To piggy back off of RobVL1's point. They should also spend some extra time with you asking what you are looking for a ball/equipment to do for your game. What kind of conditions/houses you are looking use it? Also find out what they charge for drilling then compare the over all price they will charge you for the ball vs the retail price of the ball online. That will tell you how much they mark up the ball. A fellow bowler paid 260$ plus for a DV8 Thug Unruly which retailed online at the time for 140. That's a 120$ mark up! Needless to say I will be steering everyone away from that pro-shop.
I've also been a victim of cronyism at pro-shops to where they only cater to regular customers and fail to connect to slightly more casual bowler. You will be able to sniff those guys pretty quickly.
Bottom line it is relationship that you need to trust and feel comfortable and becomes more critical when you bowl more often or are ready to step up your game to the next level.
My Pro-Shop Operator is 83. Up on on all the new balls and techniques. With out him I wouldn't have gotten my first 300 at age 39. He keeps threatening to retire. I only hope I find one just as good.
Good Luck!.
Thank you to both of you. I'm headed to a shop this afternoon and will report back with the experience. Hopefully going to be measured and fit for a new ball, but I'm not sure I'm buying today. I'm a guy who does research before buying and I don't buy things impulsively, so I'll see how it goes. If prices are too high, I suppose I'll be supporting bowlingball.com and just getting it drilled in a shop.
The first thing to do is to see if they are IBSPIA certified. Then you know they at least have some credentials as a driller. They should also watch you bowl and take your measurements (PAP and grip) before they recommend anything. Even if you have a ball that feels comfortable, they should measure your grip as if you are a new customer that just walked in.
I usually ask what sort of fitting technique they use. I am partial to the Tri Grip method, and not all shops offer that. I also look to see what ball companies they are carrying. I like diversity. And I usually ask them what balls they are liking and selling a lot of.
Looking forward to your report back!
Well, here is the report for today. They don't have their own website for the pro shop. The bowling center's website lists the pro shop hours, which are indeed correct for September through May. June to August has different hours (even more limited) which I learned by showing up and looking at the door. Only 9 hours a week at the moment. I shall be going back tomorrow evening when they are actually open. Oh well. I should have called ahead first.
It wasn't a total loss though. I stopped at an advanced auto parts store nearby and got three microfiber towels for $6.
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