The struggle of selling old bows

[Aboyer35]

Anyone experience the struggle of trying to sell your old bow? I just end up keeping them because the resale value you get is horrible. Any pointers?

 

[Brendan]

Don't keep them for the sake of keeping them unless you have a use for them. If you're going to use them, that's one thing, otherwise stop being sentimental and sell them for whatever you can get.

Resale will only get worse, and they'll sit around taking up space.

With that said - I always keep at least one backup to my primary bow.

 

[Northpark]

I just sell mine for what they are worth or even better I’ve given a couple away to new hunters especially high school kids that I have in our 4H shooting sports program

 

[Beendare]

The problem is guys think they are more valuable than they are.

So you bought that bow with accessories for $900 in 2006.....and you are now asking $700...Ugh, No.

If you don't get a response drop it $100 or $200...

_____

 

[nrhoffman93]

The best way to not lose a bunch of money is to buy a used one in the first place. If traditional bows kill deer then any compound can do it to. Even the old ones. Find used bows that fit you well and you like to shoot. I understand the appeal of a new bow but wow they are expensive.

If you are trying to get top dollar then you're best to sell off all of the accessories individually (or swap to your new bow) and then sell the plain bow.

 

[Falcon1]

In for a cheap used bow lol. I have noticed this when casually cruising classifieds across the country. Here in GA it appears a lot of folks are pretty proud of their used bows, and they get relisted over and over and over.

 

[Billy Goat]

Just keep in mind it's expensive to ship, if you can sell it local I sell for a lot cheaper. It's a headache for me to get somewhere to ship it, normally with insurance your at $45-55. Keep that in mind when looking at the prices others are asking too, at least if they are saying to your door.

 

[2rocky]

I'd say the rapid innovation in archery just makes them depreciate that much faster. Material costs are up too.

My guess is that a 2 year old bow is worth 50% of the original purchase price. 1 year 75%. My reasoning being that you don't know how much more life the string is going to have. Sights and rests that don't have upgrades as often in design might hold their value better, but I'm probably going to hold onto my sight and quiver if I like them.

I'd keep an older model bow as a back up as long as it was close to the same ATA and brace height as my # 1 bow.

At the moment I'm shooting a 2012 model bow I bought new. It would cost me $1200 to replace it. Ideally I'd buy new every 5 years.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Take your old bow and convert it for bowfishing...lots fun and good practice in off season.

 

[wekilldeer]

I struggled to sell my old 2010 Strother SR-71 a few years ago. It was still a good bow, and plenty fast. Shot well too when tuned. But it was hard to sell an off brand bow from a company that no longer existed
. Basically gave it away

 

[Drenalin]

I sold my 10 year old Drenalin this year about a week after I listed it on Craigslist, and was very happy to get back a little under 25% of what I had in it. I think you have to set your expectations (hopefully they're realistic) and then be patient enough to wait on the right buyer. If it doesn't sell, your expectations are off.

 

[jmez]

I've never had a problem selling them, price accordingly.

If it is hanging on the wall and I don't use, need, or want it anymore then even $50 is better than it hanging on the wall. The purchase price is irrelevant. It wasn't an investment.

 

[DavePwns]

Don't sell it, gift it to a nephew or a local archery club to help get someone started with archery.

 

[JeffRaines]

It sucks but it’s the truth. New bows depreciate like 30% when you leave the shop. I see VXRs going for 850-900 on ArcheryTalk when they’re $1200 in the shop. I just recently bought a Realm SR6 for $600, which is like 50% off what it cost new a year ago.

A person is better off buying used, even for a “new” bow... especially if you’ve been shooting for awhile and know what you like. Let someone else take the depreciation hit.

What I’ve found that doesn’t depreciate that bad are beginner bows. The Stingers, whatever flavor Bear is offering these days - while you’ll lose a hundred on them, you can still get $200 or so for the bow and move it fairly quickly.

As far as OP goes, like many have said it’s rough but have your expectations in check. If your bow is older you’re gonna be lucky to get big box beginner bow prices for it.

 

[guosim]

So as someone looking to get into this hobby, definitely buy used?

 

[MattB]

Put it on Ebay and take what the market offers, it will never be worth more than it is right now.

 

[phorizt]

I always buy used. Bought an Elite option a couple months ago for $450(that included shipping) with a dozen good arrows and fully loaded ready to hunt with quality accessories. Was probably $1800+ total 2.5 years ago new. Im not picky just keep my eyes out for a great deal and when I find it I upgrade. Before that I bought a decent PSE bow that was loaded with 2 cases, arrow and over $200 worth of broadheads all for only $200. I honestly cant imagine buying a new bow with the way good used ones are priced.


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[JeffRaines]

So as someone looking to get into this hobby, definitely buy used?

Buying used, especially for beginners, can be a little harrowing. Buying from untrusted sources like, say ebay, when you don’t know what to look for could backfire.

If it were me, I’d look over on archerytalk and buy from someone with excellent feedback. You can typically find bows for cheaper than ebay or otherwise, and the people with good feeback are generally fairly trustworthy.

This isn’t to turn you off from buying used - it’s absolutely the best way to save money. Do keep in mind that you’ll still need to take your bow to the shop to get it tuned and set up, so there will be some expense. This will also allow you to “shop around” bow techs and make sure you’re getting good service. If the guy groans about having to set up a bow you’re bringing him(or tries to nickel and dime you for every little thing he does) you know you can look elsewhere. I’m not saying the expectation should be a free setup or anything, but if he’s trying to charge you for the setup, and then for leveling your sight, and then for paper tuning, etc... All of that should be included in the initial set up fee... and I speak from experience, there are guys who will try to do this crap.

 

[Rob5589]

So as someone looking to get into this hobby, definitely buy used?

If you have someone experienced to help you then buying used can be a great way to go. If not, I'd be looking at the PSE Stinger fully loaded or similar bow. When you eventually upgrade, you'll have a solid back up bow.

 

[MichaelO]

why buy continue buying new bows? I know someone has but I as a guy who just upgraded from a 2004 Mathews sq2 to a new elite enlist i honestly wasn’t that impressed. I gained 25 FPS maybe? And it’s a couple decibels quieter.

that said something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it and bows depreciate worse than a new car.