League Bowler Disgruntled!!!

[Aslan]

So I go to practice today…I always bowl 9-12 games on Monday because it's $2 games and the lights stay on. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays I can get unlimited games after 9:30PM…but they turn the lights out and I usually only get 8-9 games in before midnight when they close.

So I get there today, a little earlier than usual, and I quickly noticed ALL THE KIDS!!! I thought, "WOW! This "Kids Bowl Free" USBC promotion has really taken hold!! Bad news for a guy wanting to quietly work on his game…but good news for the sport (I hope).

So as I get to the counter, I noticed the sign says "$3 games". ???? So I ask the guy and he says, "Yeah, they switched it for summer hours….actually I think they are planning on keeping it at that price going forward,"

I asked, "Well, is there a league bowler rate?" He replied, "No, sorry, there is not."

I mean…first off…Letting kids bowl free while jacking up the prices on the adults seems like it's not what the USBC had in mind. And second, this is the ONLY center I've come across that doesn't give discounted practice time to bowlers.

I mean, I'm kinda stuck there because of California traffic. If I want an evening league during the week…but also one close to home of weekends and days off…there's really only two. I guess I need to call that center and inquire about sanctioned leagues next fall and what their practice game policy is for league bowlers. I hate to leave…and I have teammates and other teams that I was sort of getting friendly with…but if I want to raise my average to 193…I NEED to practice. And it's stupid to practice in a place other than where your league is.

Just really irritates me when centers ***t on their league bowlers that bring them 60-75% of their income. I KNOW there are other centers that offer $1.50 and $2 games during certain hours

rant over… :mad:

[got_a_300]

Yeah I hear you that just doesn't seem quite right to
do their league bowlers like that I mean league bowlers
are pretty much their bread and butter and what keeps
the doors open.

Our center just sold out to new owners and they are already
jacking up the prices on everything and doing away with all
of the hourly specials also.

We used to be able to rent the lane(s) for 2 hrs. on Tuesday
evenings and bowl all you could in the 2 hrs. for only $5 bucks
and in that length of time I could practice a lot of 10 pin spares
but now it is $1.00 per game which still isn't a bad price.

But even at that price I'll have to cut down on my practice time
to a few games per week now as it would probably cost me close
to $20 or more to practice like that now.

[fortheloveofbowling]

You guys should approach the manager of your centers and propose a 20 game card that costs 20.00. The manager at one of the centers in town here does that and has great success with it.

[Jaescrub]

Let's just hope all the kids get into the sport ;)

[Hampe]

Lol....cry me a river. The "reduced" league bowler price here is 4.50-5$ a game.

[austin]

Here in Australia, about $5.50 per game or 4 for $18, but only if a league bowler or TBA (National Association) member. General public starts at about $12 and goes up depending on location and ownership.

[tccstudent]

I practice for free cause I got it like that.

[Shaneshu87]

i hear ya there, what i did in a situation like that, since my home league offers no discount either, mostly due the fact that no one but me seems to practice lol. but what i did was i just talked to the owner and offered him $40 for a pass for unlimited practiced games for the entire season according to his specified hours, works perfect for me since due to leagues i basically get the weekend to myself to bowl. this rolls through the summer also. at another house i did something similar and i get 1 unlimited hour per day in accordance with league times and rules, but it beats dollar games since i usually bowl 10+ games and around 40+ games a week in practice.

[rv driver]

It's still cheaper than drinking...
All things considered, bowling's about the cheapest sport/entertainment/hobby that you'll find.

[mike_thomas93]

In my local alley, they have a special on Sundays from 9am-1pm for dollar games and shoes. Sundays seem slow days though. Rarely any condition at those times ;p

[Aslan]

, mostly due the fact that no one but me seems to practice lol.

