What do you look for in a local archery pro shop?

[D-Rock425]

What's everyone look for in choosing an archery pro shop?  Do you do most of your shopping online or in store?

[huntnfmly]

I look for a shop who has people who know what they are talking about and will take the time to answer questions and are not just interested in making a sale

[KFhunter]

I look for an archery shop that I can drive to and home again in a single day without having to get a motel. 



That gives me about 3 options, and 2 good options. 

[Stein]

I mostly buy from a shop except for stuff like quivers or other things I can get used for cheap.  I got some advice on here, found a shop that is very helpful and reasonably priced.

[gutsnthegrass]

I look for a shop that has a knowledgeable owner that doesn't try to BS everybody.  I instantly shut down when a guy turns into a salesman. 

[ridgefire]

Customer service is huge for me. I also like it to have shooting lanes like they do at the Nock Point. It's nice to be able to shoot at the shop if you need to.

[Archry]

 Trust.

[WapitiTalk1]

Sorry to say, I've gotten away from archery shops over the years.  Nowadays, I'll order a new bow on-line and set it up myself.  I have had good luck with the CS at the shop down in Rainier, OR and with the folks up at the shop in Fife (Sportco?) "if" I need something done that requires a bow press (I don't have one of those).. limb change, new string, etc.  Oh, that reminds me... there is a shop down in Kelso, WA called Side Hill Archery that makes top notch custom strings... I had him put a set on my Darton Maverick II a few years ago.   

[mountainman]

I look for a shop who has people who know what they are talking about and will take the time to answer questions and are not just interested in making a sale

This👆

[fishngamereaper]

A shop that treats you so good and charges little to nothing for tune ups and maintenance, that you almost feel obligated to buy something from them just because.

[Jellymon]

One that doesn’t put down people’s equipment. In 2015 I bought an Elite E35 from @/&#%co. The whole time they were swapping draw modules they were saying how bad elites are, that the cams were made out of crappy pot metal, and how much better the Prime bows were. That E35 proceeded to win a 3d shoot and kill an elk that year. Still one of the best bows I’ve ever owned.
Just one of the many reasons I bought a press and do my own work.

[Special T]

I think pro shops are important for newer shooters. Once you have been shooting for a while you may be able to do more stuff yourself. Ive been shooting for a while and dont own any of the specialty tools, that Said I have a Great Pro shop close by.  Just because I have looked at a few products to see how competitive my shop is. What i have noticed is that the difference in price of buying online is nearly the same as buying from my shop and having it set up for me.  Service costs $. I pay more for the product, but I get taken care of.

IMO if you hear "shoot a few bows and see what feels right" this is a good sign.

If i wasnt close to a great shop i would probably educate myself and learn how to do it myself. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Shops are great to get your equipment at and get educated about your setup. You as a person really needs to know how to fix, adjust and make due if your setup fails one way or the other. You Tube is your friend!!!!!! Bows and arrows are very simple once you understand all the basics. Good luck !

[HAGEMANIAC]

I'd say first impressions go a long way based off a recent experience.  Visited a shop in the Spokane Valley, walked-in to a younger crowd of employees all sitting around on their cell phones.  Had to announce myself to be acknowledged, not a good start.  Ended up being helped by probably the least experienced of them all, which was fine as I was willing to work with him and the young man did great.  We struggled a bit with the D-loop, but it was ok because he was intent on making it right and he was building experience/confidence.  It was a bit unfortunate because he wasn't getting any input from the more seasoned guys, still busy with phones.  We finished up, and after I flung a few through paper we called it good.  I will be using different pro shops in the future, but hope that kid sticks it out and ends up with people around him who will invest the time into making him the great tech that he is capable of being.

[2MANY]

I look for Issac at Lucky Shot.

[Sutherland]

All good input here everyone! Hard to find a decent bow shop around Wenatchee... Where have other people had luck?

[Smossy]

What's everyone look for in choosing an archery pro shop?  Do you do most of your shopping online or in store?

Initiative, people who go above and beyond to get parts in or get your items serviced. I typically only let a very few people even touch my bows. Rod from puyallup sportsman warehouse being my first choice because were good friends, then wade from brightstrings, then probably you at your shop honestly.

[h20hunter]

You thinking of doing your own thing are yah.....

