I was reading a thread in another Archery forum the other day and I would like to see what you guys think about this subject. I am pretty positive that most everyone that posts here has bought some type of Archery equipment online...:noidea:

When a manufacturer says that you cannot sell a product online and they can only be sold at an authorized proshop what options do our friends who live in rural areas of the United States have? I can honestly say if I want something for my target shooting there is not a shop within 50 -75 miles that I can walk into and get it. I always get the same response..."I can order it for ya and it will be in next week." Which means another hour drive a week later for something I can order myself.

No shops around where I can go in and try the latest and greatest bows, release aids, stabilizers, bow sites. So I relly on the internet and catalogs to purchase 99% of my hunting and target equipment. I can understand the logic of selling the stuff thru an authorized proshop but that doesn't leave many options for those of us who don't have any around...:cool:

My opinion is you're S.O.L.........:noidea: :biggrin1:

there is no way a bow company that sells bows with cams with no draw length adjustments could do business that way.

My opinion is you're S.O.L.........:noidea: :biggrin1:

That's my point JC are these folks shooting themselves in the foot by not letting folks sell their products on the internet?... I can tell ya what, they are with me and I am sure I am not the only one...:censored:

there is no way a bow company that sells bows with cams with no draw length adjustments could do business that way.

You might wanna read the post again did I mention I was talking exclusively about bows?....:noidea:

there is no way a bow company that sells bows with cams with no draw length adjustments could do business that way.

:dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy:

That's my point JC are these folks shooting themselves in the foot by not letting folks sell their products on the internet?... I can tell ya what they are with me and I am sure I am not the only one...:censored:

What specifically are you talking about? About the only thing I thought was pro-shop only was bows.....:noidea:

Bowtech has their Bowtech in the boonies program where you can buy direct if you're more than fifty miles from a dealer. :peace:

What specifically are you talking about? About the only thing I thought was pro-shop only was bows.....:noidea:

Bowtech has their Bowtech in the boonies program where you can buy direct if you're more than fifty miles from s dealer. :peace:

I don't wanna bring companies into this.... But believe me it's not just bows...

I don't wanna bring companies into this.... But believe me it's not just bows...

Aw go ahead, sissy....Name names. :D :D

It is their company policy after all.....:noidea:

Aw go ahead, sissy....Name names. :D :D

It is their company policy after all.....:noidea:

Ok let me pose this same question in a different direction maybe it will get a little bit more of a response??? Why does a person have to have a store front in order to buy from a manufacturer and sell archery products online?...:noidea:

Ok let me pose this same question in a different direction maybe it will get a little bit more of a response??? Why does a person have to have a store front in order to buy from a manufacturer and sell archery products online?...:noidea:

what are you trying to say here??:noidea:

What is there, other than bows, that can not be bought through a non-authorized pro shop??? :noidea: :noidea:

What is there, other than bows, that can not be bought through a non-authorized pro shop??? :noidea: :noidea:

yeah fiddle I dont know where your going with this........:noidea:

what are you trying to say here??:noidea:

I thought it was pretty straight forward. Say if someone wanted to start a Archery web store and not want the hassel of maintaing a Archery shop they can't do it with most manufacturers and distributors. You have to have a store of some kind. Some manufacturers and distributors don't even allow the store to be attached to the house so a garage would be out of the question....:noidea:

:noidea: :noidea: :doh: :frusty: :wave: :decision: :peace:

I thought it was pretty straight forward. Say if someone wanted to start a Archery web store and not want the hassel of maintaing a Archery shop they can't do it with most manufacturers and distributors. You have to have a store of some kind. Some manufacturers and distributors don't even allow the store to be attached to the house so a garage would be out of the question....:noidea:

If people were allowed to just sell crap from the chair in front of their computer, archery pro shops would go out of business. With no overhead, an armchair archery shop would undercut everyone else's prices. By selling to archery shops only, manufacturers ensure that distributors have made some sort of commitment towards the product they are selling. This provides a level of security for the manufacturer when they know a person isn't going to cut and run because the shop owner has more at stake.

I would hate to see this country lose its pro shop network. I know a lot of them have no clue, but imagine if there weren't any.