I KNOW!! It ticks me off because I feel like maybe I'm some kind of addict or recluse or something. I bowl at least 9 games of practice every week, sometimes as many as 24. Usually 12-15. Yet I rarely see any other league bowlers practicing. Nobody on my team practices, I know that. One guy took a lesson...but thats about it.

I think I'll wait for summer season to get closer to the end and see what my team wants to do. I may look into a league at the AMF Center instead if they offer some type of free games or reduced practice time. Up until recently, it'd cost me $2/game to practice...either on Mondays or before league play. Now it's $3/game. Normally, I wouldn't care. But for someone like me that practices 12-15 games a week...thats an extra $12-$15/week, $50-$60/month. Well, thats 2/3 the difference between playing in one league next season or 2 leagues next season. So would the center rather have me join TWO of their leagues and give me a card that allows me to practice 12 games on Mondays for free? Or would they risk losing me to another center and doing ZERO leagues at their center?

Hampe and Austin make good points that it's still way cheaper than other countries...I get that. But they have to look at it in terms of one center versus another center. If there are 4 centers around Geneva...and you bowl at center A...and it charges $1-$2 more per game to practice....I'd think as long as the other 3 centers weren't too far away...you'd consider switching centers. In other countries they get away with jacking up the prices because centers are limited. Here, there are probably 45 centers within a 1-1.5 hour drive in decent traffic. The problem is just that...there isn't any "decent traffic". A league, on a weekday, rush hour traffic....I have 2 options near where I work...one on the way home, and one nearer to where I live. And if I choose the ones near where I work, thats a 45 minute to 1-hour drive on days I don't work.

I'd love to do a league at Arlington (where MWhite bowls). I bowl well on those lanes. But it would take me 3 hours to get to those lanes on a weekday evening. It's an hour on the weekends...but 3 hours in the evening. I'd love to bowl Fountain Bowl...I bowl well there as well. But thats a 1-hour drive from home or work...and in rush hour...could be 2.5-3.5 hours. And I don't like weekend leagues because then you pretty much can't make any weekend plans or you miss bowling that week.

[rv driver]

I guess you have to weigh whether the increased price is worth the proximity, amenities, and atmosphere. I don't think I'd trade off my home center just because they raised their rate a couple of $$... I like the people, the location, and the services too much.

[Aslan]

I guess you have to weigh whether the increased price is worth the proximity, amenities, and atmosphere. I don't think I'd trade off my home center just because they raised their rate a couple of $$... I like the people, the location, and the services too much.

True. That is a concern. I just worry that the only way these centers "get the point" tends to be through their pocket book. If people stay, they assume thats a vote of support.

[rv driver]

True. That is a concern. I just worry that the only way these centers "get the point" tends to be through their pocket book. If people stay, they assume thats a vote of support.
Write a note to the owner. To me, that'd be better than trying to sniff out a better center further away...

[Aslan]

Write a note to the owner. To me, that'd be better than trying to sniff out a better center further away...

I'm going to. I'd prefer to stay...for multiple reasons. So I'll give them a chance to maybe offering something.

[Amyers]

I'm going to. I'd prefer to stay...for multiple reasons. So I'll give them a chance to maybe offering something.

Some center in my area would walk across broken glass for me. Some places I've been going in to bowl on a weekly basis for months and they still don't even know my name. Try to negotiate if it works great if not go somewhere else. Of course I don't have your traffic issues to deal with

[Hobbit]

New to the forum, so hello!

My center has unlimited bowling for $20 over 3 hours after 7pm.. I get in plenty of games, it got me thinking why even bother bowling a league where u pay the same for only 3 games! Hoping this deal continues.

Aslan, I know how frustrating it is, when your center just takes and takes, and gives nothing back to their most loyal and regular customers..On a plus note, looks like u are getting a ton of games in..

[mike_thomas93]

Meant to say, as well, at one of the AMF houses I used to bowl at before it shut down, they used to have a all-you-can-bowl special for $10, too. And on Saturdays they used to have a 2-hr free bowling from 10am-noon. Took advantage of all that at the time some 2 years ago. Sucks it shut down around that time after ;/

[rv driver]

New to the forum, so hello!

