I have known Joe since he worked at Gun n Bow in '87.
I bought three bows at Northwest Archery in Burien at first. Joe disappeared and ended up finding him in Southhill a few years later. I have purchased Five bows from him in the last 16 years. I have never been treated badly, nor have I seen anyone treated badly.
About 10 years ago some *censored* propped my bow in front of my front tire of my truck instead of pitting it inside the truck. I asked about where it was after I drove off. You can guess what happened to the bow.
I ran to Rainier archery on the opening day of elk season. I just happened to catch Joe there, closed, but getting some broadheads. He told me how to claim the loss on my homeowners insurance, how to get the paperwork filled out, and calm me down. I had a big trip coming up the next day. All I wanted was a cheap bow, hopefully a used one I could get on consignment. He sete up with a Matthews, loaded, arrows, broadheads and all. And he let me walk out the door with it on honor that I would pay him back when the insurance money came in. Now I am no close friend of Joe, just a customer, and he went out of his way to set me up. He has never taken advantage of me or anyone that I have ever seen.
I have heard of a lot of complaints at the ranges about him but never experienced anything like what they or any of you have described.
I heard one lady birch about him because some kid bought a set up from Joe and was having problems at the range. "Frickin Joe, sells everybody garbage," she said in a NYC accent. Yeah, I was at the ship earlier that day when the kid bought the set up. The kid wanted anything for $200, just so he could shoot. The arrows were too long, different kinds, and the bow was an old Bear clunker. Joe threw the arrows in for free and the kid got what he wanted. Apparently not what Bronx woman wanted.
I was sorry to see his shop close. I didn't realize he was closing. If he opens up, I will stay a loyal customer.
I went to GNW archery twice. I met the guy at an Iron Amos shoot, I believe. Both times I went in, and I was the only one in there(this was on River Road) he never acknowledgedy presence.