If people were allowed to just sell crap from the chair in front of their computer, archery pro shops would go out of business. With no overhead, an armchair archery shop would undercut everyone else's prices. By selling to archery shops only, manufacturers ensure that distributors have made some sort of commitment towards the product they are selling. This provides a level of security for the manufacturer when they know a person isn't going to cut and run because the shop owner has more at stake.

I would hate to see this country lose its pro shop network. I know a lot of them have no clue, but imagine if there weren't any.

Now we are getting somewhere and I do agree with the above statement I just wish there were some in my area. But what about the guys that do not have the luxury of running up to a shop 15 to 20 minutes away and getting what they need?

Now we are getting somewhere and I do agree with the above statement I just wish there were some in my area. But what about the guys that do not have the luxury of running up to a shop 15 to 20 minutes away and getting what they need?

I dont have said problem, my shop is about 10 -15 minutes away......:noidea:

I dont understand your questioning.........:noidea:

so you want to open an online archery store???

Now we are getting somewhere and I do agree with the above statement I just wish there were some in my area. But what about the guys that do not have the luxury of running up to a shop 15 to 20 minutes away and getting what they need?

They can still buy online from tons of archery shops online. I'm not sure what you are suggesting they be able to do???

I live in the middle of nowhere. I really don't have any shops that close that carry much. I just get it online. :noidea: :noidea:

I have 3 shops within 25 minutes of me........and i had to order my TT SS1 from Lancaster:noidea:

so your argument is not holding water......:noidea:

I dont have said problem, my shop is about 10 -15 minutes away......:noidea:

I dont understand your questioning.........:noidea:

so you want to open an online archery store???

I couldn't open an online archery store if I wanted to. I don't have $50,000 to $100,000 to build a building a try to stock it just to sell products online....:noidea:

I couldn't open an online archery store if I wanted to. I don't have $50,000 to $100,000 to build a building a try to stock it just to sell products online....:noidea:

So what is your point??? :noidea: :noidea: :noidea:

Spit it out man......you're driving me crazy.....get to the point......:censored: :censored: :lol: :lol:

Even if you were able to get everything what you want online...as far as sights, releases and rests...do you want a trial period before you have to pay for it so you can wrap your fat fingers around it and see if you like it first?????????

I couldn't open an online archery store if I wanted to. I don't have $50,000 to $100,000 to build a building a try to stock it just to sell products online....:noidea:

where are you going with this.....:noidea:

Even if you were able to get everything what you want online...as far as sights, releases and rests...do you want a trial period before you have to pay for it so you can wrap your fat fingers around it and see if you like it first?????????

It doesn't really matter to me if there is a trial period or not... Because I can't go to a shop in my area to try out anything....:frusty: :frusty: :frusty:
The way I get to try anything out is to either have a shop order it and I pay for it then try it out or I order it from an online store and they send it to my door and then I try it out. Maybe it's not a big deal in the areas you live in because you have access to a well stocked place but around here we don't have that luxury....:frusty: :frusty:

It doesn't really matter to me if there is a trial period or not... Because I can't go to a shop in my area to try out anything....:frusty: :frusty: :frusty:
The way I get to try anything out is to either have a shop order it and I pay for it then try it out or I order it from an online store and they send it to my door and then I try it out. Maybe it's not a big deal in the areas you live in because you have access to a well stocked place but around here we don't have that luxury....:frusty: :frusty:

or one of your buddies sends you free arrows to shoot an indoor league.......and you dont have to buy anything period.......:noidea:

:whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

It doesn't really matter to me if there is a trial period or not... Because I can't go to a shop in my area to try out anything....:frusty: :frusty: :frusty:
The way I get to try anything out is to either have a shop order it and I pay for it then try it out or I order it from an online store and they send it to my door and then I try it out. Maybe it's not a big deal in the areas you live in because you have access to a well stocked place but around here we don't have that luxury....:frusty: :frusty:
I don't have a lot of stocking dealers here...they stock the popular stuff but they don't stock every model in the line...so if I want to try out a new bow I may have to drive 2 hrs to shoot one :noidea: ...As for releases it's buy and try...very frustrating...:frusty: :frusty: :frusty:

so hey about that.........hey bull incoming PM!!!!

I would love to donate you $100,000 for your shop...































