Expert: - 8/16/2009

Question
I live in a rural area, pro shop employees seem to have little knowledge, keep irregular hours, don't return phone calls or keep appointments. Bummer.

I'm considering attending a certification school for IBPSIA, not cheap, to figure out the modern equipment. If I do so, is there any chance that I could recoup my investment by purchasing a basic pro shop and sell some equipment from my home? I gather the cheapest equipment is in the realm of $8,000 new, maybe more depending on accessories. Local shops stock very little inventory, few high performance balls, still have some left over and on sale.

I have no idea what the markup is on balls and equipment, how many balls I would have to sell to recoup the investment.

I wouldn't mind paying a decent pro shop for what I want, just not sure how to find one. There are only a couple of certified pro shop folk in the state, when I spoke to them they concluded the best ball for my purposes was the one they had in excess stock. I think that's a heck of a coincidence.

How much volume would I need to recoup $8,000 to $14,000 investment? Is there any sense in pursuing this additional education?

I restarted bowling this summer, average is in the two-teens after 12 weeks of league. Bought a Second Dimension as a guess at a benchmark ball, shop had to drill an enormous weight hole to make it legal after drilling it for mildly aggressive response. Ball carries a lot better than the old urethane ball, could stand a little more hook in my home lanes with very hard plastic lanes and liberal oil most of the time.

I was first certified as a coach almost fifty years ago, recently completed USBC Bronze and picked up a few students. Hate to recommend local pro shops to them.

Suggestions? ROI in a pro shop?

Answer
Jerry,
Some of the value of the IBPSIA program is you're taught by experienced shop operators. Operationally, you'll know what you need. So ask the questions, keep in touch with people you meet at the class and network. Call or e-mail. I am not excited about helping a guy looking to go into business down the street, but helping bowlers across the country is very satisfying. I love the sport and am appalled how little information some places have when it comes to the high tech world of bowling balls.

If you owned a shop and felt a ball was good value for the money and an effective product for a variety of players, wouldn't you keep it in stock? Buying a bunch of dogs, just to have something in stock isn't getting you anywhere if you want to sell more than one ball to a person. If it doesn't work don't expect them back! If you respect the shop, respect their choices. Helping you knock down pins is the object. So they should have some confidence in what they sell.

Not a fan of the selling out of the house idea. I wrote a rather scathing letter to the editor of Bowlers Journal International, a couple months back on the topic. There's sales tax issues and a mess if you screw up (liability, etc). Get a part time job at a shop. It will help give you a taste of the business, maybe some of the lackluster shops just needs someone who cares and is more motivated. Let me know how everything shakes out. Good luck.