Bowling ball types

Question
Hi! May you explain the differences between a blem bowling ball, 2nd quality bowling balls, X-outs, X-comps? Also I would like some tips on how to spot these 4 types of ball? Are most of these type of balls most often found when buying online like ebay, bowling.com, bowlingball.com and many more? Thank you!

Answer
Cindy,
All are descriptions of balls that don't meet first quality standards, as a second quality ball or second, the ball might still contain some of the qualities desired but could have a variety of issues. Retailers usually sell first quality products, but I've know a few to try to pawn off blems as first quality to unsuspecting customers.

The descriptions identify some specific inadequacy like blem or blemish, usually means a cosmetic problem (color, pocks, engraving - called x-blems or x-comps by Storm/Roto Grip). But, occasionally, in trying to fix a blemish, a ball is sanded to a point where it is smaller than legally required. Cheap SHOULD MEAN buyer beware. If you don't know much about bowling balls, it's very easy to buy something (pro pin, pro cg balls) almost unusable for the average player, if not drilled properly.

An X out is a term for a non-first quality ball, in golf the manufacturer's product label is covered with X's (or x'd out) to identify the blem status of the ball, and hide the brand name (partially).  Some manufacturers identify a ball that DOES NOT pass inspection by placing an X on or near the label so status is obvious.

The commodity you purchase should be what you want. No seller could get away with selling corn by labeling it as meat, or bricks labeled as milk. You should get what you pay for. Some bowling balls are sold with the wrong core and/or the wrong label and/or the wrong finish, etc.

Whether it's a golf ball or bowling ball, if what's inside is not what the manufacturer intended, the performance could suffer. When imperfections are identified, destroying every ball can be costly. So, manufacturers chose to sell product they deem (PROBABLY) usable, at drastically reduced prices, instead of absorbing the cost of the manufacturing mistakes.

Bowling balls are a commodity that must be finished (drilled) to be effective. Taking a blem ball and getting it to work properly is a crap shoot for the driller. I have refused to drill some Internet balls. If a ball doesn't work as planned I don't want my customers to consider the layout and drill to be the problem. If I can't be sure it will do what you want, taking the chance is a bad bet. No matter how cheap a product is, if it doesn't work you spent too much!

Thanks for the questions. Good luck.