Bowtech Support - Does it have to be this hard?

[wildernessmaster]

Well I guess I am seeing what a few of you "old timers" on here were trying to hint at about Bowtech... Really disappointing.

So if you have seen any of my other articles, I recently decided to purchase and make my primary bow a Bowtech Revolt. I loved how it shot, felt, how forgiving at anchor and shooting it was and well really enjoyed it.

Post purchase as I have been setting it up, I noticed that right at my nocking point the serving seemed to have a couple of gaps in it. More so, as I was setting my nock, I noticed that the arrow nocked really loosely as a result. Loose enough it might cause an un-nock and a potential dry fire. I tried several different nocks I had laying around and all were demonstrably looser in that spot vs. areas above or below that spot.

I contacted Bowtech and notified them of the problem. Their response was to take it back to a dealer. Well that's a 2 hour just traveling time trip for me. I let them know this, and the support person (Daniel) said to send him pictures and he would see what he could do. I told him I had my own press and could put them on myself.

Well Daniel didn't respond back for a few days, so I re-emailed him. Two days later I got a response asking me the specs of my bow (model, etc). I assumed I was going to get a string. A few days later I get an email saying I have to take it to a dealer - even though (as you can see yourself below) the string has gaps.

I am really disappointed. A two hour trip just driving represents a quarter of the cost of the bow. And it represents me myself buying 3 new strings for it in terms of my time/money proposition. That does not include the hassle of in this covid environment the shop is ONLY open during the same hours I have to work - so I HAVE to take time off. More so, if I drive there and they don't do anything or they have to take the bow and contact Bowtech then I either have to come back or it's another hour or so of my time.

Given I am sure that the cost of customer acquisition in the archery world is probably pretty high for the higher end bows (I would bet in the $100's) why would a company piss off a brand new customer over a $50 string (I don't need the cables, just the string)??

Guess the hints some of you guys gave me about Bowtech on here are coming true. Oh well, I love the bow, but I may make Elite or another brand my go to company if this keeps up with Bowtech.

 

[Billy Goat]

Most companies won't deal with a consumer directly. Just the way it is. That's why I always recommend to find something from a local shop.

Sorry for the issues your having. If it were me I wouldn't roll the dice on another factory string, I'd just order something 452X. Might be another string would be fine, but I wouldn't want to have the time invested just to have a repeat. Not too many factory strings out there I put much faith in, pretty unfortunate really.

Could reserve it, but I suspect what you are seeing is from string stretch.

 

[Page Master]

If the nocks aren't clicking it just needs the string reserved on that part, or like Billy said, order some new strings. There isn't anything bowtech can do to fix that for you without you going to a dealer. Any dealer or shop can reserve that in about 5 minutes. You can also order some of thing material and reserve yourself in your garage. The material isn't that expensive and then you can serve based on your nock preferences. Lots of videos on how to do it.

There isn't an actual issue with the string, that's just another layer of string wrapped around it, and either way you still have to go to your dealer who would probably explain as much.

 

[wildernessmaster]

If the nocks aren't clicking it just needs the string reserved on that part, or like Billy said, order some new strings. There isn't anything bowtech can do to fix that for you without you going to a dealer. Any dealer or shop can reserve that in about 5 minutes. You can also order some of thing material and reserve yourself in your garage. The material isn't that expensive and then you can serve based on your nock preferences. Lots of videos on how to do it.

There isn't an actual issue with the string, that's just another layer of string wrapped around it, and either way you still have to go to your dealer who would probably explain as much.

The bow industry is retarded... My nearest Matthews dealer is over an hour away. My nearest Bowtech right at an hour away. Most people have it that way unless they live in a big city or a archery/hunting mecca. I have worked with shops from NC to Montana and the quality differs greatly among them. Some do the customer right - most don't. I have had some of the most f'ed up bow set ups from some of the "better" shops.

And the cost of customer acquisition is on the Bow manufacturers. Trust me... Not the local guys. The local shop isn't pimping bowtech, matthews or... They are pimping whatever they can afford to sell to you. This shop could have cared less if I bought a BT, PSE, Elite...

So why do they screw themselves like this?

In the gun world they have a similar model... manufacturer -> dealer... But when I have an issue, I don't have to take it back to the dealer to even get anyone to address. I can ship it straight to them, or they often just comp the part required.

Customer happy... Loves gun, loves brand.

Not so much in the bow world.

