Seems to be trending upward on new releases. $174.95 for top notch releases now. I bet by the end of the year we will see $179.95. Add in drilling $250. A lot to pay if the ball turns out to be a dud.

I agree, spending $250 to possibly end up with a counterweight for a multiple ball ball bag is rough. I'm not sure if in my earlier days I ever had anything top of the line or how much the balls I had cost back then. I got a few as gifts when I was in high school and I got a few balls from bowling in pro-am's.

Mark

I was convinced years ago that porosity of cover stock was a problem. I had many verbal arguments with Ebonite Staffers on this. Oil absorption into the cover was the leading cause of early ball death to me. The counter claim always was holes in the cover was needed to gain friction on the lane. Time and time again, I could prove that theory wrong, just by comparing my ball rolled against the Pro's ball.

And, here we are, 12 years later, and last night in league, I rolled 3 balls, a 7 y/o ball, an 8 and a 10 year old ball. I started with a fully reactive cover, and quickly moved to a hybrid. When neither worked to my satisfaction, I pulled out the 10 y/o particle urethane ball, and finished game 2 at 257 and game 3 at 236. I know that using the porous covers would not have done that. In fact, each of those balls would have been replaced 10 times over in that time.

Buying quality balls has never been a problem to me. But, the kind of ball was. Any ball known as a soaker was off my list. The harder the cover was better for me.

This is just my opinion, borne by repeated trashing of balls less then a year old. I have seen that most balls needed a resurface and oil extraction after 50 games, on average. But, once resurfaced, they never lasted another 50 games, more like 30. Hence, a replacement was necessary.

As for now, I'll stay with my older equipment, as I can't find another that is made better.

Hey, I got Lucky. I got a NIB Seismic Raging Bull Charged for $41 shipped on EBAY. Similar Specs to my Storm Intense. I have never had a Seismic but have thrown my teammates Seismic Longhorn before and liked it. Will be drilling soon.

Another deal got a NIB Storm Son!Q for $51 including shipping. Still haven't drilled the Raging Bull. Pro Shop was closed for a long period of time . May do that this week.

deals are there to be found. Another new in the box Storm Fever Pitch for $78. Actually more than I wanted to pay but I needed another ball to replace my Motive Arctic Sniper as a spare ball.

I got the original Honey Badger off EBAY for $80. Always wanted this ball. Can't wait to get it drilled. The last ball I got (Fever Pitch) is working out nicely for a spare ball.

Honey Badger turned out to be a really great ball. If you want a ball that gets down the lane with a lot of backend this is it.

Now on to my latest purchase. I got the Storm Super Son!Q for $80 shipped.

As for prices of new balls there is a new high everyday price on Buddies with the Idea by Big Bowling for $179.95. For a new ball company you would think they would undercut everyone else to break into the market place.

Kind of hoping I can come across a Storm ALL ROAD since they are now discontinued for a good price. Still need to drill Super Son!Q