As soon as I hit the lottery.:wave: Oh wait I don't play so don't count on anything.:dizzy:

I would love to donate you $100,000 for your shop...































As soon as I hit the lottery.:wave: Oh wait I don't play so don't count on anything.:dizzy:

DIDO............

I would love to donate you $100,000 for your shop...
As soon as I hit the lottery.:wave: Oh wait I don't play so don't count on anything.:dizzy:
I'll match his contribution...:biggrin1:

It doesn't really matter to me if there is a trial period or not... Because I can't go to a shop in my area to try out anything....:frusty: :frusty: :frusty:
The way I get to try anything out is to either have a shop order it and I pay for it then try it out or I order it from an online store and they send it to my door and then I try it out. Maybe it's not a big deal in the areas you live in because you have access to a well stocked place but around here we don't have that luxury....:frusty: :frusty:

But you think a dude selling stuff from his recliner is gonna have a room full of stuff for you to fondle before you buy??

You said you needed an opinion, but you really haven't asked a question....:doh:

Thanks guys I have been truly blessed by your thoughtfulness..:D

I think most shops stock most basic hunting style bow and acessories, like pin sights and index finger releases,short stabilizers ,wisker biscuts and drop aways,most of your target stuff is very specfic. most guys want very specfic stuff the shops would never be able to stock everthing that everybody wants. I myself have come to realize if you want to try it you will have to buy it.

Thanks guys I have been truly blessed by your thoughtfulness..:D

Oh hey...count me in on the donations too......:biggrin1:

DIDO............

I think you meant "DITTO". DIDO is FIDO's runt brother.:laugh:

But you think a dude selling stuff from his recliner is gonna have a room full of stuff for you to fondle before you buy??

You said you needed an opinion, but you really haven't asked a question....:doh:

Ok I will spill it I saw an article about HCA only selling bows to Authorized proshops I thought somebody else would bring it up first....:doh: :doh: I used to shoot HCA a long time ago I think the last bow I had of there's was a sniper. :laugh: :laugh:

Anybody have a Tru-Ball Pro Diamond I can try out before buying?????:noidea: :lol:

I think most shops stock most basic hunting style bow and acessories, like pin sights and index finger releases,short stabilizers ,wisker biscuts and drop aways,most of your target stuff is very specfic. most guys want very specfic stuff the shops would never be able to stock everthing that everybody wants. I myself have come to realize if you want to try it you will have to buy it.

I totally agree with this statement...:peace:

Ok I will spill it I saw an article about HCA only selling bows to Authorized proshops I thought somebody else would bring it up first....:doh: :doh: I used to shoot HCA a long time ago I think the last bow I had of there's was a sniper. :laugh: :laugh:

Ahhhhh....so you want our opinion on whether or not we agree with HCA being dealer only or not????

Why didn't you just say so????:noidea: :noidea: :noidea:

Anybody have a Tru-Ball Pro Diamond I can try out before buying?????:noidea: :lol:

No but if ya find one can ya send it to me after your done with it?...:noidea:

Ahhhhh....so you want our opinion on whether or not we agree with HCA being dealer only or not????

Why didn't you just say so????:noidea: :noidea: :noidea:

Ok let her fly....:peace:

No but if ya find one can ya send it to me after your done with it?...:noidea:

If I was going to warranty bows down .23 grains per pound, I'd want all the warranty work going through pro shops too........:laugh:

If I was going to warranty bows down .23 grains per pound, I'd want all the warranty work going through pro shops too........:laugh:

yeah what he said..............

If I was going to warranty bows down .23 grains per pound, I'd want all the warranty work going through pro shops too........:laugh:

I guess I never looked at it like that..... :laugh: :laugh:

Actually, I don't know why you are asking about HCA's decision to do this when many others to include Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech and Elite are the same way. :noidea:

I think there is a way around it. If you approach it right with most distributer.
What if you wanted to have a mobile set up to go to shows and big shoots. Make it your business so to say. An you can sell on line to.

