Your Favorite Shop

[BackcountryMT]

Doing a little research for our own shop..

1.) what is everyone's favorite shop(s)?

2.) what reasons keep you coming back?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[5MilesBack]

I like Bowhunter Supply Store in Georgia because I know I can have anything shipped for $.99 per item.

 

[COlineman78]

I think there are 2 models that you can go after and it's not really fair to compare the two. First is to be the local retail shop that may be more expensive, but the service and availability make it worth it. The second is a primarily online seller that does volume at a lower markup.

The first is the local retail model. My parents run a business with this model and it was hard to sustain when the economy is bad because people are looking to save money wherever they can. You will get a descent amount of people that are trying to take advantage of your staff and then just buy online. Honestly, I have done this as well especially with the big box guys but it becomes harder to justify personally when it is a small store with good staff. A reward system also helps a lot in this model, but with how screwed up sales tax is it's killing these businesses (not only are you paying MSRP, but also 8% above). This is a huge problem if you're selling the same product as everyone else. What I expect from these businesses is:

1) Knowledgeable sales staff and great customer service. If I am going to shop retail I don't want to feel like I am being read the product page online. I want someone who listens to my problem and suggests solutions. Even if I think I know what I want, it's nice to have suggestions of alternatives. Also, the staff should at least sound like they have used the product (even if they haven't). If I wanted second hand impersonal accounts on performance I would shop online.

2) Availability. One of the main reasons to shop retail is the ability to have something in hand that day. Especially if it becomes a pattern that stuff is not in stock I will lose faith and stop bothering.

Kifaru has been successful at taking this model online, but that's due to a unique product and a guy like Aron. OneShotGear has also been successful in this manner mostly due to availability, but also some good PR with the seminars earlier this year and being around on here with guys like Grant and Dmitry.

The second model is the large volume online dealers. As more manufacturers are allowing drop shipping it is becoming easier to run these sorts of businesses with less stock. I have very low expectations as far as pre-sale customer service but still expect descent post-sale service. This model is simply all about prices. I almost expect free shipping on $50+ now and never make a purchase without googling for coupons. Manufacturers are starting to impose a lot of limits in order to regulate price so this has gotten very complicated at times. One thing to remember if you go with one of these models is that crowd sourcing can save lots of money and sometimes replace a knowledgeable sales staff with the ability to rate/review and possibly ask questions (see amazon's question system).

A perfect example of this kind of model is Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters; if you look they have cheaper prices than most on the high competition commodities, but if you look at their Yelp reviews it is obvious that the local sales staff leaves something to be desired. I have bought a firearm and a ice fishing camera from them and both were significantly less than anywhere else.

 

[lak2004]

I like M2 Outdoors in Lebanon, OR. Marco is a great guy and treats his customers right. I keep going back because he is always attentive, fast and has a great demeanor.

I don't like shops that have poor customer service, which usually entails rudeness, ignoring customer, ego, and making you feel like you are bothering them and not worth their time.

 

[brewer427]

Doing a little research for our own shop..

1.) what is everyone's favorite shop(s)?

2.) what reasons keep you coming back?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Where abouts is your
shop in the valley?

 

[BackcountryMT]

Where abouts is your
shop in the valley?

We are located in Missoula. Not sure if I can throw the name out on the forums as we are not a sponsor.

Thanks everyone for the repsonses.

 

[Beastmode]

Bow rack in Redding. Customer service and knowledge. I have based almost all the business I do whether it's hunting or life in general on a combination of these to things. Treat every customer the way you would want to be treated and go out of your way to make each experience a customer has with you special for them.

 

[mtswampfox]

Bow rack in Redding. Customer service and knowledge. I have based almost all the business I do whether it's hunting or life in general on a combination of these to things. Treat every customer the way you would want to be treated and go out of your way to make each experience a customer has with you special for them.

You know this sounds so elementary, but why do so many shops have egoistic a holes behind the counter? Not just archery either.

 

[BackcountryMT]

You know this sounds so elementary, but why do so many shops have egoistic a holes behind the counter? Not just archery either.

