Expert: - 3/3/2008

Question
My ball was badly damaged by the ball return. It had a 1/4 gouge completly around the ball which was about 1/4 wide and in my track. There was also a secondary gouge around the top of the ball, not as deep or wide, but a gouge none the less. A couple of pro shop owners who were bowling observed it and said it should be replaced. Of course, I know the house makes the final decision. My ball was sent out to be fixed and when it was returned. It now has no label, two flat spots and looks like crap (sorry)and that's the best they can do. The ball is less than a month old for me, so I'm not happy. Anything you can think of would be a reasonable recourse?

Answer
Sheila,
Regardless of what the ball looks like, if the damage did not get repaired to your satisfaction, I'd suggest you follow-up with the center and speak with someone at the next level. Manager, General Manager or even an owner.

Your ball was used. Even if it was an hour old, it was not an undrilled brand spanking new ball (the highest value). I would be prepared, if you'd like a replacement, to at least offer a small amount of money to the center to replace the ball for you (because it is asking a lot to replace everything that gets a nick, which obviously is not the case here). Most centers post their policy about ball repairs, but they also value you and your teammates as customers, and want to keep you happy, that is why they attempted to have the ball repaired.

The cheap bast**ds destroyed your ball. It may still work. It may still, in their eyes be viable. Cosmetics aside, the ball isn't the same. Explain that if your newly repaired ball is still "just as good as it was" have the pro shop that repaired the ball sell it used to recoup some of their expense but that you'd prefer having it replaced.

What ball got damaged? You mentioned "a month old to you," was it a used ball or new ball, when you bought it?

Best of luck with this dilemma, thanks for the question.