What would you like to see in a shop?
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
What would you like to see in an archery shop?
Service? Better pricing? More selection? What brands?
What would you like to see?
Superb service and honesty......brands and prices to be able to stay in business so you can continue to serve the area with GREAT SERVICE
A competent individual....Service is my number one desire, all other things are rather irrelevant. Alot of people do not appreciate the service end of a shop, you can't have the biggest inventory, lowest prices and the best customer service and stay in buisness for long.
My pro: The service quality is beyond reproach, the tech knowledge is excellent and given those 2 qualities, I don't look at the price tags. He carries all the major brands.
Honestly, I'd like to schedule appointments. I don't see how practical that would be from a provider's perspective but my pro talks to more people than the mayor of the city everyday. He has no choice and he pulls it off but a pro shop visit is an almost guaranteed commitment of a few hours once you walk in the doors.
Someone who actually knows half as much about archery as I could teach a fifth grader in 17 minutes.
In my shop a fridge with cold milk as the fox who lives above the shop gives him cupcakes every day and they would be great with a nice cold glass of milk:)
Tech knowledge is most important.
My shop makes appointments.... I love it. And visits are still long , because of phone calls and every day business.
It's nice to have 3 or 4 manufacturers to chose from when it's time to replace my bow. That's not nearly as often as my tune ups . With me it's all about tuning my bow ..... I can't do it and I'm happy to pay to have it done right!
I've pretty much lost faith in my shops around here. I ended up building my own shop in my basement to service all of our bows. That way I know who to complain to when something isn't done right!
Ideally you would have friendly service, good technical knowledge, and a willingness to work with and for your customers in resolving issues with dealers/warranty work. Brands and inventory don't matter much. I shouldn't feel like I'm putting you, the shop owner, out when I ask you to order me a new bow that I can pay you $1k for.
A tech that knows what he's doing, without that there is no reason to shop there
Service, a bow mechanic who knows what they are doing, and shares info, maybe even does some basic bow maintenance classes after hours. Someone who understands bow, and arrow tuning. Not someone who just looks at the spine chart and say "you want these". Also a selection of trad gear, and someone who actually shoots and understands trad gear, is nice. A shop where I feel welcomed, and especially a shop willing to help a new guy in archery. I went to a shop when I was starting out about 10 years ago, I knew nothing about modern compounds. The guy pretty much told me I should go away and come back in a few months after the trade show and they have new stuff in. Yeah, right...... I bought a compound somewhere else, a brand that they carried, I still have and like that bow. However since, I have gone to trad gear for the most part.
Better It be a " Hunting Store " with cameras , camo cloths , boots , tree stands , blinds , archry range ,
Better trustworthy service..my local shop,i was actually in a far corner,where I could clearly see the shop work area..I watched a staff member check in a guys older bow,,to be" gone over and just check er out" the customer says...I watched the staff tag the bow,carry it around the corner and THROW IT.on a low counter......my last visit...
1) Someone who truly knows what they're talking about and actually hunts AND kills animals with a bow.
2) Bows available for shooting in-store from as many brands as possible so that they can be compared.
In a previous job I worked with shops all over the country. If you are thinking of starting one, I strongly urge you to contact the ATA, find out who some of long lasting successful shops are and contact the owner. If you can travel to them and take them to lunch, its worth the expense. Its no small task to have a nice shop, nice selection, knowledgable and friendly staff, and do it successfully in a competitive retail market that doesn't allow for big payrolls.
Before jumping in, contact the manufacturers and reps for your area and get a good picture of how they see your market and what lines will be available to you. The rep's job is to drive sales so filter some of that but they can be a great source for how a shop would fit the area you are considering. They also know if someone else is planning on opening a shop or maybe who will be retiring or selling out.
Technical knowledge would have to come first, for without that, the rest of it means nothing IMO. That said, customer service is number two on my list. I bought my son in law a used bow and when they were here Thanksgiving, we went to a shop I've never been to to get his draw length adjusted. Even though they were busy, (Black Friday), he gave me an approximate time and we only waited fifteen minutes or so. They adjusted the draw, weighed the poundage, and adjusted the cord on the rest. They charged me nothing. I may only have been there once, but I'll go back if I need something. That's customer service.
Exactly what I have in my local shop. A sole proprietor who is an experienced bow tech, avid bowhunter, and friend to all. The lack of paid staff means low overhead and therefore the best possible prices. You always know who'll be working on your bow because there's only one employee. He has the best selection of gear & brands because when someone provides great service at a great price, there is no shortage of customers. I dread the day he retires!
Other than the typical services and equipment to service with (bow vice, bow press etc) performed by trained competent techs and a reasonable inventory; I think it's easier to say what I wouldn't want to see in a shop. Don't look at me when I walk through your door like I'm some 'dumb bubba' off the street. Look me in the eye and say Hello and ask how you can help me.
