Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: BWallace10327 on March 03, 2017, 08:59:00 PM
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Everyone who looks at classifieds knows the type; Some bows just don't sell. These items may be too heavy, too short, too unknown, and even occasionally, priced to high. More often than not, however, many bows go unsold after many days, weeks or months of being listed, even with multiple price reductions.
I am curious what factors make such bows undesirable. My curiosity would be laid to rest if everyone could post a list of the top 5 reasons a bow for sale does not interest them. I am willing to assume as the list of people and their dislikes grow, a some sort of patter will emerge. Please, don't hold back, the more the merrier.
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Reasons:
#1. They don't bother to post pictures. I don't want to have to give my ph # or email to request pictures. I want to click the link and see the pics.
#2. Priced too high. Some people post prices so high that with just 20% more, you could own a brand new bow.
#3. I look closely at who's posting the add. I pay particular attention to how many posts they have on this site and how well they're know. #3 could easily be exchange for #2 in importance.
#4. How well are the details provided, and the pictures shown, to reveal the blemished, dings... I don't mind buying a bow with dings and dents. I just don't want to pay a price for a bow which is listed 10/10, when in fact it more like an 8/10.
#5. Bow weight and grip. Once the bow reaches 55# or more, or the bow has a high wrist grip, I move on. Just my preferences.
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Top 5 reasons for me not to buy a bow. 1- I feel like some times a bow is priced way over what it's worth. 2 - if I feel like some one isn't being honest about the condition like saying it's never been used but the rest shows signs of wear. That isn't a big deal but it gives me a bad vibe about the person selling so I don't buy from them. 3- if he bow is to much weight. 4- how the how has been presented for the sale makes a big difference. I feel like sometimes you can tell just by looking at a bow if it's been taken care of. And lastly 5- if the seller doesn't post enough pictures to see the whole bow I get worried and won't buy. I've over paid before on bows because I trusted the person was being honest. Then I received the bow it it has lots of issues that weren't listed. Because of that instance the only bows I'm buying used online will be here on trad gang. I have had nothing but good things with anyone I've dealt with on here, it really is a great bunch of people to do business with. I no longer buy from auction sites. This is just my opinion.
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I think people have certain brands they identify with quality, and have an idea of what those brands should cost on the used market. Sometimes I will hear something good about some other brand, and might want to try one out. If a brand is not already on my list, or hasn't otherwise come to my attention, I probably won't pay much attention to an ad about it. OTOH, if someone is selling some bows at a tournament, I might pick up a bow I've never heard of. If it looks good and feels good in my hand, I might shoot it. If it shoots well for me, I might buy it. So if I had a bow that wasn't well known, I might try selling it at an archery meet rather than through an ad.
It is a mistake to expect to sell a bow right away, regardless of how well known it is. Maybe you will, but that is just luck. I had a bow made by a well known bowyer that I tried to sell a year or so ago because it had become too heavy for me. I got some nibbles, but no bites. After about six months, a friend shot it and liked it, so I gave it to him. I'd rather give a good bow away than sell it for less than it is worth. What goes around, comes around. A few weeks after that, one of the people who had expressed interest in it before wrote back with a full price offer. Oh well, too late.
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#6, skins, to me they are used to cover a poor finish job
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Not a style of bow I like to shoot.
I already have to many bows.
Bow is wrong specs for length or weight.
Bow is over priced.
Poor descriptions and few or no pictures.
It's left handed and I'm a right.
Bow has damage, dings or bad finish...
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I may be wrong but here lately I haven't seen many bows over priced. I have seen some nice bows go dirt cheap. But to answer your question,no pics,wrong specs
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5# too heavy or too light mostly
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Top 5 reasons a bow may not sell:
#1. They don't bother to post pictures.
#2. They don't bother to post pictures.
#3. They don't bother to post pictures.
#4. They don't bother to post pictures.
#5. They don't bother to post pictures.
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Pics are a biggie! Always post pics.
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5# too heavy or too light mostly
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Not left handed
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1. its the same or very similar to a bow I already own.
