Well I'm pretty new to this "game", having only worked part time in my shop for about a year and a half. There is A LOT about the business end that I am still learning. So an authority on the subject I am not, but I'll offer up what I have learned.

Some of my "problems" are with the owner. Now that's not as bad as it sounds. He's a GREAT guy, I would do anything for him. I consider him a very good friend. But he's set in his ways. He's "old school" if you will. And that works, but.....Bringing in new stuff is almost impossible. Sometimes I know more about what's available than he does. Shoot, I am trying desperately to get him to buy a computer and get internet service.

What do I feel sets us apart from our competition? Mostly service. We go absolutely above and beyond trying to help people. We will actually sell something that costs less because the more expensive isn't worth the extra money. We'll of course sell it if that's what they want, but you understand. We work our tails off to get what the customer wants/needs. I've spent literally HOURS w/ one customer just setting him up. Most of the shops w/in 50 miles of us (and there is only about 3) don't care, they just want your money. We hear it from our customers all the time. Guys bring in bows that don't fit them, all kinds of stuff. It's amazing. But we work VERY hard to have someone shooting well before they leave.

I wish we had more inventory. And by inventory I mean selection. But, I understand that overhead costs money, and us being a small shop, money we don't have in large amounts. We carry good stuff, but only a couple different styles. 3 or 4 rests, couple different stabs, couple different sights.....But he knows what sells, so he sticks with that. I recently convinced him to carry the Sword line of sights, and I think he's glad I did. We have sold quite a few of those in only a month.

What hurts us most in the "wal mart mentality." I understand it's their right to make money too, but the big mega stores really hurt us. I would like to see more companies go to pro shop only merchandise. I know we cant have everything that way, I understand that. But other than bows.....pretty much EVERYTHING else can be picked up @ bass pro. am I being selfish there? Yeah, probably. But I don't care, that's how I see it.

There's also too much BS and out right lies in the industry. It's amazing the corners that some folks cut, and the lies they tell to try to sell something. I'm sure that's not specific to the archery industry though.

Well, I'm not really all that knowledgeable on this, but that's what I see. I don't know if that's the info you are looking for or not, but there it is.