Are you "loyal" to your bowling ball brand?

[billf]

We personally know all the ball reps with Storm and Roto and we would say that you must have misunderstood or are communicating this incorrectly. There are only a few reps or District Manager's for Storm across the country and for one of the to say, "we don't worry about it", could cost them their job. Plus they are all highly trained and understand the bowling business. For you to stand by this post is to make a very serious accusation. Rather than trying to get it warrantied through a Facebook rep (whatever that is) try the 800 number. Also Storm warranties the balls through distributors and pro shops, you didn't mention why the place you purchased it didn't handle it immediately.

We guarantee you that this is not an accurate post that reflects Storms position, both towards their products and more importantly their customers.

Note: We know that on occasion Storm will warranty a ball directly for a customer that doesn't understand how to go about getting it warrantied, maybe because of lack of understanding or being mislead by a pro shop who doesn't want to warranty it.

NOTE: TO READERS OF THIS POST.

If you have a Storm or Roto Grip product that needs warrantied:

Simply return to the place of purchase,
Contact them if it is an online store,
Contact Storm directly and toll free at 800-369-4402
Their contact information is available at Stormbowling.com
Storm and Roto Grip stand behind their product 100%

You're combining separate instances into one. But that's ok. Whether the guy that was supposedly a ball rep from Storm that met me at the pro shop really was, I don't know. I didn't ask for his ID. As for still, eleven months later not receiving an answer to my e-mails, maybe I sent it to the wrong Storm e-mail address too, And the deal with the matchmaker event that Storm's FB page, whoever answer the posts on their behalf, never answering the e-mail to the address given there, that was probably my fault also.
As for the ball warranty, I know of several years ago that were replaced with no problems. This was before the Virtual Energy came out. I've also stated many times on here, their product is as good as anybody else's. Actually seeming like they care about their customers, in my opinion, not so much. Answering an e-mail isn't that hard.
Who handles your Facebook page? Who answers the posts there? That would be a rep, as in representative. Whover fulfills that duty would therefore be your rep on Facebook. Just as you are the rep on here. I really thought I stated it as plainly as possible before but once again, I must have been wrong seeing as you didn't know what a Facebook rep was.

[ArtVandelay]

Who handles your Facebook page? Who answers the posts there? That would be a rep, as in representative. Whover fulfills that duty would therefore be your rep on Facebook. Just as you are the rep on here. I really thought I stated it as plainly as possible before but once again, I must have been wrong seeing as you didn't know what a Facebook rep was.

True story! I'm always extra careful if I'm wearing a shirt that represents the Credit Union I work for out in public because I know the logo represents the CU and with me wearing that logo I am a representative of that CU weather I am on the clock or not. A brand can't control those who USE that brand, but anyone on the payroll (or volunteers who perform a function for the brand) has to understand they are always giving an impression. I think there are a lot of people who don't realize that.

[MICHAEL]

I use to only use Storm/Roto-Grip. Turns out they don't stand behind anything and I had the worst customer service experience EVER! I switched to DV8 in January and haven't been disappointed at all. Yes, Storm's stuff is made in the USA and I'm all for buying made in America whenever possible but not at the expense of being treated like a human being. DV8 has been wonderful so far. I e-mail them and the next day get an answer either by phone or e-mail. When I had a problem with my two Revenge's they called me the next day and had two new balls shipped THAT DAY!
Now with my commitment to www.bowlerX.com I will be doing ball reviews. I'm actually looking forward to trying some of the other brands, especially Motiv.

So will you be getting balls free from bowlerX.com to try out? And then do you get to keep them? I think I could do it better then you Bill!!
Can you make the connections for me?? They have a great web site just checked it out!

[MICHAEL]

Bill ,,, as you know,,, I have had a bad experience with storm also! Their Rep told my driller,,, normal wear. TWO FRIGEN months!! I buy lots of balls, but I will never get another STORM! They could care less about their customers!! Sad, it being an American Company!

[billf]

It's a shame to because they do make a good product, have the best group of pros signed and two of the best coaches (Del Ballard and Hank Boomershine). I use to push Storm even harder than I do DV8 now.

[UBowling]

I have to be honest here. I live in Storm country. I am about an hour away from their factory, I am actually visiting them on Friday. Because everyone here in my area drinks the Storm Kool-Aid I try to stand back and look at everything objectively. It is true here that everyone will buy Storm and Roto Grip no matter what they do. You bowl on a league and the ball return is full of balls with S on them. But, from everything I have seen from the people in charge, they definitely do care about the bowler.

Especially those in the marketing department. I talk to Hank Boomershine a lot and if he were to find out that a specific rep were treating customers like garbage, heads would roll I am sure. The positions at Storm are highly sought after and they have plenty of people here that want to work for them so they have no shortage of people they could bring on if someone wasn't making the cut and needed to be let go.

If you guys ever have any incidents like these, make sure to keep emails and messages and get the names of the reps you are talking to. Their superiors need to be informed if something isn't happening the right way. I guarantee Storm HQ would take the steps necessary to fix the problem.

[MisterSinister]

I would be loyal to a ball brand, but I don't usualy pay for my bowling balls. I have two friends who give me thier old stuff when they are done, and it's all different stuff. I usualy use one for a while, then donate it myself. Sort of paying it foward. I have used 10 balls in 3 years, but right now I only have 3 in the house. The downside is by the time I get the balls from my buddies, they are usually beat to hell. When I start buying my own, I will be loyal, maybe.

[GoodGorilla]

I grew up throwing Storm only.

I currently have Motiv, Hammer, Ebonite, DV8 and Storm in my arsenal that I use.

I say use what you like. If you only like one company then only use that one. I don't think it is a good excuse to only throw one company so you ensure the ball doesn't react the same way. That doesn't work. Each company seems to have its own signature reaction. Storm is very angular, most of the equipment they design goes longer and then flips. Brunswick on the other hand seems to roll earlier and is a lot smoother reaction. I like to have both in my arsenal for different conditions.

Do you know any other manufacture trends? I was thinking the other day I'd like to throw a ball that has less angle (I use storm balls). I had a Brunswick ball and felt the same way you described it, but I didn't like it.

[Basisud]

Nope. Storm, Hammer, Lane #1, DV8, and I guess Ebonite if you count my plastic ball but that thing doesn't hook.