I already have a replacement string. Its part of my set up. I will work it up with the factory shoot them a little then swap them - keeping the factory strings as field backups. Since they should go on and the bow be right.

 

[fatlander]

Bowtech fixed the limbs but they’re still in a tight running with Mathews for the s***iest factory strings. As far as I know, most all bow companies won’t warranty any serving separation, or at least they say they won’t. You could try to reserve it in 5 minutes or better yet, just order a good set of custom strings like Billy Goat suggested.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Felix40]

Switching to another company isn’t going to help. They are all going to want a dealer to look at it. They aren’t going to just send you a whole new string in the mail every time your serving gets a little worn down. (Especially after talking to you they are probably not keen on you pressing and replacing strings on your bow yourself.) The serving is a replaceable part of the string.

You have three options at this point.
1. Take it to the shop. Call ahead and tell them you are coming and see how busy they are. It should take less than 10 minutes once they start working on it.
2. Buy serving material and a jig and do it yourself.
3. Use the bottom end of a bic lighter to push all the serving back together so there are no gaps. This is what I would do if the serving is still tight. Do 1/16” at a time until you get all the way to the edge of the serving and all the gaps are out.

 

[Page Master]

The bow industry is retarded... My nearest Matthews dealer is over an hour away. My nearest Bowtech right at an hour away. Most people have it that way unless they live in a big city or a archery/hunting mecca. I have worked with shops from NC to Montana and the quality differs greatly among them. Some do the customer right - most don't. I have had some of the most f'ed up bow set ups from some of the "better" shops.

And the cost of customer acquisition is on the Bow manufacturers. Trust me... Not the local guys. The local shop isn't pimping bowtech, matthews or... They are pimping whatever they can afford to sell to you. This shop could have cared less if I bought a BT, PSE, Elite...

So why do they screw themselves like this?

In the gun world they have a similar model... manufacturer -> dealer... But when I have an issue, I don't have to take it back to the dealer to even get anyone to address. I can ship it straight to them, or they often just comp the part required.

Customer happy... Loves gun, loves brand.

Not so much in the bow world.

I already have a replacement string. Its part of my set up. I will work it up with the factory shoot them a little then swap them - keeping the factory strings as field backups. Since they should go on and the bow be right.

Are you saying your preferred handling of the situation was to ship the bow back to bowtech directly or have a new string sent ? You realize not all nocks are the same size and the string would still possibly have to be reserved to fit the nock correctly?

Neither are proper responses for a string that simply needs the serving touched up.

 

[wildernessmaster]

(Especially after talking to you they are probably not keen on you pressing and replacing strings on your bow yourself.)

That's a rather dickish comment on the surface, but I will bite... Why would they not want me to press and replace my own string?? While I am not awesome like you with bows, I have replaced enough strings to know how - more so it is not rocket science.

Furthermore, why should I have to take the time to serve a brand spanking new string on a brand spanking new bow?? This is not a "nock doesn't fit my liking" issue. The serving clearly was poor on it.

 

[Page Master]

That's a rather dickish comment on the surface, but I will bite... Why would they not want me to press and replace my own string?? While I am not awesome like you with bows, I have replaced enough strings to know how - more so it is not rocket science.

Furthermore, why should I have to take the time to serve a brand spanking new string on a brand spanking new bow?? This is not a "nock doesn't fit my liking" issue. The serving clearly was poor on it.

You can use a press and restring a bow but you don't have the materials or tools to reserve?

 

[Billy Goat]

That's a rather dickish comment on the surface, but I will bite... Why would they not want me to press and replace my own string?? While I am not awesome like you with bows, I have replaced enough strings to know how - more so it is not rocket science.

Furthermore, why should I have to take the time to serve a brand spanking new string on a brand spanking new bow?? This is not a "nock doesn't fit my liking" issue. The serving clearly was poor on it.

They don't want you to do it for liability. Supposed to only be trained techs. Not uncommon for someone to damage a bow putting strings on. I don't think the comment is aimed at you, it's just a general thing.

I know if I was a manufacturer I would have stipulations like that.


I'll edit to add context:

I don't know of a rifle manufacturer that will do any warranty work on a firearm that had handloads put thru it. They don't recommend it. We all know a round tailored to the individual gun will be most accurate. Just like having a press and your own tools to work on your own bow is the best route to ultimately go, once you understand what your doing.

