The FPS ratings affixed to the product on the sales room floor are all measured with Flemish (higher performing) string than what is included on the crossbow!
Not until you either check the website or the actual product manual (neither are accessible to the buyer when its hanging in the store) do you see that you need to replace your string with a higher quality one to get the advertised results. While I think this is misleading to the customer, with the rest of the product being so well put together quality-wise i could overlook this IF... Flemish strings were available anywhere in the city.
Spent all day driving around Edmonton, Alberta today trying to find a flemish string for my Equinox, Cabela's sold out (only 3 strings at Manitoba location out of all the Canadian stores combined!), Wholesale sports was also sold out at both locations, while the sales person did offer to make me one when i asked he said the wait time would be over a month and half at a cost of $70 each after he bought the matirial...

To me this is simply unacceptable.
Got a quiver full of 22'' bolts and the default string is none too impressive with them (3 inch drop at 20FT vs 20'' bolt, 420gr.vs 467gr.) want to get up to the advertised FPS so that i can sight them in properly.
1) Why are cheap strings put on this otherwise quality product to begin with.. come on what is the difference in price $10??
2) Is there a back order from Excalibur for these strings? Are there any retailers in Alberta the DO have them in stock, how they can not stock up for season demand i have no idea.
3)Since ease of string replacement and self dependability (no store needed to change strings vs Press in Cams) is one of the key selling points of Excalibur recurves, isn't it contradictory that the self dependability is eliminated by the user having to return to the store again and again due to limited numbers (or no strings at all) being available for purchase??
If availability is such a headache I can see why people resort to making their own....
Every single salesperson told me they had multiple customers coming already this week turned away that were looking for these strings, you are losing money here by not stocking your vendors. Come on Excalibur I am sure there is room for improvement here. maybe make a "Remote Wilderness" package with 3 strings, multi tool and string changer. IE. something like that.
Would like to get at least 3 Flemish strings ASAP (1 for immediate use and 2 due to foreseen lack of availability getting the next ones!), but everything is either back ordered here or will take a month and half to get them made. If anyone in Alberta knows where I can get them immediately, please post the info.