The primary time I purchased a used bowling ball on-line, it was a rush job and I sadly paid the worth for it.
My native professional store charged $110 for considered one of my favourite balls, however on eBay the identical ball was going for lower than half that value!
Possibly you already know, however once you purchase a used bowling ball from somebody on eBay or Fb, they’ll inform you all about how nice the ball was for his or her league and how much strikes they received with it and whatnot…
Sadly, they received’t inform you that now, it has a smashed pin!
Or, oh I do not know…that the ball was used for dishonest!
Good luck attempting to barter a full and even partial refund. Not gonna occur. Sorry.
My level is, there are hidden risks on the subject of shopping for bowling balls on eBay or Fb…
And if you happen to’re going to purchase used bowling balls from sellers in both of these marketplaces, purchase sensible.
How will you purchase sensible?
Proper now I’d wish to share 3 widespread errors to keep away from when shopping for bowling balls from eBay or Fb.
The primary mistake is just not shopping for a brand new ball once you’re able to shopping for a brand new ball.
In the event you’re not shopping for a brand new ball, there are numerous different issues that might come up.
Possibly it is a broken ball. Possibly the bowling alley the place the ball was used could not sustain with its upkeep and now that ball has change into too scratched up to make use of anymore.
So purchase new when you may.
Here is a trick if you happen to can’t and a used ball is your solely possibility:
Ask the vendor if you happen to can see extra footage of the ball…however this time with at this time’s date and your eBay username (or actual identify if the supply is from a Fb Group or Fb Market) written on a chunk of paper subsequent to the vendor’s ball.
The date and your eBay username subsequent to the vendor’s ball ensures that the vendor at the very least has the ball…
However simply because a dishonest vendor has the ball…
It doesn’t imply they nonetheless can’t take your cash after which ship you a field of moon rocks, as a result of they will!
So this trick received’t assure that you just get your bowling ball, however it at the very least proves that the vendor possesses the ball, which is the first step when shopping for something, proper?
Bear in mind, particularly on eBay, the burden of proof is on the individual claiming to have an actual product, so look ahead to them to show they have precisely what they’re telling you they have.
If there is not any strategy to confirm whether or not the ball’s situation is what the vendor claims, then do not buy!
Not studying (or asking) what sort of lane circumstances the ball was utilized in
That is one other mistake to keep away from once you’re shopping for a used ball: ignoring the lane circumstances the ball was utilized in.
“Are there marks on the ball?”
“Do you see any different indicators of wear and tear?”
“Did the ball get used on event circumstances or did it solely get used on home circumstances?”
“How was the ball saved over the winter and when not in use throughout lockdown?”
These are all good inquiries to ask. Why?
Effectively, typically footage simply aren’t sufficient – the way in which gentle can replicate off of a bowling ball won’t reveal marks on the ball.
And so when footage aren’t sufficient, it’s worthwhile to ask the vendor to explain the ball’s situation in phrases.
In the event you’re not glad with what they inform you, go spend your hard-earned cash some place else!
Not asking in regards to the finger holes
This third one is one other mistake folks make when shopping for a used bowling ball: they do not ask in regards to the finger holes.
query to ask is:
“How deep are the finger holes?” Relying on the depth of the finger holes, the ball is perhaps unlawful in response to official USBC guidelines. Plus, the impact that deep finger have on ball dynamics can utterly throw your recreation off.
One other query you may ask is how nicely the finger holes have been drilled. Sounds foolish at first as a result of a machine drill can do wonderful issues, however reality is, no machine is ideal…
A drill wears out over time and will depart you with finger holes that are not completely spherical. It would not take a lot to make finger holes which might be barely off and damage your recreation.
So before you purchase somebody’s used ball, be certain that the vendor reveals you clear footage of all of the finger holes.
Shopping for used balls on eBay or Fb could be difficult…
On the finish of the day, once you’re shopping for a brand new or used bowling ball off of eBay or Fb, just remember to ask loads of questions.
You may even ask how the ball was used and the way it was saved (that is equally vital for brand spanking new, undrilled balls, too); this fashion you keep away from getting caught with an costly however unusable merchandise.
Once you purchase from a person reseller from eBay or Fb Market, I like to recommend asking if the vendor can ship you an image exhibiting at this time’s date and your identify on a chunk of paper subsequent to their ball; this fashion whether or not or not the product is actual earlier than you ship them any cash.
This text ought to assist preserve you out of hassle when buying round for brand spanking new gear!
Here’s a hyperlink of the Newest Bowling Balls!