Expert: - 1/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: I bowled the other day, and by the end found that in between the middle and ring finger holes the ball kinda caved in.  That's the best way that I can describe it.  I talked to a worker and he sanded it out and said that was all he could do.  He informed me that it would not affect performance.  I don't like having that dip in there.  I just bought my ball this past summer.  It is the Black Widow Venom.  I spent money on the ball and hate to see it in this shape so early.  What are my options?  Will this affect performance?

ANSWER: Joe,
There's a list of requirements for correctly drilling balls these days. Providing the parameters were followed correctly, and the ball is deemed defective, the ball could be replaced.

Was the ball purchased where it was drilled? If it is only 5 or 6 monthes since you bought it, you shouldn't have a problem.

If however the ball was purchased elsewhere and brought to the driller, you might have a small turf war problem.

The seller doesn't sell on much margin, so any problem and the profit made previously from the sale of your ball will be eaten up by expenses. Freight, handling, examination will all take time and money. The fact that whatever profit made is about to go away, the seller might make the return process expensive and time consuming to discourage you. And if any of the requirements are not meet properly, they might blame the driller for the problem.

If the driller did a professional job, and followed the rules for finger pitches, beveled edges, and distance to the pin from the gripping holes, you may have a defective ball. The driller will gladly drill the ball again, if it is found to be defective, but plan on paying again for the service. Unfortunately, your explaination of the location of the problem, doesn't rule out much.

Talk to the driller explain what happened and see what they do. Thanks for the question. I'd be interested in how everything works out, please let me know. Thanks.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I bought the ball online from bowlingball.com  Do you have any experience with them?  Does this affect performance?  Is it really worth all of my trouble to send the ball back and go through everything?  I got the ball drilled at a different location than where it encountered its problems.

Answer
Joe,
The driller should be able to suggest whether the ball is defective.
Also, if their drill contributed to the problem. If the drill is technically correct the ball is defective.

Getting another ball is recommended.

The Internet sites are commodity sellers. I don't know what kind of policy or quality standards they have. Some places sell blems or non-first quality products along with first quality goods (because the wholesale prices are so much cheaper than first quality). By combining cheaper inferior quality products with first quality, the total investment is less (for a product category - specific ball line) reducing the cost of goods, allowing more wiggle room and margin, so balls can be sold at a cheaper price level.

If you got a defective ball, get it replaced. Thanks for the follow-up. Good luck.