Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

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snick
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Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

Post by snick »

I'm often asked, and apparently expected, to provide frequent customers with discounts and credit lines.
Ironically, it's most often from skilled bowlers that have obvious problems with money. These guys like to buy lots of bowling balls, but I don't want to get stuck having to manage a bunch of credit account balances, and chase them down later for payment.

What do other Proshops do about this?
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Re: Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

Post by TonyPR »

Bowling is an expensive sport, just like golf. If they aren't good enough to get on staff then they either have to save up for more balls or be happy with what they've got. They can always take up basketball, you know, free court and one inexpensive ball... but then we have those expensive sneakers...
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Re: Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

Post by bowl1820 »

snick wrote:I'm often asked, and apparently expected, to provide frequent customers with discounts and credit lines.

What do other Proshops do about this?
Of the proshops I've been too, I've never seen one give a credit line to anybody. It's way too problematic.

Take credit cards yes, but not give credit lines (it's not a bar, you can't run a tab.)

But discounts I've seen those's, most places I've been if your a league member you got a discount in the proshop (At least they said you did).

One shop I use to go to for years till he retired, gave me a discount or some freebies. Because I was a long time customer and referred others to him a lot.

Oh and I have seen layaway in a proshop.
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Re: Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

Post by Arkansas »

snick wrote:I'm often asked, and apparently expected, to provide frequent customers with discounts and credit lines.
Ironically, it's most often from skilled bowlers that have obvious problems with money. These guys like to buy lots of bowling balls, but I don't want to get stuck having to manage a bunch of credit account balances, and chase them down later for payment.

What do other Proshops do about this?
Credit is generally a bad idea. If they don't have the money or credit cards to buy a ball, you don't want to be the guy lending them credit, mostly because you have no way to force collection. I extended credit to some people when I was starting out to try and bolster business and get some good players to let me drill for them. It was a form of advertising. If you look at it like that, it can make sense. Just don't expect to ever be paid in full. I know I haven't been.

Discounts for regular customers I look at as advertising as well. If I have a guy that buys 6 balls a year, is a good bowler, and talks up my shop you best believe if I get a great deal on something I'm passing quite a bit of it along to him.
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snick
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Medium Oil Ball: Storm Streetfight
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Re: Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

Post by snick »

Thanks for the info.
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Re: Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

Post by RightyComplex »

Credit nothing, end of the day its your money and expense. Discounts are nice if you have a frequent customer or someone who buys a lot of stuff, but don't put yourself in dire straights. End of the day, they want the balls so youll make the sale. If you do exceptional work, they'll be back if theyre feeling salty. This is a business.
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snick
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Positive Axis Point: 5.5625" x .625 up
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Heavy Oil Ball: Storm Physix
Medium Oil Ball: Storm Streetfight
Light Oil Ball: Rotogrip Hustle Pearl
Preferred Company: Rotogrip
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Bowlers want proshop credit lines; how do you handle it?

Post by snick »

Yep, I talked to a few the guys and they understand completely.
Thanks for the post.
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