Bow Shop Pricing

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:09 pm

When it comes to the Bow Shop I usually get excellent service. They've never made me feel out of place or like I was asking a stupid question. The guys there walked me through what I needed to know to get into archery, advised me in the purchase of my first vertical bow, helped guide me to reasonably priced (often used) accessories to get me outfitted. When the time came to purchase my Vixen they gave me the best deal. I've only had a few disappointing experiences, but those were with some newer staff and perhaps they were just having a really bad day. I know that for some things I'm paying more there, but I also know they won't steer me wrong - that's worth a lot to me!

The Gun Room is a different story. I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable there or that I could trust the guys to give me good advice. I think it's partly because I'm a woman. They also seem more "gun" oriented than hunting oriented. I always look forward to leaving there and escaping upstairs to the BowShop.

Exocet77 · Post by **Exocet77** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:39 pm

As for the little things being marked up to give the better deals on bows and stuff, I actually ordered my Vixen from archersnook for $396 and the bowshop is $429, even with shipping I was still up almost $30 + gas. Im not comparing bass pro shop and them big stores, ive never been to archersnook but i was thinking its something similar to the bow shop. I would be happy to shop @ the bow shop if the prices were at least a little more comparable. Im looking to buy a new compound bow come spring and chances are I may actually take the drive to london to get setup. Correct me if im wrong, but are they not a smaller owned business as well?

Boo · Post by **Boo** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:15 pm

BJ, he wasn't anything but wondering and amazed as most purchasers are when they see the difference. I don't think he is peeved.
Butttt if we don't support the little guy we have to deal with the big guy and when there are no more little guys the big guys will bully us around and charge the snot out of us.

JRS · Post by **JRS** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:57 pm

Exocet77 wrote:As for the little things being marked up to give the better deals on bows and stuff, I actually ordered my Vixen from archersnook for $396 and the bowshop is $429, even with shipping I was still up almost $30 + gas. Im not comparing bass pro shop and them big stores, ive never been to archersnook but i was thinking its something similar to the bow shop. I would be happy to shop @ the bow shop if the prices were at least a little more comparable. Im looking to buy a new compound bow come spring and chances are I may actually take the drive to london to get setup. Correct me if im wrong, but are they not a smaller owned business as well?

Yes, the Nook is a small business as well, but I believe the actual floor space and in-stock selection is greater than the Bow Shop has. They have a loyal following of walk in customers, and also a large mail order business.

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:39 pm

Something else to consider.. When George priced out my Exocet at the Bowshop the price included the bow being set up for me on the spot, and free range time. When I made the decision to make my purchase I was greeted with a handshake and a human being with more knowledge than me. I wasn't willing to have a brown box show up on my doorstep on a decision this big.
Support the little guys, they will be with you in the long run.

Farmer · Post by **Farmer** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:31 am

I still try to give as much business to the smaller bow shops as possible . Price is important but service means a lot more to me . It is worth more than money . ( Price can be negotiated if need be . )

Was a loyal customer of a bow shop not far from my home . I Did A LOT of business there as well as bringing other people to the shop . My last purchase there was a Darton Cyclone , 60-70 # draw weight . The bow only peaked out at 62# . Went back to the shop to tell them of my trouble expecting to get a lets have a look or something. Instead I recieved a snarly " what do you want ME to do about it ? ( this was one of the owners ) I was shocked at the response . Have not been back there since and never will .

How much business had I given this idiot , 10 bows for myself and wife , 1 exocet plus the arrows /acc's. for all the bows . Took My sister and her son there. They purchased at least 6 bows , 2 crossbows, plus arrows / acces' . I can go on about other people that I took or sent there .

Stash · Post by **Stash** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:43 am

Just in case anyone's confused, this "Bow Shop Pricing" thread seems to be a tiny bit mixed up - there's a store in southern Ontario called "The Bow Shop", and some posters seem to be talking about it specifically, and others seem to be talking about bow shops in general...

bait pile willie · Post by **bait pile willie** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:29 am

archers nook is owned locally by 2 men,inventory second to none,well worth the drive and the best prices.

Cossack · Post by **Cossack** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:06 am

I don't mind paying for service...if I get it. But when I know more about X bows than any of the employees or owner does (I often take their x bows and guns home to fix) and if they only stock things that "sell well" not what I need, then paying a premium for the "service" makes no sense. I'm funding more and more of what I need on line. I once thought spending locally was admirable. The shop owner has hunting land in Montana as well a six figure costing hunting land locally. He goes elk hunting for two weeks, along with several other vacatios. (I don't/can't). His employees make no more thn those hired by the big stores close by. Don't tell me about buying local unless you can convince me that paying for someone eles' life style amkes sense..

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:36 am

Sounds like the only mistake that shop owner did was make his personal life public, he shouldn't be condoned for his success if his assets are even related to his business.
I would be mortified if my customers started judging me by what I own or how I spend my personal time.
If Wall-Mart sold cars, real estate and could deliver babies the economy of small businesses would be destined for failure, even more than they already are. There are many benefits to keeping money in your community, the exception of course is if are getting hosed each visit but those shop owners never see success in the first place.

raydaughety · Post by **raydaughety** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:42 am

When I purchased my exomag, I didn't know squat about xbows. I could have ordered one online but chose to buy from my local archery shop. When I picked by bow up, it was fully assembled, scope was zeroed in, and the owner spent at least an hour "introducing" me to by bow. He taught me everything including changing the string.

I bought a muzzleloader from the same dealer. He mounted the scope and rings and bore sighted it. When I went to pick it up, he had set aside an hour of his time to help me sight it in. " He has an archery and rifle range on site. This was 2 days before I was scheduled to go on a muzzleloader hunt that I had applied for. We were having problems getting the gun zeroed in and he sensed my nervousness. He went inside and came back out with "his" personal muzzleloader for me to take on the hunt. The gun shot great and my hunt was successful. When I returned his gun, He handed me mine and I was shocked to see that it had a camo scope on it. Turned out the scope was defective and he had one in stock so he put it on and zeroed it in for me. His price on the gun was $40.00 higher than Cabela's but there's no telling how much time, bullets, powder that he used to get it right for me. Now that's customer service. Do I buy from the big guys? Sure I do. If I go into wal-mart and see something that I need, I'll pick it up but I do the same thing at Terry's. He also has an online catalog: www.terrysarcheryplus.com, I've never really looked at the site and compared prices but I'm sure his prices are competitive.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:58 pm

Wow Ray! That is GREAT service!!! It's so refreshing to hear of experiences like yours.