Actually, I don't know why you are asking about HCA's decision to do this when many others to include Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech and Elite are the same way. :noidea:

The only bow company that you mentioned in that list that I have even a remote chance of shooting or buying in a proshop anywhere close to me is Hoyt. That is what is so stinking frustrating....:frusty: :frusty: :frusty:

The only bow company that you mentioned in that list that I have even a remote chance of shooting or buying in a proshop anywhere close to me is Hoyt. That is what is so stinking frustrating....:frusty: :frusty: :frusty:

You really don't have 6 Mathews dealers within 100 miles of you???? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

You really don't have 6 Mathews dealers within 100 miles of you???? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Not that I am aware of???? There is one guy in the SouthBend area if he is still there and he doesn't know much more than how to put a price tag on one... But that's still a pretty good trip from here...:noidea:

You really don't have 6 Mathews dealers within 100 miles of you???? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I only have 1 Mathews dealer within 50 miles.........

I only have 1 Mathews dealer within 50 miles.........

I have 6 or 7 within an hour I bet........:doh:

I only have 1 Mathews dealer within 50 miles.........
How far is Archer's in Highland from you? She probably is 50-60 mi...

I have 6 or 7 within an hour I bet........:doh:
I thought Mathews had a 30-50 mile rule, that no other dealer would be in the same area? :noidea:

I thought Mathews had a 30-50 mile rule, that no other dealer would be in the same area? :noidea:
You can fit alot in with a 30 mi radius...:biggrin1:

I have at least 4 mathews dealers with in 50 miles.:noidea:

Ok let me pose this same question in a different direction maybe it will get a little bit more of a response??? Why does a person have to have a store front in order to buy from a manufacturer and sell archery products online?...:noidea:

A big majority of manufactures do not sell to distributors that do not have a store front type of building, this practice is not just archery related. It is to keep the playing field as even as possible. There are some companies out there that won't even allow any of thier distributors to sell a product that they produce below a set price unless the item is being discountinued.

I thought Mathews had a 30-50 mile rule, that no other dealer would be in the same area? :noidea:

Here is my zip code... 47452

Here are stocking Mathews dealers:

47421 15 miles
47281 44 miles
47546 44 miles
47424 57 miles
47112 46 miles
47404 40 miles

I've been to every one and they all stock Mathews bows.

So....I don't know what there policy is, but the first one is directley between my and the last one so they are only 25 miles apart. :noidea:

Here is my zip code... 47452

Here are stocking Mathews dealers:

47421 15 miles
47281 44 miles
47546 44 miles
47424 57 miles
47112 46 miles
47404 40 miles

I've been to every one and they all stock Mathews bows.

So....I don't know what there policy is, but the first one is directley between my and the last one so they are only 25 miles apart. :noidea:

are you sure theres even that many Zip Codes in INDIANA??????:lol:

Here is my zip code... 47452

Here are stocking Mathews dealers:

47421 15 miles
47281 44 miles
47546 44 miles
47424 57 miles
47112 46 miles
47404 40 miles

I've been to every one and they all stock Mathews bows.

So....I don't know what there policy is, but the first one is directley between my and the last one so they are only 25 miles apart. :noidea:


They must have changed their policy??? Or ar least thats what I thought it was? :noidea: ( I have been wrong before, but will never admit it at home) :biggrin1:

are you sure theres even that many Zip Codes in INDIANA??????:lol:

:pout:... :pout:... :pout:

Hello,i also live in a rural area,when i was a green horn i drove around 80mls round trip to my fav proshop for great advise and knowledge,i try to buy what i can their but man you can get some killer deals online now,my bow in sig, basspro.......but i cant afford to drive 80mls round trip for every darn thing i need,,,,,and iam lucky im a 29dl most bows are setup that way.and with sites like this that have great classifieds and good honest people,the proshop gets further away.hey thats the way i roll............................................:b iggrin1: :wave:

I thought all shops let you try before you buy...reguardless what it was you're wanting to buy.

Where you at Fiddle maybe I can help you out. I have 5 shops around me but mine is where ya wanna come check out the bows.:D Which X bow you wanna try first? And yes were a proshop.

Where you at Fiddle maybe I can help you out. I have 5 shops around me but mine is where ya wanna come check out the bows.:D Which X bow you wanna try first? And yes were a proshop.

Here I is....:peace: I live in NW Indiana....:noidea:

Here I is....:peace: I live in NW Indiana....:noidea:How far from INDY NW GARY?