My center has unlimited bowling for $20 over 3 hours after 7pm.. I get in plenty of games, it got me thinking why even bother bowling a league where u pay the same for only 3 games! Hoping this deal continues.

Aslan, I know how frustrating it is, when your center just takes and takes, and gives nothing back to their most loyal and regular customers..On a plus note, looks like u are getting a ton of games in..
Hello! Welcome to the forum. My center treated me like a king from the first time I walked through the doors. I got four free games, free shoe rentals, offers of free coaching from the pro, and some other perks.

[rv driver]

Meant to say, as well, at one of the AMF houses I used to bowl at before it shut down, they used to have a all-you-can-bowl special for $10, too. And on Saturdays they used to have a 2-hr free bowling from 10am-noon. Took advantage of all that at the time some 2 years ago. Sucks it shut down around that time after ;/
There are three centers in town that are independently owned by the same guy, and two others that are also independently owned. As long as I'm here, I don't have anything to worry about.

[mike_thomas93]

Not sure how that applies to me, but ok lol ;p

[MICHAEL]

New to the forum, so hello!

My center has unlimited bowling for $20 over 3 hours after 7pm.. I get in plenty of games, it got me thinking why even bother bowling a league where u pay the same for only 3 games! Hoping this deal continues.

Aslan, I know how frustrating it is, when your center just takes and takes, and gives nothing back to their most loyal and regular customers..On a plus note, looks like u are getting a ton of games in..


YES he is getting tons of games,,, but,,, But it isn't helping??? LOL Maybe he needs a coaching lesion from ICEMAN!! Maybe he needs THE GIFT!! Iceman could shave off a few chunks of Ice, and place it in one of his Buck Horn Beers, DNA exchange, and thus giving him THE GIFT! In his much younger body, the ICEMAN DNA,,, who knows!?

[rv driver]

Not sure how that applies to me, but ok lol ;p
Oh, I guess just to say that if the AMF houses are getting expensive, we don't have that problem here, because our independent lanes also offer all-you-can-bowl pricing.

[Aslan]

New to the forum, so hello!

My center has unlimited bowling for $20 over 3 hours after 7pm.. I get in plenty of games, it got me thinking why even bother bowling a league where u pay the same for only 3 games! Hoping this deal continues.

Aslan, I know how frustrating it is, when your center just takes and takes, and gives nothing back to their most loyal and regular customers..On a plus note, looks like u are getting a ton of games in..

There are centers with deals near me. $1 games on Thursdays at Titan Bowl. $1.25 games Sunday mornings at a lot of centers. Even my home center, they offer unlimited bowling for $13 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but it's after 9:30PM…and they close at midnight…so I usually only get in at most 9-10 games…AND I gotta stay there till midnight on a weeknight.

I'm actually not a big fan of "all you can bowl" deals believe it or not because I know one AMF center that at least used to have a great all you could bowl deal on Mondays and it was completely packed…and guess what…nobody left. They'd stop bowling, sit around and drink, and just take up the lanes.

We'll see. It just sucks right now because the few of us that exist that treat bowling as a sport and are trying to get to a higher level…seem to be the lowest priority for the centers…then we wonder why it is all no-tap leagues and cosmic bowling.

But Hobbit, leagues aren't about getting games in. Not that my team understands that nor do most league bowlers…league games are where you prove you talents on consistent conditions. It's "for real" bowling. Don't get me wrong…it's fun as hell. It's not the Masters or PBA or anything so there's lots of drinking and just generally enjoying one another. But it's "for real"…it "counts". You'll find all kinds of bowlers on the internet that claim to be awesome…but their true "record" is their published USBC book average. If they claim to be a 210 bowler who has 30 300-games…yet their USBC record shows them as a 162 average bowler…odds are they are telling fish stories.

