The upstart manufacturer cuts out the middle man with its subscription service
Published Dec 28, 2022
It’s a snag that has happened to every player. You go through your checklist of necessities to bring to the court and something is missing. Got the racquets, drinks are in order, even extra clothes are accounted for, but one critical element is nowhere to be found.
Where’s the can of balls?
You meant to pick up a new one after your last outing, but never got around to it. Now it’s too late and all you can do is cross your fingers that your playing partner is better prepared.
Qranc wants to solve this problem. By offering a subscription service for its own Fifth Ave premium ball, players can have balls delivered directly to their home on a monthly basis. No need to go to the store or reorder online to restock supplies. If not required regularly, purchases can also be made as needed. The balls have been approved by the ITF and designed for all skill levels.
Besides the usefulness, the other benefit of subscribing is a 5% discount. A three-pack is $19.98; a five-pack is $29.98. (Qranc also offers its own pickleball as well.) Even with the lower cost of the larger order, the price per can approaches $6—which is more than the high-end models of the legacy brands. Qranc is banking on the quality of their balls as well as the convenience of their delivery service enticing players to pay the premium price.
Our initial test run with the balls left a positive impression. They kept a lively feel and performance throughout a two-hour session, while delivering a dependable response. Newcomers to the ball market often produce models that can be erratic and force players to adjust their swings, but the Qranc remained highly predictable. The felt also experienced minimal fluffing, adding to its steady playability. If you like to experiment with different types of balls, these are definitely worth a try.
At present, the Fifth Ave ball is only available with Extra Duty felt best-suited for hard courts. However, a Regular Duty model for softer surfaces has been designed and tested and is currently awaiting approval by the ITF. If all goes well, the balls will be available in 2023.
https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/at-your-service-qranc-delivers-its-tennis-balls-right-to-your-door
December 29, 2022
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Ryan Marquis
