Shop issue. My local shop will pull anything off the wall toss on a D loop and a Biscuit and let you try the bow out… if you want it set up after the sale then they put in the work for perfect draw length/weight setup where you want it (and they have a small setup charge for that) but charge a setup fee just to test the bare bow you think you may want is a bit too much.
I would say PSE does have a problem with their dealer network. I live in the middle of WI and have to drive 90 miles to find the nearest dealer and he only carries 1-2 models and never anything over 32" so I bought a used NXT 35. Like the bow but they need better dealers in WI. When I emailed them and asked PSE who there biggest dealer was in WI I called that dealer and they did'tn have any in stock and was't sure if they would be getting any in before fall. 🤔
Ive never heard of such a thing being charged 30 bucks for a set up fee thats crazy ! But you should change your title cause it sounds like your blaming PSE for the shops conduct . You should try calling PSE and tell them your experience and maybe they'll send you a demo .
The title card is a little clickbait for sure, but I think everyone gets the gist pretty quick when the video starts rolling. I'm still figuring out how I want to present information. I have to balance getting people to actually click to watch. I feel a little slimy when I do it...
Yeah i Definetly agree with ya on that shop experience. Super odd and offputting. If i was a new archer id feel intimidated and not feel comfy enough to get hooked. Also I agree, the title should change, when I first read it im like oh wow how bad could this PSE bow be...?
Brandon Mcdonald I like your videos and you’ll keep views rolling in if you don’t use clickbait titles. I can’t tell you how many channels I’ve stopped watching because of all of the misleading titles
When I got into archery about 5 years ago I went to our local archery shop. I went in and said I would like to get sized up for a bow. They looked at me like I was stupid. I didnt know anything about archery except that the bow had to fit. I am 6'3 with a 33 in dl. I had to explain that I wanted to get into archery and needed to know what size bow I needed. They checked me out but acted like I was annoying them. The only bow they had close was a $2500 hoyt target bow that went to 32 in. And that was the bare bow no nothing on it. I was like " I am not paying 2500 bucks to find out next week I dont even like archery". I left so angry. I went 5 blocks away to bass pro shops and the guy came out and started talking to me showing me the bows and brands. Measured me and sized me up and told me straight up " i dont have anything that will fit you right but i have a few that you can try and i can show you how to fudge and be able to shoot them to see if you like it or not" He spent 4 hours set up 4 bows and let me shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot. I left and went home to talk to my wife and went back a couple hours later and bought a complete setup. The next week i went back and bought a 2nd setup so i could teach others also. Point being..... I agree with you completely. A shop that appreciates you is so important.
Hey Brandon, we started watching back in the solo Utah hunt days. We have always appreciated your honest opinions and reactions. We have done similar types of projects on our channel. As customers and consumers we have had similar bow shop experiences. Unfortunately there are a small minority of archery people on social media and in some shops that have an “elitist attitude”. I don’t think that this is exactly what you were explaining, but this is what pushed us to do more of the “shop stuff” for ourselves. Keep doing what you are doing! Speak the truth!
You should change the title to “Why I’m not Shooting a PSE,” instead of the current title, that shop doesn’t represent PSE as a brand. I had a PSE that developed a small crack in the limb which fell under warranty, took it to the closet PSE dealer for them to repair. When I got the bow back, it was completely jacked up, there was no way I was going to take it back to them, nor was I going to pay another shop to make it right. I called PSE and explained what happened, they told me to send it in and they’d get it back in order. When I received the bow back, it was as good as the day I bought it brand new, I was extremely pleased with my experience with them. On the setup cost, that is crazy for something you want to try before you buy. I bought a Vertix last summer from a shop in Savannah, GA, I shot several bows before making my decision, none of which they charged me for. In fact, they didn’t even charge me for the setup and paper tune, only the bow and accessories.
I’ve also dealt with PSE customer service before. They were unbelievably good. Couldn’t praise the contact and emails and calls back and forth to fix my issue. Solid company values.
$30.00 to set up... If ever said to me, I would be like "...LOL, Have a good day." and just walk out never to return. That's like a car dealer charging you for the gas in a car you want to test drive.