2. I cannot afford it.
3. it is significantly heavier than I normally shoot. ( don't want to have to buy 2 dozen new arrows now too)
4. I don't like the way it looks. ( some bows are just beautiful, even old beat up ones, some just don't do it for me)
5. My fiancée cannot be convinced that I need it and it is a great deal and it will make me far more efficient hunter and it will save us lots of money in the long run on groceries. ( this is generally the primary factor.)
Msturm
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No pics doesn't bother me at all as long as they can send me some and I can often see the bow better on my home computer when their sent to my E-mail.
Wrong poundage
Wrong price
Wrong length
Wrong make
Wrong style
Wrong condition.
Wrong time of year
Wrong grip
Wrong woods
Its not on the hot bow to buy list.
Folks can be pretty picky.Almost all used bows are a pretty good deal when compared to the price of a new one.Sometimes its takes awhile to find the right match for a bow and buyer.
Over the years their have been so many more bows available second hand.Because their are so many more circulating.So prices are down a tad in my experience and it might be harder to move them as quickly.But most sale when the price is right and you have a buyer eventually.Might have to sit on it for awhile though.
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1: it's not a TallTines
Don't get me wrong I've been tempted by other bows but true love exists lol
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No pictures
Too heavy/too light
More than I think it's worth to me
Grip looks too fat (I have short fingers)
My wife is watching over my shoulder.
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All of the above reasons plus some brands become of fashion and they sell incredibly fast. Then they are forgotten and don't sell anymore
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For me:
1. Usually too light - I like bows around 60# and it seems like everyone is shooting 40# these days
2. Price - there are plenty of good deals but many overpriced bows to me too....if it's 20 years old it's not worth 7 or 800 dollars, even if it says black widow
3. They don't take paypal - this service offers simplicity, speed, and insurance I don't see why anyone would want or expect someone to get a money order and drop it in the mail these days
4. They want to call and talk - this may be controversial to most but to me if someone wants to discuss a bow I move on, I like deals to be quick and done no offense guys. I'll chat about hunting but I don't want to make phone calls about your bow
5. Low post count - see #4, I recognize most names here of regular posters and therefore can trust a deal without going above and beyond to prevent being scammed...a low post count makes me a little more hesitant
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1. No PayPal. PayPal gives your recourse if item not as described.
2. To short for my draw.
3. Can not afford price
4. Something about ad screwy, even though I can't put my finger on it.
5. Just not a bow I am interested in
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For me it 's these reasons.
Too much poundage, I need my bows to be 45-50# at 30"
Bow is too short, I like 64-66" bows.
The grip is too small, I have XL hands.
Price is a big factor. I tend to be frugal aka cheap.
No photo, gotta have a pic.
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When you're a lefty and only like a certain style of bow, your options are extremely limited. My top five have already been mentioned.
-wrong style
-wrong weight
-wrong length
-No PayPal (not a deal breaker just very inconvenient for me so I usually move on)
-Priced too high (though I will usually make an offer if the bow is on my wish list)
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Specs/style
Price
Limbsavers (loud bow)
No PayPal
Too fancy (skins, pierce points, spliced limbs etc)
Bows that have changed hands multiple times in a short period
Pics are kind of a pain on this site so I give people a pass if they want to email them but I don't do text pics because you can't see enough detail.
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I don't peruse the ads to look for a bow to buy. I have a specific bow in mind, including length, weight and condition. If I find it, and the price is reasonable, I buy it.
I won't pay the 3% fee that some sellers try to push on to the buyers though. Why should the buyer pay the fee? The convenience and safety features are as great or greater for the seller. The seller gets the money immediately and the money is guaranteed. No hassle worrying about bad checks or fraudulent money orders.
In all other financial credit transactions, the merchant/seller pays the cost. (Now, they may incorporate that cost into the price of the item, but they pay for the transaction.) The buyer, of course, also pays interest on the loan, which is what a Paypal transaction is. Why should he pay the seller as well? I won't.
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It has to be a bow I know I can sell quick if I don't like it.
I don't buy bows with someone elses name on it.
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1. It is right handed. ( I am a lefty)
2. Too much weight. I draw close to 30", and can't handle the heavy weights anymore.
3. No pictures. Pictures help to sell a bow. No pictures usually make me just move on.
4. Priced higher than I think it is worth
5. Short length. I prefer 62" and above for recurves and >66" in a longbow.
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1) Specs, if it's not in my specs there's not much point in looking. Or if I already have one/tried one, I'm probably not looking.
