Local Archery Pro shop....vs. Gander Mountain..

**Orion_70** · 06-22-2009, 09:53 AM

I went to a local archery pro shop the other day, first time I have been there and won't be going back. I needed a module changed out in my Parker bow to shorten the drawlength. First they told me they couldn't get that module, then they told me it would cost $50 just for the module and then installation of $25, and were telling me I should just buy a new bow instead.....
Called up Gander Mountain, talked to the archery pro shop there, he tells me to just bring it in and he'll oder one from Parker and swap out the module for me $13.... just leave the one on there now with them.... Another one for Gander Mountain!!!!!!!!!

**hoss** · 06-22-2009, 10:54 AM

just went through same thing here. belive it or not it was a parker bow also.except the chine store no names said couldnt get mods if i didnt buy the bow from them. then said he couldnt even get the mod. now mind you this bow is only 8 mo. old and this store is a parker dealer also told me they couldnt do warnty work becouse i didnt buy from them. so we went to a local pro shop 15 miles away he took the mod out of a new bow on rack and installed it for 15.00 bucks. i will buy everything from hem from now on

**woolybear** · 06-22-2009, 12:00 PM

Oh boy now you're gonna get me going.
Few years ago I bought a new V-Max from (slap me now) Machias Surplus Store. Picked out all my accesories and had them installed there as well.
Long story short, the "bow tech" that did the work, also the owner of this "fine establishment", had overtightened the site plate and stripped the riser mounting hole. He headed to "hardware" to get a tap and oversized screw. I about lost my fool mind on him right then and there.

I told him to fix it right or I'd gladly take my money back and my bussiness elsewhere. He had a few on the rack also.
Returned the next day to find out numbnuts had shipped my bow back to Hoyt for a new riser. I had spoke with a Hoyt rep that night and he had one being shipped the next morning.
As my bow and it's new riser passed each other in the mail I was shocked to hear from Hoyt that once a bow was in their service department, it was like standing in line at the deli counter where you take a # and wait for the little old lady ahead of you to decide if she wants ham or bologna. 1/2lb or 3/4lb. First come/first serve.

Finally got my bow 1 week before seasons start and was almost aggravated enough to not hunt that year.
All my purchases will now only be done through a pro shop ONLY. Whew

**Rayzorp** · 06-22-2009, 01:42 PM

I guess I'm lucky, I'm in NJ, no Gander Mountain, nearest shop is Cabelas a couple of hours away and I've seen first hand the quality of their bow work, not good. I have a local shop within 15 minutes of my house, strictly archery and the guys does excellent work. No complaints on pricing either,,

**RangerClay** · 06-22-2009, 01:56 PM

You are going to meet incompetent people wherever you go. In the short time I have been involved with archery I have met bonehead shop owners and bonehead box store owners. The thing to do is search around till you can find someone you trust then give them your business.

**Tink** · 06-22-2009, 02:25 PM

I will bring this to the attention of Johnny Grace VP of Parker Bows in VA

and Jim Wynne National Sales Manager

you might wish to call parker and complain

1-540-337 5426

You might snag a parker cap for your troubles. TINK

manager

TINK

**Tink** · 06-22-2009, 02:27 PM

They get about 3 bows a week back Some bow are in perfect shape

Some guys ay MY BOW DONT TUNE? yad yada yada

Johnny Grace VP Does the repairs himself and test shoots the bows before they are returned

did you know that Parker bows are made 100% inthe USA???

Tink
Parker fan

**The_Kat** · 06-22-2009, 02:42 PM

Something I have learned very quickly since I've been in archery....learn everything you can about your equipment and set it up yourself so you know it's done right!

**Orion_70** · 06-22-2009, 03:11 PM

I'll be doing more archery business with Gander Mountain for sure, very helpful customer service. As for the local pro shop, well, they lost their chance

**ThethirdI** · 06-22-2009, 03:51 PM

There's a small shop around here that I have my bow work done at. The owner used to hang with Fred Bear so I figured if Fred Bear said he was O.K. then that was all the references I needed. Never had a bad thing to say about them and they always go the extra mile. Sorry to here about your trouble.

**Illinois59** · 06-22-2009, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Orion_70

I went to a local archery pro shop the other day, first time I have been there and won't be going back. I needed a module changed out in my Parker bow to shorten the drawlength. First they told me they couldn't get that module, then they told me it would cost $50 just for the module and then installation of $25, and were telling me I should just buy a new bow instead.....
Called up Gander Mountain, talked to the archery pro shop there, he tells me to just bring it in and he'll oder one from Parker and swap out the module for me $13.... just leave the one on there now with them.... Another one for Gander Mountain!!!!!!!!!

They did a nice job changing the layout in the local Gander Mountain didn't they? I live in Winter Springs. I used to go see Fred but he shut down years ago.

**BearClaw** · 06-22-2009, 05:49 PM

Had a similar experience with a local archery/sport shop. Didn't have what I needed, would order something else for it but didn't. I got frustrated and picked up the bow unfixed and took it to Gander Mtn. He had the exact part and gave me an extra all for $5.00!! It was the rubber bushing to deaden the string slap on a Jennings Trophymaster. And I had to travel 1 1/2 hours to get there but it was worth it!

**Tom2008** · 06-23-2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Orion_70

I went to a local archery pro shop the other day, first time I have been there and won't be going back. I needed a module changed out in my Parker bow to shorten the drawlength. First they told me they couldn't get that module, then they told me it would cost $50 just for the module and then installation of $25, and were telling me I should just buy a new bow instead.....
Called up Gander Mountain, talked to the archery pro shop there, he tells me to just bring it in and he'll oder one from Parker and swap out the module for me $13.... just leave the one on there now with them.... Another one for Gander Mountain!!!!!!!!!

When I used to work there we would just swap the module for free. Depends on who you work with pretty much.

**Mach1** · 06-23-2009, 09:00 PM

Needed a new module for my Bear Instinct a couple years back. Took it to the local Gander Mtn. and the guy switched out mine for a new one and gave me the old one back at no charge.

**JimT** · 06-23-2009, 09:30 PM

The pro shop I go to has been great to me. Told a buddy of mine to go there and he went to Cabelas instead. Ended up bringing home a bow that was a complete joke. Draw legnth was 2" to long just for starters. He could not hit anything with it. Wonder why? He saved a few bucks though.....