[huntnnw]

I'd say first impressions go a long way based off a recent experience.  Visited a shop in the Spokane Valley, walked-in to a younger crowd of employees all sitting around on their cell phones.  Had to announce myself to be acknowledged, not a good start.  Ended up being helped by probably the least experienced of them all, which was fine as I was willing to work with him and the young man did great.  We struggled a bit with the D-loop, but it was ok because he was intent on making it right and he was building experience/confidence.  It was a bit unfortunate because he wasn't getting any input from the more seasoned guys, still busy with phones.  We finished up, and after I flung a few through paper we called it good.  I will be using different pro shops in the future, but hope that kid sticks it out and ends up with people around him who will invest the time into making him the great tech that he is capable of being.

you dont say    I cant believe that place has been open that long.

[dilleytech]

A shop that has the a good bow selection to shoot and check out so I can buy it there and take it home to work on in my own shop. Because archery shops are for those who aren’t that interested in a very well tuned bow that’s set up properly for them.

In general archery shops suck depending on your expectations.

[blackveltbowhunter]

A shop that has the a good bow selection to shoot and check out so I can buy it there and take it home to work on in my own shop. Because archery shops are for those who aren’t that interested in a very well tuned bow that’s set up properly for them.

In general archery shops suck depending on your expectations.

I can appreciate the sentiment. Although I find a lot wrong with the statements.

 I do agree EXPECTATION is the biggest factor in determining what will make YOU happy. If your expectation is to set your bow up exactly the way you saw it done on youtube ( whichever one of the many different ways you saw it) and you have the time and inclination to tinker with different timing settings, grip positions, D-loop tie ins, Peep tie in, bare shaft tuning, walk back tuning, different arrow spines, arrow weights, FOC, fletching configurations etc...… Then your expectation is probably beyond what ANY pro shop is intended to be capable of. In that case you should be learning to do your own and will very likely have a good end result. However, that doesn't take away from the fact the pro shop is completely competent and capable of fitting and tuning bows.

 I am an avid bowhunter and the vast majority of animals have been taken with bows and arrows I did not tune myself. I have even killed a bunch with bows that had excessive cam lean and at one time or another less than perfect paper tears Since doing all my own tuning nothing would have changed anything in the field. The single most important piece of shooting equipment isn't bought in a shop, it walks into it.

I do like my shops to have a good selection of product to choose from

[dilleytech]

A shop that has the a good bow selection to shoot and check out so I can buy it there and take it home to work on in my own shop. Because archery shops are for those who aren’t that interested in a very well tuned bow that’s set up properly for them.

In general archery shops suck depending on your expectations.

I can appreciate the sentiment. Although I find a lot wrong with the statements.

 I do agree EXPECTATION is the biggest factor in determining what will make YOU happy. If your expectation is to set your bow up exactly the way you saw it done on youtube ( whichever one of the many different ways you saw it) and you have the time and inclination to tinker with different timing settings, grip positions, D-loop tie ins, Peep tie in, bare shaft tuning, walk back tuning, different arrow spines, arrow weights, FOC, fletching configurations etc...… Then your expectation is probably beyond what ANY pro shop is intended to be capable of. In that case you should be learning to do your own and will very likely have a good end result. However, that doesn't take away from the fact the pro shop is completely competent and capable of fitting and tuning bows.

 I am an avid bowhunter and the vast majority of animals have been taken with bows and arrows I did not tune myself. I have even killed a bunch with bows that had excessive cam lean and at one time or another less than perfect paper tears Since doing all my own tuning nothing would have changed anything in the field. The single most important piece of shooting equipment isn't bought in a shop, it walks into it.

I do like my shops to have a good selection of product to choose from

Most are CAPABLE of tuning a bow but they don’t typically don’t bother for the customer. I have experienced enough wrong information in shops to know they aren’t all very well qualified.  If someone is just happy with a clean paper tear with a fletched arrow and don’t mind the inflated costs that come from a shop then there’s no issue. If you want to up your archery game and have perfect arrow flight and the correct arrows for your set up. Then your best bet is to invest in the tools and learn to do it yourself.

[mountainman]

All good input here everyone! Hard to find a decent bow shop around Wenatchee... Where have other people had luck?

Not any decent shops in Wenatchee anymore. Closest would be Curt up in Omak