Why are there no good archery shops???? P****d off again...

[XArmy]

OK.. bear with me here...

I am convinced there are no archery shops around GR that are worth a crap.... The Outdoorsman?? Don't get me started... I don't like ghetto archery (Archery Unlimited) cause they really screwed my bow up the one time I tried to use them, so I vowed not to go back... Well I needed some bare shafts and they were the only ones to have them in stock... Or so they said... So I decided to give them another chance... Big mistake... I went there and asked if they had 6 bare shaft ACC's... They went and looked and said they had 4 and were "looking" for "2" more... He came back with them and I asked to have the inserts put in... I asked why they had 4 but had to "look" for more... He gave me some excuse that i bought untill I was paying... I noticed "2" of the shafts were previously fletched... I asked were 2 of these fletched??? He said yes, thier new but they stripped them to sell to me... So his first excuse was a lie... I was less than impressed... I took them cause no other place around had them in stock and I could live with it... When I got home and was inspecting them, I noticed the inserts were flush with the arrow on one side, but the carbon stuck out past the insert on the other... Like the insert was too small and was off to one side... Now I was pissed... I took them back and was as polite as I could be and asked for them to fix it...

Now the inserts stick out past the outside of the shaft.. Just a tiny bit... But the overhang is the same all the way around so I know thier centered...

Here's the Q I am gettin at... Is this normal for an ACC 360??? Or are they still the wrong inserts... I think I am going to order the right ones and replace them myself... Any opinions???


Why Vic??? WHY!!!!!!!!!!!! :banghead3

[Thunderhead]

Smokey's Archery. 989-584-3694
You'll be glad you called. :)

Tell'em Tom sent ya.

[Kelly Johnson]

Or are they still the wrong inserts

My guess is wrong insert...though I hate to say it after what you went through. You sound like you know your arra's...The ACC are insert specific through spine column.

Even if it is....hanging out a little aint cool either. One thing in common about the succesfull target archers and consistently succesfull bowhunters that I've met....they're detail oriented (ANAL ;) ) about their gear.

[ArcheryBowdoctor]

I have been working retail for 22 years....I know crap happens....we are only human! But that would drive me nuts! :banghead3


Sounds like the inserts are not the right ones to me....

[Sib]

Southwest of you there's a pro-shop at Blendon Pines. I've worked with a few of the guys from Blendon on some sporting clay shoots and have purchased a few things from their archery shop. I haven't had them do anything major, but for the items I've purchased they seemed knowledgable and might be able to take care of you.

Give them a call on the phone and see if they can't help. Oh, nice indoor range, too.

616-875-7000
http://www.blendonpines.com/

[fulldraw]

XARMY, I know it would be a long drive for you but Hog Wild Archery in Belleville is a proud Easton and licenced dealer. Howard would not do you wrong.

fulldraw

[HoytRLWinstonGuy]

Kruizenga Archery is right off 131 at the north end of Kzoo same exit as TGI Fridays and a couple miles to the west. Those guys are hardcore bowhunters. Matthews, Parker, Whisper, ect.

[One Eye]

Wrong inserts!

I know what you're saying about the pro shops, but today's hunters (and fishermen for that matter) have made their own beds on this one. Many will go to the local Wally World or Meijers first hoping to save a quarter. In addition, the Internet and catalog sales also eat the local guy's lunch on price.

I am not heaping this on you, as it sounds like you know what you are doing and appreciate a good pro shop. The problem is that you are in the minority and those shops cannot compete with the big retailers.

Dan

[SA ULTRA MAG]

XArmy,

Yeah, The Outdoorsman......hahahahahahahahahahahah. They lost a customer earlier this year because it was more important to BS with buddies about big lake fishing than sell a new high end Hoyt with all the accessories. Goldstar was happy to make the sale though.

Have you tried Kent Arms on Chicago Drive. They have an archery center now. I think the guys name is Vince that runs it, nice guy and seems to know what he's doing. He also co-ordinates the archery shoots at West Walker Sportsman Club.

I have heard negative things about Hilltop near Greenville.

We have had good experiences with Goldstar in Edmore, East of Lakeview on M46.