 

[Felix40]

The bow industry is retarded... My nearest Matthews dealer is over an hour away. My nearest Bowtech right at an hour away. Most people have it that way unless they live in a big city or a archery/hunting mecca. I have worked with shops from NC to Montana and the quality differs greatly among them. Some do the customer right - most don't. I have had some of the most f'ed up bow set ups from some of the "better" shops.

And the cost of customer acquisition is on the Bow manufacturers. Trust me... Not the local guys. The local shop isn't pimping bowtech, matthews or... They are pimping whatever they can afford to sell to you. This shop could have cared less if I bought a BT, PSE, Elite...

So why do they screw themselves like this?

In the gun world they have a similar model... manufacturer -> dealer... But when I have an issue, I don't have to take it back to the dealer to even get anyone to address. I can ship it straight to them, or they often just comp the part required.

Customer happy... Loves gun, loves brand.

Not so much in the bow world.

I already have a replacement string. Its part of my set up. I will work it up with the factory shoot them a little then swap them - keeping the factory strings as field backups. Since they should go on and the bow be right.

I think this attitude could be part of your problem too. To use your gun analogy....if you call Remington and ask them for a new barrel because the one on your rifle is dirty and doesn’t shoot as good as it used to, do you think that new barrel is going to show up at your house?

 

[wildernessmaster]

You can use a press and restring a bow but you don't have the materials or tools to reserve?

I have the materials and tools to reserve... But that is my time and energy on a new string that should be "right". And it is not a skill I have practiced much to date.

It's kind of like you buying your latest [Kuiu, First Lite,...] greatest $500 jacket and then you realize they screwed the zipper sewing up on it. Their response is to re-sew it yourself. You can do it, but you didn't pay top dollar to do that....

I can resolve my own problem. As noted in the previous follow-up post, I already have new strings to put on it. Always do. But now if I want this to be my backup string as planned I have to reserve it or go buy another backup string.

And my point in posting this was not that I can not resolve this, but it is a completely bad business model for any business that has such premium cost of customer acquisition.

 

[wildernessmaster]

I think this attitude could be part of your problem too. To use your gun analogy....if you call Remington and ask them for a new barrel because the one on your rifle is dirty and doesn’t shoot as good as it used to, do you think that new barrel is going to show up at your house?

Not asking for a barrel. Do you always use exaggerated extrapolations of things to justify lashing out?

I asked for a string replacement for the sting that was bad. More like asking for the triggers that Remington ARE replacing because they killed people... Or even more like a trigger guard.

I also provided them with evidence of the issue which they did not dispute.

And yes, I have had bad barrels from gun companies, and guess what - THEY FREAKING GOT REPLACED... And OMG I didn't have to take it to a dealer... I sent them the barrel (or gun) and they verified it and replaced it.

 

[Fatcamp]

You could have reserved the string in less time than it took to start this thread.

 

[wildernessmaster]

They don't want you to do it for liability. Supposed to only be trained techs. Not uncommon for someone to damage a bow putting strings on. I don't think the comment is aimed at you, it's just a general thing.

I know if I was a manufacturer I would have stipulations like that.


I'll edit to add context:

I don't know of a rifle manufacturer that will do any warranty work on a firearm that had handloads put thru it. They don't recommend it. We all know a round tailored to the individual gun will be most accurate. Just like having a press and your own tools to work on your own bow is the best route to ultimately go, once you understand what your doing.

Now that's a decent point. Thank you BG!

 

[wildernessmaster]

You could have reserved the string in less time than it took to start this thread.

Maybe, maybe not... I have big sausage fingers. It's why I didn't become a brain surgeon

 

[Billy Goat]

You could have reserved the string in less time than it took to start this thread.

That's no fun tho.


Things are slow around here. I appreciate new topics.

 

[Reburn]

Its not a bad business model. Is it a bad business model that ford and chevy put the crappiest highway tread tires on a 3/4 diesel 4x4? No those are your tires and if you dont like them put what you like on the truck. It would be stupid to try and offer 40 different kinds of tires from the factory.

 

[Fatcamp]

Maybe, maybe not... I have big sausage fingers. It's why I didn't become a brain surgeon

LOL. If you are going to work on your own bows you have to be willing to do it. Not that I do, but I have a list of tools and skills needed to work in my own bows. For me, one who has a competent pro shop close by, it just wasn't worth it. For you, who doesn't, it sure would be.

 

[Reburn]

That's no fun tho.


Things are slow around here. I appreciate new dumpster fires.

Fixed it for ya.