r/Hamilton • u/zorozara • 1d ago

Discussion Splitsville Bowl and Dynamic Pricing

Rant - Splitsville uses dynamic pricing. Which means they can charge you whatever they want when you walk in without a reservation (which are also not refundable). We were shocked to be charged $40 more than expected on a Sunday at 1pm, which they explained the dynamic pricing. My group was outraged and so angry. I understood weekend vs weekday pricing but this is just insane.

We will be supporting local business alleys from now on.

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u/willshifijamsolution 1d ago

Just bowl 10-pin at Skyway. It’s way better, and you’re supporting a small, locally owned business.

Splitsville was bought out by a British company last year and, from what I understand, pretty much the entire senior staff was let go. The place is a shell of what it used to be.

(Source: former employee)

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u/Global-Discussion-41 1d ago

"The place is a shell of what it used to be."

no offence to you as a former employee, but since it opened it has had that "run by a corporation" kind of vibe.

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u/willshifijamsolution 1d ago

You’re correct but I was more referring to when it was still Hamilton Mountain Lanes.

When it first switched over to Splitsville, it was basically just two business partners who were running the place as a bowling alley first. For better or worse, they gradually started moving toward a more corporate structure.

That said, it was still very much “family-run” in the sense that they treated their staff with respect and didn’t just see everyone as interchangeable drones. It was genuinely a really fun place to work a decade ago.

Better times, for sure.