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Pro Shops better
My buddy went to Gander Mountain looking for a new bow. He ended up buying a Truth 2 because he liked his Fred Bear Instinct (that broke). They said it would be ready tomorrow to pick up. He calls the next day and they say that they need to order his size for the cam that they originally said they had. They swapped all of his old stuff on the new one but my buddy said they put the dampeners in a spot that voids the warranty. He wasn't comfortable with the kid at the start working on his bow. I guess he was waving his knife and what not around his string with no care in the world.
After all this nonsense, he returned the bow and got his money back and went straightto my guy at thePro Shop and bought a Mathews DXT and is now happier than a pig in doo doo. My point is, not to generalize, but do these kids working at Gander Mountain or Dick's really have the experience that you can trust? After what he went through, I'll stick with the Pro Shop and their 20-40 years of experience! |
RE: Pro Shops better
At my local place that Rhymes with Ricks, you dont have to worry you wont get service.
Ryan. |
RE: Pro Shops better
Well I was in a "pro shop" a couple weeks ago getting a d-loop tied on......when a guy comes in to buy a new 82nd airborne. He asks the "pro" behind the bench the difference between the 82nd and the 101st. The "pro" starts telling him how much faster the 101st is.
It's got nothing to do with thecounter and ALL to do with the man behind it.;) |
RE: Pro Shops better
i trust only one shop to work on my bows pro shop in shawnee, he may be higher and farther away than others but he knows his high countrys.
i need to buy the equipment and learn how to work on my own bows. |
RE: Pro Shops better
i always go with my local shop because i KNOW that they understand whats going on.
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RE: Pro Shops better
I think it varies from place to place, but I would tend to think that some pro shops would have a little bit more knowledge. However, I have found that both pro shops and store chains often lack knowledge on the products they are selling. I research everything on the bows (specs, design, etc.) I'm considering buying. I find oftenthat I'm telling the shop more aboutspecifics on thebows they are selling. It just seems theyall could do a little more research on their own product.
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RE: Pro Shops better
Like Jeff said the name over the front door has nothing to do with it. It's the guy behind the counter.
That said your odds of finding someone more knowledgeable is better at a pro shop. Help tends to turn over more at the big stores. (not always) Dan |
RE: Pro Shops better
GanderMtn over here in Mooresville has two older guys that have been around. They are good, but they have acouple of young guys that don't know jack. I walked in with my own chronograph, arrows and tried a few of their bows before I made a decision. I would like to go to some of the local shops but they are hard to find.
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RE: Pro Shops better
IMHO Gander Mountain, Cabelas, Bass Pro & Schees are great places to buy shoes & socks.
When you need real help a pro is worth the extra money. I am not bow savy enough to buy a bow, set it up right & tune it right myself. That is why I will always find a good pro & do my business at his shop. You will not find good pro's at every shop, so keep looking until you find one. |
RE: Pro Shops better
It is always the man not the shop just because someone owns a shop that doesnt make him a pro also doesnt make the people working for himn a pro. Within 25 miles of me I have about 7 "PRO" shops only 2 that I trust at all but one that I havent been too yet.
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RE: Pro Shops better
Honestly, I found the guy at Gander mt in my area to be quite worthy of working on bows. My pro shop guy is the one that said I did not need to tune my bow!!! It depends sometimes!!
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RE: Pro Shops better
Percentage wise your much better off going to a pro shop, but then I have seen peopleworking in them that would not know a Rats arse from a hole in the ground also
 . I wont get into some of the stories, Ill just say I dont let no one work on my gear. |
RE: Pro Shops better
I used to get some funny looks working next to a 60+ year old back in the archery department at Sportsman's Warehouse. A lot of the older guys (at first) weren't comfortable with how young I was -- until I worked on their equipment. As it stands now, I have customers calling me and getting ahold of me on AT who want me to work on their bows from my home, rather than having to take it into Sportsman's.
Go figure. Not ALL young people are inexperienced. Its a stereotype that gets real old real fast. Just because you work at a chain store doesn't mean you're inexperienced. Sometimes its difficult to get hired at a lot of the mom and pop shops locally because they're family owned and operated. |
RE: Pro Shops better
Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. The shop I go is very good, all workers are pretty good. I have learned alot in the last year, so I can do most things myself now, which is handy.
ORIGINAL: Washington Hunter I used to get some funny looks working next to a 60+ year old back in the archery department at Sportsman's Warehouse. A lot of the older guys (at first) weren't comfortable with how young I was -- until I worked on their equipment. As it stands now, I have customers calling me and getting ahold of me on AT who want me to work on their bows from my home, rather than having to take it into Sportsman's. Go figure. Not ALL young people are inexperienced. Its a stereotype that gets real old real fast. Just because you work at a chain store doesn't mean you're inexperienced. Sometimes its difficult to get hired at a lot of the mom and pop shops locally because they're family owned and operated. |
RE: Pro Shops better
I usaully special order my stuff(ie...guns, bows, and accessories) but if I need work done I always go to the local proshop they just seem to do a better job, and have been around for about 20yrs
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RE: Pro Shops better
I say that personality is a plus too. My local pro shops seem to be quite rude and simply could use a course in customer service!! Pure, firstclass _ssholes !! At least the chain stores Ive been to have been polite and helpful.
