Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Over the past year I have started using a proshop close by my home. In this time, I have bought a new LX, Several goldtip arrows, about 10 automatic feeders and accesories for them. All my sights, 3 different rest, several different broadheads. Everything that you need plus some. One thing I am have a problem with is, If I owned a bow shop I would not charge for things like peep sights, stringsilencers and such. They do! My biggest gripe is that I just put a Mathews rest on my bow. $90.00!!! When I paid for, they charged me $15.00 to put it on[:@]. Does everyone do this? I don't feel they should. I am not talking about everyone but the one that buys their bows there should get things like this. I just wanted to know if other proshops were like this and maybe if I had my own I would be out of business!!!:)

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RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

I agree with what you said. I am very easily persuaded and with a little attention I can be loyal as any customer ever thought about. But, as of now, I am free to shop around because I feel as if my business is not very important to them.

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RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

If I buy from a local archery/pro shop and they charge me for installation of what I bought I will be shopping elsewhere next time.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Most pro shops that I've been to, install what you buy as part of the sale. If you didn't buy it from them, then they would charge you to install. Sounds like you've dumped quite a bit of money there. If it was me, I'd probably expect a little better than that.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

The shop where is just got my BowTech Liberty at is great. The owner, Jeff, is a great guy. I had got the bow from him, but I got all my accessories from the internet (as I was planning on taking them to my friend to get the bow set-up). Well, Jeff didn't care, he set-up my bow, helped get it all tuned up, gave me all the time I wanted on the range, and let me shoot through the chrono, and he didn't charge me a thing. He realizes that guys who get great service will tell their friends and it will bring more customers. Not only that, but he just loves archery and he loves seeing guys set-up the right way.

If I bought a bow from a shop, and they wanted to charge me to get it set-up with stuff I got there, then I would find a different shop. When I got my Hoyt a few years ago, I had got my accessories for it from Cableas. Well, the shop where I got the bow wouldn't even get the bow set-up, not even if I paid them. Also, they said that when I got the bow set-up, I could come back to their range and shoot for an hour. After that, I had to pay. Talk about a joke. I brought the bow home and my best friend and I set it up as best as we could. This was 3 years ago and I didn't know half of what I do now. Installing the peep was a pain. Thankfully the strings weren't twisted on that Hoyt so I was able to get a pencil between the strands and pop the peep in. Serving the peep in was a pain that took awhile to get set-up. Well, after that, I tuned it up as best as I could (which wasn't as good as I would have liked). To say that I was ticked about this place was a understatement. Granted, I didn't get my accessories from them, but, I did spend several hundred dollars on a bow from them and I even offered to pay them to set it up. [:@]

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

The pro shop that I deal with doesn't charge fo any type of set up on items you purchase from them (only reasonable I think). Any problems that I have had with any bow that I have bought from them is corrected for free. In fact this pro shop doesn't carry Bowtech and since I am seriously considering buying the pro 40 freedom cam model I spoke to the owner who told me to just bring it in and he would set it up for me. No charge on the set up just on the accessories that i buy for it. To me that is service and that is why I keep going back to them.:D

Bmott

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Part of the shops sell their bows at a reduced price and charge to do any tuning, installation, cutting arrows etc. This can turn into a argument with a customer over these charges, but if they're selling things at a reduced rate they need to pay the light bill somehow.
I've had customers come in and tell me they can get such and such somewhere else cheaper, but the service isn't as good there. I've also had customers come in with bows and equipment they bought at Cabelas or Scheels, they know up front that I'm going to charge them to install these items and tune their bow. Most are more than agreeable.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

