Kustom King and 3 Rivers

[2fletch]

We are lucky to have such excellent people to deal with as we have at Kustom King and 3 Rivers. We should respect them for sticking to selling traditional equipment even though the megabucks are in high tech. archery.

It bothers me to see negative posting here and at the other site concerning either of these two fine companies. I know that either one of these companies will go out of their way to resolve a problem.
 
 The next time you talk to either one of them, tell them that you appreciate what they are doing. Can you imagine what it would be like if we didn't have them to support our passion?

My suggestion is this, if you have a complaint tell them about it. If you have praise for them, tell them that also. Then come on here and tell us.

[Tom Mussatto]

Yep. It bothers me too.

I have done business with both over the years and never had a problem with either. Good outfits that I trust completely.

Posting problems on the internet should be the absolute last resort, if done at all, and not the first.

[Guru]

Agreed!!

[bayoulongbowman]

Ditto!!!!!!

[Jwilliam]

I have always received great service from 3 Rivers Archery. No need to look anywhere else.

[txcookie]

Good point!

[Dave Worden]

Good point, 2fletch.  I heartedly agree.

[M60gunner]

I am not one to openly complain about what I feel is wrong. I try to contact the people I was dealing with. Usually the issue is resolved. I even have been told to keep what was sent in error. I ahve dealt with 3 rivers for a long time now. They have always taken care of me.
I have bought shafts from KK and have always been pleased.
Yes, I shop around for my "fixings" for my arrows.

[Roger Norris]

Altough I love a good argument, one of things I like about this site is that trashing of  great companies like KK and 3Rivers isn't tolerated here. I buy from both..placed an order with each yesterday. Tim Cosgrove is a good friend, a good man. I don't know Dale Karch as well, but working with him in the Compton organization I can say I respect him a great deal.

[insttech1]

I have done business with both, and have had good experiences overall.

I did experience a "bad day at the warehouse" transaction, and it was fixed a few weeks later, but that was some years back, and it does not deter me from making small orders right now.

However, there is one thing that has been nagging me for two weeks, and that is the fact that I was debating on "treating" myself to a present from 3R, and have it expedited, until I looked at the shipping/pricing chart.  

Now I wholly understand that a customer is expected to pay a proportional amount of money for expedited shipping, but the posted prices on the chart for items over $500, and 3-day shipping are, to me, a deterrent, at $60.

I did not place the order; I bought a used bow instead from a private party, and noticed that it was sent via USPS Priority Mail, insured, and had a marked price of just a hair over $11.  It also arrived in two days...

I would not expect 3R to ship for $11, but I think it could be much less than $60.

The regular 7-10 day fee of $24 (over $500 in merchandise) is not totally unreasonable, but in my opinion, they could look at a modification to the expedited rates, or alter the system to reflect the zip code to which it is being shipped.

Now on the up side to this--the tiny order I did make after that showed up in around 3 days, and they are actively double-checking every shipment at the warehouse with personal signatures.  I like that very much!

The 2nd up-side is that both--especially 3R--have DRASTICALLY increased their selection!!

Just my two cents, and I will continue to do business with both, and not just out of "necessity" due to our specialized hobby!

Take Care,
Marc

[Scotty L]

Ive had good dealings with KK and my feeling on shipping is if i had to supply boxes/shipping materialand pack it that takes time and in buisness time is money,  just my two cents

[GermanTraditional]

Kustom King and 3 Rivers are excelent in Service when I orderd from Germany.

[chris K.]

I don't agree with some who say not to complain about service on the net. If a company doesn't give you a 100% effort other customers should know about it so they can be aware of it. I am not saying that you should resort to just having an all out bash on a company for having a small glitch in there system a time or two, !@#$ happens we all know that. The one thing that bugs me also with 3rivers is the amount of burden they put on you for shipping. With somethings it is worth it to me to head to Gander Mountain and see if they have it and it is like 30 miles away. I just do not think that they can justify some of there shipping. I can bet some will try to rip me for saying it but I am sure that there are more than an equal amount that will and do agree with me just afraid of the backlash from saying anything.
Chris Kiefner

[Ray Hammond]

Not trying to cause a big fuss, Chris K but...

If you make a 60 mile trip to 'see' if Gander has something- and drive a pickup- you are spending ten bucks for gas. Wouldn't it be better to spend the bucks for the shipping and be sure its coming?

driving sixty miles to get something is spending money, just like paying shipping costs is spending money.

Remember, guys, not every business has access to every freight method- in other words, to get a reasonable rate for MOST of their shipping, which is standard rate stuff- 3 Rivers probably has to agree to use UPS as their standard method of shipping for all services like expedited stuff..they get a big break on the ground, and they agree to let UPS make a little bit of that up on the expedited stuff. They have to buy and keep pallets of boxes, padded envelopes, tape, labels, computers to print the labels, etc.

They may not have a good post office- they may not have Fed Ex in their town, or can't get a drop trailer- there's lots of reasons why things are the way they are and they aren't readily apparent to us as customers- but are a daily source of aggravation to business OWNERS who are, honestly, trying every day to find a way to serve US better.

I do not think any business in any industry LOOKS for ways to serve us more poorly- that's why feedback to the business is important- and bellyaching here gets nearly NOTHING accomplished.

[chris K.]

I work in the same town, so I am going there anyway. If I go on the way back or on the way it is about 200 yards out of the way, I am not wasting money on gas just to get the product. I have also found other places to buy things. For instances, I live in Indiana(which is where 3rivers is). I have ordered numerous items in Montana which in return has saved me a bundle. I have not had to pay for the extra shipping cost as I would with the other suggested estabishments. Could be because I actually pay for what the shipping cost not the inflated price of shipping. They are not just trying to serve us better they are trying to make an extra dollar on you coming and going.
Chris Kiefner

[Roger Norris]

I just bought 2 Burlap targets from 3 Rivers yesterday, and paid $7 shipping. Not expedited shipping, just plain old ground. $7 is a bargain. For $7,somebody goes to the shelf, picks my items, pays for a box, packs them up securely, processes my credit card, and pays UPS or USPS to bring it to my front door. I never leave my house, my Dodge truck doesn't drink $12 worth of gas, etc., etc.

Mail order is a CONVENIENCE. Shipping SHOULD be slightly padded to cover the cost of the convenience.

I'm making up numbers now, but I bet the ratios are correct...if someone walks in to 3Rivers and buys off the shelf, they might make 10% gross profit. If they touch it handle it, ship it...even with charging you a padded shipping charge, I would bet that GP drops closer to 5%.

NOBODY is getting rich selling traditional archery gear.

[chris K.]

rich, I don't know but living pretty comfortable!
Chris Kiefner

[Roger Norris]

Chris K - seriously? That bothers you? I HOPE everyone at 3Rivers, Kustom King, and every traditional bowyer is able to be "living pretty comfotably".

I sell things for a living. One of the most frustrating attitudes a buyer can have is that of trying to chisel out the last profitable penny. Accept the fact that the owners of 3Rivers are doing this TO MAKE A LIVING. Should they live "uncomfortably"? Gosh I hope you don't believe that.

If you do, I urge you to go start a traditional archery business, or a gas station, and sell things for little or no profit. I will gladly buy from you...for the short time your business exists.

[nanook712]

Well I'm firmly in chis K's corner on this. S&H costs have increased dramticly in recent years. Enought so that it is't worth it to mail order small orders, tying shipping costs to dollar amt. irks me too as small item with high dollar value costs you the same to ship as many heavy bulky less expencive items. Yes S&H I'm sure is a major cost for those who are primarily mail order but it pales in comparison to the costs involved in running a local store. Who employe local people and pay local taxs that benefit your area. Bottom line it's sone thing I look at now where before I'd didn't give it much thought.

[Roger Norris]

Whether it wieghs 1 pound or 10 pounds, it still has to go on the UPS truck.