Just curiosity and observation more than anything.

However, I can't help but notice that aside from using a cam.5 system and split limbs for Strothers all of his bow designs are pretty much the same. He continues to create his own competition. I don't get it. There is going to come a point when the archery world gets enough Kevin Strothers founded bow companies. He can only be making it increasingly difficult on himself for the future.

If I were to start a company and it becomes a success and I get arrogant enough that the board of directors tells me to get lost so I start another company manufacturing the same product and they tell me to get lost again (pure speculation at this point), so I start another company manufacturing the same thing .............. It can't be a good thing for my future ventures. Seems far more productive and makes much better financial sense to get along with the people from the first company because I sure as heck wouldn't be able to put them out of business by being their competition two or three more times considering the previous companies continued to have ever increasing successes after I was told to hit the road.

Because speculation, innuendo and gossip are entertaining to some?

For the same reasons many like reality shows?

For the same reasons they flock to fires, accidents, etc?

While I agree with you 100%, Big........I only stated that it WILL sell bows. Heck, it sells camo, every year.

IF bows were only designed every 4-5yrs., I'd agree with you. But, the bows everyone was raving about in 2007 are old news today. You think the guy who designed the 1st Chrysler minivan designed himself out of a job.....if he went to Toyota? The ability to introduce innovative (if they truly are) designs is a hot commodity in many markets. Bows are changing every year (or, they're introducing new models each season). I don't think the bows someone designed in 2005 are competing with the bows designed last year.

The Vanquish is an 8" brace height bow, and is labeled their,"hunting" bow. Perhaps you missed this.

BB, get a camera, sleep outside his house, go through his trash, and sell your pics and story to the Enquirer. Doesn't this site still have a youth forum?

As far as Camo patterns is concerned. I am sure if you did a national poll Predator would end up way down the list in popularity. I as well as many others on the forums do like Predator and other open patterns such as ASAT.

I doubt that will have much of an impact on sales. I am sure the decision to go with Predator had as much to do about cost and profit margins as the few who would actually request it.

I know the people who dip my rods say they do Not have to pay royalities on Predator, but the royalities on Mossy Oak, and Realtree patterns are ridiculous. So there is a definite savings.

That is the reason you have seen Mathews market their own pattern (Lost Camo) A very smart move indeed, and it has been well accepted.

IMHO I think you will see more bow companies follow suit. The Big Camo companies are becoming greedy and are cutting their own throat as far as I am concerned.

Dan

That would be consisdered stalking ---something someone does when they are so obsessed or infatuated with someone they cant stop talking about them

Bingo!!!!!!!!

I agree....

I agree..well said

I agree; most hunters don't even know what the two are. They only know what the stores sell commonly, or what they see their favorite TV hunter pushing on their sponsored by the camo company show.

Well said:happy0001:

Mike,

I believe I remember you working in the Water Dog division (Sales) which came about in 2004 or so but what area did you work in prior to that?

Hardcorehunter aparantly you are unable to read and comprehend my posts. It would seem that you, not me, is the one obsessed with and stalking Kevin. You are the one that is following him around like a wet puppy dog every time he starts yet another company so you can buy a bow from the "new" Kevin Strothers archery.

I am simply asking legitimate questions in an attempt to to understand the reasoning behind his business decisions. You see, it is actually beneficial to understand the people behind a company and how and why they make the business decisions that the do instead of just following them blindly.

Your comments do truly belong in the youth forum. Good luck with your bows, I am done trying to have a legitimate conversation with children.

Unless you're a customer....(and I think it's pretty clear to us all you're NOT), what do you need to understand?

Until he jumped ship AGAIN we were a customer of his.

Last computor I bought I did so without a background check on the designers, engineer's or owners of the company. Bought it based on how the product worked when I saw it and tried it. Imagine that.

Sounds like you made a business decision, bigbulls. Good for you. You thinking of picking his line back up? If not.....????????????????????????

It isn't up to me but I will certainly not be pushing to pick up Strothers Archery. But we will be keeping Bowtech and Elite.

You guys need to understand that I am not looking at this from an end consumer perspective but a dealers perspective. The consumer probably couldn't care less if he, or any one else, moves around every 3 - 5 years from company to company. But from a dealers view it is bad business. Dealers will likely get tired of it and there will be less and less dealers willing to do business with him in the future.

