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Thread: I did it!

  1. #21

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    I'm genuinely curious about which center in TN is the bad one. I've found quite a few in TN that are god awful, and some that are amazing.


    Quote Originally Posted by Phonetek View Post
    Thanks bud, I appreciate it. =)




    Man...(expletive) that dude! He's not worth my time talking about but I will indulge you. Bold face liar and the only way to help him make money on that center is for me to hand him a gallon of gas and a match. Provided anyone would provide insurance on a center that belongs on the show Hoarders. Just walking from Lane #1 to the bathroom you walk through 4 decades of decor and never make it past the 1990's. I've seen video's of kids breaking into abandoned bowling alleys on YouTube that were a vast improvement over that place. No WAY that place is staying around for long. If it did catch fire it would smolder for 6 months with the amount of junk he has in there.

    He's got parts for every type of pinsetter that he doesn't own and tools to work on them from Dollar General. No wonder he's the one that fixes them or rather rigs them. There isn't any self respecting mechanic that would take on working on those machines. Besides, he'd probably only offer them minimum wage. I seen one with a notch cut out of the center of a sweep cut with a sawzall and asked him what the notch was for? He said that the sweep kept hitting the headpin knocking it out of the fingers so he cut the notch so it wouldn't do that. I said, "Did you set the timing on the cams, it sounds like it out of sync?" and he said "How do you do that?" Seriously? That's level 1 mechanic stuff probably taught on day one of school.

    It took everything I had to bite my tongue and keep things professional. I really shouldn't have because he really needs a wake up call. I didn't go down there to do that though, I'm not the Chef Ramsay of bowling centers. Back by the machines, everything was just creaky and squeaky with nothing but crud and bits of metal, screws, washers and other parts that have broken off surrounding them on the floor. It was disgusting. Mike Rowe would have balked about doing a show there.

    Not only did he go back on our agreement that he made with me on the phone. He says because he just found out his wife wants a divorce. "Gee...what a shock" He was still trying to get my ideas that I had on how to bring in business. He only said he could bring me in part time and at less than I make now. He said he'd bring me in if I had another part time job set up. LMAO Yeah sure, I'd bring my family down to make less money, work and work two jobs and offer up my ideas for him to make money. I don't think a fresh smiling face and drink specials are going to help. The only event I'd be able to plan to get the town interested in that place would be to charge people to gather around watching the place get imploded.

    I was soooo pissed when I left that place. Not only because of his bait and switch tactic on me. I was mad I took the time off work and lost money to come down, I spent money I didn't have to do it and it was all for nothing at that point. I called my wife and said "What am I supposed to do now since this was an epic fail?" She had no suggestion. I got something to eat, feeling very ashamed, low and on the verge of giving up. I said to myself...."There are two more centers down here I haven't dealt with yet, I have to suck this up and move forward!" It was 7pm now which was a bad time to do this but I had nothing to lose from trying.

    The first center was over an hour away on the other side from Spring Hill. I pulled up at 8:30pm thinking "Man this is such a long shot, no way anyone with any juice is there to talk to" Nonetheless, I decided to go in anyway. Ended up talking to the GM's son. Nice people, nice place but another "Fun Center". The son says I'd have to talk to his dad but he knows they need a bar tender and it pays really well, he'd be in tomorrow. Staying over night wasn't in my plans time wise nor financially. I figured, "Well...it's better than nothing so I guess I'm sleeping in the car tonight.

    The next center was up the road 20 minutes away. Again I said "This is going to be like shooting a bullet, at another bullet, blindfolded whilst riding a horse but I gotta try!" I walk in at 9:45 pm. I ask the girl at the counter "What time do you close?" She says "Thanksgiving" I said "Huh? No, I meant what are your business hours tonight and when do close?" Again she said "Thanksgiving" Ah....."24 hour establishment, got it" I told her my reason for being there and she called the GM on the phone. He said to come back at 10am. She said "If you like drama then this is the place to work". She wasn't very friendly or personable and given what she said I wasn't at all confident that this was the place to go and probably wasn't coming back. I was going to blow off the appointment.