Lack of management in hiring. Biggest issue I see in bow shops is people are hired based on their bow tuning experience instead of their customer service abilities.

You can teach someone to wrench on a bow a lot easier than you can teach excellent customer service.

 

[brewer427]

We are located in Missoula. Not sure if I can throw the name out on the forums as we are not a sponsor.

Thanks everyone for the repsonses.

Ya no worries, Seeing how you shoot prime and have talked about elite several times before, I'm about positive I know what shop you work for, by far the best shop and most knowledgable archery guys in the Valley and Missoula area, IMO.

 

[BackcountryMT]

Ya no worries, Seeing how you shoot prime and have talked about elite several times before, I'm about positive I know what shop you work for, by far the best shop and most knowledgable archery guys in the Valley and Missoula area, IMO.

Thanks man! Great feedback like that is always awesome to hear!

 

[orelkaddict]

Bow Rack in Springfield OR for great customer service and I never have to worry about the job being done. I can walk out knowing everything is done correctly without any worries. Their product knowledge is also huge, their not just selling it but their actually using the products.

 

[COlineman78]

One issue I have with bow shops (and many other stores) is that they obviously have a brand that they push much harder than others (often Mathews). When going to these stores I often wonder if I am getting the best option for my needs or just the best option that their favorite offers. Even the best companies make bad products sometimes or may just have a hole in their line.

 

[Jacob_Outdoors]

M2 in Lebanon Oregon, they go above and beyond to exceed the expectations of every customer. No other place I would take my bow.

 

[mk_v]

Straight six in Missoula or spirit quest in kalispell. Couple reasons why
1st both owners are nice I can ask all the questions I like and not be talked to like I'm a idiot for taking their time. Flaming arrow in kalispell was some of the rudest people to buy bows from. They were the only bowtech dealer for 150 miles at the time so I bought a couple of my bows from them and my fiancées. After that I vowed never to buy there again based on how they handled me.
2nd I can get a bow ordered they are willing and they will leave it in the box for me rather than other shops setting it up for a demo bow until I picked it up.
3rd bow brands they carry, I'm partial to bowtech, Hoyt, prime, Elite.
I want to support shops that are good to their customers and straight six and spirit quest have been the best for me.

 

[mk_v]

I'm pretty sure I know the shop you work for to. And you started carrying bowtech =) unfortunately after I bought my prodigy =\

 

[BackcountryMT]

I'm pretty sure I know the shop you work for to. And you started carrying bowtech =) unfortunately after I bought my prodigy =\

Lol, I think you know as well. Come see us when you need a retune on that prodigy!

 

[kodiakfly]

Bow Rack and Full Curl in Anchorage are my go-to shops. Bought bows from each of them, and their staffs are great.

That said, if you're looking for a model or open to suggestions, I'd set aside something to cater to the do-it-yourself guys that like to shop online. Which I admit, is me. I don't have a decent shop on the island, so any time I'm dealing with one of my shops, it's on the phone. I've worked in a few bow shops in my day, so I prefer to work on my own anyway. But when it comes time to get what I need for my own garage shop, online usually has what I need because most shops don't stock string material, different servings, fletching jigs, presses, etc for sale to customers that want to do it themselves. Many shops do package and sell vanes or nocks for sale, but more and more guys are doing it themselves at home and the online retailers get the nod, even if they have a shop locally.

And you wouldn't need to stock presses but just be an authorized dealer, as I understand those would take up real estate on the shelves. But to be able to tell a guy, "I can have you this same press here in two days and not charge you shipping for it..." would be a seller to a lot of guys. Same with jigs and bow scales. Just a thought to get some business back from the online retailers and ebay.

 

[mk_v]

Lol, I think you know as well. Come see us when you need a retune on that prodigy!

I'm getting a itch to get a carbon overdrive again so I think you'll be seeing me pretty soon haha

 

[BackcountryMT]

I'm getting a itch to get a carbon overdrive again so I think you'll be seeing me pretty soon haha

Hold tight on tat, for now. That bow may be getting dropped for 2016. I think you'll see something very similar but with a Power Disc.