At my local pro shop I get GREAT service. The first time I was there I bought some arrows. He said what do you want. I told him some Carbon Force 200's. He said I have some made or I could make your own. He would have put together those arrows for me right there. Also, the next time I went I told him the arrows I bought were too small for the rest. He said bring it in. I brought them in and he adjusted the rest, paper tuned it, installed my peep site, and cut four arrows I bought at Cabela's. It took 1 hour and he charged only $4. Then the next time, I brought my arrows in and needed the inserts glued in and some 100 grain field points. He put the inserts in and gave me the points. All he charged for were the inserts and field points. That was $3. No installation fee. Then a couple days ago, I bought some arrows from Cabela's and brought them in. I asked the guy to reflech one of the feathers on two of my arrows. He did this and it was free of charge. I tell you I will get my archery stuff from them. I don't care if It is a little more expensive. I would rather give them my money than give it to a bigger chain store. :D:D

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

When I bought all my stuff he put a tru-peep on it. I could not make it work so I had a shurz a peep put on. I got charged for both of them. Now that made him about 4 dollars, but if I were him, I would not have charged for either. The guy does wonderful work. He tuned my bow for me and it is perfect. I am around a whole lot of hunters, thats about all I hang around, I wish that I could refer them there, and I might, I would just have to tell them how they are.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Yea, I agree but when he charged me for the paper tuning, cutting arrows, installing peep site, and fixing my rest some customers came in. They were waiting 20+ minutes. I think he charged me because if he didn't charge me then the customers would be like you held me up for nothing.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

YOu can tell those who have run a business and those who haven't. They can't sell you everything(at a below list I believe on that sight) and then spend 30-45 minutes mounting and tuning it for free. They have to find spacers, and longer screws etc etc all the time. It takes time. I would expect that he would charge for his time... even if it's only a few bucks. If I owned the business I would expect a customer to ask if he has a question about services. I'm sure he appreciates you business. I'm sure you're getting your moneys worth in most cases, but he can't afford to become such "FRIENDS" with every customer that he works for free 10-12 hours a day. As the man says.... "do you want a bow in a box or do you want it ready to shoot bullseyes? They're two different bows and prices."

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Why not? It's part of doing bussisness and building a clinentel. If the shop doesn't think so I"ll elect to spend my money elsewhere. Sell it at suggested retail and install the accessory at no charge. Personaly I don't have that problem, I can work on my own bow.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Spoken like a true customer. WHO says it's part of doing business? The world is litered with businesses that went under by not getting paid for their work or what they delivered. IF it were part of doing business the catalog places would deliver and install, your oil changes would be free and every service on that BMW would also be free. I can point out 3 closed bow shops within 15 minutes of my house that TRIED to be everyone's "Friend" and work for free. You buy a TV at Walmart they don't install it and hook it up to your cable etc etc. They may at some fancy Big Screen store... but the price is built in. One way or another you have to get paid for your work. I would expect a "union guy" to know such things.Nyuck Nyuck Nyuck.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

I tried the 'friend' form of persuasion with a lot of customers when I first opened my business. It DOESN'T work if you want to stay in business. ;)

I've had customers come into the store to get those 'specialty' items that the big chains/catalogs don't carry; or to get service that surely doesn't appear in the big chains/catalogs. After they get what they want and complain about the prices charged, they cater to the big chains/catalogs for all their other needs.[:@]

I'm expected to give the best service possible when a problem arises, only charge a nominal fee, and not allowed to make more than the big chains/catalogs on other items like bow cases, sights, rests, etc. If I am competitive with the big chains/catalogs, then I CAN'T charge for proper installation. GIVE ME A BREAK![:@][:@]

If I have a good customer whose budget can manage for me to make a buck, I will service that customer like a 'preferred' customer. If I have a customer who only contacts me when he/she can't get the part or proper service anywhere else, then I will charge a little extra. After all, no matter what I charge won't be cheap enough; so, why worry about it. :D