Don't look at my bow and say something to the effect of "You're going to hunt a premium animal with that?" This actually happened to a friend of mine several years ago to have his bow 'inspected and serviced' before leaving San Antonio on an Elk Hunt. The 'shop owner' then tried to sell him a high end Bowtech without even trying to see if anything was wrong with his 2 year old PSE. Needless to say he didn't get the bow tune up work or the sale.
Don't try selling me something I don't need (especially your 'no move' merchandise) because you think it'll make me a better shooter, hunter etc.
A shop that doesn't have a gigantic display of Rage broadheads.
no difference for an archery shop than any retail establishment. convenient access to fair prices, broad product line offering (or exactly what I know I need), and knowledge of the stuff being sold.
honestly though I don't think I have been in an archery specialty shop since 2005. No need to. I know where to get what I need and how to use it. I can get about anything in a big box or online. not looking for a teacher or mechanic these days.
Someone with a positive attitude, who actually acts like he's interested in working there and in helping me.
Someone who doesn't feel compelled to play "show dick" and impress me with his bowhunting superiority whenever I go in (when all I want is a new kisser), when I've been bowhunting for twice as long as he has been alive.
Someone who listens instead of tells.
A selection of bows other the top of the line. I realize the shops need to turn a profit, but a good selection of middle of the line bows would help the beginner who isn't sure about dropping over a grand on a bow. Most shops seem to only carry the most expensive bows made making bowhunting look as pricey as gun hunting.
Someone to sell me what I want, not try to sell me what he has. I've done an about face in more than one shop when I ask for something and they tell me "you don't want that, this is better". I've been playing this game long enough to know what I want. Maybe I'm getting old and cranky.
I'm lucky to have one of those guys still around. Tom has been in the business 52 years, has forgotten more than I know ...and...hasn't gotten tired of me stopping in just to breathe the air. I'm fortunate to call him friend.
"A shop that doesn't have a gigantic display of Rage broadheads."
Hahaha, being as walmart carries them the competition is stiff. Plus the interweb has really impacted retail sales overall.
I like when the person behind the press is modest and can help inform and steer lesser knowledgeable and new hunters for the better of the customer, not the shops wallet. I often see a lot of arrogance, but then again dealing w/ the general public can shorten a man's fuse.
One of the best tools a shop can have imo is an indoor range and a staff that encourages customers to demo bows. Creates a better rapport and more likely loyal customers.
Friendly knowledge, simply don't B/S me I have been at this bow thing for over 50 years don't open your mouth and prove to me your a dumb azz. That's know your business and be willing to take the time for friendlt talk I will give you plenty of business from meand my many friends at the club!
NO EGO. +1000 Jaq. "Someone with a positive attitude, who actually acts like he's interested in working there and in helping me.
Someone who doesn't feel compelled to play "show dick" and impress me with his bowhunting superiority whenever I go in (when all I want is a new kisser), when I've been bowhunting for twice as long as he has been alive.
Someone who listens instead of tells. "
Experience and knowledge are not necessarily the same thing. Fifty years of doing the same thing can be just one year of experience repeated 50 times. I've waited on guys with many more years of experience than I, but they didn't have a clue on how to tune a bow. Most here don't know how to check arrow straightness, but think they do.
I want someone with real knowledge, not a "yes man" or someone parroting the last video or magazine they saw. Someone who is polite and has the equipment to really check a bow and arrows. (Drawboard, shooting machine, chronograph, etc.)
What Lou said. Someone with an honest interest in me and what I'm looking for. I don't really have an archery shop around here, but a gun store down the street that I've gone to has some serious attitude problems. Macho owner who has a click of his homies that hang around all the time. Somebody walks in and then it's a big show of how much he knows and you don't. The guy is an azz. I was looking for some ammo at the time, he didn't have any and was rude as heck. "nobody shoots 28 gauge anymore, a 20 is a much better gun". The thing is..... good attitude and friendly service turns little things like an ammo sale into a shotgun sale down the road as I'm in the market for an over-under, in 28. Be a cold day in hell before I ever set foot in there again. The place across town didn't have the 28s I wanted (they did have some other 28s) but told me they could order, be just a couple weeks (ammo is surface, surface to HI is by boat). I just ordered a case from them. And I let em know to keep an eye out for a 28, they sell and trade used guns too.
Lots of stores like that first one. I dread even going to many places, feels like dreading a dentist appointment. Others I find reason to stop by just to check out the candy store. Even if I don't buy anything.... I always go away with something.
Another thing I have found...... the friendly places that care..... also care about their business and profession and are knowledgeable and skilled as well. They seem to go hand in hand.
