What to look for in a house?

[Edy13]

I have about 4 places close by that I can go to. As a new bowler, I am curious what elements you think make a place 'good' or 'bad'. I realize it's subjective, but I'm interested in hearing what criteria you use in choosing a place to spend your time and money at and what I should look for or ask when I start visiting them..


Thanks

[mc_runner]

Comfortable environment, lane upkeep, knowledgeable/friendly staff. Most of the other stuff isn't really essential to me at least. Are you interested in league bowling or more open bowling? 2 pretty different animals and the alleys could be really different feeling when talking league vs open.

[Aslan]

Good:
Cleavage. Perks for league bowlers. Pro shop.

Bad:
Bowlmor, AMF, "gourmet cuisine"

[rv driver]

Good:
Cleavage. Perks for league bowlers. Pro shop.

Bad:
Bowlmor, AMF, "gourmet cuisine"
Just out of curiosity, what's "bad" about AMF??? (I used to use AMF equipment back in the day and it seemed pretty good...)

[vdubtx]

Just out of curiosity, what's "bad" about AMF??? (I used to use AMF equipment back in the day and it seemed pretty good...)

AMF the bowling centers have seriously fallen out of favor with regular(league) bowlers since being acquired by Bowl-Less.

[rv driver]

AMF the bowling centers have seriously fallen out of favor with regular(league) bowlers since being acquired by Bowl-Less.
Hehe! "Bowl-Less" sounds kind of counter-productive to the whole bowling promotion thing...

[CaptainXeroid]

I look at the house balls. If they're beaten up pretty badly, it could be a sign the equipment isn't maintained too well. That bodes badly for how my bowling balls will be treated. If the house I'm currently bowling league is any indication, it also foretells pinsetters that may be out of adjustment. I can't recall more pins set off spot to the point that it negatively affects scoring.

The other thing I look for is for it NOT to have a high industrial style ceiling like some of the newer 'entertainment' centers have. These places have much less sound deadening than the traditional drop ceiling of a 'bowling alley' and thus a LOT more noise. I like to talk to folks while I bowl, and with so much echoing, it just makes the experience less fun.

[Edy13]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]I look at the house balls. If they're beaten up pretty badly, it could be a sign the equipment isn't maintained too well. That bodes badly for how my bowling balls will be treated.

Today at the end of my practice my ball was stuck in the return. They had to remove the cover and "help" the ball out. Is that typical or should that be a possible red flag? I did think that my ball was a bit more scuffed than it should be, but it's a brand new ball and maybe it's just me...

[CaptainXeroid]

I'd take notice if it happens more than usual. Say next time it gets stuck, and another ball comes up the return and nails yours. When the balls are rolling around the carousel, it's much more elastic collision and less likely to cause chipping than a crash in the ball return. Did the house balls look like they'd been rolled across the parking lot?

[Aslan]

Today at the end of my practice my ball was stuck in the return. They had to remove the cover and "help" the ball out. Is that typical or should that be a possible red flag? I did think that my ball was a bit more scuffed than it should be, but it's a brand new ball and maybe it's just me...

It's also indicative of leaving your ball in the car on a >68 degree afternoon.

[Wigman]

What i look in for a house; clean and well maintained, equipment is not abused, friendly employees at the front desk, decent service and the environment in terms of people and air conditioning. My house is kept cooler than it should be, but i guess its to keep the lanes more consistent. I think the place has good humidity control because 1 day came to the house while it was like 200% humidity outside, got all sweaty from the trip to the entrance from the car and when i got in, it was pretty cool and dry that i stopped sweating almost right away. Usually i prefer one with a shop, but the house didn't have one since there's St. Clair Bowling's Bowler's Shoppe (quite large, excellent staff and a lot of inventory to look at.

in short:
Good Employers and Service
Decent equipment and maintenance
people that are cool and there to have a good time for (recreational/league) bowling
A/C
shops, not necessary for a house to have one but would be a bonus though

[noeymc]

i look for family owned where the owner is there i like the old school lanes more

[Jeral999ok]

AMF the bowling centers have seriously fallen out of favor with regular(league) bowlers since being acquired by Bowl-Less.

I have noticed this with our AMF house.

While I like the AMF house lanes and approaches, the new owners (in New York City) have ruined the whole experience with there cutting cost, took away half of the league bowlers benefits, and now there is a MAJOR staffing shortage. How can a "SERVICE" oriented company provide this with out any people to do the servicing. As a league bowler you get 2 free games per league (4 games max) per week for practice, and $2 per open game (except Fridays and Saturdays after 5pm, and holidays), and 10% off of food, while those are nice others houses offer Free popcorn for turkeys, free round of soda if your team all strike during league play.

They also have targeted "GLOW" and open bowling thinking there is more money in this, but there is not, they are running off there league players, several I know will not come back, raised food prices, the counter ignores calls from the lanes during league play opting instead to talk to open player. I had to call the counter from my cell phone to get someone to answer and we have to run up there to get any help. The manager is a NONE bowler person, so there is no interest in keeping leaguer happy (in my option).

I know its still a business, but they are doing everything to run off their best customers, the leaguers. They hire incompetent help, when they get someone who wants to work there, they limit their hours.

Just bad business practices as far as I can see.

Jeral

[Aslan]

Preaching to the choir about AMF.

- One time I went in to an AMF center near where I work…there were 2 guys working there and one was gone in the back and the guy at the counter didn't know how to work the computer to sell me time. So I waited 20 minutes for the guy that knew how to work the computer to come back up front.

- Recently I wanted league information so I could have a team join a summer league…sent two emails to the AMF website (which is supposed to take the emails and send them to the center in your area…never heard back from any of the 3 AMF centers. Heard back within 2 days from both the private centers!!

Way to go Bowlmor! You've taken the centers with the greatest history and made jokes out of them!! Mabe you should buy the PBA Tour and make them wear clown outfits!

[Blacksox1]

I like plenty of parking. 4 entrances are nice to have too. And adequate air conditioning is a must. If only the bar would add a few more beer selections like Newcastle and Molson.

[Sourtower]

I usually look at a number of things when deciding where I'm going to bowl. First off, the Brunswick XL, though is probably the best place near me, has a ridiculous price tag to it. $20 per lane per hour on weekdays and $26 per lane per hour on weekends. There is no per game charge. So the only times I bowl there are when they have specials in the evenings after 8 pm or 9 pm. The other two places have better pricing, but the lanes aren't as maintained as the Brunswick. I usually also look at the condition of the house bowling balls as stated in another post. That can give you a good idea about the ball returns. Lastly, I talk with the staff. The best lanes are the ones where the staff are really into helping the customers, either by giving you an extra 10 minutes because you have 2 frames left on a timed bowling session, or ones that go out of there way to learn your name so that the next time you come in they remember you and greet you.