bigbulls

How many Mathews bows does this guy sell a year and how does he pay for the bows that he sells. That can make a huge differance in the dealers price. There can be as much as $150+- differance in the Mathews to dealer price depending on his "ranking" with Mathews.

Your guy may be a group 1 dealer and has to use terms in order to pay for the bows and that really drives up the dealers cost. The cheaper shop may be a group 3 dealer and pays cash for his bows. He would get the absolute best price from Mathews.

He may not be making all that much money on a $729 switchback.

Ask him if he can do better if he can then great if he can't then maybe he really can't.

silentassassin

When I spend a lot of money at a shop I expect to be taken care of. I know the shop owner has to make a living and that's why I give them my business instead of buying mail order etc. in most incidents. But if they ever tried to gouge me then I would go else where. If $719 was the price he was charging everyone then I would ask for a discount since I spent so much money there. If that didn't work I would tell them I could buy one for $599 down the road. If they wouldn't try to get close to it then I would take my business down the road and keep it there. That's the situation I am in right now. The shop that I was loyal to is owned my a husband and wife. The wife smarted off to me twice and that was once to many times. I refuse to go in there for any reason. I have even driven a 100 miles each way for a pack of replacement blades that I needed right away to avoid spending $10 in there. I now drive another 20 miles and get great service and I give them all of my business. I willingly pay more there than I could for some things because of the service but at the same time I expect to be taken care of on big ticket items since I have spent an average of a couple of grand a year in there in the last couple of years and that wouldn't even touch the money that the people that I have sent their way have spent. So it would be pretty stupid to lose my business over $100 dollars. Fortunately, the pro-shop that I frequent realizes that and treats me quite well.

adams

Being a good customer I can say I agree 100%. I would also expect that courtisey from them.
Did the guy recognize you or was it an employee you've only dealt with a couple of times?

If it was the shop owner you deal with a lot I think he's trying to make an extra buck or two from you but it apprears this time it will bite him. As a good customer I expect to be treated well as I'm sure you do as well.

bigbulls

Another thing to think about is if a shop owner gave everyone a price break for being a "good customer" he would be out of business. He is there to make money bottom line. I'm sure he loves doing it also but if her weren't making money he wouldn't be there.

How much money do you have to spend there each year before you think you are one of these "good customers" that should get discounts. What makes you special? Everyone spends money there. Some more some less. Some have to save and save in order to get one bow every five years. What makes you better than the guy that has to save.

There is a lot of overhead in an archery shop. Especially one run by a "mom and pop". Insurance is astronomical, they aren't making much on bows in the first place, and then think about all of the accessories that they must keep in stock.

Do you guys go into the grocery store and wheel and deal over the cost of meat?

Do you expect the same courtisey from Walmart?

The price of his stuff doesn't have anything to do with how well you are treated. He has to make money. He's has mouths to feed just like everyone else.

GRIZZLYMAN

Anytime I buy a big ticket item I do my research and find out what a reasonable price is. Then I let the person have one chance to get my business by giving me their best price. I am armed with information before that happens. I've told salesmen to their face that they didn't give me their best price and showed them how I know. They don't argue much beyond that. I don't know if $719 qualifies as a big ticket item for you, but that is a lot of money for me.

Sometimes people in business (I know because I'm in business) try to get more out of the customer because of the relationship.If you think you are buying something beyond the bow then you have to ask yourself is the value added worth an extra $120. In my book it isn't.

ash2042

big bulls you are right about wal mart, they value their customers and gaurantee the lowest price if you find one lower they will match or beat it, but very rarley do they not have the lowest price. I expect wal mart to have the lowest price. I don't expect them to give me and only me the lowest, the offer everyone the lowest. The reason I think I should be treated different is because of what I spend in his store, I don't care how long someone has to save to buy a bow every five years or how he gets his money, my point being, in the last five years I have spent about $3000.00 in just bows and another guy spends 500.00 in 5 years. In that five year period he still made more off me than the guy who bought one. I think I should be treated different as well as anyone who spends alot in his shop. Now if the shop offers the lowest price to everyone then I have no problem with it.

nodog

Then let the shop owner make that sales pitch. If he is that good, a guy would pay for it, but there has to be a conversation first. There is one hugh misunderstanding in the world today, some where along the line "The customer is always right" got lost. It's called "The shop owner really does have his customers best interest at heart" phylosophy. And I do expect the same from Walmart and they are very helpful. If the shop owner appreciates this costumer then he should show it and if he does show it, the costumer could do the same for him, whether it be with a gift or bringing in costumers or whatever comes to their mind. This is how I have done business for the past 15+ years and it has been a wonderful way to live.

I also wheel and deal at the grocery store. Some people really like helping other people, but you have to give them the chance and it all starts with a conversation.

ash2042

I just don't go in to buy a bow I am in there 3 times a week, I help out when he is busy(I offer) I take care of him and thought he should take care of me.

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BigJ71

I would take my business down the road.

Any small business owner knows he will earn much more form a buyer in the long run by keeping HIS customers happy. If the dealer gives the loyal customer a discount, you can bet that customer will come back year after year and buy all of his/her supplies from that shop.

I also own a small business and I have cut my bills (sometimes below my cost) for customers that I know will do business with me again and again. I have learned long ago that if you try to make all of your money in one shot by gouging your customers, you will soon be out of business.

My in-laws owned many grocery store and they would discount some items WELL below what they paid for them. But they knew the people who came into the store to buy those items on sale most likely left with a cart full of other items.

Bottom line: You must be good to your customers and provide a good service. Take a little hit in one area and make a fortune in others.