My wife went in to a local GMC/Chevrolet Dealership (alone/without me)about a year ago wanting to buy a New Tahoe. The salesman told her they charge $100 to quote a trade in price (referring to here then 2yo Tahoe) she immediately called me and asked if that was normal/something I had ever heard of. I told her to get the Hell out of there! And maybe try the Toyota Dealership in the next town (40 miles away)Long story short…. She is now driving a 2020 Sequoia!!! And I just bought a new Tundra TRD Pro!!!
I'm getting a Brute NXT. My shop totally set up everything for me. I'm new to this and they seem super helpful. Adjust the draw length, the peep, the # on it, and then gave me a buch of pointers on it. I was super happy with them.
Brandon Mcdonald Thank you for that compliment, I sit on the city council and work hard for this great city. Look me up next time you are in town. Really enjoy your videos and technical advice along with the overviews. I’m shooting target indoor on a Mathews only 1 year, but making great progress. So much goes into this it’s fascinating. Keep up great work. Darrin
What stopped you going to one of the other 3 shops and trying a PSE. Surely one of the other 3 could order it in or had it in stock. To cut out a product because 1 shop left a bad taste in your mouth is a bit on the extreme side. Just take your money elsewhere and never go back.
Customer service is so important.... No one wants to cringe each time they need to visit the archery shop... It should be like Christmas morning and you can't wait to go there.... You sir did the right thing 💪💪💪💪💪❤
I can understand your motivation behind waiting for John and PSE to strike paydirt down the road, but the other complaints you mentioned are unfortunately a shop problem. They should have that thing looped and rest installed from the second they get it into the shop, not charge customers to do what is expected of them. So far, John has made some nice changes, but I will be excited to see what is on the horizon.
I work at a shop and we've NEVER charged someone to set up a bow to shoot. You're absolutely not overreacting. Stick to the 5 bows you have and I look forward to your review
@@brandonmcdonald6121 but, you DID say something. i get it man, ya gotta get clicks and after reading some of your comments you feel "slimy" for using such titles. Its not hard to have titled "PSE DEALER issue is why im not shooting a PSE." Trust me people wouldve tuned in. For the conduct of the shop, well thats another story. You eluded to why you think they charge such a fee in that people use up their time and then buy later on the internet. Sounds like you have looked at this and understand the variables. I happen to like your content but at the end of this particular video i felt like it was pointless because you pointed out both sides of the issue and made valid statements on both parties behalf.
I’m on bow number 17 (a perform x) in my archery journey, I’ve had everything from practically every manufacturer out there and I freaking love my PSE! You have spent what 5k already, what’s another grand to round out the pack? Get that NXT on order man!
You will not be disappointed. I'm a diehard Mathews fan, and own a Traverse which I love. Since I bought a brand new Rx 3 Ultra for a steal, I haven't shot my Mathews. These bows are incredible!
Totally understand how your feeling about the shop, last year when I was shooting bows I was interested in shooting a pse and an elite but the shop that carries both of the brands is definitely not even close to the top of my list and I didn’t even want to go there so I didn’t get to shoot either of the bows.
I'm new to the archery thing and have only been to one shop where I get my gear, but when I did go in for the first time, they set up whatever bow I wanted to try. In fact, they encouraged me to try as many bows as I could manage to try before I got too tired and never charged me anything. Sounds like there are plenty of options and if in your shoes, sounds like my options just got reduced by one.
Totally get where you’re coming from Brandon. I would’ve told that shop to pound sand on the spot. Those PSEs are not difficult to setup. Probably would have taken 5-10 minutes to get that thing setup for a few test shots and the fact that they aren’t even interested in getting an unsold 2020 Evo series bow in stock is ridiculous. I would never set foot in that place again. That being said, if it’s not gonna lead to divorce then I would find a way to at least put a few shots through one of the 2020 Evo bows at another shop and maybe add it to your lineup for review. The Evolve Cam has got to be one of the best draw cycles I’ve tried, highly adjustable with regards to draw length and lettoff, and last year PSE beefed up their flagship models with 1/4 inch axles that do not flex like the 3/16 axles they were formerly running. You’re definitely missing out on a very sweet bow if you don’t give the PSE EVOs a try.
There's another dealer about an hour and a half away. I may see if it's possible to get ahold of one. Now that the NTN versions are shipping... I kind of want one
Interestingly enough there is a local bow shop to me in Indiana that did the same thing. Needless to say I did not buy a bow from them. The owner told me that once it is shot by a customer that doesn't buy it they have to sell it as used, which sure I guess I can see that. However, I have always felt that to know the bow is right for you then you have to have the ability to test it.