After many years in this business, you learn who is a truly good customer and who is a 'user' of PROfessional talents. I treat my good customers with respect and give them extra service at 'no charge'. I treat others as they treat me.:)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Len I agree.There is a shop here in my town that is a bait store/archery dealer and service shop.The archery "tech"is only there one or two nights a week,and the service is terrible[:@]I do drive to a couple other shops 10-20 miles away for proffessional service.Now in my town there is a Gander Mountain"super store"that has a archery service department and a small range.The tech's seem a bit unlearned compared to the two smaller shops, and they can't answer the questions and give good service like the two smaller shops,so If I don't do the work myself, I travel the 10-20 miles.I have learned much from you Len,and these two shops,the net,and books from guy's like Larry wise,and various videos.I still like patronizing the proshops.Although Lancasters&and Keystone have got alot of money from me in the past:DDave I'm a union guy and know what your saying,Pay me for the work that I do!Many of us are not doing this nessessarly to make friends, were doing it to make a living, the friends are a bonus:)Bill D>

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

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"......the friends are a bonus :) Bill D> "

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Very well put!;)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Any business has to make a profit to stay in business. As long as the business is not "jacking" prices because it is difficult for you to go elsewhere, charging for certain services regardless that you purchased the item at the business is not only fair, doing so is commonly mandatory in order to stay in business.

However, if I detected or discovered that a business was penalizing me for being an infrequent customer or buying cheaper elsewhere by charging me more than is charged others, or I felt that the owner was charging me more because he or she perceived that I was not being as kind to them as they required, I would expedite finding another like business to shop at. If I did not know how to perform the services I was being overcharged for, I would be learning very fast.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

I dont know if it is me or nearly everyone that is missing the point here cottonfarmer stated that he had bought all his eqipment there even the rest for 90. In my opinion I know that the small opwner need to make a profit to stay in business but if I pay 90.00 for a rest and then they charge 15.00 to put it on and I had bought my bow there yes I am gone. As for charging for peeps or silencers yes they should but if you boought yoour other equipment there 95% of them will install for free. I am pretty fortunate as I have 3 pro shops within a few miles of where I live and for years I was loyal to only one I bought all of mine and my wife's and also my grandsons equipment there. For everso long they were very nice to me then one day I was there shooting ontheir indoor range and needed a nockset he cahrged me a dollar for it I thought he was kidding but I paid it a few weeks later I wanted to trade my grandsons bow as he had outgrown it for a new one now I had bought the old one from him it was a high country a nice little bow I had paid over 200.00 for I was trading for a new Darton as he is now 14 he said he could only give me 10.00 trade in and nothing off the Darton anyway I found the Darton at another place in another state for 75.00 less and sold the bow on ebay for 175. and changed to another shop. Yes a small shop need's to watch every penny to make it work and needs loyal customers but some things are unheard of. In most cases you get what you give many times I passed up deals at Walmart or Kmart to buy from him I can say now there is a much happier proshop in the area he was tickeled to death to see my business.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

For those of you who worry about getting the best price, keep in mind that VERY few shops, whether PRO or otherwise, have a 'published' price list. If the shop wants to give their 'preferred'/'good' customers a break on certain labor charges, that's their prerogative.

If you want to shop around to save a dollar here and there, you would surely find it hard to swallow in knowing that you're being charged a little extra on certain issues. But then, HOW would you know? As there are usually no set charges on labor rates. If you think for a minute that the labor rates aren't kept somewhat flexible by shops, you're not dealing with the real world. And, if you think that this will only occur in the archery business, wake up.

The bottom line is that you should value a good PRO Shop, just like a good plumber, electrician, or doctor.; if you are fortunate enough to have one. If you respect them, and they know it, they should respect you and treat you accordingly. If you try to USE them, expect to be treated accordingly. I'm not talking about small issues, I'm talking about blatant issues. And, we're not talking about just one issue, it usually takes a cumulative effort to establish a bad relationship with anyone.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

As a paying customer, I do.

Not possible, that is why thay are called mail order ;).

A lot of places they are free, you pay for the oil and the filter, the trick here is once your in the shop you might buy something else.And BTW, I don't own a BMW, that's a yuppie car isnt it? :D

[quote][I can point out 3 closed bow shops within 15 minutes of my house that TRIED to be everyone's "Friend" and work for free/quote]

No one said try to be a friend, more so if you sell it include installation, suggested retail will allow that in most cases, if not charge a few $ but be up front with it.

