8 ms·

While I think these venues are cool, they’re inherently VERY limited in maximum possible scale. They’re more of a competitor to bars like SPIN, rather than trad

by wswope 2y ago

While I think these venues are cool, they’re inherently VERY limited in maximum possible scale. They’re more of a competitor to bars like SPIN, rather than traditional table tennis venues - kinda like how Top Golf isn’t really trying to steal business from the local driving range. As a tourist, I walked by North Station location in Boston, saw the price - $50/hr at any time I’d want to play - and noped out hard. Decided to spend the money on an Uber to Boston Table Tennis Club instead, and played for three hours with good coaching (shoutout to Coach Vincent for the warm welcome) and fun pickup games. Cost half the price in total, and I didn’t have to hunt for a decent partner either. Economically, Pingpod will just never be a viable option compared to old school clubs, even if they slash their prices to a tenth of what they are now. Forever a novelty/tourist gimmick.

vunderba 2y ago
jesus, $50 for a single hour? It's not like we're talking about a batting cage with pitching machines, custom equipment, etc. There were tons of ping pong tables available at any university in Taipei that were effectively open to the public to play whenever I wanted. EDIT: Just out of curiosity I looked up the rental costs for full blown tennis courts in my area. They range from $15-30 per hour.
- wswope 2y ago
  You inspired me to check, and I’m paying $50 per month for my home club. We have monthly member appreciation nights to burn off excess budget where they order a bunch of expensive pizza for everyone.
virtualwhys 2y ago
Boston TTC is a great club despite its small size and low-ish ceilings. Some very high level players there (lots of Asian students from MIT, Harvard, etc. who, having grown up playing, absolutely rip :)) Westchester club is a much better facility if you're in the NYC area. I'm in San Diego now, I pay $50/year at my club, lol, $50/hour, ridiculous.

by wswope 2y ago

vunderba 2y ago

jesus, $50 for a single hour? It's not like we're talking about a batting cage with pitching machines, custom equipment, etc. There were tons of ping pong tables available at any university in Taipei that were effectively open to the public to play whenever I wanted. EDIT: Just out of curiosity I looked up the rental costs for full blown tennis courts in my area. They range from $15-30 per hour.

wswope 2y ago
You inspired me to check, and I’m paying $50 per month for my home club. We have monthly member appreciation nights to burn off excess budget where they order a bunch of expensive pizza for everyone.

virtualwhys 2y ago

Boston TTC is a great club despite its small size and low-ish ceilings. Some very high level players there (lots of Asian students from MIT, Harvard, etc. who, having grown up playing, absolutely rip :)) Westchester club is a much better facility if you're in the NYC area. I'm in San Diego now, I pay $50/year at my club, lol, $50/hour, ridiculous.