@@joshwilson520 out of respect I am not going to burn the shop, that may not be your intention, but others may take it that way. They are a decent shop that I do get other products from. For me I just won't buy a bow that I can't test first and if that is the way they want to conduct business then that is on them. Others may not have a problem with it.
I went to my local shop and they set up 4 different bows for me with out question. And they just let me shoot each one for as long as I wanted with out hovering. Ended up going with the Mathews VXR 31.5
Small world. Bought my first bow at Taylor’s archery last year. Knowledgeable owner/staff and AWESOME customer service! Speaking of customer service..I would have done the same/reacted the same as you did if I encountered the same situation. You are a paying customer with a history with them. Sad... Keep up the great vids!
Taylor's are great. I've been in a couple times over the years and they've always been helpful. They sold me the bowtech this year. Even though I don't like it, id 100% go back and get another bow from them
I opened my own small shop in September 2019. I’ve never heard of a set up fee to try out a bow, and would never. If they don’t buy it, that’s ok. You give your customers what you can. Least that’s what I do. PSE is on the list to get in the shop. Hopefully!!
Man I think you’re missing out on the PSE bows. The evolve cam is probably the best cam system on the market. And PSE as a company does a ton for the sport of archery. Pete S has also started donating thousands of dollars and bows to wounded vets who struggle with PTSD. I love a Mathews bow. But they don’t even come close to doing for archery what PSE does. But these videos you’re making are worth the while keep up the good work.
I think you should get the PSE. John Dudley is one of the biggest names in archery. I would love a 2nd opinion bow review on his bow. I do agree with you and believe there will be drastic changes to his bow in future years. Brandon. You know you gotta do it .
No, you didn't overreact. Leaving and not coming back is the right way to deal with a shop like that (or restaurant for that matter). Asking for $30 for something like that speaks volumes about their mindset - just leave and save yourself future troubles.
I bought a PSE rally a while ago (first bow never picked one up) had all the bits on it shop had no range.. I picked it up drew back and let down a couple times he set draw length ... Bought it was happy had it 3 years before selling 2 a friend .
Nope. In order To sell a bow, And I assume that’s why they have the thing in the first place, at some point someone is going to need to shoot it. So really they’re not setting it up for you. They’re just setting it up for themselves so they can sell it. You being there is just a coincidence of timing. By the way any thoughts on testing a Xpedition bow?
HI Brandon, really enjoying the shot-off so far - not only for the quality of your videos but also because your opinions are really down to earth. may i ask one question: for a lot of people one of these bows is expensive. while i totally understand that buying them is not the problem (keeping all 5 would be :P) im am interested in what is driving your decision making process. i guess even after selling 4 bows you will be down 400 to 800 bucks just to have the opportunity to test these bows.
You're the first to hear this because this is the first comment I've read asking me about it. I'm not selling them. I'm giving them away to an organization that I believe in so they can use them to raise money or awareness for themselves. Archery and hunting have meant so much to me over my lifetime so far, I want to start giving back now that I've got a little bit more to give. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone yet.
Would wait 1 or 2 years.. John dudley said between the lines that not everything is as he wants.. And it taked more time i think his models will be the best in some years... At the moment he is a psi shooter because he got his own model and pushing his brand whats awesome dont get me wrong thise bows are great vut why buying a bow when u know in two years they will be way better.. There always big steps and then several small steps
@@markmoleski3185 I have an NTN, and chose it over the VXR. won out by a long shot. It is the most pleasurable bow to draw, and shoot ever for me. Looks as a hunting bow should. And I have been a Mathews fan all my life. To me the best bow they ever made is a toss up. No Cam HTR, or the Traverse. Which both of I own. The switch weight technology puts way too much stress on the limbs, and the draw cycle suffers. Had all of the premium carbon Hoyts, lasted 2 months max. Bowtech is coming along, but right now I feel that PSE is king. And if you would know me, that is a hard thing to say. Good day and best of luck in the upcoming season.
I was charged for range time when I was testing a new bow at a local shop and he didn’t even have the model I wanted to try - he wouldn’t set up a 2020 for me, but there was a leftover 2019 that was already set up. So I shot a leftover 2019 for 15 mins and got charged $25 for me and my son to shoot. Little does he know I just bought a 2020 Hoyt carbon over an hour away. Penny wise pound foolish.