In this senario I would call WalMart the catalog store because of price and the fancy big screen store as the pro shop, you said what I said above, the price is built in.

You calling me a union guy [X(]? Never happen :D:D

Now some quotes from Len:

No one said be my friend unless I missed it. I for one do not ask for a proprietor to be my friend, I ask him for customer service. If I go to him and purchase an item that is priced $30 or so higher then wherever I expect it to be installed. I buy a bowling ball at a pro shop and they drill it for no charge, it's included in the price of the ball, buy the ball on line and it is much cheaper. By the way I do not bowl :).

But you got his bussissnes if not only for one sale. That's one more sale you otherwise would not have gotten.

I assume you are talking "after the sale and the customer returns at a later date with a problem. If my assumption is right there should be a fee unless it's warrented. There should be no problem at the onset

You are makeing more by charging suggested retail or in some cases more. You will have people that walk out with the purchase and those that carry their bow into the shop and want it installed, pretty much an even wash I would think, but then I'm not in the bussisness. Mind you Len I am not baggering you, just stating my opinions or debating if you will :D.

In other words cater to the rich and stick it to the not so rich [:o]

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

It costs them money why should they give it away? Do you pay for extra Pepporoni on your pizza? It's a buisness you have to charge people if it cost you money.

My local bow shop is owned by a guy who has one national once and placed second quite a few times.

I pay a little more there then I would at Dicks Sporting goods or any other chain. Why? I found out that my son was left eye dominate after he had been shooting his new Hoyt Banhsee for a few weeks. He order him a new left handed bow switched the limbs and didin't charge me any thing extra.No chain would have done that. One thing he hates is when a guy comes in with a bow he bought somewhere else and wants him to set it up. He does it but he charges a good hourly rate and I can't blame him.

Don't expect anything for free that you wouldn't give for free. If your employer asks you to work an extra hour you expect to get paid, right.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

The bow shop where I bought my mathews from, the owner of the shop would often give me breaks on the small things and adjustments, and such. But now he is no longer in business, and I don't really know why he went under for sure but I do know it was financial reasons, and when you went in the shop, it always seemed really busy! But, I say if you are a loyal customer, I don't think a little break every now and then will hurt. :)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Charlies, I think he is talking about installing the peep sight or rest not throwing it in with the bow.
I've been dealing with the same pro-shop for 0ver 30 years. If I buy something there they usually install it for free. They also have an indoor range and issue a range card good for about 12 hours with the purchase of a new bow. They treat me well and in turn I will pay a little extra there for an item than at a chain store. I also refer customers to them because of the good service and their knowledge. Just a good way of doing busuness.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

The shop i go to does not charge you anything to put stuff on your bow if you buy from him but, if you didn't then yes he chareges you $15.00 to put on or set up...

I bought my bow from him and he set it up and helped me tune it for nothing....
Part of doing bussiness...

The #1 thing here CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.. If the customer doesnt feel that you took the time to help him/her with their needs then do you really think they will come back? Heck NO... I know i wouldn't..

Thats part of the reason i drive 50 miles one way to go to the shop that i go to now.. I have an archery shop 8 miles down the road from me but the all mighty dollar got to their head.. They forgot what CUSTOMER SATISFACTION means..
Unless you know them they don't take much time to help you with anything...

The guy i go to now has over 40yrs in bussiness and pro archer...
Just to make my point bout customer satisfaction, Once on a sat (he closes at 5) He stayed till 10:00pm with me helping me tune my setup and answered all my ?'s that i had....I felt bad cause he closes at 5 and i told him i would come back monday, He told me NO, i don't want you leaving here unless you are happy and comfortable with how your bow shoots...