Thanks for all the replies.
I too get tired of walking in places that act like you should kiss their shoes for even stepping in the door. Or they completely ignore you. Or they want to tell you how great they are and they know everything.
It is incredibly rare to walk in to any archery or gun shop and have the guy behind the counter be courteous and care about why you are in his store.
I guess y'all would think "naked women" is a frivolous answer.
Bows and boobies, I'm there!
TD, that same gun shop is in my town, I think. I took in a .22 revolver I'd bought there to ask if I could get a longer screw for the rear sight because I needed some more adjustability. My handgun buddies who shot it agreed.
The gunsmith snorted and said, "First you need to take it to somebody who knows how to shoot. You obviously don't know what you're doing." I had to argue with him to get the damned screw. He finally relented but was bitching the whole time he sorted through the drawers. Then he charged me $5.00 for it.
I'll never go back there again, nor will I recommend it to anyone.
Lou, is it OK to name the shop and town, so we may avoid?
Rocky Mountain Shooter's Supply, Fort Collins CO. Used to be a great place to do business and I've bought a number of firearms from them in the past.
He made a point of making me feel like crap. Really drove it home.
Bowriter and stickhead hit it lol. Gotta be behind the counter.
If you have a range and boobies...... best have a heck of a backstop.........
I agree with rocky mountain shooters supply not sure what happened but that place has really went down the crapper, used to be a destination on our one trip to foco every year, now we go 6 or 8 times a year and I think it's been 4 or 5 years since we've considered stopping into that d@#& place.
somebody who listens to you, has a grasp of where you're at in your bow journey, and is committed to helping you whatever stage you're at. A 20 yard range is a huge plus - nothing like proof of the pudding right there with equipment. Someone who gets if you're in a hurry and moves you through quickly (I call ahead and am very specific about what I want if so). Somebody I can respect as a bow shooter, but doesn't make a point of showing his superiority. Somebody who when he fixes stuff it stays fixed. Price point is ok, but down my list compared to service. Bows can be so finicky at times that a good tech is worth his (her?) weight in gold. Somebody who loves the sport, and understands customer service.
My shop has excellent service and a very knowledgeable guy who was a world champion archer at one time. He knows how to set up a bow and it helps we are friends. The only thing would be better prices on the bows an accessories. The mark up on stuff is ridiculous. Shawn
I'm not sure I would even hit the wall if she was in a shop!
Local shop here has all of the major issues described above. Just cuz the Owner doesn't like a product, it won't be carried or sometimes even ordered for you. I laugh when I hear others tell me their experiences. I even drive an hour out of my way to go to other shops to get harder to find stuff or new bows.
Is it just the photo, or is that girl's knock point too low?
Is it just the photo, or is that girl's knock point too low?
I like a sho where you can take a break, now and then.
This thread turned North quick and South even quicker!
While I'd like to see either or both of the above in a shop, more important, is someone who is willing to listen and work with you. Too many are just there to sell you what they're told by the owner you need. Not everyone is interested in the fastest, lightest and latest.
What I'd like to see is a lot less Internet know-it-alls at my local bow shop...... I'm sure the owners would too! It would probably make their job a lot easier most of the time lol.
My pro shop is owned by the nicest guy in the industry. He never pushes you to buy or gets upset if someone comes in with gear obviously purchased elsewhere (the polar opposite of the other guy in town). Consequently, I go out of my way to buy things there. Has an indoor, 50 yard, 3D range. But the best thing about his shop is how awesome they are with kids in there; all about making it fun for them. He's doing a lot to keep archery going doing that.
I'll drive home the points about basic customer service, technical knowledge, and humility. That's really most important.
I would like to see some more "brand independence" in pro shops and the archery industry in general. I guess it's the whole prostaff/advertising model that drives what I deem "brand fellatio", but I find it incredibly obnoxious. It's rampant at a few local shops, and I won't even get into what I think of the jabronis that have hunting company's stickers all over their trucks.
What were we talking about?
Does this shop have a shooting range?
If so then I would like to see shops host leagues for school kids where schools would compete against one another
Z.... last I recall it was the pros and cons of a 3 point anchor.......
TD I hear you. Everyone is so focused on anchor points,,,,,,,,,,, fantastic anchor points.
Worthless, I bet you and I are talking about the same shop! Ha!
I have a daughter. Sometimes all I can think of is that these girls are all someone's daughter that guys ogle at on the internet. I know, call me a prude, but if I caught people ogling at pics of my daughter I'd search up their address and they might find a 100gr steelhead in their forehead the next morning...granted I wouldn't want my daughter to make such pics available....she's 2.5 so we've got a few years to work on it ;)