Hate for my first post to be such a long rant, but I'm a little miffed - to say the least.

Anyhoo - I recently moved back to the small town I grew up in and got back into bowhunting. There is a "pro" shop, we'll call it "Dick's", about a mile from my house that has been THE outdoorsmans go to place for about 487 years. Bought my first bow there 20 years ago and the salesman spent about an hour with me shooting different models, making adjustment, sizing and cutting arrows - pretty much giving everything a test drive before he would even take a dime of my money. Now this is about the only place in this small town that even resembles a pro shop, so my choices, locally anyway, are very limited. Well, when It was time for me to get re-outfitted after a 20 year hiatus my 8 year old, little nucker, decides he wants in. Fantastic! We head to the little shop andI pull a Genesis off the rack for him to get a feel, see if he can pull it back (he KNOWS not to dry fire a bow) and start our selection process. The lady behind the counter immediately starts chimp screaming that "they don't want kids in here playing with the bows". Well, excuse me ma'am but he is right by my side and we are "trying on" a bow for him. "We still don't need kids running around in here playing with stuff!" Well, the Genesis went back on the shelf and without another word we walk out. Next day I took off work and drove him to the only other archery shop around (their business hours aren't a good match for my work hours, but oh well). I dropped well over a grand there on bows and set ups for the both of us. The owners spent lots of time with us, really building up the bow purchase for my boy to make it seem like a giant step into manhood for him,and didn't seem to mind my boy "playing" with the equipment.

Well, yesterday I made the mistake of going back to "Dick's" looking for some arrows. Been shooting Bemans but have had a couple of wierd breaks and want to try some Gold Tips. "Dick's" closes at 6:30. I walk in the door at 6:15 (bunch of the "good ole boys" are still there drinking coffee, telling lies and hanging out". I don't even as much as get my other danged foot in the door and somedonkey void behind the counter yells, "Hey man, we're trying to close in 15 minutes!"Without saying a word I did a 360 and walked right back out. Guess ya gotta be a card carrying member of "Dick's Donkey Void Club" to even set foot in this place.

What the heck ever happened to promoting the sport, having a common bond with all outdoorsmen, or even common friggin courtesy????[:@]

This is NOT the place I want little nucker to learn about hunting and sportsmanship. I can't see how places like this stay in business!

Anyway, rant off. Just had to vent.

that is horrible service!!! i am truely sorry to hear about that. if there customer service is like that all the time how do they expect to make any money?[:'(]

Yeah, thats seems to be a problem anywhere,, just about any time I go into one of the "BIG" fancy shops,, it seems they have a lot of "counter" help,, people that run the cash register, and run for the door at quitting time,, but they usually cant answer questions, and are no help. Now Im ranting lol. I know what you mean, I am lucky to have a good shop nearby that has always helped people out any way he can,, but its getting increasingly harder to deal with the owner,, he is starting to want suggested retail for everything in the store,, when he knows anyone can drive 30 minutes and save money,, but he will help anyone wanting to shoot.

That is pathetic but I don't think I would have held my tongue the way you did.

welcome to the forum to think you where gonna spend more money there ? i don't think I would go to (dicks ) no More

I do belive I would send a letter to the owner of the store and let him know whats going on in his place. It really is hard to get good help these days. And your post explanes the difference between an Archer and a sportsman. If you belong to a club (which you should) let the owner know that you are going to spread the word on the treatment you cand expect from his place. And also post the name and town of the business here you should let everyone know you have no need to hid his buisness name from us as I don't want to support a place like that myself.

I probably would have confronted the person behind the counter on my second trip in there. I dont let people treat me that way.

Like they say, you can't fix stupid. No need to go back there. I hope your son enjoys his bow. Let me know what you think of the Genesis. My son is 5 and I would like to gethim something soon.

Dayton

i can't stand crap like that.. welcome to the forum and hope your son like his bow..

Exactly.

I have learned over the years that going "postal" and screaming like a raving lunatic along with who knows what else...........is not the way to go.........no matter how good it makes you feel You end up looking like the irrational one and your complaint is dismissed no matter how valid.

Voicing your opinion in a calm voice to the proper person is the best way to go...........100% of the time that means talk to the guy that is losing your money because he is the only one who cares.

Then...............if that doesn't work.............I go "postal"


You did the right thing by not making a scene in front of your boy.


I was in the market for a bow and knew I wanted a Patriot.......I went to a shop that sold Bowtech and got the same service as you did on visit 2. Bunch of guys sipping coffee and telling each other how good they can shoot. After handling the $650 bows for 1/2 hour with not even a look from anyone at the counter I just left and drove 2 hours to the next closest shop and bought it there. When I went back to the first shop with my Patriot and the owner saw it he asked me when I bought it and who set me up..............when I told him the story and he found out why I took my money elsewhere he almost cryed. I actually felt bad for him because he said he spends 70 hours a week in the shop just to avoid that because he can't find good help. Oh well.

Good luck..................and Welcome.