From that day on he was going to be the one that got my bussiness..
Been going there now for 5yrs and counting...[:-]

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

I try to stay as loyal as possible to my local archery shop. Sometimes, they just don't have what I'm looking for! The products they do have, they sell very reasonably. I understand that I could buy them cheaper at places like Cabela's or Bass Pro, but there's something to say about walking into a store, touching, feeling, installing and walking out the door with a product. I think what all archery shops have got to realize is that they are in competition with places like I just mentioned. Therefore, they must rely on Customer Service to get people back in their door. My local archery shop does a great job with that.
The one thing I hate is when I walk into one of several other archery shops in my area and they treat me like an outcast because i didn't buy my bow from them or my bow is not the brand that they carry. It is a shame! There is an archery shop in my town that could be one of the best, but they look down on you when you do not shoot Hoyt's!! Don't misunderstand me, I think Hoyt makes awesome bows (always have and always will). I've owned several and just bought my wife a Cybertech (because, at the time, I thought it was the best bow for HER). I now shoot Mathews and have for the past 5 years. They have cut their own throats when it comes to the Mathews shooters around here. Like me, most of them spend lots of money on all sorts of hunting accessories, but most of them go elsewhere.
The one thing that all businesses must realize is the need for Customer Service will never go away no matter how cheap or how many products they carry.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

mdbohuntr:

It appears that we have touched a nerve. Your responses are typical of many who shop nowadays with the big chains/catalogs. It's sad that we always hear across the country about that PRO Shop who could fix anything and suddenly is no longer there. It is sad that new people getting into the sport don't have a clue to what is right and wrong about their equipment because there are usually no experts at the mass merchants. It is sad that some people have to travel or send their equipment hundreds to thousands of miles for PROfessional service. It was both sad and eye-opening to me at a recent seminar to have the number of people in attendance who wanted to learn more about the archery store profession. I applaud those who attended and hope that they learned enough to make them more PROfessional in their communities. I applaud them for wanting to deal with a lot of potential customers who want them to scrape and claw to make a decent living in this industry. I hope that they are all successful in spite of the odds. Why do I say "in spite of the odds"? Because we are loosing the PRO Shops steadily like we have lost a lot of the compassionate professions.

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WHO says it's part of doing business?
As a paying customer, I do.

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Then you as "a paying customer" are willing to accept the worth of your purchase. I respect that.

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IF it were part of doing business the catalog places would deliver and install
Not possible, that is why thay are called mail order .

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Yes, we know that's not possible; however, we (PRO Shops) are expected to be competitive on price AND suck up the labor. I won't/can't afford to work for less per hour than a catalog clerk. That's like asking me to work at the same labor rate as my 16 year old daughter! Sorry, the rest of my family can't accept that - daughter included, since I subsidize her income.

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your oil changes would be free and every service on that BMW would also be free

A lot of places they are free, you pay for the oil and the filter, the trick here is once your in the shop you might buy something else.And BTW, I don't own a BMW, that's a yuppie car isnt it?

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I've been talking about those who ONLY come in for that specialty item/service and I never see them again. That is unless I walk into the local mass merchant or when they come in with all new equipment that they bought elsewhere that won't perform. I'm not saying that you should buy everything from your local PRO Shop. Heck, I've stopped selling things like clothing, boots, blinds, and other items where price is the only factor. I have taught and settled into the fact that my PRO status should be kept in the market where PRO service is needed. When I see a bow bought at the basement price that is too long a draw length, the wrong bow for the purpose intended/needed, and totally set up and tuned incorrectly, then I have a problem with not being able to make a decent living doing the job of correcting all the problems.

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[I can point out 3 closed bow shops within 15 minutes of my house that TRIED to be everyone's "Friend" and work for free/quote]

No one said try to be a friend, more so if you sell it include installation, suggested retail will allow that in most cases, if not charge a few $ but be up front with it.