2) Pics. Can't imagine buying a bow sight unseen. Some guys go on a rant when they send pictures to someone and don't get a response back. I used to always try and respond back. I got tired of trying to explain why I was no longer interested in a bow after seeing the pics. Here's the deal for me if you can't or won't post pics in your ad. I'm only gonna request pics if I'm truly interested in your bow. If I don't get the pics for some reason I'll let you know. If I get the pics and like them I'll be getting back to you. If I get the pics and think the bow is fugly to my eye or looks a little more beat up than I expected I'm probably not. Which goes to #3.
3) Looks aren't everything, but anymore I'm looking for a bow that pleases my eye as well.
4) Price. I'm generally looking for a used bow to be discounted somewhere around 40% from new. I have bought bows only 20% or so discounted, but they were a year or less old and they looked like brand new.
5) Payment method. I'll do a USPS money order or PayPal. I understand some don't like PayPal, that doesn't bother me. Orion is right on about the PayPal fee. All the protection in a PayPal transaction goes to the seller. If you are the one receiving all that protection maybe you ought to be the one paying the fee for it. The only benefit to the buyer is maybe convenience (I say maybe because I have to go to my bank and deposit money in my dedicated PayPal account. Just as easy for me to go to the post office and get a MO) and it may get the bow in his hands a little faster.
6) Communication. I like a little communication back and forth. I've had a bunch of great transactions buying and selling on Trad Gang over the years. I've only had a couple guys fudge/outright lie about the condition of a bow, and those happened years ago.
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I like fancy bows.
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Poundage, poundage, poundage. Photos aren't big thing, they can be e-mailed. I have bought a bunch of bows from different seller without seeing a photo. And last but not least......price. If can put a $150 more in and get a brand new one......I ain't playing. It does not have to 1/2 price but I have bought many that were close. If you won't buy a bow or inquire because there are no photos.......you don't want it very bad.
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1 - Length, either too short or too long for my liking. I tend to favour 60-64" Bows.
2 - Poundage. I tend to fall into the #55-#65 range, although I will consider #50 if the Bow has caught my eye
3 - Paypal. Stopped using it years ago due to the 3% fee. Started using EMT (electronic money transfer) as it is through your bank to the sellers bank directly/instantly and tends to have better encryption/security features in place. When I factor in any conversion involved (I'm Canadian) the added 3% Paypal fee can add up fast on my end making the deal unfeasable.
4 - (I say this respectfully) Shipping US Cont only - I understand peoples fears on this, there's alot that can happen when moving something between borders.
As a buyer, I'm always willing/offering the extra $$ to cover costs and waive any liability of loss to the seller. It's the least I can do to let the seller know I am serious about purchasing from them. Conversely if I am the seller I'd offer the same reassurance to my American counterparts. The goal of any transaction is a mutual happiness between both parties in my opinion.
I've passed by some Bows I was seriously interested in soley based on the above notes. That being said, I haven't encountered any negative or rude replies back to the people I have contacted here or anywhere else regarding Trad Bows Classifieds, so it a testament to our community. Kudos to everyone for that.
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Pictures! Don't get me wrong as I have way too many bows, the ones that interest me are the cheap odd balls...ones that I can re-work weight or shape. Even if I screw it up, it become a fun learning experience...tippit
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Not for me:
1. Wrong hand (if not LH I don't open)
2. Not a recurve (if not a Recurve I don't open)
3. Draw weight too heavy
4. Not a brand/model I'm interested in.
5. Too long
While I certainly like to see pictures, if the perfect bow and specs are offered I'd go to the trouble of asking for pictures.
The prices are generally in line because unfortunately resale isn't very good these days and most posters know this and price their offering accordingly.
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Poundage. Has to be between 50 and 55.
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1.I can't imagine anyone trying to sell something on line and not providing pictures. If you don't know how to download them then at least be willing to email them even to tire kickers.
2. I disagree with others on the PayPal 3% as it is as much or more of a protection for a buyer as for the seller. I don't mind paying the PayPal 3% for the convience of a fast transaction and the guarantee if I don't get the item I can get my money back.
