magnatecsteve Posted December 19, 2004 Report Share Posted December 19, 2004 Sorry to hear that the pro-shop owner doesn't know how to be "professional". I am pretty fortunate to have the best pro-shop owner just 1 1/2 miles from the back door. There are two other shops near here, and both of the owners are like the fella you described. Shortly after I started shooting, I went to one of them, a High Country dealer. I had a P.S.E. Carrol Marauder. Iwent in there to get some Toxonics sights, and he told me not to waste the money if I was going to put them on a P.S.E. Well, I just put them on and went to his immitation of a shooting range and started dialing the sight in. He came over after about 15 minutes "to see if I could hit anything". I was shooting at a used target and was putting them right in there. He said "we'll see if you can hit anything" and put a nickel sized sticker dot on the back-stop. I drew and shot twice, the first arrow in the center of the dot, and the second right beside it, even ruined my arrow it was so tight. I just turned to him and told him "it's not the bow, it's who is shooting it". That shut him up! The other shop is just about out of business too, he has suck a bad reputation that nobody hardly goes there. My local shop I go to, the owner is a really good guy, he will try to help anyone no matter what equipment they have. He will suggest things if what they have doesn't work, but he always tries to help them as much as he can. I always tell people to go to him, and so do most of his customers. Now he is the busiest shop around! Some shops kinda have their regulars, kinda like a bar, and when a newcomer comes in, they kinda gang up on them. Probably because their afraid they might be better shooters, hunters than them. It's rediculous! I would sure voice how you feel to the shop owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigbuckmiddaugh Posted December 20, 2004 Report Share Posted December 20, 2004 Re: Local bow shops Sounds like one of our EX local shop. My wife and i went in there to look at a bow for her couple years ago. She can pull 40lbs comy. He pretty much said come back when you can pull 45lbs My wife was PO'd And i was shocked!! He was same way and ran himself out of business LOL We have one more local shop, which is kinda of same way. They have bad habits too. No new stuff, you order something, they never order it. LOL They were partners, one dropped out, now its one guy. Which i think will go out this year or next. Which leaves me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoot22 Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Re: Local bow shops I feel for you man.We have the best pro shop around.He does'nt try and sell you something you don't want or need.He has his own indoor range with all types of targets and in the off season they hold 3-D shoots.He can order you anything you want if he does'nt have it in stock.He is the man around here.He will give you great advice on anything about bowhunting.He's been doing it for nearly 35 years.Anybody within 50 miles will tell you go see him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayzorp Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Re: Local bow shops I guess I've been lucky. I never had any problems with the only 2 local bow shops to me. I've seen people take in all sorts of bows, they serviced them no problem. No sales pressure either. See something you like, ask questions if any and that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spcfoor Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Re: Local bow shops The pro shop I go to here is excellent. I am new to bowhunting. Been hunting since I was 12 but never bowhunted. I bought a pse out of cabelas(it was a package with arrows, sight, rest, peep, and arrows.) I took it to them and they set it up for me and helped with form. I will always use them. They also have the dart video system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bow Hunter Derek Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Re: Local bow shops I'm one of the lucky ones. I have a great pro shop about 5 miles from my house. Over the years I've gotten to be great friends with the owner and his wife. Unfortunately, I've had to watch some of their business dwindle due to the Cabela's, Bass Pro's, and Gander's that have moved within driving distance. I think the internet is hurting them as well. A lot of times, I go in there with information that they have not heard about because of sites like this or archerytalk. I've never seen them belittle someone because of a bow that was purchased somewhere else. But I have had private conversations with them about it. One of the things they claim is that the "average" bow hunter hangs onto a bow for about 5 years. So, for each bow that is bought else where by someone who walks through his door, it is a 5 year loss in a sale. It bums him out, but he understands that that is business. Not everyone is going to choose his brands (Mathews, Parker, Diamond (old), High Country, Jennings) and most everyone wants to save a buck as well. I try to buy as much archery gear from him as possible, but when I see a great deal elsewhere sometimes I've got to give up on my loyalty a little bit. A problem I've seen in too many shops (not the one I mentioned) is the "I am the Archery god" mentality of the shop owner. I've been in a lot of "Pro Shops" that I would not trust them to tie a string loop on my bow. Good Pro Shops are a rare find. When you find one, give it your support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billygoat Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Re: Local bow shops I hear you Boone. Our local proshot is only 8 blocks from my house... I have shot archery league against him for years, and still, everytime you take a bow into his shop... he continues to tell you about what is wrong with your bow, or your set-up, or the arrows you shoot. He also tells you why you need to get rid of your bow and buy one of his. This year I decided I had had enough. I now drive 40 minutes away to have my bow worked on. The guy has been in business for 23 years, he is non-judgemental, and almost always "cuts me a deal" when I go in there. As far as Gander: I have also experienced great customer service there as well... I won't buy a bow there because they lost their contract with Hoyt... but if they get it back, I would consider doing business with them, since there 25 minutes closer than the shop that I presently go to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoyt19 Posted December 23, 2004 Report Share Posted December 23, 2004 Re: Local bow shops I have my own local pro shop story. In Platteville, WI,which is 30 min more or less from my house there is a great little pro shop. The owner has great knowledge of our sport, ok prices and great products. That being said I think he has to be the worst bussiness man Ive ever seen. When I took my Hoyt there to get it set up he refused to work on it flat out, partially because he is a Mathews dealer and actually suggested throwing it in the garbage, along all my accesories, and buy some stuff he had there. I know go to the Gander Mtn just outside of Chicago, a 2.5 hour drive. I became friends with the manager of the archery dpt there and now he is the only person I would trust with my bow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washi Posted December 23, 2004 Report Share Posted December 23, 2004 Re: Local bow shops I really like our local shop. I get a lot of crap from this one guy that works there but that is because I have known him for about 15 years. I was asking about string silencers and he told me that the cat whiskers work just as good as any other and cost a lot less too. I like to buy stuff and he has actually talked me out of buying things I didn't need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 25, 2004 Report Share Posted December 25, 2004 Re: Local bow shops [ QUOTE ] Sorry to hear that the pro-shop owner doesn't know how to be "professional". [/ QUOTE ] Steve you said it man ...Professional... i will say that its in your best interest to help your local shop as much as you can.. i started out just being a once in a while customer to now having a key to the shop and getting everything i want at dealer cost... heck my shop owner just bought me a new set of Winners Choice strings for my competition bow ! he bought me a new shirt to wear to all the tournys and i help him out with watching the shop when i can.. i even get to shoot for free anytime i want.. we have a great archery shop , thats run by a husband and wife team that are second to none ... Thanks Ray and Marcia... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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