in two weeks to see where she was with the work and when she gets to a point he feels with the ball she has now then he will address what she wants the ball to do and the drilling needed. And we did not buy any of her balls from him. But he is now the only person she trusts and she tells every one about him.

A shop worth keeping. He sees the bigger picture: happy customers KEEP bowlling, get others bowling and that entire pool creates the possibility for a larger client base.

[GeoLes]

I follow a cycling forum and I hear the same agrument all the time. The big online shops are so much cheaper. why is the local shop so much cheaper? Big warehousers can buy in bulk at discount rates. No display costs and chaeaper costs all around. Buy a cheaper ball they take on of the 30 or so they have in the store room, slap a label on it, ship it to you. You can't run a pro shop like that. You can't stock enough of everything everybody wants. If you don't sell it, you are stuck with it and you have very tiight overhead costs.

On the other side of the coin, try walking into a big retailer to have the thumb hole tweaked (If you can find out where to go.).

support your local pro shop whenever you can.

[billf]

I've ordered stuff and it was shipped straight from the manufacturer. With that, the on-line retailer doesn't even have to stock it. It took the same time to get to me as if the pro shop had ordered it.

Another thing to remember bowlers. In most states, the shop has to pay taxes on inventory at the end of the year (fiscal or calendar depending on state). So be understanding if around that time your equipment has to be ordered. Unless you want that cost passed on to you.