There is a guy on archerytalk.com that builds arrows. He is located north of Greenville but ships out all over the US. My brother bought arrows from him that were crested and fletched and looked great, price seemed really fair too.

Good Luck,
Pat

[GRUNDY]

A good archery shop really does not exist. especially in western michigan. Learn to work on your bow yourself you'll be happier. That is one reason I switched to a recurve

Brian

[ArcheryBowdoctor]

That stinks I can not even believe that there are no good shops in the West Michigan area......NO WAY!


Come on guys were they!!!!!

[buktruk]

I too have found that problem. I live half way between Grand Rapids and K-zoo. I drive up to Goldstar in edmore for everything I need that I can not do my self. I have been very very happy with them, and have been dealing with them for several years with no problems. Definitely worth the drive even at $3 a gallon.

[grand river cat addict]

A good archery shop really does not exist. especially in western michigan. Learn to work on your bow yourself you'll be happier. That is one reason I switched to a recurve

Brian Amen bro. I switched to Traditional a few years back.One of the many reasons for converting was the bad experience I had with said ," Ghetto Archery". I was talked into buying a bow that was 1 1/2 in. shorter draw length than I had ever shot before. I was told this is, " What I should be shooting". Long story short, I could not shoot the bow at all. Took a $200.00 loss on the bow when I tried to return it 3 weeks later.

[Chuck]

I will second the opinion for Kruizenga Archery! :) they are real good guys and realy know there stuff. I live about 35 min away and have 2 good pro shops closer but they just seemed alot nicer to do buisness with. I wish they were closer becouse thats my favorite place to go. They are knowledgable hunters too so dont be affraid to pick there brains about hunting info too.

They also have real good prices. The pro shops near me are almost twice what he charges for fletching arrows and loops and set up.

I bought my hoyt from them and I didnt have the money to spend on set up after buying the bow. They dug into a box of used stuff and bolted it on and charged me 10 bucks for a rest and site. They realy helped me out.

He wil also order any bow you want if you want to buy iut from him. I was looking a Darton at the time and he said he could have it ina week becosue I realy wanted to buy my bow from him. I ended up getting a Hoyt. I was trying to decide between the two. He also does not preasure you at all if you go look at bows. He will set them up and let you shoot them. He even told me to go to DNR sports to shoot a bunch of different bows to see what I liked.

As you can tell I cant say enough good stuff about these guys. You wont go away unhappy.

[XArmy]

Thanks for the replies... I am positive the inserts are still wrong :rant:... Normaly I do as much stuff myself as I can, I was just trying to save myself time by having someone do it for me since I had no inserts on hand and didn't want to wait on the mail... I fletch my own arrows as well and I even have a bow press and most of the tools needed to not need a shop... But I am still learning most of it, so I still need a good shop to go to... I will check out the ones mentioned by you guys.. Thanks a bunch!!! And I forgot about Kent arms... I will have to pop in there again... It has been a very long time... But I do remember them being very nice and helpful before...


Yeah, The Outdoorsman......hahahahahahahahahahahah. They lost a customer earlier this year because it was more important to BS with buddies about big lake fishing than sell a new high end Hoyt with all the accessories. Very typical of the Outdoorsman... I had $500 burning a hole in my pocket for a new scope and they wouldn't give me the time of day...

[Zulu]

I have heard similar complaints from my friends in the K-zoo/Grand Rapids area. I have no idea why it's like that on the West side of the state, if it's true. I have been reliant on the local "pro shops" in area for too many years, and have had very good experiences at a handful of them, and terrible experiences at others. I am finding that the more I research and try to do things on my own, I am becoming increasingly self sufficient. . . but its sure nice to have a local dealer nearby that you can rely on and trust when you don't want to deal with it yourself.

[DTrain]

No one likes Al & Bob's on Division? So far I've been happy but I primarily stick with one guy who works there. Extremely knowledgeable and gives great advice!

[Pinefarm]

I was just going to suggest AL and Bob's. I bought a Hoyt at A&B's and my ACC's and have nothing but great things to say about them. Ben Nielson is the manager there and is very sharp and friendly. Everyone in the bow shop there seems good to me.

