I recently decided to make the leap and upgrade my 10 year old McPhearson Terminator (not for any rational reason - I just wanted a new set-up). I went to the usual big stores that carry everything in the world, but none of the guys at any of these places really seemed to know any more than I did and basically wanted me to buy the first bow I picked up.

I finally went to a smaller shop that is family owned (in fact the owner worked with me) and what a difference. I spent almost three hours in there shooting different bows, rests, etc. until I finally came up with the set-up I liked (turned out to be a Matthews Switchback for what it's worth). He went over the ying and yang of everything and spent as much time as I wanted to spend even though his shop was packed with people. After it was set-up I went to his indoor archery range and the thing shot like a dream.

After I went out and started practicing I found that I really couldn't stand the vertical pin alignment on my new sight - for some reason I couldn't make myself lock in with the longer pins. I called up the owner to see if I could do anything and he said, "no problem, bring and back in and we'll switch it out - we want you to be happy with your set-up". I went back and picked out a sight I liked and now the bow is perfect.

What a huge difference that experience was from the drill at the big national chains. Even though I have been shooting a bow for 30 years I can always use advice and help - I can imagine it would be 10 times more valuable for someone just starting out.

This place will get all my archery business from now on and I'm sure most of my buddies will go there as well when they hear my experience (even though it's a 50 minute drive from my house).

For what it's worth the name of the place is Schupbach's Sporting Goods in Jackson, MI (no, I don't have a financial tie to the place) in case you live in MI and want to buy a new rig. If you live somewhere else go find a smaller local guy who has a good selection and knows what he is doing - it might cost a little more but in my opinion it's worth it.

Yeah, it's nothing like going to a place where people know you and treat you like a human instead of a walking dollar sign. Good when it comes time to work on it because they know you and the bow.

Yep, and its worth spending a few dollars extra also!

Yep
support my local shop

YUP... in fact my hunting partner is now my proshop owner. They're great and know what to do. He feels this urge to give his hunting partner a discount. I tell him to stuff it. I don't want to be the reason a shop closes. He's got to get paid for his work. He still throws things in all the time, but I tell him I want him to prosper and become filthy rich. That way I know the shop will still be there when I really need help.[8D] And honestly, his prices are comparable to Bass Pro Shop that I drive past 10 miles before I get to his place.

Bass Pro Shop sucks!!!!!!!!!!!! poor customer service,empty shelves,the list goes on.....

I want my local pro shop to stay open and Ispend my money there for that reason. I may be able to buy cheaper elsewhere but I can't find customer service like I can at Southern Hunter, Kaufman Tx. And the only financial tie I have to them is that they seem to get a bunch of my $$$$.

The small pro shops always get my business.I know most of them fairly well and the quality of the service is so much better.Their knowledge and experience is worth the additional dollars paid!

I happily drive 25 miles to my favorite shop. There is a shop that's only 5 miles from my house butI won't go back there. I'll go to a retail store before I go to that place again! [:'(]

what is really nice is when you experience a problem on thurs. evening, you can take your bow in friday morning and useally hunt friday afternoon, to me that is worth the slightly higher price, you get what you pay for, the service