I owned many Bowtechs and an Elite, before I even knew who he was. I bought an Elite E-500, I joined the Elite forum, had questions about finding some mods for my newly acquired Elite E-500, Kevin saw that I needed help locating some mods, took it upon himself to personally send me the mods I needed, free of charge, and done all on his own accord to keep a customer happy. This impressed me, to say the least. I started reading reviews, from archery heads, on different Elite bow models, and I bought, traded, and owned 4 Elites this last year. Everyone of them was what I like and prefer in a bow...smooth draw, extreme speed, great grip, and quiet. In fact, the best bows I have shot to date. Now, when Karbon, Crackers, and other archery heads I have met on the Elite forum, tell me that the Strother lineup is outstanding, I take their reviews seriously, as they like what I like in a bow. Seeing as I have a Strother SR-71 on order, and you just want to come on here and basically bring nothing to the thread, brow beating peoples' personal lives, their jobs, marriages...who cares...why and what they do...well like GMMAT said...lunacy.

You state right here, that you will CERTAINLY NOT be pushing for the Strother lineup in your shop you are employed at, so why are you concerned with anybody that wants to do business with Strother Archery, since he won't affect your pocketbook??? BUT WAIT...Strother Archery could affect your pocketbook, as their lineup may be superior to the Elite, Bowtech, or other bow makers your shop offers, hurt your sales of bows, and THIS will affect your INCOME. It is all clear as windex clean glass now. I get it, I see your motive...the almighty dollar. So, now that the windex has cleaned the grime away...it is clear why you personally attack, and judge the Engineer of Strother Archery and their customers. I don't have a financial stake in Strother, Elite, Bowtech, Mathews, or any other bow maker. No kickbacks, no corporate staff adviser in my signature...zilch..nothing....EXCEPT...I have a passion for superior hunting equipment. That is why I am willing to bet, that Kevin has outdone himself again with these bows, and I can order a SR-71 sight unseen ,and pretty well know I will like it. My money, my choice.:happy0001:
What really is the underlying hope/agenda of some of these "Pro Bowtech..every other company sucks" guys posts, is to start crap with anyone that posts something about another bow maker, or if someone posts something negative about Bowtech. Thus, hoping some bickering will unveil, due to the one sided and ridiculous fan boy bashing, and then the thread can be deleted, locked, and swept under the carpet, so that only the Bowtech agenda is promoted. I have seen it happen many times over the years.

I kind of think what Bigbulls is saying is that he isnt going to add a new bow line just because it has the Strothers name on it or linked to it.--------if the trend continues he would be adding a new one every year or two. First botwech then elite now strother.
I know if my proshop guy sold me a bow this year and next year quit carrying that manufacturers line I wouldnt be happy


Im not bashing Strother bows---I know nothing anbout them besides what I have seen here.


One question I do have is---------would bowtech or elite allow one of their dealers to carry Strother bows??

More news form the ATA. Strother Archery has a solid limb model, called the Valor, MSRP $599. 8 1/4 brace/325fps.

Inspire 7 3/8" brace 333 fps.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0iOl...layer_embedded

Bowtech and Elite are still selling well..so why does it matter if Kevin still designs their bows or not? Elites have a lifetime, transferrable warranty, regardless of what owner in line you are. The best warranty in the industry. Elites are holding their value VERY well. I just sold an 06 E-Force last month, for $550. I also just sold a custom GT500 for $700. So, I would carry as many top of the line bow brands that the companies would let me, and what my local economy would support. I wouldn't worry about whether the Engineer/designer is going to work at another company in a few years or not. Kevin makes solid designs, and his bows will sell well. Right now would be a great time to be one of the few and hard to find Strother dealers. Demand is high, and hard to find a dealer at the moment, without driving. I would jump on a Strother dealership in a heartbeat, so that I could have a monopoly in the area.



I can't answer..don't know.

I remember reading a post awhile back posted by hardcorehunter praising the elite line of bows and my first thought was that this guy must be a dealer pushing the elite name,and by your from your own mouth i've read where you a recently fan of both bowtech and elite and now you are pushing these new strother bows and I'm not sure you have even shot one and all of a sudden they'r the best thing ever,that is your opinion and you have that right,just as everyone has a right to theirs.You also imply that maybe bowtech and elite are no good now that this kevin has left.I have shot pse,mathews and now bowtech and have never had a problem with any of them,as i am sure both elite and strother are fine bows as well,but you seem to be a little closed minded when it comes to this kevin guy,I don't know you just come off as being biased in some way and not willing to concede that there are companies out there that can design a bow as well as your beloved kevin,maybe you shoud ask him out for a date and profess your love,i'm sure it will be a lasting relationship,but maybe not with his track record,but hey we know it can't be any of his own doing that he left those other companies it must be all on them.

