Pro Shop Markup

[e-tank]

My driller marks his balls with the price online + cost of drilling so for example a lucid is 150 online and he charges 60 for fingertip drilling so he'll sell a lucid for 210 in store. So pretty much if he has balls in store that i want ill just go there instead of buying online. The only thing he really over prices on is SST 8's

[DanielMareina]

The cost people choose to sell things at in completely up to them. I sell my products for what I think they are worth. As an example, the Storm Vivid has a MSRP of around $270. I sell it to league bowlers for $200. There are two things to remember about the pricing; If the pro shop is run by someone renting the space, they have to charge more to make their rent payments and still have profit, and most pro shops give discounts to league bowlers. If the pro shop labels the MSRP on the ball, and then gives 15% off to league bowlers (like I do), it then leaves you with a profit of a good margain. Part of this profit can be looked at like interest. The pro shop had to keep that ball in inventory until someone bought it. Money up front means that a little more profit is necessary. Plus, he/she is there to answer questions and point you in the right direction on what ball will work the best. Also worth some money to pay them for their expertise
I understand paying more money for something isn't what anyone wants to do, but know that you are supporting a local business. It is like buying organic vegetables, you pay more, but you are supporting a local farmer. Don't forget, you can always tell your pro shop person, "I found it online for $150 and you drill online stuff for $75, how about you sell me that same ball for $225 and we will cut out the internet." Most pro shop people will take that offer.

[mxjosh]

I use 2 different pro shops. Shop 1 prices the balls $5-10 more than ordering online. So I buy there most of the time. Shop 2 charges $25-35 over internet prices and have the new stuff sooner but usually discounts me $10-20 because I am a regular there. However shop 2 charges $190 for SST8's which is waaay over internet. So I purchased sst8's for $20 over internet at Shop 1 and paid $150 total. neither shop charges tax for equipment or labor.

Shop 2 gives large discounts to League bowlers. An example: I paid $145 total for a Brunswick Aura a month ago thru my league. that same ball is sold for $230 in the pro shop.

I really dont like paying more than $210 for a ball. and will buy from wherever to keep that cap.

[DanielMareina]

Just FYI, The MSRP on SST8s is $229.95. Shoes and bags is where the internet really kills a brick and mortar pro shop. I can justify buying from me with bowling balls, because I can watch you bowl, see your equipment, and give you advice. With shoes and bags, it is not necessary to ask for advice most of the time. I do match any online price because it still makes a whopping profit of about $5, and that is better than nothing. Most people buy a bag and shoes maybe once every 2-3 years, so $5 profit will not sustain a shop for very long. If money is tight for people, I understand, but if you have a little extra, try and buy from your local businesses. Buying products made in the United States like Storm, Roto Grip, Ebonite, Columbia, Hammer, Track, Motiv, and I am sure there are a couple more instead of Brunswick that moved their factory to Mexico helps our economy. Buying from a local pro shop instead of a giant online retailer helps keep people like me in the business. Don't let the Walmarts of the world take over everything.