How much has the changes in balls

[Loopadoop]

cost you over the last 5 years, adding new balls, experimentation of brands, increase in cost, etc. ?

 

[jus10savestheday]

Nothing crazy for me being that I only started playing in the past three years. Our club actually buys them. I myself have gone out and bought Butterfly G40s and A40s, DHS D40s, and most recently Xiom balls for a tournament. I think I've bought no more than a dozen of each.

 

[yogi_bear]

During the transition from cellu to 40+, it was a bit pricey since balls back then easily crack. Nowadays they are much durable.

 

[RidTheKid]

Balls are cheap.

 

[Loopadoop]

Balls are cheap.

Depends on where you are. In the USA, most tournaments use Nittaku Premium $3 each for a player to prepare for.

 

[RidTheKid]

You can get 100pcs of D40+ 3 star for 33 USD. So there really is not reason to use anything else when practicing.

 

[Loopadoop]

You can get 100pcs of D40+ 3 star for 33 USD. So there really is not reason to use anything else when practicing.

I agree, where can you get them that cheap ?

 

[RidTheKid]

On Ebay

 

[Nasius]

I find buying cheap plastic balls to be a bit of a false economy as they dont last as long as say Nittaku 3 star. Plus, the feeling of playing a heavier plastic ball is so much better.So yeah, it's cost me a bit buying those balls

 

[Loopadoop]

I find buying cheap plastic balls to be a bit of a false economy as they dont last as long as say Nittaku 3 star. Plus, the feeling of playing a heavier plastic ball is so much better.So yeah, it's cost me a bit buying those balls

Your $ loss, a lot of people don't agree with you. they think the DHS is more durable too.

 

[RidTheKid]

DHS D40+ destroys your theory.

I find buying cheap plastic balls to be a bit of a false economy as they dont last as long as say Nittaku 3 star. Plus, the feeling of playing a heavier plastic ball is so much better.So yeah, it's cost me a bit buying those balls

 

[Loopadoop]

Do a test of Nittaku and DHS, crack open a couple of broken balls, the seam is much thicker for the DHS ball.

 

[Nasius]

It may be thicker but I still prefer the feel of Nittaku. Horses for courses guys!

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Guys
look into Yinhe Y40+ balls. Its very similar to Nittaku Premium and at a much better costs.

Back to OP question

I have so many sample balls, I am like an Ball Junkie.
For a year or so, I did need to factor in "budget increase" on training balls.
But now I'm getting my balls straight from the factory (with my own logo/brand), so its all fine.

For 3 star, I prefer the seamless balls over the seam balls, however Nittaku Premium is always the number 1 in quality and durability, but since SA market isn't right for "double the cost" balls, I don't bring them in anymore.

Yinhe Y40+ is a very good substitute, and currently my samples are still looking great (I receive it straight from the factory - it was 2 weeks old when I received it)
It was bulk manufactured in March, so I think many sellers won't have stock yet.

Most of my clients are struggling with the costs of balls.
One coach for example used to by 144 gross bags x 10 a year.
now he hardly buys box of 72 x 5 a year

 

[Loopadoop]

The Nittaku Premium ball pricing is ridiculous. You can buy Pro tour regular tennis balls at about 1/3 of the price.

 

[yogi_bear]

I would rather use the new Sanwei 3 star balls which are as durable as Nittaku but way cheaper.

 

[Loopadoop]

From my experience, if you practice with Nittaku Premium balls which are past the new stage, then play with a new one, you can't compete at the same skill level, definitely lower.

I have seen this with several different players.

....

 

[FruitLoop]

The Nittaku Premium ball pricing is ridiculous. You can buy Pro tour regular tennis balls at about 1/3 of the price.

They cost almost as much as pro V1 golf balls!

 

[Simas]

Depends on where you are. In the USA, most tournaments use Nittaku Premium $3 each for a player to prepare for.

yes, Nittaku is famous not only for the quality....

Anyways, that's an interesting info for how much can you buy a Nittaku Premium. I can buy 1 ball as a regular retail client for around 2.5usd... if I bought in bulk as a club, it should be a little bit more cheaper....

How about others?

 

[Loopadoop]

Over the past 5 years, I have spent about $100 because of the ball change. That is probably lower than anybody because we didn't switch to the plastic until the cheap DHS were available. I am still using celluloid for my robot, so there is some extra cost to replace with plastic.