Safety & Selling Guidelines

Treat every transaction like you would on any peer marketplace. Read the full listing, look closely at photos, and ask questions before you commit.

• Review all photos and the full description before contacting the seller.
• Ask for additional photos or video of the finger holes, thumb hole, track area, and any wear you can't see clearly.
• Confirm shipping or local pickup details, total cost, and timing in writing before paying.
• Verify the seller's username and profile, including how long they've been on Bowlerswap and other listings they've posted.
• If something feels off — pressure to pay outside agreed terms, refusal to share more photos, or prices that look too good — walk away.

Accurate listings build trust and lead to faster sales. Be upfront about everything a buyer would want to know.

• Only list items you own and have the right to sell.
• Use your own clear, well-lit photos — do not use stock images or photos taken from other listings.
• Write a detailed description covering brand, model, weight or size, age, and any flaws.
• Respond to buyer questions promptly and honestly.
• Keep your conversations and agreements on Bowlerswap so there's a record.
• Package shipped items securely and provide tracking when possible.

Buyers can't inspect a ball in person, so photos do the heavy lifting. At a minimum, include clear images of:

• The full ball from at least two angles
• All finger holes
• The thumb hole (or where the thumb hole was, if plugged)
• The track area where the ball rolls
• Any cracks, chips, gouges, or noticeable wear
• The serial number, if available
• The original box, if it's included

Natural light and a plain background work best. Avoid heavy filters — buyers want to see the ball as it actually looks.

Sellers must disclose anything that affects how a ball performs, looks, or can be re-drilled. If you know about it, list it. Disclose:

• Plugged holes (finger or thumb)
• Whether the ball has been redrilled
• Cracks, even small or cosmetic ones
• Chips around the holes or on the coverstock
• Heavy track wear or oil saturation
• Missing finger grips or inserts
• Missing or worn thumb slug
• Number of games used, if you know it

Misrepresenting condition is the most common reason listings get reported. When in doubt, over-disclose.

• Meet in a public, well-lit place when possible — a bowling alley or pro shop parking lot is ideal.
• Bring a friend if you can, and let someone know where you're going.
• Inspect the item in person before handing over payment.
• Use a payment method you and the seller both agree to, and get a receipt or written confirmation.
• Never share personal information you don't need to share to complete the sale.

• Use a sturdy box with adequate padding — bowling balls are heavy and can damage thin packaging.
• Tape over the holes to keep packing material out and protect the coverstock.
• Insure shipments and require a tracking number; share the tracking number with the buyer.
• Confirm the destination address with the buyer before shipping.
• Take photos of the packed item and the shipping label before drop-off in case of disputes.
• Buyers: inspect the package on arrival and document any shipping damage with photos right away.

The following are not allowed on Bowlerswap:

• Stolen items
• Counterfeit or replica equipment
• Listings that misrepresent the item's condition
• Listings using photos that do not belong to the seller
• Unsafe, fraudulent, or otherwise deceptive listings

Prohibited listings will be removed and the seller's account may be restricted or banned.

If you see a listing or seller that seems suspicious, report it. Every listing detail page has a Report Listing button, and every seller profile has a Report Seller button.

When you report, include:

• The listing URL or seller username
• What seems wrong — photos, condition, pricing, or behavior
• Screenshots or messages, if you have them

Bowlerswap reviews every report. We may remove listings, contact the seller, or restrict accounts based on what we find.