Brandon Mcdonald The shop owner will find out soon enough when I walk in with a redwrx case and pull out a complete new setup - new sight, new arrows, new stabs .... I’m going to get the stink eye for sure, but I have no issue telling why I bought somewhere else if he asks.
I've shot PSE for at least 30 years. I had a riser to break years ago on a Mach Flite the week before a tournament. I called the rep in my area and told his wife what had happened and her first words were, Are you hurt?. I said no but I got to have this bow fixed for next weekends shoot. I can't remember if they sent me a riser or if I sent it back but I do know I had a bow to shoot the next weekend. Excellent company to deal with. I still have the PSE scar on my wrist but it didn't hurt much. Carry on Brandon. They have a new carbon out this year so maybe you can test it.
On one hand it's hard to hold the actions of the shop against PSE, but since that would, by default, become your "home" shop if you chose the PSE, it's hard not to. I admire that you're not "calling out" the shop for your experience. There could be circumstances that make them feel like they have to do that. However, service is the only thing they have to offer over buying online and if they can't provide that, there's no reason to do business there. I'm enjoying watching your channel grow, Brandon. You're doing it the right way!
I’m not sure what shop your mentioning but I’m from the middle Tennessee area and I’ve been using “the sportsman store” in Dickson tn it’s about 40 miles southwest of Nashville and I absolutely love that place they also don’t have a very big variety when it comes to pse but those guys will get you what you need and are willing to take the time to make sure everything is the way you want it. I got a mission craze 2 for my 13th birthday as my first bow and those guys sat with me for an hour and a half teaching me everything I needed to know about shooting since then I won’t go anywhere else for my archery needs they’ve done plenty of amazing work on my pse brute nxt and a bunch of my previous pse bows
@@brandonmcdonald6121 I live in middle TN and I'll bet you any amount you want to bet and give you half back what you lose I know which shop it is. LOL! I had a HORRIBLE experience there!
Absolutely not, I would have done the same thing. Just remember you’re never going to please all. You could add the PSE and someone will say: “where’s the Martin” or whatever. Block out the noise.
Good point. I do want to shoot some of the smaller custom shops next year if Jocelyn let's me do this again! I think it would be cool to see how a handmade limited run bow holds up to one of the bigger guys.
I drive an hour and a half just to go to a bow shop that treats me with respect as a customer so I totally get it. Like you said, local shops are service based and I should get good service for them to get good customers.
I feel you but you're taking it out on PSE. Your video title suggests you have something against the brand based on your evaluation. Why not post the title of the shop saying do not go here instead of judging the brand on a crap dealer.
I learned so much from my local shop and it bothers me that these people don’t really want to help out the customer base. That being said if you figure out a way to work with PSE it would be cool but obviously that’s your overall prerogative. Thanks for putting in the effort
I've encountered this similar situation in the past..where I was asked to pay $25 to shoot a recurve bow and 5 arrows in their shooting yard...I asked him about the sign inside that said "Test and shoot your NEW Bow in our range, FREE." He told me , this is for a solid sale only... I have to pay for using the range. ....I laughed at this sellers scam , and showed him my $1200 in cash, and told him, I will go to the other archery store, with my money, down the road..LOL The boss of the archery shop, chased me & stopped me in the parking lot, and asked me what happened.. "I told him, that I don't work with Scammers, not pay money to test a bow...I came to buy a new recurve and now I'll take my money elsewhere. " I told this experience to the other archery dealer, down the road...and she was laughing at how they've been making more business, cause of this scam going on there....she gave me a 20% discount & free stringer , with three basic arrows, and a promise to send them another customer, in the future. I sent her my beginners archery class of 15 people to their shop. To get them set up with new bows, arrows, 3d targets, etc. That scammer archery shop, went out of business ,in less than a year.
That is crazy. I would be done with them. Question.....Do they normally charge you when you have shot bows there in the past? You may have said so in the video but I may have overlooked that.
Out of the couple of shops that I have been to and test shot some of there bows I have never been charged to test shoot one. I 110% agree with you, you shouldn’t have to pay to test shoot a bow .
2 years late to the party but The Sportsman Store in Dickson last time I was in there is a PSE dealer and will work let you shoot every bow in the house till you find the right fit. I bought my last bow from them in 2014 and its still serving me well. They are keeping it tuned for me put several strings and cables on it for me and sold me dozens of arrows. Not once have they told me its crappy, outdated or time to buy a new one. But when I do look at new bows they offer to let me shoot them.
