I recently decided to make the leap and upgrade my 10 year old McPhearson Terminator (not for any rational reason - I just wanted a new set-up). I went to the usual big stores that carry everything in the world, but none of the guys at any of these places really seemed to know any more than I did and basically wanted me to buy the first bow I picked up.

I finally went to a smaller shop that is family owned (in fact the owner worked with me) and what a difference. I spent almost three hours in there shooting different bows, rests, etc. until I finally came up with the set-up I liked (turned out to be a Matthews Switchback for what it's worth). He went over the ying and yang of everything and spent as much time as I wanted to spend even though his shop was packed with people. After it was set-up I went to his indoor archery range and the thing shot like a dream.

After I went out and started practicing I found that I really couldn't stand the vertical pin alignment on my new sight - for some reason I couldn't make myself lock in with the longer pins. I called up the owner to see if I could do anything and he said, "no problem, bring and back in and we'll switch it out - we want you to be happy with your set-up". I went back and picked out a sight I liked and now the bow is perfect.

What a huge difference that experience was from the drill at the big national chains. Even though I have been shooting a bow for 30 years I can always use advice and help - I can imagine it would be 10 times more valuable for someone just starting out.

This place will get all my archery business from now on and I'm sure most of my buddies will go there as well when they hear my experience (even though it's a 50 minute drive from my house).

For what it's worth the name of the place is Schupbach's Sporting Goods in Jackson, MI (no, I don't have a financial tie to the place) in case you live in MI and want to buy a new rig. If you live somewhere else go find a smaller local guy who has a good selection and knows what he is doing - it might cost a little more but in my opinion it's worth it.