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 certainly one of my favourite balls, however on eBay the identical ball was going for lower than half that worth!

Possibly you already know, however once 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 what sort of strikes they received 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 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 for those who’re going to purchase used bowling balls from sellers in both of these marketplaces, purchase good.

How are you going to purchase good?

Proper now I’d wish 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 once you’re able to shopping for a brand new ball.

For those who’re not shopping for a brand new ball, there are a lot of 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 turn out to be too scratched up to make use of anymore.

So purchase new when you may.

This is a trick for those who can’t and a used ball is your solely choice:

Ask the vendor for those who can see extra photos of the ball…however this time with at this time’s date and your eBay username (or actual title if the supply is from a Fb Group or Fb Market) written on a bit 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’ll!

So this trick received’t assure that you simply get your bowling ball, however it at the very least 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 look ahead to them to show they have precisely what they’re telling you they have.

If there is not any technique to confirm whether or not the ball’s situation is what the vendor claims, then do not buy!

Not studying (or asking) what kind 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 photos 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 photos aren’t sufficient, you should ask the vendor to explain the ball’s situation in phrases.

For those who’re not glad with what they let you know, go spend your hard-earned cash elsewhere!

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.

A superb query to ask is:

“How deep are the finger holes?” Relying on the depth of the finger holes, the ball could be unlawful based on 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 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 might be barely off and destroy your recreation.

So before you purchase somebody’s used ball, be sure the vendor reveals you clear photos of all of the finger holes.

Shopping for used balls on eBay or Fb will be tough…

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 possibly can even ask how the ball was used and the way it was saved (that is equally vital for brand new, undrilled balls, too); this fashion 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 exhibiting at this time’s date and your title on a bit 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 maintain you out of bother when buying round for brand new gear!

Here’s a hyperlink of the Newest Bowling Balls!