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You'd be surprised at how many 'customers' think that they can get a better price if a 'friendship' is conveyed. We had a local taxidermist who placed a big sign in his shop that friendships were not allowed between September 15th to January 31st (our hunting season). Davidmil came in as a customer and is now my friend and I choose to give him breaks. He hates me for it and I won't change. Why do I cherish his friendship whenever I can? There are many reasons; but, here are a few. He has been there when all the chips are down. He understands business and gives constructive advise on it and other things. He guts and drags my deer.:D Couldn't resist, Dave. I couldn't handle all of my customers being my 'friend'.;)

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You buy a TV at Walmart they don't install it and hook it up to your cable etc etc. They may at some fancy Big Screen store... but the price is built in.

In this senario I would call WalMart the catalog store because of price and the fancy big screen store as the pro shop, you said what I said above, the price is built in.

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The problem here is that many don't distinguish between the 'catalog store' and the 'big screen store'. They've come to expect the same charges from each. That's really the dilemma.

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I would expect a "union guy" to know such things.Nyuck Nyuck Nyuck.

You calling me a union guy ? Never happen

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Then this may explain a lot.;)

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Now some quotes from Len:

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Now I'll address your concerns about me directly.

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I tried the 'friend' form of persuasion with a lot of customers when I first opened my business. It DOESN'T work if you want to stay in business.

No one said be my friend unless I missed it. I for one do not ask for a proprietor to be my friend, I ask him for customer service. If I go to him and purchase an item that is priced $30 or so higher then wherever I expect it to be installed. I buy a bowling ball at a pro shop and they drill it for no charge, it's included in the price of the ball, buy the ball on line and it is much cheaper. By the way I do not bowl .

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I really don't see the relevance of your response. I specifically said that I tried it "when I first opened my business". It didn't work and I really hope that I didn't imply anything specifically towards you.

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I've had customers come into the store to get those 'specialty' items that the big chains/catalogs don't carry; or to get service that surely doesn't appear in the big chains/catalogs. After they get what they want and complain about the prices charged, they cater to the big chains/catalogs for all their other needs.

But you got his bussissnes if not only for one sale. That's one more sale you otherwise would not have gotten.

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The business that I was referring to was that which basically HAS to come to me. Believe it or not, there are cases where this happens. For instance, I had one guy call me recently about a crossbow problem. My price on the part was $22 where he could get it at the mass merchant for $20. He then had a 'friend' replace the part for FREE. The bow got totally screwed up. Yes, he could have sent it back to the manufacturer and waited weeks for to/from transport and waiting for the manufacturer to get to it; but, I could have it done in hours. He came into the shop with broken bow in hand. The part he paid $2 less for was destroyed. Other parts were destroyed because part one had been put on incorrectly. He had to buy part one from me to replace part one damaged in the installation and then had to buy several other parts damaged by the faulty installation. To sum it up, the job cost him $66 in parts and labor. If the $20 he originally spend were added along with the time wasted and embarrassment, I'd say he realizes the worth of a good PRO Shop. Then again, maybe not.:D

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I'm expected to give the best service possible when a problem arises, only charge a nominal fee

I assume you are talking "after the sale and the customer returns at a later date with a problem. If my assumption is right there should be a fee unless it's warrented. There should be no problem at the onset

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No, I don't mean "after the sale....". As I tell many customers, my service never stops. It continues through the sale and way beyond. My advice is given on all forms archery. It doesn't just stop with the equipment and will be given to anyone who is willing to listen. When I do provide a specific PROfessional service that I believe merits a fee, I expect the fee to be paid without question. If you really knew how I operated, you'd know how much free advice and service that I give. I'm just asking to be compensated for what I feel is fair.

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and not allowed to make more than the big chains/catalogs on other items like bow cases, sights, rests, etc. If I am competitive with the big chains/catalogs, then I CAN'T charge for proper installation. GIVE ME A BREAK!

You are makeing more by charging suggested retail or in some cases more. You will have people that walk out with the purchase and those that carry their bow into the shop and want it installed, pretty much an even wash I would think, but then I'm not in the bussisness. Mind you Len I am not baggering you, just stating my opinions or debating if you will .

