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You are looking at it like alot of people do, and like I did a few years ago. Unfortunately, it's quickly coming to the point where either you are online, or you will soon be gone. Sorry, I don't make the rules, and I cannot change technological advancement in midstream, nor do I have a right to. Internet sales ARE here, face up to the fact. Millions of people order SOMETHING online every day. I never thought I would use the internet to buy or sell things 10 or even 5 years ago, yet here I am. I use it regularly to buy products, especially seeing as I am a busy person and cannot get out to do the "touchy-feely" thing. Yeah, sure, Pro-shops get hurt by it if that's all they have, I own a Pro shop and know this, and had to look ahead so I could and can in the future make correct decisions for my livlihood. This cost me money to do, so it's not like I'm getting anything for free! If I were to sit here and say "No, I'm not gonna do that", you think I'd be around long? Time waits for no-one my friend, and if I'm not there getting my share of the pie, someone else will be. That's the bottom line. Same things go with manufacturers, it was fine to try and help the Pro shops, but realistically it only helped to slow down their individual sales for a couple of years. Those couple of years are up IMO, look at how many archery internet sales sites there are today! I'm glad I made my move when I did and am established, makes alot of difference! Mathews and a couple of other companies are not going to stop all internet trade, the World is alot bigger than their little companies and it's quite humorous that they thought they could. Gotta give them credit for trying, but now they are only hurting themselves, and if they continue, they too, will be left in the dust. Bet they could've made an extra few hundred thousand in profit the past couple of years if they allowed internet trade, and shops that are online would've made even more sales, also, generating more money for the overall industry.
I understand exactly what you are saying but feel you do not have the right to accuse me of hurting other shops simply by doing what is best for my businesses, especially when I also own a Pro-shop and post almost daily on these boards trying to help people,too. I see both sides of the picture because I own both, and can tell you that either with or without Mathews and others, my internet business and many others will continue to flourish in the future, as this is the crossroads that this and many other industries have come to and we have to look towards the future or sink. I'm sorry if it doesn't fit into your scheme of things, but honestly you do not feed my family or pay my bills. If you'd like to take over that job then by all means I'll close down all of my businesses for you! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>LOL.(Nah, maybe not. haha) Good shooting, Pinwheel 12
Edited by - Pinwheel 12 on 02/10/2002 06:29:49