[rv driver]

There are centers with deals near me. $1 games on Thursdays at Titan Bowl. $1.25 games Sunday mornings at a lot of centers. Even my home center, they offer unlimited bowling for $13 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but it's after 9:30PM…and they close at midnight…so I usually only get in at most 9-10 games…AND I gotta stay there till midnight on a weeknight.

I'm actually not a big fan of "all you can bowl" deals believe it or not because I know one AMF center that at least used to have a great all you could bowl deal on Mondays and it was completely packed…and guess what…nobody left. They'd stop bowling, sit around and drink, and just take up the lanes.

We'll see. It just sucks right now because the few of us that exist that treat bowling as a sport and are trying to get to a higher level…seem to be the lowest priority for the centers…then we wonder why it is all no-tap leagues and cosmic bowling.

But Hobbit, leagues aren't about getting games in. Not that my team understands that nor do most league bowlers…league games are where you prove you talents on consistent conditions. It's "for real" bowling. Don't get me wrong…it's fun as hell. It's not the Masters or PBA or anything so there's lots of drinking and just generally enjoying one another. But it's "for real"…it "counts". You'll find all kinds of bowlers on the internet that claim to be awesome…but their true "record" is their published USBC book average. If they claim to be a 210 bowler who has 30 300-games…yet their USBC record shows them as a 162 average bowler…odds are they are telling fish stories.
I was mistaken. Ours is a per-hour rental, which is a deal from the usual per-game rental.

[Hobbit]

Hey Aslan, your comment about proving yourself on consistant conditions in a league environment.. I do hear and agree with u..In truth, my center is well maintained in terms of regular oiling/cleaning, so the conditions, whilst not tough are on par with most centers around. Also being a left hander helps a fair bit, my shot is pretty safe whether prac or league play.. The "real bowling" experience u mentioned, couldn't agree more, truly!! I would prefer any day of the week to bowl a league, however, in terms of value for money, and where I am as a bowler at present, league regrettably comes second, at least for a little while.

For me, I have with life and family stuff going on, the option of 2 leagues during the week to choose from, both are later leagues, where one is full of anti-social "social league" bowlers (believe it or not!!), or the my other option, a league that charges an arm and a leg for 3 games.. Hmmmmmmm..For the same price I can get it 8-10 games, u do the math!!

I have limited time, and finances, so for me to bowl 18 games a week, is better than only bowling 6 (for 2 leagues at most)..

I am sort of at the bowling crossroads, and to improve I have to work at my game, bowling one league a week is not enough..My average has become stagnant and lower over last year or so. Was over 206 late 2012 and improving slowly, now around 195, not moving, yet hopefully with room to improve!!

[rv driver]

Our center features $1.50 per game all day for league bowlers. That's .90 off the usual price. Plus Saturday daytime is #13 per hour. Our center seems to cater to the serious bowlers, while still having plenty for the casual bowlers.

[mike_thomas93]

Oh ok. I see your point

[bowl1820]

New to the forum, so hello!

My center has unlimited bowling for $20 over 3 hours after 7pm.. I get in plenty of games, it got me thinking why even bother bowling a league where u pay the same for only 3 games! Hoping this deal continues.

Aslan, I know how frustrating it is, when your center just takes and takes, and gives nothing back to their most loyal and regular customers..On a plus note, looks like u are getting a ton of games in..

Welcome Hobbit!

League bowlers here can get a playpass and pay a monthly fee of $17 for unlimited open bowling M-F

[Hobbit]

Thanks bowl1820, appreciated.. re your centers deal, that is brilliant... Hope u make the most of that one! And also hope your center makes some good coin from that deal..I'm moving to Florida!! :)

Bowled 7 games for $20 tonight, pretty good value I might add, although feeling bit tired in one of my knees, I think that around the 7-8 game mark is my limit..