I still do..awesome bows..the best I have shot to date. I shoot more bows then most ever will. I go to dealers, pro shops, and shoot. I take archery/bow hunting serious. And best of all, I have NO FINANCIAL GAIN in my reviews:D I am just gun ho about archery and excellent equipment. My time is valuable, and when I have time to bow hunt, I want what works best for me, and I won't apologize for being passionate about it. My advice is to just go to another thread if you don't like mine. Imply Bowtech and Elite are no good??? lol...that's why I owned 9 of them in the last year? I am currently hunting with an Elite GTO. I love it. I also owned 5 Bowtechs this last year, a Guardian, a Tribute, an 82nd Airborne, and an Equalizer.

Good for you, now go start a thread and give us some new info from the ATA show on the new models
You are mistaking biased for experience in shooting his designs.You sound like a 12 year old lol.Track record?? Lol...yep..he makes great bows...NO ONE will dispute that. I don't care if he quit, got fired, or got caught running over cats in the parking lot. Who else should care, except the types that read the Enquirer?. BTW..I am only a fan of Jesus Christ; he was perfect, free of sin, and died so I can have eternal life.:happy0001:

whatever.......................................... .....

As I aid I have no intent on bashing strother bows. I know nothing about them besides what I have seen on here. I will say from watching the videos they do seem to shoot well.
I doubt i will even ever shoot one as the nearest dealer is at least 3 hours away. Even if i did shoot one and thought it was the greatest thing on earth i doubt i would own one simply for the fact my proshop guy doesnt sell them.


I have no doubt that in an area there is a Strother dealer the bows will sell. Especially if the shop pushes them. It seems to me that most guys in a given area shoot what the pro shop pushes. For years the main line our local shop carried was High Country-guess what we all shot High Country. Now his main line is bowtech and most now shoot bowtech. Another shop opened about a half hour away who carries 4 big name brands . Most from that shop shoot mathews as that is what he really pushed .

In all fairness I will say I dont think Don has bashed bowtech or another brand. He openly admits to owning them,shooting them and likeing them. However it does seem he pushes for Strother as hard or seriously as any other bow manufaturer prostaffer or affiliate.
It makes me wonder if someday we will see Stother prostaff in his signature.

As for him dating Kevin Stother--- I wouldnt go as far to say that-----besided I dont think his new hadcore hunter suit is built for two .:poke:

Besides I think that spot is taken

I guess he would push mathews if kevin landed there next.I do agree that most people shoot whatever line their local dealer is pushing as their main line,as stated in an ealier post there are no elite or strother close by me to my knowledge,but i'm not in the market for a new bow either.

Lol..I doubt they would want me...I speak too openly with my comments. In all fairness, in small companies like Elite, and Strother...if someone on the net or in their shooting circle of friends, doesn't get the word out on these bows, people just wouldn't know about them. Just like you have stated, people shoot what their dealers push. Here in IA, archers know very little about Elite archery. I found a 2006 Elite E-500 brand new on a Dealers rack at Scheels in a huge mega mall in West Des Moines IA last winter. This was Elites flagship speed bow of 2006. Basically the Corvette version of the 06 Bowtech Allegiance, since both were designed by Kevin in 2006. The E-500 is a better bow. It has a better grip(side plates) barnsdale limbs, and Winner's Choice string. This bow was on the rack new, with $300 worth of accessories, for $300!!! I made a call in fact to GMMAT, and two other guys, asking them what they knew about this bow. They knew nothing, and neither did I. I bought it. What a steal. I turned around and traded it, plus $200 for a Predator Green 09 GT500, with a Sword Twilight site, Posten stab, Crackers Strings, and super tuned at Terminal Velocity, to a guy that wanted $1000 for his setup. Due to the rareness of this bow, and the mint condition it was in, we were both happy traders. So, I am happy to spread the word about these fine bows,as I am an Archer helping Archers

Well if not pro staff you should atleast get to use the title "Regional Marketing Rep" :poke:

Lol...maybe I better get rid of my Elite Avatar then.:confused0024:

That predator camo on sure caught my eye and as Jeff stated that will get attention and sales.

