A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

Just wanted to rant, maybe see if its happening in other areas but around the Metro Detroit area Archery pro shopsare folding up like crazy . Once upon a time i had close to ten shops in my 25 mile radius,now i have 3. Whats going on?
Dusty9

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

Dusty9 It is not only in your area.It is happening all over maybe more in some areas then others.Pro Shops even with the extra care most give to their customers can't compete anymore with big outfits like dicks, gander mountain, even wall- mart.Hunters are looking for a good price and the way they buy by volume the little guy just can't compete any more.Even some Gander Mountain stores have their own Gun Smiths and archery pros set up right in their stores.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

The archery shop we always went to closed down last month too.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

It is happening here too....but not quite as fast as it is out your way. We had two shops close up in the last 5 years....there are still 6 or 7 within a 45 minute drive of me though...

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

Bass Pro opened about 10 minutes from my house. There is a really big hunting stored close also, but their customer service used to be the worst. I guess now they are working very hard at customer service as Bass Pro is taking a lot of their customers. Personally, after the service I received I wont go in there, and know of others whe feel the same way. I think they will end up out of business thanks to Bass Pro, which is really too bad because they had a big shop and a lot of stuff.

--Jim

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

With all the marts and online and mail order it's hard to compete. When the pro shops are gone the guys start complaining, but if they don't support them now it'll be too late.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

We had a decent one here but nobody wanted to pay the prices he had to charge to make ends meet. Now everyone has to drive 20 miles or more for pro shop service. Too many discount stores and online bargains and he just couldn't compete.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

It's the same here in the Cincinnati, OH area. You can thank Bass Pro's Outdoor World, Mailorder such as Bass Pro & Cabelas, Dicks Sporting Goods, etc.

The little guy just can't hang with the big boys.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

well heck we just had 2 open up around here in the past couple years. The one that has been here for awhile had to shut there doors on the indoor range and open up a tiny 'one room' shop. I do see them retiring here in the next couple years. Unfortunatly one of the 2 shops doesnt know a bow from a fly rod! The other one is just opening up and so far it seems ok. I havent had the chance to do much buiz with him.....soon to have a 30 yard indoor 3d range....that should be fun!

As for them shutting down. I have seen some of the smaller ones in MN shut down. The ones I hung around are still there and going strong. I wonder sometimes why more of these small shops dont have web pages. They could also push more inventory this way keeping the costs down on the equipment!

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]