You just can't give them away!

[ron w]

I believe the used bow market has always had it's ups and downs. Sometimes it takes 10 minutes to sell a bow......sometimes 10 weeks. I do know that when bows are priced right......they don't last long. That's not saying you give them away...but!!

[D. Key]

By no means am I wealthy and hate to lose money on bow sales but whether (or how much) I lose is my decision.  I truly appreciate this site and the ability to shop for used equipment, even with the $30. contribution.  Terry and the Gang run a great operation and without TG, it would be a lonely place for me.

Over the past several months I have bought and sold maybe 10 bows.  What I pay was negotiated between me and the seller and what I sell for is up to me, as long as the market will justify it.  I have taken a beating on bows (some new and some used) within this time period but every decision was made by me alone.  I really didn't want to loose as much money as I did but the market just will not support my asking price so I had to decide whether or not I could afford the loss. Seeing a new bow I want to try forces me to decide whether my "Kitty" funds will allow it and lately, I have needed to pass on some great looking bows.

Hopefully things will turn soon and we fellow "Bo-Ho's" can get back to a more profitable buying/selling experience.

Good huntin' guys.

[buckeye_hunter]

Why buy used when there are TONS of new bows out there for just $500 and some as low as $250-$300.

[Sixby]

Buclkeye Hunter: Why buy used when there are TONS of new bows out there for just $500 and some as low as $250-$300.

Sixby, Probably for the same reason I bought a perfect used Lincoln Towncar instead of a new car with lesser performance and class. I have just always liked great quality over utility.

I believe  Its just that some people see things differently. For instance I know guys that throw bows out of their tree stands and over fences, beat the tar out of them ,. I can hunt rough country for a month and never scratch a bow. I have taken the fall many times and held my bow up so it didn't get broken.


Anyway neither is necessarily wrong but I feel like I will save the money to buy what I want or catch it in good used condition rather than buy a cheap car or bow or arrows or whatever for that matter.

God Bless, Steve

[Archer Dave]

I would probably have bought a bow or two from the classifieds on this forum if you didn't have to pay to "Look" at what was there. I bet a lot of other people are the same way. You could probably do a poll and find this to be true.

I can see charging for listing items, but not to browse or buy. Just telling you why I haven't bought anything over the forum. Maybe I am cheap, but I do not want to pay unless I know there is something I want to buy. Imagine having to buy a membership to shop online at 3 Rivers or any other archery shop, They wouldn't get my business if I had to pay to browse what they had for sale.    :rolleyes:

No offense Terry, love the site.

[PAlline]

Originally posted by LB_hntr:
You guys think you got it tough...try selling a left hand bow that's about 70# at a normal 28" draw. All my bows fit this category. Takes me forever to sell and usually has to be for dirt cheap. Literally near impossible.

I hope to buy one of your bows from you in a few years. I want to be able to shoot a hybrid longbow with high draw weight with ease soon! Just need the coin and strength!

[olddogrib]

I have had no problems since deciding to take what limited commerce I do to the LW and Tradtalk.  Shipping rates are bad enough, without a $30 fee to participate. The minimum post rule years ago took care of 90% of the hustlers.  The dishonest will find ways around anything.

[TDHunter]

I'm sure it's been said but It is a real shame that this has to occur. I've been very fortunate on TG and have bought and sold a bunch of bows with no issues.
I've been a contributor for a few years as well just because I enjoyed a lot of info and advice from this site. I've been away from the site for a while and unfortunately I will probably have to wait until next November to become a contributor again as I can't justify 30. bucks for a partial year browsing. Unfortunately money is tight these days

[ishoot4thrills]

Terry and his moderators run a great site here, no argument about that.

I have been a contributor to Tradgang twice, once before the classifieds' fee and once after the classifieds' fee started last year. I found that I didn't do a lot of buying and selling last year so I didn't contribute this year. I've gotten into a few other things besides archery that have required membership fees this year so I just decided that I can't afford everything which is why I cut the classifieds' fees to Tradgang for this year. Who knows, I may decide to contribute next year.

I did notice last year that there just wasn't as much traffic in the classifieds and I believe that it's because less people are using it because of the fees. I've never had a bit of trouble from buying, selling, or trading on here, before or after the fees were put into play.