3. I just think the economy is down and many folks are not spending as freely as before.
4. Bow specs. have to be in my wheel house or I am not interested.
5. I prefer the looks and feel of wood over metal so I seldom look at the newer bows with metal risers.
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-Name on bow
-Wrong Tiller
-High Price
-Bad seller
-No detailed pictures
:archer2:
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I agree with all the above but I think that the name carries the most weight on how quick it sells.
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Originally posted by Straitshot:
3. I just think the economy is down and many folks are not spending as freely as before.
risers.
I would love to see a down economy. The Colorado "green rush" has this state on the brink of overpopulation with the wrong kinds of people. Talk about undesirables...
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Too heavy draw weight. Anything over 53# is not for me.
Too short of a length.
Price is too high.
No photos or poor quality photos
The name brand of the bow has to be on my want list.
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I think a lot is also luck and timing; the right fit of person and bow. I do believe pics help a lot... I've only figured out how to post them here yesterday. A little frustrating before that got figured out, but I've still been doing OK overall on the classifieds.
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You get burnt once and don't go there again. I bought a bow a couple years ago, the riser had issues with a replaced insert... the little things you can't see from someone you don't know.
I think so many people know other and have dealt with them "those bows sell" other you take percautions and don't bother dealing with "those bows don't".
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When it comes right down to it, unless you are in the business of buying and selling bows, you should buy a bow to use and not sell. At some point, we may have to sell them for a variety of reasons. In my case, getting old and not being able to handle the same bow weight, or in some cases, something comes up in life and you just need the money. It could be worse; at least there is a market for used bows. Imagine selling that fabulous sofa or lounge chair you bought a few years ago for several thousand dollars. How much would it be worth now? Several hundred dollars? Lower than that, I'm afraid.
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I agree with McDave. I've never bought a bow with the intent of selling it. Of course that's exactly what happened to most of them.
I'm no longer in the market much these days so much of my input here is past tense. When I bought or traded for a bow (usually bought) it was because I liked what I read or pictures I had seen (mostly here). When I didn't like a bow it was NEVER the bow's fault, it just didn't retain my attention. Funny how many I thought were perfect....for a few days, weeks, months, and for a couple, a few years. And then the weren't.
I remember one bow, a very popular model, I bought and didn't like it right away. Thank goodness that bow was very popular (I'm sure for good reason) and I sold it in less than a day for what I paid.
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I enjoy looking, even if I am not a buyer. I like bows by a few select bowyers, and some no longer in production. I would prefer to buy a good used bow than new, but the price needs to be reasonable. I have ended up with several bows that were misrepresented. I wish there was a simple but effective way to rate a deal. If someone asks me for a refund, they get it. I respect a seller that is honest, and remember the ones that are not. If I ask four questions and get one, or two answered, I move on.
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I think many of us already own at least several bows, each of which incorporates something we really like. I'm at that point now, with five. For me to consider adding one, it's got to offer the features of several of the ones I own now. It's got to look good as well as being a good shooter, so, yes, even for a familiar bowyer and style, if pictures are posted, I probably won't think ab out it again. I love looking at all of the offerings in the classified, though, whether I'm even remotely interested in buying a particular one or not.
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1. Sex appeal - To me, i have to like the design of it, good looking wood is just a bonus to me!
2. Necessity - Do I need it? Do I already have one similar? Etc.
3. Price - Price is a pretty big deal for me. I can't see paying 85% of a new one. I am a $500-$700 guy. I couldn't see paying much more than that no matter what the bow is.
4. Bank Account - Tough to buy a bow on IOU's. lol.
I think there are a few other factors that effect the sell of a bow, as others have mentioned, taking the time to post a picture helps. I try to email people and post their pics for them when they have an email address if for nothing than to help them sell their bow.
The turn around time of a bowyer and amount of those bows in circulation matter as well. I have noticed some bows that will just sit there, but its because there are 5 others offered as well. Some of the best sellers i've seen are Schafers, Centaurs, Caribou, Big Jim's etc.
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It's too short...It's too light/heavy...Too much like a bow I already own...Price...I have too many bows already :archer: