Pro Shop Pricing

[tccstudent]

I went to Springfield Mo last weekend for a tourney.
I noticed the prices they have are much lower then what we have here in Tulsa. The most expensive ball was priced at 189 where in Tulsa the same ball would be 229-249
For example a IQ Tour Fusion in Tulsa is listed at 209-229 depending on which shop you go to Springfield the same ball was listed at 169.
Both prices include drilling but you have to pay extra for the slug and inserts.
Just wondering what prices are everywhere else.

[rv driver]

I went to Springfield Mo last weekend for a tourney.
I noticed the prices they have are much lower then what we have here in Tulsa. The most expensive ball was priced at 189 where in Tulsa the same ball would be 229-249
For example a IQ Tour Fusion in Tulsa is listed at 209-229 depending on which shop you go to Springfield the same ball was listed at 169.
Both prices include drilling but you have to pay extra for the slug and inserts.
Just wondering what prices are everywhere else.
Let me guess: Greater Ozarks Open at Enterprise Park Lanes? That's my center! I've known the owner since 1981 when he drilled my first ball. If you ask nicely, the pro will throw in inserts with the drilling/purchase price.

I find Dave's prices are quite competitive.

[tccstudent]

Let me guess: Greater Ozarks Open at Enterprise Park Lanes? That's my center! I've known the owner since 1981 when he drilled my first ball. If you ask nicely, the pro will throw in inserts with the drilling/purchase price.

I find Dave's prices are quite competitive.

Prices are the same at Sunshine Lanes too I dont know if both proshops are independent of each other or not since that is your home you probably would

[Aslan]

I've seen prices differ a great deal on balls from one shop to the next around here. Doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to it.

[MICHAEL]

Like MOST places they vary around here a lot also. The Shop I get mine from is always under 200 buck on any high end ball, and that includes finger inserts, and Vise thumb system. (that does not include a New Thumb, but the system that it screws into). I already have 5 different sizes in regards to thumb inserts.

I got my recent Deadly Aim out the door for 192, with all of the above. But its a hot one at this time around here. The DV8 Fued, I got with all the above for 162.00.

[circlecity]

All the online shops have almost exact pricing for most of the new and popular stuff. Leads me to believe the ball companies dictate lowest price they can sell them at.

[bowl1820]

All the online shops have almost exact pricing for most of the new and popular stuff. Leads me to believe the ball companies dictate lowest price they can sell them at.

The companies do set a minimum price.

It started a few years back, the online sellers were really undercutting the shop prices. So the shops started complaining and the ball companies started a minimum retail pricing system.

Example Ebonite had forbid distributors from selling to certain online companies and said those companies had to buy direct from Ebonite. Plus they told the online companies if they sold their products too cheap they wouldn't provide them any more product.

Now that was a couple of years back, so policy might have changed some since then.

[Mike White]

The companies do set a minimum price.

It started a few years back, the online sellers were really undercutting the shop prices. So the shops started complaining and the ball companies started a minimum retail pricing system.

Example Ebonite had forbid distributors from selling to certain online companies and said those companies had to buy direct from Ebonite. Plus they told the online companies if they sold their products too cheap they wouldn't provide them any more product.

Now that was a couple of years back, so policy might have changed some since then.

Minimum pricing is still a well discussed topic during Pro Shop Demo days.

[Aslan]

Ebonite (Track, Hammer, Columbia) also helped (using that word loosely) pro shops to battle online retailers by giving brick and mortar shops discounts if they bought/sold a certain number of balls. The shop could pay something like $800 and get 8 balls and a membership in the "club" and then if they sold like $15,000 worth of ebonite product, they got deals and extras. They also got other benefits regarding new ball releases, etc..

Not sure if it'll work or not. Most brick and mortar shops that have tried to defeat the internet have lost in most every market…I imagine bowling will be no different. The biggest advantage brick and mortar shops have right now is the drilling (and shipping since shipping a heavy bowling ball runs about $25). My local guy can get me a $89 ball and drill it for just over $100 out the door…and he knows my game, shows me a few things, and even gives me some free stuff like powder or a towel.

If I buy a ball online…even getting it at a huge discount (I usually don't buy unless I'm saving at least $70 off the online consensus price)…I still gotta pay MWhite $45+ to drill it. I'm not willing to try and save $15-$30 to have some online company drill it…bowling ball drilling should be a more personal experience.

So yeah, while shops tend to mark up the balls to lets say $218…and you can get it online for say $134.99…the shop usually will drill it for free…maybe even give ya a lesson or a bag or a towel or something…so it ends up close. The ripoffs are the places that charge the $220 and then tack on another $55 for drilling and $15 for inserts…pretty soon you're out nearly $300 for a bowling ball…and thats just too much.

Sidenote: Speaking of Ebonite/Track…I've noticed that pro shops that are heavy into Ebonite and Track…tend to really, really push Ebonite and Track…and also tend to be the most pricey. Probably part of that "club"…and they want to really push volume of Ebonite/Track to hit their targets and get their discounts/extras.

[rv driver]

Prices are the same at Sunshine Lanes too I dont know if both proshops are independent of each other or not since that is your home you probably would
Sunshine and Enterprise (as well as Holiday) are owned by the same guy (Steve), and the pro shops are managed by the same pro (Dave).

[Sourtower]

The pro shop I go to sells bowling balls for about $20 - $30 less than every other pro shop in the area. The best part is that each price includes drilling, grips, thumb slug, a microfiber towel, and one free game with a free lesson optional. Most of the other shops around me have drilling included in their price, but not all the other stuff. Not sure how he's able to offer that much less than other shops, but he's very helpful and informative, and he's always offering to come in on days that he's off to help out customers. I've since referred at least 4-5 people to his shop. Not sure what the point of my story was, but it looks like he's offering the IQ Tour Fusion for $179 while every other place around me is at $209-$229.

[Aslan]

I've since referred at least 4-5 people to his shop. Not sure what the point of my story was,...

Thats the real payback that a shop gets when they offer a high level of service and affordable prices.

I mean, I've sent a few people to MWhite for drilling…

…and concerning the pro/pro shop at my current center...of the 4 people on my current bowling team (league)…3 of them bought new shoes at the pro shop, 2 of them bought new balls at the pro shop, and 1 took a lesson with the pro shop pro…all on my recommendation.

And both my pro shop guy and MWhite must be doing something right…because on a league night…you can barely get into the pro shop there are so many people wanting stuff and work done.