where to buy a bow, please help

[Wilderjack]

does it matter if you buy from a local store or not? I have a store about 2 hours away, and I go to the town several times a year, or I have a local one that is much more expensive. I think they both have the same maintenance gurantees, does it matter who I but from, and what should I be looking for?

[Epack]

what you need to look for is the abilitiy of the employees to service your equipment, the bow itself is gonna be the same no matter what you pay for it if its new, service in my opionion should be your # 1 concern.

[bowhuntntxn]

Box stores do not have factory certified bow techs, and they do not have the time nor expertise to offer you one on one service. IMO that is worth the difference in price. Local shops also have a better repor with manufacturers, so if you have a problem or question, they can call a reps cell phone rather than an 800 number, and the locals usually get results much faster. The local stores are also less likely to have an agenda, or monthly sales quota that they need to meet to maintain the projected growth and sales requirements. They are WAY more flexible, and usually can get you EXACTLY what you want to set a bow up just for you. Not a brand X bow set to 70# at 29" draw with a brand Z drop away, and this stores brand arrows, "because they are as good as" this non-stores brand arrow, and oh yeah, you really need this release. While we are at it, this quiver is good, and you need a peep. And because i can't set it in the string right, you have to get one of these rubber strap thingys. Oh yeah, since you are hunting, these "Crimson Talon" broadheads are the best thing you can shoot. See the blades are curved to help the arrow spin!! isn't that cool. Lets see... that will be $1085.19. Cash check or charge?????? And in the imortal words of the coolest convience store owner in the land Apu: Thank you come again!!!

[m'gobo]

Bowhuntntxn.....haha I couldn't have said it better my self. I have a saying I go by." Don't buy archery equipment in a store where they sell dippers and dog food". Support the smaller pro shops. They want your business and most of them will go out of their way to get/keep it. JMO

[Johnny Hydro]

If you can, stay local, like the others just make sure the customer service is there. You'll know if the shop provides good customer service as soon as you walk in the door.

I went by one shop, this one time after band camp and I walked in, walked around for about 10 minutes and not once got a "good morning", "may I help you", etc. I was there to pick up 1/2 dozen arrows, broadheads, and a new release but after receiving the ugly looks as if I was going to steal something i opted not to give them my business. I haven't been back since. The guy wasn't busy either, he was watching TV behind the counter, I tried to make some small talk and was excited to be there per recommendations of others but I just had a bad experience. The guy offered no help whatsoever. He was one of those "been there done that" type people and your story won't compare to his, so you must be beneath him.

It's alright he was out of my way anyway, I stick with my local shop for almost everything archery related. They know me by name, know my bow, etc. It's worth the extra cost. IMO.

[shotgunsmitty]

Absolutely go local if you can. There's only one shop that's allowed to work on my bow, and every single one of those guys knows it just as intimately as I do, if not better. When I pass my bow across the counter and it goes in a bow press, I know the guys that touch my bow will treat it better than they would if it were their own.

It's certainly worth it to me to go local. Plus, I'm lucky enough to be close to (IMO) the best pro shop in Texas.

[aggie2000tx]

Wilderjack where are you located???

[Wilderjack]

Austin. I go to Boerne a lot so I can buy the bow at Archery COuntry in Austin or at Barkley's in Boerne

[aggie2000tx]

I do not live in the Austin area but I have heard nothing but good things about Archery Country and the people that work there.

[Rodeo24]

Jim and the gang at Archery Country will take GREAT care of you!!!

[LostHawg]

Buy local, but learn to do your own maintenance. Its very rewarding when you can take care of your own needs aside from parts procurement.

[Heath]

Wilderjack,

You are lucky to have one of the best shops in Texas right in your backyard. Go visit with Jim and Luckie at Archery Country and they will treat you right.

[shotgunsmitty]

Archery Country, definitely. Can't say enough good about those guys. I'll guarantee that you won't walk around the store for any length of time without being asked if you need help. And if you do, don't worry, they won't treat you badly if you don't know the answers....that's why they're there...that's why you're there. And they know it and respect it.

[trykonroye]

DO NOT GO TO CABELAS OR ARCHERY COUNTRY IN AUSTIN
there idiots

[HockeyHunter]

I Live Just East Of Dfw And There Is A Bow Shop About 15 Minutes From My House (i Will Not Mention The Name) That I Have Gone To Twice. Now, I Am New To Bow Hunting This Year But Being In Sales Myself I Know When I Am Getting The Treatment. The Owner Of This Shop Made All Kinds Of Suggestions And Everyone Of Them Were The Most Profitable For Him. All Star Archery In Canton Is Where I Go Now And The Guys There Are Excellent. They Did Not Try To Sell Me Everything In The Store And They Gave Me Different Options And Explained The Pros And Cons Of Each Product. Customer Service Is Great, Will Keep My Business There Forever Even Though It Is About 20 More Minutes Down The Road From The Other Shop.