Yeah, I'm one of those who purchased a case of Zing- should be named Suck. It was made of very washable fill and a nice brittle shell, but it was more of a paint-polygon than a paintball. This is a big problem, and I think Tim made the best solution suggestion: ask us what we want and stock that. It won't make everyone happy, but it will supply the majority with decent paint at least similar to what they normally use. For instance, I'll settle for DXS low range, but normally use premium. DXS covers a whole lot of players. I think we can successfully request a 'paint poll' @ BZ. And really, I think everyone should be able to at their home fields.

The FPO style has certainly spread and seems predominate across a wide area (I've moved between and played in CA, OR, WA, ID, NV, UT, AZ, and NM over the last six years) but here in AZ two major fields I'm getting very familiar with, Cowtown and Fightertown, only require Field Paint for their rental markers. My biggest problem actually is that both pb stores in Prescott only stock low- to mod-grade balls, neither keeps any top-grade on hand and they haven't been able to reliably deliver on a special order. Both fields I've mentioned have pretty reasonable prices, and Cowtown goes even further with a membership program. 

Interesting to hear about the Zing ... Team Browncoats is quite smitten with all things Valken ... guess they'll find out

I can't argue that comment about the big bames at all and question the decision by the organizers to go with an unproven paint.  Seems short sighted and probably price motivated. 

In addition, these FPO problems are not just affecting normal field use, but even at big scenario games. If you register at many big games you'll see that they are FPO and some don't even tell you what brands they'll carry, they just say it ranges from $50 to $80 per case and etc. and that's what I was referring to here: "The problem here is that what works for some guns, doesn't work for all and if you show up at a field and are at the mercy of their selection of paint (or substitution should their original order go FUBAR) and the enjoyment of your day usually starts out with how well your marker is functioning and how well the paint you are using is performing. If the paint they made you use is crap, well then your day is crap, and you just paid for a day of crap". One of our big games last year we were introduced to Zing by Valken (replacement for the previous low end paint DXS Triumph at this field, which after Valken paint received such high praise at Fulda Gap on the Breach paint, one expected the Zing to be of good quality. Well, it wasn't. I had several barrel breaks in my A5 (first time in years) due to the oval shaped paint with large seam line. Many at the game that bought this crap were very unhappy.

Red,

I won't comment on the brands of paint, because I would think it would be easy to greatly increase the types of paint to fulfill most needs.  However, I do somewhat offer a different take on the situation.  It is a fact that the most successful fields are focusing on higher dollar and "experience" as the selling point.  It is also true that this model is bieng tought in the industry.  Frankly, i feel it is a necessity.  This indusry will surely fail and fields will go crashing down if they cannot make margin.  That's right, the difference between the price of admission versus the cost.  FPO gives them additional margin.  If they didn't use FPO, then it would be simple to charge more for entry and air.  But as you are saying, those that are regular players will just go play on their home fields.  This is very true.  Unfortunately, it is also expected.  In Atlanta the field owners seem to work around this by offering memberships that bring the costs way down for regular players.  I believe this is a good mix because without regular players, the park is not busy enough and at the same time without players, new players will be bored. 

The point I am making is I feel the best fields are doing both.  Offering a good experience for those passer buys that play once every 3 months and pay full price.  At the same time, a method for making it affordable for the every weekend player.  The problem with your concept on paint is more complex than you are representing.  This business is so tight on margins that many of us cannot afford to carry all the lines of products that are out there.  Without buying volume, you can't compete with the next guy that is selling cheaper on all the parts, markers and accessories.  Again, the point is the fields use the paint purchases consolidated to a few suppliers in order to access the best dealer prices for all of their other gear, markers, supplies etc.  Without that approach they can't compete.  3 or 5% in this businees does not sound like a lot, but if you are buying 1,000,000 of supply per year, it is the difference between profit and loss. 

I do  hear you and feel for the players that are not cut a break by their regular fields.  I think that the field should be asking the players what paint they normally use so that they can get a concensus and bring in a bigger variety.  But I also feel it is not just FPO that you are getting at but the overall affordability.  I would approach your field with a membership idea.  Something like $30.00 a  month with a 12 month commitment, play all you want.  This kind os steady income month in and month out should be appealing for cash flow purposes.  Should include entry and air.  The fields that were doint this told me that it was very successful, provided them a guaranteed income base (which banks like) and spread the cost to the players over a year.  One note is that they definitely had no cancel clause (like a cell phone contract).