siskyou
You forgot about all the bow companys that want you to buy the 25 bow program and and save 2% and pay in30 to90 day's. And don't forget the arrow company's, sights or rests and don't forget releases. As a pro shop with nearly the price of a 2000 square home in inventory you are exspected to have on hand people think you get this stuff for free.

Archery is sport many choose to be in, but it is exspected to subsidized by a few willing to take time away from family and other things we enjoy.

I own a very popular shop in my area and yes I give a lot of things way to help someone in a pinch. BUT some think your kindness is some thing they can take advantage of as long as the you play by they'er rules.

I care very deeply how a customers bow shoots when it leaves my shop (it has my reputation riding on it). But like most shop's that stay busy when other are not it takes time to learn what's best for the shop an dwhat works best for the customer.

I always said that if the customer was always right I wouldn't be here, I'd be in the mountains hunting in the fall.

Archery shop are open in the summer when archery is the last thing on the mind of the fall bowhunter. Bills still have to be paid maintance on the building (think about 200 people a week going though your place), All the different people that come though that you don't even know and all the elk,turkey,duck and frog clubs looking for donations.

But heres the kicker, listening to a young person about taking his first deer or watching a new shooter do well in there first shoot at a local club 3-D.

those are the things that make it worth while to me.

For what it's worth
Doug Girt
Girt's Archery Anderson In.