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There it is, you're assuming that I'm "charging suggested retail or in some cases more". Man, are you FAR from the truth. The "more" really takes the cake! If you care to stop by I'd be glad to show you time and time again where I have to be way below "suggested retail". I belong to a buying group and have to relinquish some of those savings by buying through them to be competitive. The statement "but then I'm not in the bussisness" is surreal. No disrespect, but you wouldn't survive in this business if you tried to charge "suggested retail" or "more".

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If I have a good customer whose budget can manage for me to make a buck, I will service that customer like a 'preferred' customer. If I have a customer who only contacts me when he/she can't get the part or proper service anywhere else, then I will charge a little extra. After all, no matter what I charge won't be cheap enough; so, why worry about it

In other words cater to the rich and stick it to the not so rich

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There you go, as Bill O'Rielly would say, and 'the spin stops here". I didn't say any such thing. I merely want to get properly paid for my services. If I elect to charge a good customer less for a specific service performed, that's my call. Did I charge the other customer more? No, I charged that customer the going rate, but some would falsely thing that I charged him more. Is the glass half full or half emty??? Maybe I didn't word it such that it couldn't be misunderstood. For that I may be negligent; but, I want it understood that I take care of my good customers royally.:)

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Mind you Len I am not baggering you, just stating my opinions or debating if you will.

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I don't consider what you've posted as badgering. And please don't take any offense to my responses. They are just that, my opinions based on my tenure. It actually enlightens me as to how what I post can be interpreted. As I always say, communication is our best and worst enemy. Badgering is something that a few on this and other forums think they have a license to conduct. You're definitely not considered in this category.;)

Have a great day.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Not al all. Hell, if I were closer to you than 135 miles I would do all my bussisness with you, I have delt with and bought from you and feel I know what your all about. My opinions were a generality that was not to taken as singleing you out. I understand your plight and I do support the pro shop. When I get back to Md I thought I would have found my shop that is if you still want my bussisness :D;). All's well my friend ;).

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

There is a mail-order catalog that actaully does deliver and install. Its not a hunting or archery catalog, its a skateboarding/snowboarding catalog. If you want, you can choose all the components for your skateboard and they set it up before it gets delivered at no cost. I have proved the 'impossible':D[:o][8D]

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

My local shop is much the same as everyone elses, if you buy stuff from them they set it up free. If you bringin your Basspro or Wally world bow and need small things they charge for the products and the labor. I have reached "preferred" customer status at my shop and can not remember the last time I paid full asking price for anything. In excahange I send them a ton of business every year. There have even been times when I have worked behind the counter when they were swamped. The guys in the shop know if they are in a jam they can call me and I will give them a hand no questions asked. Last year alone I spent in excess of $3000 in their shop, and they will still continue to get my business. I have a buddy that gets much the same treatment. Having said that, I do not expect, nor have I ever asked for preferred pricing on anything in their shop. They treat me well, and I send them a ton of business. Mutual respect goes along way, as long as I keep getting it from them they will keep getting my business and recommendations.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

mdbohuntr/Rick:

You know you're always welcome in my shop. I enjoy the art of 'touching a nerve' as much as the next guy.:D I look forward to your visits and will always do my best to earn your respect and business.

PAhunter86:

Please, I'd rather not compare skateboards to bows. But, as a matter of fact, I have done the set-ups for customers 3000+ miles away. Ask Roland in CA for one.;)

reylamb:

If you ever want to move to Maryland, I have the same arrangement with quite a lot of my customers. It sounds like you could be added to the list of 'preferred customers' easily.:)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Len, I would love to have a sit down conversation with you some day, I could learn alot. I just wish your shop was a little closer to my house!!!!

What is quite amusing is listening to me trying to convence other customers that I do not actually work at the shop.
"Yeah you do to work here, you sold me a treestand last week and now I need some accessories for it."
"No I do not work here, but let's see what I can do to help."
"You sure you do not work here, everytime I come in here you are here also?"
"Actually, I pay them to come in the shop!!!!"

