Kalamazoo and 3Rivers

[T Folts]

How come 3Rivers don't have a booth at the KZoo show????
Terry

[Joe G]

They normally have one

[T Folts]

I did not see them on the list, I'll look again.

[Joe G]

I didnt see them on this year ether...

[Jim Curlee]

They generally just hand out catalogs, and show some new products. They have way to much stuff to haul around.
Jim

[Dave Pagel]

I don't think they have had a booth for a couple of years.  Kustom King is usually there.

Dave

[owlbait]

They supply a lot of the smaller dealers and don't want to compete against them is my guess.

[WESTBROOK]

They said it was not profitable enough for them.

Eric

[NightHawk]

they haven't been to cloverdale in years or any other shoot that I know of. It's my opinon that they think they're to big to attend and support the shoots. Things have changed with that buisness especially since Todd left. My opinon is if you're to big and impersonal to support the shoots and expos, them why would you expect me to buy from and support you? jmho

[stickbowguy]

They were at Compton shoot in 05, have not been back to know if they have been there sence. I think I will be back there this year(Compton)

[dino]

I'll throw in my two cents here for what it is worth.  The main reason 3Rivers stopped doing Kalamazoo was the state of Michigan.  Had little to do with profitability and nothing to do with "we're getting to big".  I can guarantee you that was never in the equation.   Even as 3Rivers grew it got harder and harder to bring the right or right amount of stuff to the shows but kept them up to meet and share with shooters, shake hands, put faces with names of customers and most of all they are pretty fun events to attend.   But because of them doing business in Michigan at the Kalamazoo Expo they had to begin collecting sales tax from ALL Michigan residents on ALL sales, not just those at the show.  This upset many customers and a huge hassle too.  

3Rivers still suports shoots, clubs and state archery organizations with donations when they can't support them with their presence.  They did set up a booth at IBO Pennslyvania shoot this past year too and there maybe a few other ones this year too.

[Steve O]

I got the same info as Dino has brought up.  Dale and Sandy are big donors and we should all be thanking them for all they do for all the shoots, expos, and especially the Compton Rendezvous.  I have NEVER got the impression they think they are "too big" to support us here in Michigan.  It is almost like we are a commmunist state here.  I am glad Kustom King still brings a truckload of stuff though!

[NightHawk]

Before this gets all crazy, I do like Dale and all at 3-rivers. I still order and all, it's more of a disappointment than anything else with me. I don't care if they sell a bunch of stuff or not. There are always vendors that someone can buy from. It's just nice to shake hands, tell stories and such. I also know Dale is on the board of Comptons and is super busy, but the boys aren't. Like I said it's more of a disappointment than anything else

[Mojostick]

While I certainly don't speak for 3 Rivers, please consider my experience.

As someone who owned a fly fishing shop in Michigan and also hit many of the big midwest "fly shows", I can completely understand the reasons for attending or not attending certain shows for any given year. Or even skipping certain shows for good.

First off, bow shops, fly shops and even online retailers are businesses first. If a certain event, no matter the good PR of handshakes and the like, is a big loser accounting wise, a responsible business owner must take that into account. While maybe unpopular, losing money instead of making money is a poor business model.

Also, the set up and takedown for a show, especially if you know you're going to lose money, becomes something you don't want to do, especially if you know you can make more money by not going.

Don't take this the wrong way, but many sportsmen/flyfishermen/hunters are very passionate about their sport. What they often fail to realize is, those in "the industry" of supplying the goods we love and require, if they are to be successful long term, they must also understand that the bottom line comes first. Cold, but true.

Going to shows that cost money instead of make can be done occasionally, but keep doing it and you won't be in business long.

I'm not sure what everyone here does for a living, but be it a truckdriver, plumber or a banker, doing business that loses money, no matter how much you'd really love to do it in your heart, is just bad business.

I hope everyone takes this into full consideration.

Again, I certainly can't speak for 3 Rivers, but I hope everyone keeps in mind that, even though those with booths at any show love hunting as much as you, they have the bigger concern of paying the bills within their passion.

No matter your business, you have to be smart and keep the bottom line in the black, instead of the red.

My guess is, if any business made enough money at any given show, they'd do it. If you lose money, even though you'd love to have a booth and shake hands, it just is a terrible business decision.

Unless you've owned a business that's also your hobby/passion, you may never understand what I'm trying to convey.

[stickbowguy]

I think you may be right on this one mojo, although it was nice to see them all there at compton I can see why they cant make it to every show. But then again they are not to far from kalamazoo. Like most have said, I myself will still order from them and hope they can make it to more shows, but understand if they cant. Kostom King also offers some great stuff that maybe they cant, but you will see that from any place I think, what one does not have another will.

[JUST-DOO-IT]

We are stopping at 3 Rivers Saturday morning before heading to Kalamazoo. It's not too far out of the way and you can roam the warehouse on Saturdays.

Some items we just can't get at the show.

[NightHawk]

Mojo,

 I full well understand what your saying and it's true to a point. Any buisness also has to market itsself to be successfull. Attending shoots, conventions ect are very important to the marketing aspects of the buisness, plus much of that expense can and is tax write offs

[jacobsladder]

3 Rivers sent me a whole package of items to be raffled for our michigan bunny stomp last year..3 rivers covered the shipping and cost of the product...They supported a hunt as small as 50 folks.... I'm sure they have very good  reasons for not being at kzoo.

[Burnsie]

Cloverdale is in Indiana,  no state sale tax thing to worry about there?

[Shakes.602]

NO  State Sales Tax in Indiana??  :confused:   Try  7%  as of Today, it may go  UP  again since the Day is Young!!
     IMHO , Too Big Too Fast!! Be Distributors and Call It A Day!! Kustom King, Lost Nation... MY  Shops of Choice. The Folks that Buy Some Things from 3-R, so they Get Their Money anyway.