[DTrain]

Yeah Ben seems to be a good guy! I've mainly been working with Rob. Bought a new Bowtech Tomkat and arrows there this past spring and Rob has helped me along the way getting it setup and preparing for archery season. This will be my first year bow hunting! :) I have two antlerless tags, a combo tag and a fall turkey tag! I can't wait :evil:

[Finnlander]

Kruezinga Archery !!!!!! ( West Main / M-43 in Kazoo )

I have sent many people to their shop. So far all happy campers. These guys will let you watch them work on your bow or even let you pitch in. Great way to learn about your bow. Its always nice to shoot the bull with knowlegeable hunters. No pressure sales and excellent products. They also have an indoor range and are willing to help anyone with their shooting form. I highly recommend these guys. It takes me about 40 minutes to get there and I pass up two other shops. Well worth the ride.

[Bowslayer]

I live in K-zoo and have been going to Ted Brooks archery shop on Portage Rd. right in town. He has a great shop, decent prices, and knows a ton about bows. I've never been dissatisfied with him. He helped me a lot last year, I was shooting a 12 inch bullseye at ten yards and in a haf hour I could shoot a 3 inch at thirty yards with his help. I highly recommend his shop. Just don't go there at noon on friday and you should be alright. Go on the off hours.
131 to 94e to Portage rd N. on the left hand side.

[noheadlikesteelhead]

Smokeys in carson city. thats the place to go

[Deadweight]

It seems that nobody can satisfy your needs for archery equipment- I would recommend that you order your items from a catalog and put them on yourself-that way if something goes wrong you can only blame yourself-that is what I do. But then again that you give you no reason to -itch online!

[dyemen]

A good archery shop really does not exist. especially in western michigan. Learn to work on your bow yourself you'll be happier. That is one reason I switched to a recurve

Brian

Ted Brooks Archery in Kalamazoo seems to have done me a good job this year.....Been around a long time and are VERY reasonable priced.....
Dave

[XArmy]

Oh yea... On those arrows Ghetto Archery sold me, they were also from 2 different series... They are obviously just out to make a sale... No matter what it takes... I ordered myself the right inserts and they fit perfectly... The second set of inserts they put in were Korean Express inserts... *sigh*

[fishon-fishoff]

I have heard that Dan's Archery and Tackle in Grand Haven is supposed to be pretty good. Haven't used them yet but will give them a try. Wasn't real impressed with Blendon Pines. Again, why vic's why! Phone number to Dan's is 616-942-1316. He runs it out of his basement. Heard nothing but good things about him.

[GrayLand]

Its not what it used to be.My old neighbor used to work there.
I stopped in about a month ago,the archery area looks about the same as it did.There might even be alittle more traditional equipment there now.
Seems like they only had 2 maybe 3 archery lines, PSE/AR for sure and i think maybe Martin but couldn't say for sure.
The rest of the store is a lot of odds and ends.I was told they buy up going out of business sporting good stores,and thats pretty much what it looked like.
For what its worth.
-gary

[Grouse Hunter]

I find it odd that most of the ASA shoots are on the westside and they seem to get attendance, yet they lack quality shops.

[Kelly Johnson]

Partners on a Pro Shop on the westside Grouse? You in? ;) :lol:

[Grouse Hunter]

Partners on a Pro Shop on the westside Grouse? You in? ;) :lol:


you bet, as long as you cover the shop from 10/1/05 to 12/1/05. :) :lol:

I have tossed the idea arouind in the past, but I not sure if making my hobby my job is a smart thing to do. I'd be curios to see what a good shop nets in a year.

[Deadweight]

I believe Vic's Archery went out of business-because he owed the IRS back taxes and archery equipment manufacturers money also. I think it would be hard to make a living on archery equipment sales only-due to online sales,catalogs, and other competitors. Archery only shops need support even if the prices are higher. I'm as much to blame as the next guy for buy somewhere else.

[XArmy]

BTW.. Just to let you know, dispite what I named the subject, there are a couple decent archery shops around here... (GR area) Grand Valley Sports is a good place... The guys are new to the business I think, but seem to know what thier doing... I like them... And Al & Bobs is ok... If your around Hastings, Bobs gun & tackle is good too... There are others as well, most of them named on here... I am just fed up with the half*** ones... :rant: