Archery Retailers, the good the bad and the...?

[Watch_Man]

My family have appointed me to buy all their archery equipment on their behalf. They say it is because of my knowledge, charm and good looks; however it is probably because I pay for it!

As we have 1 compound, 3 recurve and a longbow archer in the family, purchases are frequent and vary from vanes to a chronometer. I have dealt with several of the well known, and some of the not so well know shops and online retailers. I was wondering if my own experience reflected others experiences with these sellers.

Custom Built Near Newark
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My wife, one of my sons and myself bought our bows from Tony and Simon at Custom Built and were very happy with the service, advice and way they set up the bows. It can get a bit busy but at least you get a cup of coffee and a chat.

Targetcraft
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We first discovered Targetcraft via ebay and have used them for most of our purchases of accessories, only going to others when they do not have it in stock. Kirsty and Colin provide a very fast service with most purchases arriving the next day. They are our first stop when looking for anything that will fit in the post. Their catalogue comes on CD-R and can be easily viewed on the PC or printed off.

Quicks
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Happy with their service but delivery can sometimes take a while. We have waited up to 10 days for items from Quicks. However they are generally speaking very good.

Alt Services
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We have used them a few times and the experience has been good. Delivery takes a few days but no complaints.

Bowsports
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First order was for a release aid. They said it was in stock and took the order. After a week I phoned them back and asked when delivery would be. They had lost my order and sold it to someone else !

I decided to give them another chance. I ordered a case but it was larger than described on their website and would not fit into our car. I returned it the next day via Parcelforce 48 After receiving a returns number.

I asked for an item in part credit and was told it was in stock and would come out to me once the case was received. They got the case back on a Monday, on the Thursday I phoned to ask where my replacement was. They said they had not even got round to opening my return and would send the item out that day if they could. By the following Tuesday, still no item so sent them an email. After no reply sent them a fax. After 10 days of waiting I ended up complaining to PayPal about the transaction. Other members of our club seem to have had similar experience with Bowsports.

Others
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I have used Ronnie Sunshine on ebay for cases, arrows and other bits. They are very fast at getting stuff out and offer a good service. They do some good deals but they seem to go very quickly. I have them down as a favourite seller and check back quite often. I have also bought some stuff from the USA. Most arrives quickly but of course there is always the dreaded VAT and duty to add.

I would be interested to hear if my experience relects others experience with these retailers.

[Watch_Man]

An update to the above post:

After posting the message on this Forum and filing the PayPal dispute, we were contacted by Bowsports who apologised for the delay. They said they would send the items out to us by Special Delivery. They arrived as promised.

[ExiledTaff]

Watch_Man

Similar experiences to you.

Custom Built - great when it's not too busy, otherwise you spend the time drinking buckets of coffee.

Bow Sports - Bought two compound cases from them last year, apparently 'in stock'. It turns out they had to get them from the States and it took over 8 weeks !!. I've pre-ordered the new Carter Evolution release aid from them which they have promissed will be shipped at the end of August. I'll let you know if they keep their promise.

Quicks - usually pretty good, but like you if item is out of stock can take a while.

Best mail order company I've found is Lancaster Archery in the States. I know you usually get stung for duty etc. but their stock is second to none and one of the most comprehensive catalgues and websites I've come across. Only down side (apart from the duty) is that they insist on including a catalgue with the order and given it's size it add a bit to the package weight and postage cost.

Fingers crossed for my Evolution Release !!!!

[Watch_Man]

I just took a look at Lancaster Archery.... wow I think its going to be a good site to look through carefully.

I haveordered quite a few bits from the States and so far have always been happy with my purchases.

Best of luck getting your release aid from Bowsports. I wanted a back tension one (the one they sold to someone else) ordered it from the states and had it within 5 or 6 days.

Originally Posted by ExiledTaff

Watch_Man

Similar experiences to you.

Custom Built - great when it's not too busy, otherwise you spend the time drinking buckets of coffee.

Bow Sports - Bought two compound cases from them last year, apparently 'in stock'. It turns out they had to get them from the States and it took over 8 weeks !!. I've pre-ordered the new Carter Evolution release aid from them which they have promissed will be shipped at the end of August. I'll let you know if they keep their promise.

Quicks - usually pretty good, but like you if item is out of stock can take a while.

Best mail order company I've found is Lancaster Archery in the States. I know you usually get stung for duty etc. but their stock is second to none and one of the most comprehensive catalgues and websites I've come across. Only down side (apart from the duty) is that they insist on including a catalgue with the order and given it's size it add a bit to the package weight and postage cost.

Fingers crossed for my Evolution Release !!!!

[Sponge]

Originally Posted by ExiledTaff

Best mail order company I've found is Lancaster Archery in the States. I know you usually get stung for duty etc. but their stock is second to none and one of the most comprehensive catalgues and websites I've come across. Only down side (apart from the duty) is that they insist on including a catalgue with the order and given it's size it add a bit to the package weight and postage cost.

What P&P costs and duty are you paying? With the US dollar being about 1.9 at the moment, it makes a set of complete ACE's, made to order about £150. Going to a wedding in California in January and may have to leave some luggage space.


Sponge

[flamingbladerider]

Snap watch man. Most shops exactly as described, especially bowsports - dont have the stock but advertise it and they have the cheek to charge you more if you order over the phone.

[Watch_Man]

Originally Posted by flamingbladerider

Snap watch man. Most shops exactly as described, especially bowsports - dont have the stock but advertise it and they have the cheek to charge you more if you order over the phone.

Targetcraft are the only company I use that actually seem to carry most of what they advertise. I suppose that once they have your money .....

[Rik]

Originally Posted by Sponge

What P&P costs and duty are you paying? With the US dollar being about 1.9 at the moment, it makes a set of complete ACE's, made to order about £150. Going to a wedding in California in January and may have to leave some luggage space.


Sponge

Hope you're ready to travel naked... They'll have banned those dangerous things called 'clothes' from the cabins by then...

[ExiledTaff]

Originally Posted by Sponge

What P&P costs and duty are you paying? With the US dollar being about 1.9 at the moment, it makes a set of complete ACE's, made to order about £150. Going to a wedding in California in January and may have to leave some luggage space.


Sponge

Can't remember the exact postage but when I purchased a Golden Key Infiniti rest and a few other item coming to $250, I received a duty bill from from Fedex of £35.

[JohnK]

This place in Canada has the best transatlantic prices I've ever seen: http://www.archersnook.com/