RE: Mathews, BowTech ..........Need Webmasters!!
You guys state that internet sales will "put a dealer on every corner", well, the manufacturers themselves are doing a good job of that already! Sheesh! I have experienced first-hand the so-called "protected territories" and all of the promises that go with it more than once, and altho it has worked fine with some, with certain manufacturers I found within a few months that I had two or three other dealers set up within my "protected" radius. Then some lame excuse spews forth when confronted about it. (In one instance I was the first dealer to stick my neck out for this company in my area, and got them a solid foothold) There are alot of things that go on behind the scenes that most do not see, and altho I still feel Pro-Shops are neeeded to complete the balance of the industry, equipment sales via the internet will only serve to save the consumer more money, money that can be spent on instruction, accessories, rangetime, whatever.(if they are like me, it won't be going back into the pocket!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>) I know for fact that more and more manufacturers are "lightening up" on this issue, and more will be available online in the months and years to come.It's inevitable. I like selling over the counter and setting archers up in my own shop just as much as the next guy, but we have to face facts about future markets and sales. OK, I'm done, didn't mean for this to turn into a soapbox, but it needed to be said. Too many people have this big misconception that we are the "bad guys" by owning internet businesses, and it is simply not the case. Oh, and chew on this-- no matter where the bows go for sale, the manufacturers always make the same profit. The only ones that get the shaft are us dealers. Therefore, we must do whatever we can to survive, especially when there is a "dealer on every corner". If it takes internet sales to do so, so be it. Good shooting, Pinwheel 12
Edited by - Pinwheel 12 on 02/11/2002 06:30:26