In my opinion, I believe the lower amount of transactions on the site is a mixture of all of the things mentioned above, with the main issue being less people browsing because they either can't or won't pay to use the classifieds.

[Orion]

It's my understanding that the fee was instituted in part to keep the scamers away.  If it helps fund the site, so much the better.  I'm generally not a cheerleader, but for all the good information and entertainment this site provides, I don't understand all the complaining about the $30 fee. Been to a movie or out to eat lately? Purchase an item for bow hunting?  Compare it to just about anything else you spend money on, and it's a pittance.

[NY Yankee]

Nobody uses those antique bows anymore.

[elknutz]

Gee wizz. 30 bucks.  I'm retired and the wife and I spend that much for a movie and popcorn.  Cry me a river.

[Alexander Traditional]

I'm amazed that these threads always come back to the fee to look at the classifieds. I've seen people say I need to spend the thirty dollars somewhere else. For the people wanting to come on here and buy things,if you can't afford $30,you sure can't afford one of these bows that are going for so little. Bows weren't selling that much better,and for a whole lot more before the fee.

[TRAD101]

to me $30.00 a year is pretty cheap for the education you can get here. the classified's are
just a bonus.

[daveycrockett]

Originally posted by Orion:
It's my understanding that the fee was instituted in part to keep the scamers away.  If it helps fund the site, so much the better.  I'm generally not a cheerleader, but for all the good information and entertainment this site provides, I don't understand all the complaining about the $30 fee. Been to a movie or out to eat lately? Purchase an item for bow hunting?  Compare it to just about anything else you spend money on, and it's a pittance.

EXATCLY x2!!

[ishoot4thrills]

Originally posted by Alexander Traditional:
......Bows weren't selling that much better,and for a whole lot more before the fee.

Actually, before the fee, there were more bows and other stuff in the classifieds and more buyers. More buyers equals bows selling for a whole lot more money.

Make no mistake, I'm not griping about the fees. I'm just stating the obvious. There are less people browsing the classifieds now than there were before the fees started, like it or not.

[Alexander Traditional]

Originally posted by ishoot4thrills:
 

Originally posted by Alexander Traditional:
......Bows weren't selling that much better,and for a whole lot more before the fee.

Actually, before the fee, there were more bows and other stuff in the classifieds and more buyers. More buyers equals bows selling for a whole lot more money.

Make no mistake, I'm not griping about the fees. I'm just stating the obvious. There are less people browsing the classifieds now than there were before the fees started, like it or not. [/b]

I understand what you are saying,and it's true less people looking less people buying,but I get so tired of people saying they can't afford the fee,well then you sure can't afford a new bow.

[David Mitchell]

Originally posted by Orion:
It's my understanding that the fee was instituted in part to keep the scamers away.  If it helps fund the site, so much the better.  I'm generally not a cheerleader, but for all the good information and entertainment this site provides, I don't understand all the complaining about the $30 fee. Been to a movie or out to eat lately? Purchase an item for bow hunting?  Compare it to just about anything else you spend money on, and it's a pittance.

X2....well said.

[David Mitchell]

Originally posted by ishoot4thrills:
 

Originally posted by Alexander Traditional:
......Bows weren't selling that much better,and for a whole lot more before the fee.

Actually, before the fee, there were more bows and other stuff in the classifieds and more buyers. More buyers equals bows selling for a whole lot more money.

Make no mistake, I'm not griping about the fees. I'm just stating the obvious. There are less people browsing the classifieds now than there were before the fees started, like it or not. [/b]

What proof do you have of this claim?  Just curious if you have solid evidence or just a hunch.

[Jakeemt]

[/QUOTE]I understand what you are saying,and it's true less people looking less people buying,but I get so tired of people saying they can't afford the fee,well then you sure can't afford a new bow. [/QB][/QUOTE]

This is not true and more than a little insulting. I absolutely can afford a new bow or used bow. I also can afford to pay the 30 fee to use the classifieds. I simply choose not to. I really enjoy this site and I generally make it a point to use the above links at least a few times when I want to buy things from contributor sites like Kustom King (who I found out about through this forum).  I have no issue if this site has a fee to use the classifieds nor am I "whining about it". Great site anyway.