Did you go to a proshop
 

I've been on the forum for a little while and have read numerous posts regarding the importance of going to a proshop to get properly fitted when you are initially looking into getting started with the sport of archery.Guys I've been to quite a few proshops and most of their bows are VEERRYY expensive (at least to me they are). My question is has anyone here had any successbuying a bow from somewhere else (i.e. the internet, searching the newspaper, ebay, etc.) and then getting set up later? I saw a PSE Nova package at the local Academy Outdoors forunder $300.00. I've also seen several in the local newspaper for different prices, not to mention websites like huntersfriend.com. Not trying to ruffle any feathers here but I just want to know if its possible to get a nice bow and have it tuned or set up for less than some of the proshops sell their bows for. Again, if the masses think its better to go proshop then I guess that's what I'll have to do. Your responses are appreciated.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

It sure is possible. I personally went to a proshop to get set up, but their weren't such things as proshops 25 years ago and people were successfully hunting. You can get a good bow on ebay/internet, but be carefull. If you plan on setting it up yourself, do a lot of shooting and experiment with different options. But it is definitly can be done.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

If you buy a bow off ebay, or in the paper and need help setting it up plan on paying a good hourly rate to your local proshop. You are not just buying a bow from the pro shop you are also buying the service. Most shops around here will set up your bow and work on itfree of charge if you buy it off them. One pro shop in my town has a sign up that says if you bought your bow off ebay have ebay set it up for you, if you bought arrow shafts off ebay have ebay fletch them. I have always bought from my local pro shop, and never regreted once.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

You can find a ton of nice bows in all kinds of places. You just need to know your draw length,that will be the most important thing.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

Yeah, you can do it....just don't call your proshop and want them to set it up for you RIGHT NOW....we get that all the time....."Hey, I bought this bow from .....I need it this weekend, if I bring it in can you set it up for me tonight??"

First off, why didn't the place you bought it from set it up (if it's bass pro or something?) Secondly, we have paying customers that are in front of you...Don't expect us to drop everything we are doing because you didn't get your bow set up right from "that place." Oh sure, we'll get to it, and we'll do it right, but we aren't gonna get to it "right now."

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

I think my local guy charges about $75 to $100 to setup an outside bow and if he is busy with people buying his bows you just have to wait.

-john

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

That makes sense Mobowhuntr. But how often will a person need their bow set up "right now" or "by this weekend". I was under the impression that when you get it set up right the first time you should be good to go for awhile. Again, not trying to cause any friction but I do want to weigh all of my options here. If archery will require that I set up, reset up my bow numerous times during the season then I guess I would be better going to a proshop. But if not, then I figure why spend the extra dough if I really don't have it?

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

We get several of these calls every day. I mean....EVERY day. All the time. Constantly. Sorry, pet pieve of mine...I feel better now.


Yes, pro shops carry upper end bows....that's why the bow manufacturer's make them......Most of them you can ONLY get at a pro shop. Hoyt, Mathews, Bowtech, just to name a few. These same companies have "secondary" companies that cater to the big name stores..Hoyt has Reflex, Bowtech has Diamond, and I forget what Mathews has...Those you can get at either a big name store OR a pro shop....They are also lower end prices, so they aren't nearly as bad. You're gonna pay a pretty penny foreven a "decent" bow. The old Bears you get at Wal Mart..well, you get what you pay for.

People go to a pro shop for lots of reasons. First hand, personal service done RIGHT, most shops also offer some free shooting time at their range when you buy a bow from them...I don't want a bow I can get at Bass Pro or whereever...I want something I have to go to a Proshop to get. Again, you get what you pay for. The "Wal Mart mentality" as I like to call it is ruining the local pro shops.

I don't mean to imply that Diamond or Reflex aren't good equipment, they most certainly are! In fact, most Diamond bows were in the Bowtech line, and most Reflex were in the Hoyt line...Same bow, just discontinued in one and shifted to the other. Cheaper price. But a Pro shop is STILL the best place to get one. But, do what you need to do. A bow is better than no bow at all, but I think you'll begin to see what I'm talking about.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

Ash And Mobowhntr, you both have very good points there. I just got into bow hunting this year. I Bought my bow off of ebay and went to a bow shop to have some work done to it.
He fixed it on the spot but i did get a little fun poked at me for buying it on ebay. I really was looking for some guidence but after getting poked at i just left. A few days later i went to bass pro and a guy there worked with me for nearly an hour. SHowing me proper form and hitting a few inches from the bullseye at 20 yards.
most of you guys will say a few inches from the bullseye ain't to good. But for my 1st time really shooting a bow i thought it was decent.
If you want to save a few dollars and buy 1 off ebay or the paper, i say go for it. You may have a friend to teach you form and such. And help you set up your bow. I did not, i do not know anyone who bow hunts.
You may even find a shop that will work with you or a bass pro shop.
Then if you decide you want to stick with it and buy a better bow in the future, buy a new 1 and buy from a pro shop.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

The biggest problem is how will you know what to get.


Do you really know your draw length,poundage that is comfortable.If you don't get this stuff right,you won't ever shoot worth a darn.


Don't go to a proshop and find out what you need and then go to ebay.They will get it back one way or another.You will never get a deal on arrows,sights or anthything for it.


You really should be able to get into an entry level bow at a competitive price to ebay or BassPro.If the shops you are going to are pushing the high end stuff,then maybe you need to findone that will try and fit YOUR needs.


I know where a setup Hoyt Protec is right now(atleast it was there monday)that is 1 year old, setup with a high end sight,stabilizer,rest and quiver for $500.00at a proshop.


