A response to Beech's question

[Paralipsis]

Beech asked a question about pro shops in the chat box, so instead of me spamming it with posts, I thought I'd throw my weight around in here. :D

First off, I don't own one, nor do I work in one. I poke my head in every now and then, so...yeah. I'm just throwing my two cents out there.

Okay...time to get typing...

From what I've seen in my local pro shop, it's by no means a cheap operation to get started. Main things you've got to invest in:

-A Ball Spinner
-Sizing Ball
-Loads of slugs and grips
-A drill press
-Nice sized shop vac(s)
-Display equipment (balls, bags, shoes, tape, etc.)
-Layout measuring equipment

You might also have to pay rent if you open one up at a center.

Again, that's my two cents. Anyone feel like adding on top of this?

[bowl1820]

Given if your just starting out, a lot of guys start with a pro shop in their garage using a Pro Shop in a box set up. Doing their stuff at first then others.

The "Pro-Shop in a box" setup, like from Jayhawk. They have all the basic stuff needed for a fitting, drilling, filling and spinning. The Value Pro Shop Package was the cheapest, I met a guy that had got one. I believe he said at the time the cost was approx $4000 for the setup. (I would think the other company's have some package deals also)

See them here:
PRO SHOP in a box (http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_Shop_Packages/packages.html)


You'd also want to do invest in something like one or two of Ebonites pro shop clinic's. they are $1050-1250

See here:
Pro shop clinic (http://powerhousebowling.com/proshop/ps_fiveday.php)

Also you'll need a Business license, Sales tax number.

heres a guy at the house I bowl at that started a pro shop (Jayhawk stuff) and set it up in a part of his other business.
Bowlaholics Pro Shop see pictures here (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bowlaholics-Pro-Shop/122950323617)


I'm sure the pro shop guys will chime in now with the main info.

[richc]

There are upsides and downsides to most any venture. The slight upside to operating a garage pro shop is no rent and no written ease if you already own the garage.

The downside is, of course, that manufacturers do not prefer doing business with non-bowling center or non-free standing commercial pro shops.

Also, the manufacturer representatives, sales staff, or pro staff players will not be able to administer things promotions as demo days, seminars, coaching clinics, and other such marketing promotions designed to help the pro shop and center management succeed. Marketing and promotions are an integral part of a pro shop operation.

Is it penny wise and pound foolish to not search for a bowling center with sufficient traffic as a core business base to support the endeavor? Or even perhaps a good location in a commercial strip mall, as example, where several bowling centers are within reasonable driving distance to attract walk-in traffic?

Further, many shoppers will never search for a pro shop at someone's home for several reasons - one being that a new ball cannot be tested right after drilling because there are no lanes in a garage and another is that most garages shops do not inventory the volumes of products as do many good bowling center operations. The third being little or no marketing or advertising.

One very quiet challenge a garage pro shop faces is the fact that manufacturers will typically pressure distributors (who sell to the retail stores) behind the scenes to not support garage operations but rather support the commercial retail stores.

Profit margins are slim in the pro shop business - not the higher margins as in the past due to the high cost of goods these days and leveled off retail demand. It is important to streamline inventory to meet the local demands of traffic. Since garage pro shops have no random customer traffic other than by appointment only, the odds of selling enough product to make a reasonable profit are reduced.

The best way to approach getting into the pro shop business is to attend a seminar on pro shop operations, invest in top grade tools and in sufficient start up inventory, and market and advertise the pro shop and back it up with a website to promote the store.

Garage pro shops are hobby shops - some do much better than others but none will ever do high volume sales due to no walk-in traffic nor any direct bowling center exposure to the public.

These comments are merely my own and are intended to bring to light points of view many folks will likely not agree with but are 100% intended to be truthful and honest with the best intentions in mind.

One word about online pro shops - most do not inventory products in a warehouse. bowlingball.com, as one example, has an enormous warehouse with literally more than a million dollars in inventory ready to ship. Also, bowlingball.com owns and operates several physical pro shops in the southeastern U.S.

In economically challenging times, starting a small business must be well planned. Do not consider getting into the retail game unless you complete a full business plan complete with growth projections, have sufficient resources to endure the initial phases of operation and including inventory acquisition, and become an expert ball driller with certifications to advertise and market to prospective clients. Pro shops are a businesses and should be seriously approached as such. Make a firm commitment before getting into the game!

Best of luck and Happy New Year.

[bowl1820]

Yes operating a garage pro shop is not the same as starting up and running a full scale pro-shop at the lanes.

But it is a way to get started and get experience and a lot of pro shops started out that way.