It’s commonplace for people to make a concerted effort to complain when they feel that they have had substandard service at a retail establishment. I just do my best to bite my tongue and take my business elsewhere.
I recently received a used bow as a gift from a friend. This bow was very dirty and looked to have seen better days. I was told to take it to an archery pro-shop to have a professional go over it, and replace any worn parts, cables, buy some arrows, and make sure the draw length was ok.
Keeping in mind that I have NEVER fired an arrow of any kind imagine the intimidation factor of it all!
I was told to NOT go to Cabela’s or Basspro, because they didn’t specialize in archery and they may just pressure me into stuff I don’t need or ruin my bow. As luck would have it there were no archery pro shops near me, so I had to go to Basspro. Now, just so you know that I have NO affiliation with Basspro, I only ever shop there when I know what I want and can go in, get it, and leave. I have never once had a positive customer service at the location near my office!
That being said, November 3rd found me standing at the archery counter with my dirty old bow expecting the worse. Dan Brown approached me and asked what he could do for me. The short version is that I told him I have never even pulled a bow string, but I needed him to look over my bow, suggest some arrows, and send me on my way. He could have done just that, and I would have failed miserably and never bow hunted again!
I was self conscious of all the other archers around, and didn’t want to seem like an idiot, but Dan anticipated all my questions, and went WAY out of his way to make sure that I had what I needed (even if I didn’t know at the time that I needed it).
What he DIDN’T do was sell (or even suggest) items that I didn’t need. He had me test fire some arrows, and noticed that the arrow fell off the old-school arrow rest and set me up with a new one that would prevent this. He also replaced my old noisy release, and custom cut me some arrows. Fixed my peep site and installed a “kisser button”.
He praised the quality of my bow, commented on it silent release, flat trajectory, and overall condition. He told me that it still had many years of hunting left in it and it just needed a cleaning.
After spending about an hour and a half with me I put 3 arrows in a business card sized group from 20 yards (2 were fighting for the same hole). I am NOT saying that to brag (I don’t even know if that is good) I am saying that to emphasize the MANY free tips Dan gave me from foot position up through squeezing my shoulder blades together.
I basically got my gear and a crash course in archery for less than $200 and about 2 hours of my time.
I have no doubt that Dan could have really padded his paycheck due to my ignorance, but he didn’t. I am taking the time out of my busy work day to write this because in today’s society you seldom get service like this! I am going on my first bow hunt in the next two weeks, and I actually feel confident!
I truly cannot thank Dan enough; he really made me feel like he cared about my success and safety as a hunter. If I managed this store I would kill for a few more employees just like Dan Brown!
If any of you are near Olathe Kansas, I would HIGHLY recommend stopping in and seeing Dan. I have ZERO vested interest, I just wanted to spread the word in case any of you all are local and need a good "stick and string" guy..... see, I already know the lingo!

Sincerely

Don P.
Olathe Kansas