Good PRO shops are hard to come by. I want to keep mine around for quite some time, so they get all the support I can physically (and more often than not monetarily) give them.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

the bow shop i go to has given me $100's of dollars worth of free services & parts for my bow.... and i didn't even buy it there..... may be because i am a lady?? not sure ;)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

When you buy a set of tires they dont give you
the valve stems,why should they give you anything?
My shop charges 15.00 per hr.and I feel that is very
fair,he has to make a living to.A lot of times he will
check my bow,etc. and no charge, drive 50 miles
and would drive further to trade with Randy!:)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

i've gotten free valve stems too..... you guys must not be doing something right LOL ;)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

a locally owned proshop here in illinois is over priced a little, but whether u buy the bow there or not, as long as u r buyin one of the products there they will put it on for free. they also dont charge for peeps, silencers, kisser buttons, nock sets, or cable guards. they willl also align everything and replace things from normal where for no cost if it is a small cheap item(which any1 should)

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Peep - cost of part plus 10-15 minutes to properly align and tie in
Silencers - cost of part plus 5-10 minutes to install
Kisser buttons - cost of part plus 5-10 minutes to align and install
Nock sets - cost of part plus 3-5 minutes to align and install
Cable guards - cost of part plus 2 minutes to 1 hour to properly install

Man, these guys must charge a lot extra to cover all this labor and those parts they're giving away.

For an example, the nock set must be installed, by my standards, in a RS Bow Vise using their levels. At this time we can also do a cursory installation of the kisser and the peep. That's a start and does not take into consideration tuning the bow. Once the nock position is established, we have the archer draw the bow, with an arrow on it, to establish the archer's anchor points. The kisser location can then be established at this time. Once we set the precise point of the kisser and lock it in, we can then have the archer pull the bow back again while blocking the peep. We make the archer maintain his comfortable anchors, we can then move the peep so that it aligns with his sight.

Each and every time we have the archer draw the bow, we ask him/her how it feels. If you or your shop tries to shortcut this procedure, I question the exactness of your set-up. Even after we've done it once, we will evaluate it again after the archer has shot the bow for a while.

If the situation requires a string change, we have tools that guage the exact location of the existing string components. If we see something, like a kisser and peep that are too far from the nock set, we question the archers set-up. In many cases the kisser and peep located too far from the nock set indicates a draw length that is too long.

We could never spend this amount of time and trouble on any bow and not get paid for our PROfessional efforts. In the case of a new bow purchase, all set-up labor and tuning is free, along with range time and a thousand arrow check-up.

In the 1st paragraph situation, you're saying that 25 minutes minimum to 1 hour and 40 minutes maximum should be given away. And that's for someone who buys their equipment elsewhere and wants the shop to take care of not only the cost of the string parts, but the proper installation time as well. Wow, that's quite a shop. It might just pay for everyone in each surrounding State to drive to Illinois to take advantage of this deal. :D

Opps, forgot the string silencers. I'm sure Steve Sims doesn't mind the shop giving away his products. As long as they can afford to pay their bills.;) If it's any of the other string silencing materials, they are not that expensive but do require time to properly install.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

First of all, I started this post and this is what I meant. I have probably spent well over 1,000 dollars on my bow alone, not to mention, probably close to 6 or 700 dollars on other supplies. All of it bought at this particular pro-shop. I by know means think that they should service bows that they did not sell. I by everything for my bowhunting there, everything. No, i don't feel they should give limbsavers, ls string leeches away, but $2 peeps, $2 String silencers, installation of new rest, yeah I think it should be included. If all store did this then Fine. But I know that they don't so why is this one charging me? If I had bought my bow somewhere else and then wanted a new rest put on, then maybe I could see them charging, but I personally wouldn't.

RE: Question about your local pro shop loyalty??
 

Dang Len,

Whenever I visit my nephew this summer in Ocean City, I will have to stop at your shop and bring my bow :D:D:D