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!

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RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

But the thing is, a Bass Pro COULD have a good archery shop in it if the managers would put some effort into it, and resources, to hire more than some highschool kids to staff it. I think the BP here has one person who really knows archery and a bunch of novices doing most of the talking.

--Jim

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RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

Disappointing? Heck yes!
I see it like this. I have a great relationship with the shop I frequent and I always give them first crack at my money. I understand how important they are to my hobby so I make sure they get my full support. They can usually get thier prices in line with any deal I can find, even mail order (after you figure shipping and all). I utilize the internet as much as possible and they know that, and we share lots of info which I think helps us all in the long run. They aren't as current on thier market knowledge as they could be (who's bowtech? drop-a-ways aren't worth carrying and hunters don't yet trust them. who's Merlin- just for instance) and they've screwd up my stuff before (like bending the crap out of the riser on my old Martin).
Reguardless, I don't fail to tell them how lucky I am to have them there and send as much buisiness thier way because guys- they're all we have around here.
They sure ain't perfect but I'd hate to see them go.
I'll even admit that I felt like the "pro" that has the bulk of thier brainpower treated me like an idiot when I first started to visit the shop; which I totally was. I built a "relationship" with family that owns and operates it and now I'm treated with respect and like a good friend. I feel like more than just a customer.
I guess you can say I recommend finding a good proshop.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

We only have a small dealer that is open in the afternoons only.Otherwise we have to go 60 miles to the next one . they don't have a lot of bows but they tell you they can order it .Not much help if your just looking .

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

Reposted for Dusty9:

Hello DMW sorry to say the archery center in Monroe is closed. :( i was very dissapointed that it did. However if your familiar with Monroe (MI) Cooks Sportland is VERY open and they have excellent service. Located 5 miles north of the old archery center. if you need better directions i can certainly help you.
Dusty9

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RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

We were hit with a new Bass Pro Shop in October just 7 miles away. Several bow shops closed their doors in anticipation. I understand that another long time gun and part time bow shop is also doing some thinking on the subject. I've also been told that the local Dick's (2 miles away) and the local Sport's Authority (2 1/2 miles away) are also hurting since the October opening of Bass Pro. We've also got several Wal-Marts and K-Marts within a 5 mile radius.

Top all this off with about 5 other archery shops within a 15 mile radius - that's plenty of competition. With this in mind, the key to staying alive is promoting your strengths. We dropped clothing, shoes and any items that are "standard" for the big guys. We make sure our customers know exactly what they are paying for and provide as much "after the sale" service as is possible. We try to give what the big guys can't give, that personal feeling, stocking bow parts that others don't, and expert repairs.

Next time you're visiting one of these big chains, ask them how many strings and cables they stock. Ask them if they are authorized factory repair centers. Ask them if they service what they sold two years ago. Ask them if they carry spare axles, cam modules, dacron strings, crossbow strings, 'e' clips, various fiber optic pins (not the sights - just the pins), etc.

It's a shame that so many have lost to the big guys and that so many more will fall. Do yourself a favor; if you have a "good" Pro Shop, support it. It may not be there tomorrow if you don't.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

The two we used to have here in Texarkana closed down years ago. There's a couple still around within a 30 mile radius. Fortunately, one of the owners is a traditional shooter. That gives us a little variety of expertises (is that really a word?)

Sad thing is, it's happening all over, not just in the archery business. One of my best friends had an auto parts store that gave EXCELLENT customer service, could usually have a part by that afternoon if it wasn't in stock, but he just couldn't compete with the AutoZones, Advance Auto's, O'Reilly's, etc.

So much for the Mom-n-Pop operations.

Romans 8:28

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

Dusty9, I'm from the same area and your right on the money the shops are far a few between. I agree that Cabelas and all the other big name stores have done the damage. Check out Adams Archery it is south of Ypsilanti. The people there have been great to me and a very helpful. I think he closes shop for the winter but could be wrong. If you need direction shoot me a email.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

WOW Dusty9 you really hit a hot topic. Guess I'll have to start giving my local shop more business.

RE: A disappointing trend taking place in my area
 

We do not have many around here either. But I am lucky, I have one that I can walk to. Prices are ok but the stories and shared tips are worth the little extra money. Sometimes the owner even throws in a couple of little things in for free. Try getting that at the big ones.

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