I am lucky enough to have the best of both worlds. I do agree however that you should start off at the
Pro Shop. Get your first couple of balls there. Do research online and educate yourself on the fine art of bowling balls. Some pro shops have huge mark ups. My first ball came up to $180 including tax and drilling. And that was a mid priced ball. I found the same ball online for a $100 less.
I then found a buddy that drills balls as a weekend job. His prices were out of this world too. So I started buying balls online and giving them to him to drill. I saved loads of money. I mean like $60-80 each. Sometimes more.
I have now found a
Pro Shop that matches internet pricing and has separated the drilling charge. They are a reputable
Pro Shop that drills for a couple of touring pba pros. I can now get a Triple X for under $200 including drilling when before the price would have been over $200 just for the ball. I say if you are knowledgeable and run into a hot
deal online, jump on it. If you have a good
Pro Shop who will cut you a
deal then stick with it.
I think the pro shops should adjust their thinking like this
Pro Shop did. If business is lagging then this might help. If you have a long waiting list of bowlers waiting to have their ball drilled, then keep the prices high. Business is all about supply and demand. Most business owners are judged by if they are able to grow their business. pro shops should be no different. change is good.