Custom bow quoted times

[tking308]

At what point do you reach out to a custom bowyer to inquire about your order.  I ordered some custom limbs from a well known bowyer and was told 6-7 weeks.  I checked in @ 8 weeks and was told they were going to be started during that week.  That was 2 weeks ago.  Idk how long it takes to make recurve limbs so idk if they should be done by now or not. 

[blacktailbob]

Rattle the cage. Squeaky wheels get the grease.

[STICKBENDER98]

Depending on bow ordered, and bowyer, I would think 4-6 month turn around, sometimes they're 8 months out.  I usually don't get too worried unless it's an exceptionally long time.  The extra time usually helps me break the news to my wife. 


Jason

[Bowguy67]

Depending on bow ordered, and bowyer, I would think 4-6 month turn around, sometimes they're 8 months out.  I usually don't get too worried unless it's an exceptionally long time.  The extra time usually helps me break the news to my wife. 


Jason

Jason we need to talk. You never tell your wife about these things. She’ll never know you bought new limbs. But
Also I always say if a wife notices something it’s because we don’t have enough.
If you have 2 fish in a tank and get one more she notices. If you have 30 in there and add a couple how come she doesn’t?
As a young man I had some hounds. I still do but I had about 14 give or take. When I had only a couple she noticed. After a dozen I could add, trade, get rid of she never knew.
Now another thing, if you need to tell her you can use psychology.
Back to the dogs. I had hounds and a bird dog. She was older n needed help I felt. I got another. I brought two home. I only had ONE bird dog,  she noticed but I called the kids to come look. She came with em. Her Irish skin got really pink thinking I got two more dogs. When she got as pink as she could I informed her they weren’t both ours. One was Robs. As mad as she was this was better news and brought her down a level.
With bows you can do the same. Order a few pairs of limbs,  one pair for a friend. Or tell her it’s a new bow, than ease the stinger out n tell her it’s only limbs. He’ll (Your buddy) prob be happy you offered as his wife won’t see arrival. Let her get mad than let her know, they aren’t both yours. It’ll work.
Or just tell her you bought limbs and didn’t complain when she bought shoes.

[katman]

Sometimes life gets in the way of plans. However you contracted for a service, perhaps made a down payment. Your inquires should be answered quickly if possible.

2 weeks is a long time to make a set of limbs. Email or call to inquire. Any business man/woman who cares should not mind the questions.

[tking308]

Thanks Katman, that's what I was thinking.

[Mike Bolin]

Another factor to consider is that it is possible that the shutdown due to the virus could be part of the issue. I know that Widow was shutdown for at least a few weeks. Another bowyer I know that works from his home shop ran out of materials and waited for 4 weeks for deliveries that he would have normally received in less than a week. May or may not be the issue in your case, but it is possible. Good luck and I hope your limbs get to you soon.

[McDave]

Another factor to consider is that it is possible that the shutdown due to the virus could be part of the issue. I know that Widow was shutdown for at least a few weeks. Another bowyer I know that works from his home shop ran out of materials and waited for 4 weeks for deliveries that he would have normally received in less than a week. May or may not be the issue in your case, but it is possible. Good luck and I hope your limbs get to you soon.

Same thing I was thinking. I’ve had several things I’ve ordered held up because of supply chain disruptions due to Covid.  Nothing as personal or interesting as new bow limbs, but same result.

[Bow man]

Things do happen from time to time. Health issue, loss of loved one, equipment breakdown and issue getting parts.  But communication is key.  If told a date and it can't be made bowyer should be contacting you and give new date. unforseen things do happen though. Hope you get the limbs soon

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Things do happen from time to time. Health issue, loss of loved one, equipment breakdown and issue getting parts.  But communication is key.  If told a date and it can't be made bowyer should be contacting you and give new date. unforseen things do happen though. Hope you get the limbs soon

Ditto all good bowyers will make good on it.

[Holm-Made]

He told you two weeks ago he was getting ready to start the limbs.  I’d wait a week or two to contact him.  Most bowyers build bows/limbs in batches and spray bows in batches.  It usually takes four days for finish to fully cure as well.   

[Ray Lyon]

He told you two weeks ago he was getting ready to start the limbs.  I’d wait a week or two to contact him.  Most bowyers build bows/limbs in batches and spray bows in batches.  It usually takes four days for finish to fully cure as well.

Agreed.  Blacktail is working on my spare set of limbs.  They do in batches and told me 6-8 weeks, but they’re also refinishing entire existing bow as part of the service.  With custom work, if you have a drop dead deadline then communicate that.  Many places are one man bands and they’re wearing a lot of hats. 

[BAK]

I think a lot of business folks tell you what they think you want to hear just to keep you happy.   I just ask them to be honest with me and tell it to me straight.   Same thing with something as simple as getting a lawn mower repaired.  Often they shorten the time just to make you happy, and it works, until you have to call back.   

[buckeyebowhunter]

This might be a little brash but I've always thought the "life gets in the way" excuse is poor especially if the Bowyer is full time. Life does get in the way certainly but if he promised you a certain date and is no longer communicating that is simply poor customer service. If spraying finish is the culprit and he promised you a date then he needs to set up his spray gun and get your bow finished. It's really not that big a deal just more of a pain in the butt to do one at a time. 

On the other hand the covid materials issue is a valid excuse at this time because that is out of the bowyers control. But if this is the case he should communicate with you. Just my two cents and not trying to ruffle feathers.

[tking308]

Idk what the issue was but I got progress pictures so hopefully I'll have them soon.  Honestly, I don't care if he just lost the order or forgot.  Communication is always the key to keeping people happy.

[David Mitchell]

I have on order a bow from a bowyer who has been in business for over 30 years and with whom I have done business before.  I was told when I placed the order that he was caught up and my delivery time would be 4-6 weeks.  That was 3 months ago.  However I have learned that he was in a bad car accident and got several broken ribs, ruptured spleen, and fractured back.  I'm sure that he and his family have been extremely distracted during this time of hospitalization and recovery at home now.  My bow is not nearly as important as his recovery, and if it takes a while before he is able to make bows again, so be it.  As Bow Man said, things happen from time to time. There is a "golden rule" that our Lord expressed about doing for others what we would want them to do for us.  So in such circumstances, patience is needed.

[Tajue17]

I think maybe suppliers or who knows during this crazy time going on..... BUT my buddy ordered limbs for his bow from a very reputable bowyer long before co-vid in fact he paid in full and was told something around 3-5 months but forgot all about it and after remembering he ordered limbs he called back after a year to see whats going on and at first I guess they didn't even know what he ordered,,,,  he said they called him back after confirming check deposit bank and then had to re-take the order so he waited another 6 more months after they said it would be a rush and 3 to 5 weeks max.

he has 3 other bows from this bowyer the guy has a great reputation and my buddy luvs those bows I guess things just happen and he should of checked up after 5 months.   

[Wheels2]

I once waited 8 weeks for a Border Covert Hunter and thought it would never get finished.  Turned out that they shut down for two weeks over the summer.

[longbowman]

I ordered my first (and last) custom bow from Tall Tines.  He told me 2 1/2 to 3 months.  I have sent in down payments and progress payments.  He has always answered my calls or e-mails.  He last told me I would have the bow by ETAR weekend and I'm sure he will.  I hope I'm as pleased with the bow as I am with the way he's handling his business!