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I can honestly say that my local Gander Mtn has better techs than any of my "local" shops....
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RE: Pro Shops better
ORIGINAL: GMMAT It's got nothing to do with thecounter and ALL to do with the man behind it.;) |
RE: Pro Shops better
I've had mixed results from different pro shops. Many moons ago I took my bow into a bigger pro shop in Northern IL. It was mostly a gun shop, but they had a guy there who really *thought* he knew everything about bows and bowhunting. I brought my bow in once to shoot some targets and mentioned I was having some problems getting my feathers to clear the rest. He grabbed my bow and a said "Well, here's your problem." He then took a pair of pliers (pliers!) and bent the 'L' shaped rest on my Huntmaster 2000 until it faced away from the riser. Needless to say, I kept my bow far away from there from then on.
The guy ended going on to work at Basspro (eek) and the 'pro shop' hired more competent archery staff. Now that I live in Central IL, I've tried a couple of pro shops. BlueRidge Backwoods Archery shop in Monticello is my favorite. Recently, my nice NAP rest suddenly became the feather-eating-untunable-rest-from-hell. Deb worked on it for two hours straight and never once did she break out a pair of pliers. (though, "mallet" was brought up more than once) Eventually, it was determined that the rest was somehow broken and no amount of tinkering could make it work right. A new rest later and I'm not making feather confetti everytime I shoot. :) -end rambling here- |
RE: Pro Shops better
a mechanic wasnt the best mechanic his first day...that 20-40 year veteran wasnt always as good as he is now.....they got tostart some where.... i know i dont like the idea of some inexperienced person workin on my stuff.....but its the fact of life in my opinion
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RE: Pro Shops better
I found a local shop where you walk in, there's stuff all over and it looks like a mess. I was asking the guy about a switchback and a tribute (looking for a bow for my brother a couple years ago), and this guy amazed me with his knowledge of these and other bows. you could pretty much build a bow just talking to this guy who's shop looked like junk. I say look around different places and try to find the one where someone impresses you.
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RE: Pro Shops better
I would say Pro Shop is better. I know that after buying my last bow at Cabelas, my next bow will be bought at a pro shop.
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RE: Pro Shops better
I went toa local pro shop to try a few bows. They had to borrow arrows from another customer so I could shoot!! I didn't buy a bow there!
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RE: Pro Shops better
ORIGINAL: Washington Hunter I used to get some funny looks working next to a 60+ year old back in the archery department at Sportsman's Warehouse. A lot of the older guys (at first) weren't comfortable with how young I was -- until I worked on their equipment. As it stands now, I have customers calling me and getting ahold of me on AT who want me to work on their bows from my home, rather than having to take it into Sportsman's. Go figure. Not ALL young people are inexperienced. Its a stereotype that gets real old real fast. Just because you work at a chain store doesn't mean you're inexperienced. Sometimes its difficult to get hired at a lot of the mom and pop shops locally because they're family owned and operated. |
RE: Pro Shops better
I can only reiterate the it's the person behind the counter sentiment. There are some top quality guys at the chain stores but it's hard to get top shelf help for $7.00 an hour. When you run across these guys appreciate them, they are only there because they love it.
Pete |
RE: Pro Shops better
The guys at the shop I go to are good at what they do but I only go there to buy New bows or arrows AND to use his press being how I havnt bought one yet.......Other then that I do all my own work on my bow's....
I think he wants me to get my press soon :D.....He thought I was nuts tieing my dropzone in like this but it works great.. forgot pic opps..... |
RE: Pro Shops better
the piece of tape was a referance point before I went to his shop.
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RE: Pro Shops better
ORIGINAL: ranger56528 I think he wants me to get my press soon.... __________________________________________________ ____________________________________ Well, in all honesty, I would love to find someone in the SW Suburbs of Chicago thatI trust working on mybows, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I am learning more on my own instead of hitting up the shops. Mainly because I haven't found a decent shop yet. I have seen the guys working atthelocal Gander Mountain and Bass Pro. They haven't impressed me yet. Through using resources such as HNI and elsewhere on the internet, I really only have to head back to the shop for warranty repairs if need be. (Lucky for me, I haven't had to test out the warranty yet). I am still fine-tuning my "bow tuning" skills but other than that, with a few more purchases (namely an arrow saw) and building my own paper-tuning rack as well as drawing board, I feel I will be close to becoming self-sufficient. I would like to have a guy show me the ins-and-outs first hand, to speed up the learning process, but I am comfortable learning it myselfwith the help ofmy friends here on HNI. The more I hear this phrase, the more I am believing it, "working on bows isn't rocket science!" Getting over the initial fear of screwing something up and acquiring the necessary tools to maintain a bow are really the only issues I have been running into. Learning how to work on my bowhas been the REWARD so far! |
RE: Pro Shops better
I know...just havent found the press I want and dont need a 200-700 dollor one...