I asked about a bow for my nephew and he had one that would be suitable for adults or teenagers for $280.00,brand new.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

I got my first bow at a garage sale an Golden Eagel had everything on it inculding six arrows plus a bow case all for a meer $150.00 dollars.
When I needed work done on it I took to my local pro -shop , sure I had to pay for his service's but over time getting arrows fletched and buying license's though the years we got a friendship going.
After 12 to 13 years of shooting that old bow and it came time to get an upgrade I went back to him and shot some of the bows he sells.
When I decided on one , not only did he gave me a good deal but he made sure I was all set up and ready to take it in to woods at no extra charge and that my friends is well worth going back and supporting your local pro - shop.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

Totally, once you have your draw length and a little education, you can pick up a bow just about anywhere. Again, draw length and education. ;)

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

Does your pro shop carry previous year's bows? They should have a section of discounted bows that people have sold/traded in for something new.

Check into those, you should be able to pick up an '05 or '06 model for a couple hundred less than a brand new model.

At least go into the shop and start talking to them. Tell them the situation you're in and get all the help from them that you can. Unless they're really swamped or are just jerks like the guys running our shop they should be able to help you figure out everything you'll need. You may not purchase it from them because of financial restraints, but at least you'll have a better idea of what you're looking for and possibly have started to develop a friendship with the folks at the shop.

Show them you're genuinely interested in learning about archery and I think they'll be more willing to lend you a hand when time permits.

Good luck and keep us posted!

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

i wanted to bowhunt BAD this year...and needed ALL the gear...but didnt wanna break the bank...i found huntersfriend.com ..i was hesitant at first...but decided to go ahead. i bought a reflex highlander package..figured out my draw legnth using their method recomended...bow came a week later tuned and setup and adjusted..within 50 shots at 15yds i robinhooded an arrow!! i never shot a real bow in my life before this...i read ALOT online about proper form etc...and my bow fit well and was tuned well.

AND...in my area...shops dont care if you bought it here or there or where your getting charged PERIOD! sure if you buy it BRAND new they may set it up ONCE...but huntersfriend DID that for me. after my string broke in i noticed..and my arrows were toooo long and spine was bad for my BHs so i had to goto a shop..i had it retuned and my arrows all cut and refletched!. they didnt give me a hard time at all. i noticed a poster..said if you bought it there and have proof any work is half price of people who bought elsewhere...tuning for customers is 5$...for me with a bow i bought elsewhere was 10. setup..i wouldnt pay anyone to tighten screws..sure it needs tuned..10$..so for me it really didnt make a diffrence...the shop knows me by name now and hook me up with deals already...

im also the kinda guy that rather do my own work...slowly but surely ill be buying stuff to make my OWN personal proshop...

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

I really think that especially for your first bow you should go to a good pro shop.
Yep, you will pay a little more but in the long run I feel it will be worth it.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

Exactly!!! I support and buy off of my local proshop because it is the service after the sell that is important to me plus I want to support the local small businessman. I would never buy a bowoff of the internet, Bass Pro, Cabelas, or Scheels. Go to the small local proshops in your area and your purchase price will be rewarded with great followup service.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

Have you asked your local shop or shops if they can get you into something a bit cheaper. I mean if you are looking at a specific bow see if they can order it for you. Just because they don't have it in stock doesn't mean they can't get it for you if you want it. As long as it's a line they carry.

Just don't expect them them to meet or beat an internet or big chain store price. That is hard for them to do.

Let them know what you are looking for and how much you can afford to spend. They should be able to work with you. Or if they are a good shop they will tell you why they can't. Some of these cheap bows are not that impressive and you would be better off saving up the money to get something better, and they know that. It isn't just about them making money, I don't think the mark up on bows is that high. They want you to be a happy customer. And selling you cheap bow that may give you problems later, or you won't be happy with doesn't help either of you.

They should be able to get you into a decent bow for 3 or 4 hundred dollars though. You don't have to spend 8 or 9 hundred to get a good bow. My most expensive bow I have was under $600 for the bare bow.

I am a fairly experianced archer and I still get my bows from a pro shop. I am lucky enough to have several good ones in my area though. I could easily get a bow from ebay or something and set it up, but I like the service I get from a good shop. They let me test out different bows to see how they feel and set them up different and answer any questions I have and give me their opinions on equipment.

Good luck,
Paul

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

I've been to pretty much every proshop in my area and like someone said earlier, they can't beat the prices that I've seen on the internet or at some of the larger retail chains. I found one that was close to my house and the kid trying to sell me the bow didn't know ANYTHING about archery. I don't know, I'll probably go back when a more experienced salesperson is there because I did see a bow made by Parker that fit my price range. Then you go on websites like huntersfriend.com and they say they can get you set up and ready to shoot as soon as your bow arrives at your door. You have to admit, that sounds prettydarn good. Thanks for everyones advice. I think I'll visit the remaining shops in the area and see what they have to offer. After that, who knows...Thanks again guys.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

Just be careful with those "pre set up" Parkers.....They aren't set up to you specifically, so they will need some adjusting. But I know what you are saying about price....But it will end up costing more in the long run...trust me.

RE: Did you go to a proshop
 

I truly have never been in one that after leaving I thought that shop had my best interests at heart, butbased on some here who work in or own one, I know that they do exist.:D

True story. Last season in a shop where we hunted some guy walked in and said something about being new to bow hunting and had seen a deer sign in the woods. He asked what he should do. Almost a dozen products later he headed out with enough stink to scent 100 acres.:DIt was the same shop that sold my brother a string almost2"'s too long and told him that the Hoyt recommended string length was wrong. He was stuck away from home and had no other choice. I heard the story from him when we met back up.

Get educated. Figure out which one you want. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Archery takes time, if you want instant gratification your in the wrong "sport" "life style" "addiction".:D

You can do it!