The primary time I purchased a used bowling ball on-line, it was a rush job and I sadly paid the value for it.
My native professional store charged $110 for one in every of my favourite balls, however on eBay the identical ball was going for lower than half that worth!
Possibly you already know, however whenever you purchase a used bowling ball from somebody on eBay or Fb, they’ll let you know all about how nice the ball was for his or her league and how much strikes they acquired with it and whatnot…
Sadly, they received’t let you know that now, it has a smashed pin!
Or, oh I do not know…that the ball was used for dishonest!
Good luck making an attempt to barter a full and even partial refund. Not gonna occur. Sorry.
My level is, there are hidden risks with regards to 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 good.
How will you purchase good?
Proper now I’d prefer to share 3 frequent 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 whenever you’re able to shopping for a brand new ball.
Should 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.
This is a trick if you happen to can’t and a used ball is your solely choice:
Ask the vendor if you happen to can see extra footage of the ball…however this time with as we speak’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 no less than 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 simply get your bowling ball, but it surely no less than proves that the vendor possesses the ball, which is the 1st 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 await them to show they have precisely what they’re telling you they have.
If there isn’t 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 situations the ball was utilized in
That is one other mistake to keep away from whenever you’re shopping for a used ball: ignoring the lane situations the ball was utilized in.
“Are there marks on the ball?”
“Do you see any different indicators of damage?”
“Did the ball get used on match situations or did it solely get used on home situations?”
“How was the ball saved over the winter and when not in use throughout lockdown?”
These are all good inquiries to ask. Why?
Effectively, generally footage simply aren’t sufficient – the best way mild can mirror off of a bowling ball may not 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.
Should you’re not glad with what they let you know, go spend your hard-earned cash some other place!
Not asking in regards to the finger holes
This third one is one other mistake individuals make when shopping for a used bowling ball: they do not ask in regards to the finger holes.
A great query to ask is:
“How deep are the finger holes?” Relying on the depth of the finger holes, the ball is perhaps unlawful in accordance with official USBC guidelines. Plus, the impact that deep finger have on ball dynamics can fully throw your sport off.
One other query you may ask is how effectively the finger holes have been drilled. Sounds foolish at first as a result of a machine drill can do superb issues, however fact is, no machine is ideal…
A drill wears out over time and will go away you with finger holes that are not completely spherical. It would not take a lot to make finger holes which can be barely off and destroy your sport.
So before you purchase somebody’s used ball, ensure the vendor reveals you clear footage of all of the finger holes.
Shopping for used balls on eBay or Fb will be tough…
On the finish of the day, whenever you’re shopping for a brand new or used bowling ball off of eBay or Fb, just be sure you ask loads of questions.
You’ll be able to even ask how the ball was used and the way it was saved (that is equally essential for brand new, undrilled balls, too); this manner you keep away from getting caught with an costly however unusable merchandise.
If you purchase from a person reseller from eBay or Fb Market, I like to recommend asking if the vendor can ship you an image displaying as we speak’s date and your identify on a chunk of paper subsequent to their ball; this manner you already know whether or not or not the product is actual earlier than you ship them any cash.
This text ought to assist maintain you out of hassle when purchasing round for brand new gear!
Here’s a hyperlink of the Newest Bowling Balls!