I think the internet and the real world are two different things when it comes to bow sales. Oh sure-you see a bazillion guys online buying an Elite, or a Strother. I bought an Elite because of internet talk! But locally no-one has a freaking clue.Far too much credence is give to poularity on the internet. My local dealer is one of the largest shops in the entire country-4 different locations in NY state, and has been written up lately in all the industry rags.

They have been an Elite dealer for a few years now- and can barely move more than 6 or 7 a year. Your average bowhunter has no clue who Elite is. They have no idea about the warranty. They have no idea who Kevin Strother is.

In some parts of the country I can see where some dealers who are selling just a couple of lesser know manufacturers can move alot of Elites- but for a dealer who has Hoyt, Mathews, BowTech, PSE, Martin, & Bear on the shelves- Elite (and Strother, and G5/Quest, and Darton, and Athens, and New Breed, etc) are not going to sell in any meaningful way. Especially as most of them don't advertise in the big archery rags to help sales for dealers. And because the dealer only buys a dozen (because they are hard sells) the dealer gets very little in the way of discounting, and they are not making as much on each sale. Not to mention these companies may or may not be around in a year or two or three. Or in Elites case-no warranty parts for models like the GTO/XXL, etc. Kinda tough when you totally sold a customer on that awesome GTO and then he needs parts, and you have to say "sorry, can't help you". Also Elite raised their dealer prices when Peter came on board. Yet MSRP stayed the same. so again less profit for the dealer (don;t get me wrong, I like Pete-just saying not a goodwill move for dealers-especially all those who had been burned with the patent fiascos)

As a Pro-shop owner, a stable bow company with large financial and production resources, AND good customer service are far more important to your livelihood than Kevin's name on it, or a few more FPS, camo patterns, or whether some guy who buys the bow used on Ebay still can get transferrable warranty. As a dealer I'd be extremely leary of buying anything associated with Kevin anymore because of his "questionable" business practices/sense. And heck I followed him around since the Oregon days. I like the guy. I picked his brain at a couple BTS/AT shows, and ate dinner with him. He makes great stuff, but thats not all there is to it.

Thank you Jeff. At least someone here knows what the hell they are talking about.

bigbulls....

Do you own the shops? Only reason I ask is.....you said this (when asked about picking up or dropping particular lines):

If it isn't up to you, I don't understand your interrogation. If it is......I wonder why you said it wasn't.

Do You ever read and comprehend at the same time.:confused0024:

I could answer that question from reading his posts.:cool:

Excellent post JeffB!:guiness:

Dan

JB, I am Glad I am just a bow hunter, archer, and NOT a dealer. That way I can just buy and shoot what is the best for me...and the way I like to trade and buy bows, the ones that have the BEST resale for my money. My experience has been, that I can move a used Elite for more money and a quicker sale, then I could my used Hoyts and Bowtechs. Archerytalk classifieds, the buzz about Elites on Archerytalk..other forums, is of course the reason for this. Because of the fewer Elite dealers, fewer used Elite bows on the market, I get more bang for my buck on resale. The AT classifieds, and local dealers(and nationwide dealers), Ebay, Craigslist, are full of used Hoyts, Mathews, and Bowtechs. Too much competition to get a good price for them used, and they depreciate worst then a used mobile home. But the high resale of the Elites still wouldn't matter to me, if the Elites weren't a superior bow to other brands I have shot.
Here is an example of why I KNOW these Strother bows will be a good financial decision. Here is a Strother Vanquish on AT in the classifieds. SOLD in one day. MSRP is $780 for the bow, and the guy sold it for $725. Try that with a used Hoyt, Mathews, or Bowtech. Isn't happening.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showth...quish+for+sale

Ok, I just sold my Mathews LX yesterday, on one of the mentioned websites, want to take a guess what it went for?It will throw your used trailer theory out the window. Humor me with your guess.

Its only superior to you. Not everyone agrees with what you deem superior over other brands, in fact most disagree.

Yep! I sold a Used Hoyt AlphaMax for over $1200 although it was rigged I think the guy that owned it was pretty Happy:guiness: I've always been amazed at what my used BowTechs bring, although I Do take care of them and they are always in excellent condition.

Dan

Sale $500.00ELITE GT 500 NEWCOMPOUND BOWS ELITE ARCHERYRH 2780

I know NOTHING about Elite, so I dont know if this one of there top of the line models, but $500.00 for a new bow. I just sold my LX which is 6 years old I think, for $468.00 on Ebay. You maybe should have looked on Ebay before saying that, there are Elites listed on there right now anywhere from 300-600, dont see the huge value of resale you are claiming???