the "tradgang lightswitch"?

[caleb7mm]

A month ago I took over an archery shop. I have ordered some gear and gotten most of it in. When I took over there was zero in the trad department. From day one I couldn't wait for the trad guys to come in so we could talk shop and so forth. We are about 50/50 between wheel and xbow customers and it gets a little depressing after a while.

I have been appalled at the attitudes from the trad guys that have come in to the shop. Its a complete 180 from here to real life apparently. I don't get it?? Its getting to the point where I kind of dread when I see someone pick up a trad bow because of the ugliness I have seen in everyone so far. Seriously, of all the guys that have come in for traditional archery 2 of them have been very polite like you would find on here (1 of which I pointed to this site and is now a memeber).

Sorry about the rant but after the day I had today I just couldn't hold it in anymore.

--c--

[Killdeer]

What seems to be their complaint?

Killdeer   :confused:

[Three Arrows]

What kind of problems are you seeing?  Rudeness?  Snootyness?  Sometimes I see archery shops around here with very little trad gear, and when they have it, it is the stuff I wouldn't buy.

[caleb7mm]

just plain rudeness. The kind of rude there is no call for. I had one guy that was very snooty, but most are just rude to the point where im disgusted.

And if someone doesn't have something "you" would buy, ask them to order or stock what you want. I do it everyday for people.

[Killdeer]

Sorry that you are encountering more attitude than conversation. Maybe over time you will be able to draw these snobs into telling you about what they like to do, and find a way to become indispensable to them. Once folks stop trying to impress you, you may find out that there is a very nice, albeit insecure archer under all that bluff.

Do you have a target setup in your shop? Fletching and doodad setup area? Seems coffee and twiddling with widgets can open a lot of folks up.

A local gun store used to stay open late (7:30) on Thursday nights. It turned into a cracker-barrel sort of atmosphere where local shooters would come in and shoot the bull, show and tell, peruse new products and relieve the used gun rack of its treasures. Often I would work on arrows there, or trim metallic cases or whatever. The store was a social nexus to a select customer base. I learned a lot there. Now that the store has shut its doors and the owner retired, the core group still meets at a local grill on Thursdays, to keep in touch and up to date.

Killdeer

[Brandon Stahl]

[doug g]

Caleb, Hang in there pal. They will come around hopefully. I have my bows hanging in my Store (an Office Supplies store) I have meet more traditional bowhunters and had some awesome conversations because of them. It is possible you may be getting carry over attitudes from the prior ownership. Just try and kill em with kindness, cause last I checked legally you just can't kill em!      

[caleb7mm]

thanks guys (and gal)  

I just needed to vent I guess. Life goes on......

[bigbellybuck]

Caleb, what archery shop are you running?  I live in Temple now, but I grew up in Ellijay and I still do a lot of hunting up there. I'd like to check out what you got.

[Lewis Brookshire III]

Yeah where at in Elijay and what is the name. Its always good to have another Trad friendly archery shop around!

[Marvin M.]

Caleb,

You get all kinds it seems.  My transition to trad was delayed because of the elitest attitude that I saw in too many trad shooters.  I was isolated and alone and even though my "hunting ethics" were trad, I was shooting a compound.  The few trad shooters I met considered me a second class citezen because I shot a compound.  It kept me from coming over to trad util I just couldn't resist any more.

I would up sending my compound back to the facotory to have it checked out and the shop owner where I shot offered me a longbow to shoot until it came back.  I didn't have an armguard and before my compound came back I had massive bruises on my arm and was loving it.

I guess what I'm saying is that being a trad shooter doesn't necessarily make you considerate, helpful, and polite.

Hang in there brother.  In business (especially retail) you have to deal with a lot of rude people.

Marvin

[stickbowguy]

I would have to say like the rest, it will get better for ya. And like another one said, most shops only cary the (cheaper)stuff, fine for someone starting out or on a budget. My local shop does not stock much other then the lower priced stuff, thats what most of the people comming in are looking for. I do have a place about 2 hours away that stocks alot more stuff so I can find what I need. And I see the whole Compound/trad thing all the time, I myself dont care what someone else wants to shoot as long as they enjoy it, I will shoot both compound and trad. but my 1st choice is trad. Every trad shooter I know is more then nice, you will find a few that are not but you will anywhere you go, and no matter what they shoot. Compound shooters are the same way, I think if you love archery then its all good

[Lefty1972]

I am the new convert that Caleb turned on to Trad shooting and this forum.  He is an excellent resource and has great customer service skills to boot.  Apparently the people who were being rude were intimidated by his knowledge and enthusiasm.

-Todd