    Next morning after waking up in the car at the truck stop I figured I'd go back to the second place first since I had a set time. I don't like blowing people off, I'm too ethical to go back on what I say. Luckily I did because that brings us full circle to the OP and you know the rest.

    As far as the asshat, as it turned out it was my saving grace. Had I ended up there, none of what is happening now would be. I wouldn't have found it within myself and dig deep to keep pressing on and keep moving forward despite my failures. I was too determined to not come back to Chicago with my head hanging in shame. Still that asshat.... I wish him the worst of luck and none of his dreams come true. Hopefully karma puts him in his place. When he's out of business which can't be far in his future, I pray he needs two part time jobs to survive as he smugly suggested for me. I wouldn't send my worst enemy to bowl at his establishment.
    I am a proud member of bowlingboards.com bowling Forums and ball contest winner
    What's in the bag: Radical Zing/Ebonite Choice Pearl/Track Tactix

  2. #22

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    Well hey, if asshat needs a part time job maybe he will apply at your new place and you can get his hopes up then pass for a more qualified applicant lol

  3. #23
    High Roller Phonetek's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MajorPhoenix View Post
    I'm genuinely curious about which center in TN is the bad one. I've found quite a few in TN that are god awful, and some that are amazing.
    Nah, I'm not going to call out with specific names. That's not my style. I found one of the amazing ones which is where I'm going. Out of the ones I seen so far I've the majority have been extremely nice with definite standouts. A couple were rather mediocre and that place was just a hell hole.


    Quote Originally Posted by chrono00 View Post
    Well hey, if asshat needs a part time job maybe he will apply at your new place and you can get his hopes up then pass for a more qualified applicant lol
    I firmly believe he will get what's coming to him. Anyone that unprofessional will never get anywhere. I don't need to be a part of it but I wouldn't mind seeing a YouTube of it someday.
    Bowling Center Manager
    Arsenal consists of mainly 15# Motiv balls, I have several now and they are the bomb! Too many to list and carry. Still have a couple Hammer balls and my AMF RPM Swirl (old reliable) & 25+yr old Linds worth a mention
    Currently 535+ Rev Rate @ 19 MPH (This probably needs to be updated, I think I've toned each down a click or two these days. I'm letting the ball do more of the work as I get older.)

  4. #24

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    Yes, I understand. I apologize for not getting out that way to see specifically you!
    There are probably a higher percentage of really nice people in TN than those who wouldn't come see you in IL.
    I'd like to have tried the lanes out there. There are wooden lanes in Aurora, but the Wheaton Bowl closed who had wood and synthetic mixed and they're closed down now.
    I just had a bicycle mishap and fell on my knee pretty hard. I've not gotten to the doctor yet to see what's happening. Not much swelling, but it might just be bruised underneath.
    May have to see a specialist and get an MRI or something. I'll give it another few days.
    Not driving much. Can't get around and not going to bowl for a while. Sad time.
    I'd drive out to see you this week as you're leaving soon quickly, but I can't do that very well now. Sorry!
    Best of luck though man. Sounds like you've hit it off with the Pro down there and that's really good. I'll join your family in being right there to see you're doin' great. See you on the boards. You'll do great things...

  5. #25
    High Roller Phonetek's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by djp1080 View Post
    Yes, I understand. I apologize for not getting out that way to see specifically you!
    There are probably a higher percentage of really nice people in TN than those who wouldn't come see you in IL.
    I'd like to have tried the lanes out there. There are wooden lanes in Aurora, but the Wheaton Bowl closed who had wood and synthetic mixed and they're closed down now.
    I just had a bicycle mishap and fell on my knee pretty hard. I've not gotten to the doctor yet to see what's happening. Not much swelling, but it might just be bruised underneath.
    May have to see a specialist and get an MRI or something. I'll give it another few days.
    Not driving much. Can't get around and not going to bowl for a while. Sad time.
    I'd drive out to see you this week as you're leaving soon quickly, but I can't do that very well now. Sorry!
    Best of luck though man. Sounds like you've hit it off with the Pro down there and that's really good. I'll join your family in being right there to see you're doin' great. See you on the boards. You'll do great things...
    It's all good man. I'd rather you be healthy. I've always enjoyed the convo with you on here and I'll continue to do so. It's hard to meet IRL on these things given how scattered we all are. There's only a small group of us regulars too which the numbers alone make it that much more unlikely. If there were hundreds of us then chances would definitely be greater. I've met quite of few people I've met on the internet over the years. I even dated a few before I got married which since I didn't marry them you can imagine how well that worked out. LOL At least you'll always be out here in cyberbowlingspace and I'm more okay with that, than not at all. Get well soon =)
    Bowling Center Manager
    Arsenal consists of mainly 15# Motiv balls, I have several now and they are the bomb! Too many to list and carry. Still have a couple Hammer balls and my AMF RPM Swirl (old reliable) & 25+yr old Linds worth a mention
    Currently 535+ Rev Rate @ 19 MPH (This probably needs to be updated, I think I've toned each down a click or two these days. I'm letting the ball do more of the work as I get older.)

  6. #26

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    This whole story, and the way everything worked out so well for you despite the first appearance, reminds me so much of the words to a poem/song. I hope that it is okay to share it here.

    God Moves in a Mysterious Way

    by William Cowper

    God moves in a mysterious way
    His wonders to perform;
    He plants His footsteps in the sea
    And rides upon the storm.

    Deep in unfathomable mines
    Of never failing skill
    He treasures up His bright designs
    And works His sovereign will.

    You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
    The clouds you so much dread
    Are big with mercy and shall break
    In blessings on your head.

    Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
    But trust Him for His grace;
    Behind a frowning providence
    He hides a smiling face.

    His purposes will ripen fast,
    Unfolding every hour;
    The bud may have a bitter taste,
    But sweet will be the flower.

    Blind unbelief is sure to err
    And scan His work in vain;
    God is His own interpreter,
    And He will make it plain.
    "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."
    - Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV)

    I am a proud member of Bowlingboards.com bowling forums.

  7. #27
    High Roller got_a_300's Avatar
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    Hey Phonetek I'm located in TN. maybe you'll be close enough when you
    get moved down here and setup in your new job that we could get together
    and roll a few games. It just depends on how far away you'll be from where
    I live on how often and if that could happen but I'd really like to meet you
    if possible.
    I am a proud member of Bowlingboards.com bowling Forums
    Right handed, ex-cranker now a power tweener approx. 350 - 400 RPM's PAP 4 1/2" over 1" up high league sanctioned game 300 high league sanctioned series 788
    Bill

  8. #28
    High Roller Phonetek's Avatar
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    You gotta deal. I'll PM you where I'll be. However, if it is of any distance I would hope you have another reason to come besides just meeting me. The center I work at has some good tourneys from what I'm told with some great payouts. I don't know the details just yet, I'll find out more next week when I get there. There are also a few pros that are local. Monacelli, Bob Learn Jr. and Keith Nichols. Those are the ones I know about so far. Don't just make a trip to meet some obnoxious blabbermouth from the internet. LMAO
    Last edited by Phonetek; 08-14-2019 at 11:14 AM.
    Bowling Center Manager
    Arsenal consists of mainly 15# Motiv balls, I have several now and they are the bomb! Too many to list and carry. Still have a couple Hammer balls and my AMF RPM Swirl (old reliable) & 25+yr old Linds worth a mention
    Currently 535+ Rev Rate @ 19 MPH (This probably needs to be updated, I think I've toned each down a click or two these days. I'm letting the ball do more of the work as I get older.)

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