Think my center (AMF run and operated) seem to be in the transitional stage, where they are attempting to get more social bowlers in with the unlimited Mon-Thur deal, in the realisation that over time the league numbers are slowly declining..They keep the Fri and Sat open bowling, with the duff duff and glow in dark bowling experience, where they literally charge a third world debt for the privilege of bowling a couple of games...

[rv driver]

Welcome Hobbit!

League bowlers here can get a playpass and pay a monthly fee of $17 for unlimited open bowling M-F
That's a heck of a deal!

[Konvict1982]

That sounds like a raw deal man. The alley here where I bowl has a summer pass for league bowlers. $15 from May 23-September 1 and I get 3 games a day 7 days a week plus $1.25/game as a league bowler after my 3. Then after the summer pass is over it will be $1.25/game for practice.

[mc_runner]

Practice rate for summer league bowlers here is $1/game which I really really wish I could take more advantage of. I know a few people who are using it to practice who wouldn't otherwise be there, so it does help the alley bring in (some) business too. League rates for practice during regular season is something like $2.25... again, leads me to practice at that alley rather than one of the other ones around.

Personally I think alleys should do more for their dedicated league bowlers (similar to what mine does. I'm happy with their offerings!). They may take less profit up front but will make up for it in amount of business + snack bar/bar purchases as well as goodwill and dedicated customers.

[rv driver]

I think centers should offer discounts for "frequent flyers," whether they're league bowlers or not.

[Aslan]

Well, I'm at wits end at this point.

I mean, when they increased the price from $2/game to $3/game on Mondays....I just decided to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday nights when they do the "all you can bowl cosmic bowl for $13" on those days. Figured it'd cost me an extra $2 a week but I'd get to practice 2 nights instead of 1.

Well, two straight nights of getting sandwiched between teenagers and having them run up the approach while I'm trying to practice. Yelling, loud music, general jackassery....it's just NOT the environment that is condusive to trying to practice and work on technique.

So, I'm going to see if there's interest in my current team in bowling again in the Fall...and see if they're open to switching centers. Either way, I'll meet with the league lady from the center and tell her regardless of what my team decides, I will not be bowling in leagues at this center if they cannot offer a $2 (or less per game) time to practice with the lights ON during the week, after 5PM.

I'll check with the other 3 centers between the office and home and see what their league benefits/practice times are and if this center can't match the other centers...I'm out...even if the rest of my team stays. I can't take much more of romper rooms on either side of me while I'm trying to work on targeting and spare conversion.

[mc_runner]

Can you ask for a lane away from other people when you practice or is the whole alley full?

[rv driver]

Can you ask for a lane away from other people when you practice or is the whole alley full?
We could always request which lane we wanted, but I guess if the house is full, that doesn't do much good. Only alternative is to bowl during the day on a lunch break or something.

[Aslan]

Can you ask for a lane away from other people when you practice or is the whole alley full?

It's full. Sometimes there's a 20-minute wait to get a lane in the first place.


Only alternative is to bowl during the day on a lunch break or something.

I work 45 minutes from the house I bowl leagues at.

The advantage of bowling at that house is it's 5-10 minutes from my house so I can practice or go there on weekends....whatever. If I choose a center closer to where I work, then I could practice and lunch or whatever, but if I'm home, I'm not driving an hour to go throw a few games at the center closer to the office.

[rv driver]

It's full. Sometimes there's a 20-minute wait to get a lane in the first place.



I work 45 minutes from the house I bowl leagues at.

The advantage of bowling at that house is it's 5-10 minutes from my house so I can practice or go there on weekends....whatever. If I choose a center closer to where I work, then I could practice and lunch or whatever, but if I'm home, I'm not driving an hour to go throw a few games at the center closer to the office.
Solution: Move closer to the office...

[Mike White]

Solution: Move closer to the office...

Or work closer to home.

[rv driver]

Or work closer to home.
Nah. Then you never get away from the office. Better to move closer to work. :<P