What am I looking for when I purchase used balls? Obviously cracks, but what else? I found a guy very local that will sell me pro-v1 for $15.00 per dz.
Look for cuts and big scrapes. Also make sure they aren't re-finished. Meaning someone took an old ball, cleaned it, painted it and stamped new logos. If these ProV1's look new and he's selling them for $15 a dz, red flags would be raised for me.
Also look for paint peeled and the orangish brown showing through. Usually that means the ball was sitting in the water for a while. Just ask him too, where he gets them for the most part. If it's in the woods of a local course, I'd be all over them. So long as there are not big scuffs. I bought a bunch last yr. for $1 each from the local ballhawk.
There is a local shop here that specializes in used balls. They buy them from all of the private clubs around. For years I wouldnt go near them. Now I can pick up my ProV1s for $19.99 and NXTs for $14.99 and they are all in good shape. Have not had a problem with them yet.