I
would have said you were crazy for even asking me about bow hunting or
shooting.
Fast
forward two years and you learn that I have just sent in an order form for my
very first compound bow, a Diamond Infinite Edge – camo finish. I am super
excited. No, not excited, antsy with anticipation at being able to target shoot
with my very own bow! Not to be left in the dust, it was decided that Derick
would be getting his very own bow as well (his = A Bear Legion).
This
past weekend, we decided to go to a local competitor (of the field I am in now)
to peruse their bow selection, since Derick had been there earlier the weekend
prior and commented that they have many to look at and select from. I agreed –
but felt like a dirty traitor the whole time we were in the other
establishment. Though, being at another retailer – our competition, and having just
completed an intense 3-day sales training course for associates, I was ready
for pure, unadulterated judgment. And I judged them HARD.
While
perusing the selection, and drooling over the possibility of us each soon being
able to own a bow, we were asked the standard question, “Can I help you?” To
which, we gave the non-committal answer of, “No, not right now, we are just
looking, thanks.” Strike one. Underwhelmed.
Once I had
narrowed it down to a bow that I thought I wanted to know more about (Bear
Siren), I looked for one of the two associates wandering in the department.
Once one was located, he asked if we had any questions. I then told him that I
actually had a bunch of questions, and he made a joke about “having a bunch of
answers.” Ok.
After
throwing him my litany of anything and everything questions about bows, he
recommended setting up a Diamond to show me how it works and let me shoot it.
Inside. In the range. For everyone to see. Insert semi-instant palm-sweating
and slight bout of nervousness here. I had never shot a compound bow before, in
my life. Sure, I had shot a sling bow in gym class, and then again at a few
camps, but nothing as seemingly daunting as these compound bows looked to me.
After the
sales guy found my draw length (24”) and set me at a pull-back weight of 30lbs,
just to get me started. He showed me all of the movements and how to hold
everything and what to do. After that, it was my moment. I stood there, held
the thing as best as I could emulate, took a deep breath, and let ‘er fly! I
shot my first arrow. It seemed like a lifetime setting up that arrow and
getting it all ready to go – pulling back was a breeze and I was hooked after
that first arrow.
He let me
keep shooting arrows to get a little more comfortable, and increased the
pull-back weight of the bow to 41lbs. I could pull it back once, and almost
twice, and that was H-A-R-D. Wow. I came to find out that the drawback weight
on the Bear bow that I had been looking at STARTED at 40lbs. Whew, I would have
to build some serious upper body strength to be able to pull back 40 time after
time, after time, that was for dang sure!
After
getting a little more practice, I thanked him said that I would probably do a
little research and make sure what bow I wanted was right for me and my
experience level. After that, he walked away…just WALKED AWAY. Hmm, there was
potential there that Derick and I could have spent over $1,000 in the store
that day, and he just let it walk away. So much for encouraging a sale, or
making a good recommendation. On the one hand, I was shocked at the level of
customer service that was missing from our competition, but on the other hand,
I was happy, knowing that our associates are being trained, and will continue
to be trained on GREAT customer care and customer service.
After
returning home after the bow trial, I told Derick I would look into ordering
the bows we both wanted – from work, using my discount. I was in for a surprise
when I found our bows for much cheaper than posted in stores. Discounts on
things you like to do – new hobbies included, is a beautiful thing. Long story
short – I put in my orders for both bows yesterday morning, and now the waiting
begins.
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| my bow - Diamond Infinite Edge |
 |
| Derick's bow - Bear Legion |
-LD
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