Hitt's Pro Shop — Local services in Newport

After being screwed by this shop I suggest others go elsewhere. I used to be an avid bowler but had been out of the sport for many years. After getting back into a league and needing all new equipment I thought I would shop locally rather than buy somewhere else.

At first, it seemed as if they gave me decent advice. They did talk me into a better ball and I went with shoes that were more expensive due to comfort (the only thing I'm happy with). Had my hand measured picked out the size of ball I wanted and gave them my money.

Went to pick up the ball a week later and didn't pay too much attention to it other than one extra hole drilled in the side of the ball they said had to be put there to make the ball legal? Well, after using and struggling with the ball for a few sets I started to take a look at it more closely. Come to find out they sold me an X-OUT ball!

If you don't know what an X-Out ball is; it's a ball that does not meet manufacturers specs and is sold to the dealer at reduced cost. They do this with golf balls as well and you can pick them up much cheaper. I was charged full price for the ball and when I complained I was given the you don't know what you're talking about story and that the ball was not a manufacturers defect.

Took the ball to another local pro shop and they confirmed what I wrote above. Hitts pro shop refused to give me my money back or replace the ball or discount my purchase.

Buyer beware!

Edit: 5 years later to respond to the owners response below which was 3 years after this transaction, man has a very good memory for waiting 3 years to respond!

The facts are that I was never informed that I was purchasing a factory second (complete lie)

The other pro-shop I took the ball to informed me that they shouldn't have had to drill additional holes in the ball to change the weight or "make it legal" as stated by the owner and that the ball was a blem that was not weighted properly (they inspected it)

The ball I picked out and was given a price for was not a factory second and I was told that it "was on sale" and was not offered and upgrade.

Yes this customer was not pleased and that sir is due to your poor business practice of cheating your customer. Classic...

Beware! I purchased a bowling ball at Hitt's from Josh Hitt on July 15, 2023. I am a female and when I bought my ball from Hitt's, I was never asked about speed or my bowling style. I wanted a ball that hooked to improve my handicap. After several months of using the ball, I took lessons from a Bowling Pro since my scores had dropped from 170s to 130s. The Pro watched me bowl and commented that the speed in which I throw the ball is taking the hook out. I would have to throw slower to achieve the hook in this particular ball. The Pro also mentioned that the shiny ball surface made the ball slide. My bowling style would benefit from a sanded surface ball. I went to Hitt's yesterday to see if Josh would discount a ball that is best suited for my style of bowling. I explained the issues with the current ball. He agreed with the previous Pro and stated "most women don't throw that speed". To be able to use the ball Josh Hitt sold me, I have to slow down my speed and change my natural rhythm that then throws off my balance. When I asked for a discount or other compensation to purchase a new ball, he would not commit to any discount but wanted to "schedule an appointment" to watch me bowl. When I asked why I should schedule an appointment to pay full price (another $200+) for a ball without a discount, when it should have been done right the 1st time in July, he became angry and said there was nothing more to discuss. Josh said he had great reviews to which I replied, "That is why I came here in the 1st place". Unfortunately, it seems that it was more important to sell a ball instead of selling me the right ball. My husband stated he believes that it is because I am a female, that a man would have received better customer service. I would agree. Initially, when I picked up my ball in July, the fingertips used were too big. I brought the ball back and Josh agreed that his son Austin had put the bigger size in since they didn't have the correct color of inserts in stock. Did they not think I would recognize that? I guess Josh also forgot that he was the one who gave me the business card for a...

Jeff really doesn't know what he is talking about, Hammer sells a lot of their x-outs as pro-pins, top weighted balls. The "extra hole" is called a balance hole, I throw an X-out hammer ultimate curve twice a week, best ball I have in my bag...maybe Jeff just needs to learn how to bowl? I was in Hitts yesterday...he didn't have a ball on the shelf that was marked "full price", the prices he has tagged are "out the door" prices, it includes-drilling, finger tips and thumb stock...which I guess Jeff doesn't know is around 40 to 50 bucks. Perfect example..he has a Motiv tribal fire on the shelf OTD price is 149.99, first, the Motiv MSRP on the ball is 189.99, so he is 40 under that, you can find the ball online on sale for 121.00... but any pro-shop you walk into with a ball you didn't buy from them to have drilled/tipped/stocked is going to charge 40 to 50 bucks. So you are looking at 160 to 170 minimum. I don't know how Jeff bought a ball full price from Hitts...as I said, he didn't have a full price ball on the shelf, Jeff probably saved 50 to 60 bucks on the ball he bought, he is just confused on what OTD price means. I don't know Hitts, I don't know the guy who runs it, but I can tell you this..his prices were below other local shops, and the guy's knowledge is top notch. I bowl, I own several balls..I can tell you, the guy down there at Hitts knows his stuff, and his prices are below average. I just hate for someone to get a bad review based on someone else not...