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RE: Pro Shops better
ttt
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RE: Pro Shops better
ORIGINAL: YooperMike Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. The shop I go is very good, all workers are pretty good. I have learned alot in the last year, so I can do most things myself now, which is handy. ORIGINAL: Washington Hunter I used to get some funny looks working next to a 60+ year old back in the archery department at Sportsman's Warehouse. A lot of the older guys (at first) weren't comfortable with how young I was -- until I worked on their equipment. As it stands now, I have customers calling me and getting ahold of me on AT who want me to work on their bows from my home, rather than having to take it into Sportsman's. Go figure. Not ALL young people are inexperienced. Its a stereotype that gets real old real fast. Just because you work at a chain store doesn't mean you're inexperienced. Sometimes its difficult to get hired at a lot of the mom and pop shops locally because they're family owned and operated. When I originally started working there, I would say a good majority of the "older" customers were leary about my working on their equipment. There were times where I was the only person working, and if they wanted their stuff worked on that day, it would be done by me. They found that I often did my work quicker and more efficiently than my coworker(s). They soon started requesting me as the one who worked on their stuff. I'm 19 years old. I'll be 20 in April. I understand that there are a lot of people out there (older than myself) who know more about tuning bows than I probably ever will, however, I wouldn't be lying if I said I know more about what I'm doing when it comes to setting up and tuning bows than a lot of people twice my age who've been at it twice as long. The concept that younger archers, who a lot of work in chain stores (Cabelas, Sportsman's, Gander Mt., etc), don't know what they're doing is absolutely stupid. I'll admit I've run into a few who shouldn't be allowed to work on people's equipment, but it would be ridiculous to lump us all into one group. Its something that I run into quite frequently, and frankly, it gets old. So again, I'm not patting myself on the back, I'm simply proving my point. ;) |
RE: Pro Shops better
ORIGINAL: Washington Hunter ORIGINAL: YooperMike Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. The shop I go is very good, all workers are pretty good. I have learned alot in the last year, so I can do most things myself now, which is handy. ORIGINAL: Washington Hunter I used to get some funny looks working next to a 60+ year old back in the archery department at Sportsman's Warehouse. A lot of the older guys (at first) weren't comfortable with how young I was -- until I worked on their equipment. As it stands now, I have customers calling me and getting ahold of me on AT who want me to work on their bows from my home, rather than having to take it into Sportsman's. Go figure. Not ALL young people are inexperienced. Its a stereotype that gets real old real fast. Just because you work at a chain store doesn't mean you're inexperienced. Sometimes its difficult to get hired at a lot of the mom and pop shops locally because they're family owned and operated. When I originally started working there, I would say a good majority of the "older" customers were leary about my working on their equipment. There were times where I was the only person working, and if they wanted their stuff worked on that day, it would be done by me. They found that I often did my work quicker and more efficiently than my coworker(s). They soon started requesting me as the one who worked on their stuff. I'm 19 years old. I'll be 20 in April. I understand that there are a lot of people out there (older than myself) who know more about tuning bows than I probably ever will, however, I wouldn't be lying if I said I know more about what I'm doing when it comes to setting up and tuning bows than a lot of people twice my age who've been at it twice as long. The concept that younger archers, who a lot of work in chain stores (Cabelas, Sportsman's, Gander Mt., etc), don't know what they're doing is absolutely stupid. I'll admit I've run into a few who shouldn't be allowed to work on people's equipment, but it would be ridiculous to lump us all into one group. Its something that I run into quite frequently, and frankly, it gets old. So again, I'm not patting myself on the back, I'm simply proving my point. ;) Tim |
RE: Pro Shops better
TJF -
USPS! I won't charge ya much! ;) |
RE: Pro Shops better
ORIGINAL: Washington Hunter TJF - USPS! I won't charge ya much! ;)  Tim |
RE: Pro Shops better
:D;)
Come on now, time is money! You know that! I've got a habit to support here! I can't buy a new bow with friendship. "I'd like to buy that bow." "That bow is $700, how much do you have?" "Do you accept friendship as payment?" "..." [&:] :D |
RE: Pro Shops better
ORIGINAL: Washington Hunter :D;) Come on now, time is money! You know that! I've got a habit to support here! I can't buy a new bow with friendship. "I'd like to buy that bow." "That bow is $700, how much do you have?" "Do you accept friendship as payment?" "..." [&:] :D Tim |
RE: Pro Shops better
Boooo. [:'(]
:D |
RE: Pro Shops better
Christine;
Deb worked on it for two hours straight and never once did she break out a pair of pliers. (though, "mallet" was brought up more than once) It's made of Brass... Just Rapp Sharply a couple of times and Walla... FEATHER EATING REST FROM HELL....... ALL FIXED  ;) |
RE: Pro Shops better
i havent had my bow worked on anywhere but a proshop. the ones i go to are nice.
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RE: Pro Shops better
I don't have much expirence going to other places besides pro shops. I don't think i want to take a chance taking my bow anywhere else. The pro shops i go to have some very knowledgeable people.
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