I’ve watched the bow comparison videos and totally agree with pretty much everything you have said about all the bows. One thing I did notice in the video is you said you wanted to get the aluminum pse to do an apples to apples comparison. The reason this struck my attention is because I work at an archery shop just north of SLC and guy come in all the time wanting to test out the Rx4 and compare it to the Mathews or prime bows. I’ve shot them all and I agree with what you said about how you end up putting more weight on the hoyt to get balance where you want it, I have done the same with all 4 carbon bows I’ve had. With all of this being said I would love to see you test out the axius ultra. It is the most like all the others and I’d be super interested to see what you said about this. I know it’s late in the year and ATA is right around the corner so new bows are in sight. Anyways great job with the videos I think you have done a phenomenal job with all of them!
I just bought a PSE and when I tested the lesser bow no charge for set up. An hour south of chattanooga is a bow shop called Backwoods Bowstrings check them out.
My local shop in Shorewood,IL is called Strictly Archery will happily let you use any equipment for sale free of charge. Pure southern hospitality in the mid west.
You could do a midyear year shootdown with the PSE NXT 33 and Bear EKO. The reason you might have wanted the PSE 33 is to give you an option to compare 35 ATA bows for long range accuracy later; NXT 35 & Black 5. The Hoyt Carbon Ultra (34) is going to do well at 80yds, IMO.
That's the Craziest thing I've ever heard, I've worked in an out of and Archery shop my whole life and have my own shop at home now! Never would I ever charge someone to shoot a bow!!
I would have had the same reaction. I wouldn’t go there again, getting charged to try a bow is bs. I quit going to a shop for a similar situation not that they were charging me for something outrageous, but their customer service was shit.
I have never had my shop even hint at the idea of a setup fee to try a bow. I had four different bows laid out to try in 2019. They did a basic D-loop and whisker biscuit setup on each and adjusted all of their draw lengths just so I could shoot them. I walked out of that shop that day with a new bow. This year, I didn't need to try any. I went in and told my guy it was VXR time, and he pulled one off the wall that hadn't been shot by anyone and set it up.
I had dropped off a bow of mine to be worked on by a local shop near me, he charged me 220 dollars, went to a different bow shop because they have a range and it is run by a world class archer who has won Vegas and in the early 2000s worked with Martin to change the industry. This guy knows his stuff, so I have him inspect the bow I just paid 200+ dollars to have tuned and setup and it turns out the guy literally did nothing I paid him for, there’s always gonna be that one shop that just sucks and I will never go back to that place. Your probably better off like you said just stay away from that shop and stick with the Archery Den if they are treating you like the loyal customer you are.
I completely agree!!! I wouldn’t darken the door of that shop again, I’ve been into shop’s like that since I moved and now I drive 3 one way back to the shop that looked after me before
I'm 47 and started shooting at 4. I have never been charged to set up a bow just to try out. but I do hope you give the new PSE a test run. my dad was a PSE dealer when I was a kid. then in late 1990s I decided to walk away from them. but when the evolve csm came about a friend of mine at the archery school of the Rockies suggested that I try a bow with the new evolve cam. loved it. I have been proudly shooting PSE again now for the past 3 years and for what ever reason I've never shot better. their new bows just work for me.
You are 100% correct. As a shop owner in TN also, I would never charge a setup fee for a bow I am selling. I only have to charge if someone brings in a bow that I didn't sell them and that fee would be for my time. Also, the reason they probably aren't going to carry any of the new PSE bows is because they cannot sell them. I know of multiple shops that are still sitting on PSE's from 3 years ago that they can't sell. It's hard to carry a brand that you can't sell 3-5 bows per year when you can turn over 150-200 Mathews per year.
I've heard this from multiple shops this year. One of them said they sold 20 Mathews to every 1 Hoyt. That's insane. It's not worth stocking what people don't want to buy... That said, I'm more impressed with the RX4 than I thought I'd be.
@@brandonmcdonald6121 There is very little difference in the RX4 and RX3. The feedback I've gotten from customers has been they wouldn't spend the money to trade for such small change from last year. Me, personally, I'm not a fan of a bow with exposed yokes or binary cams. Mathews has a perfect design and they are geometrically equal top to bottom and thus the tune-ability is so easy. The only negative I see is the same with pretty much every bow from the factory and that is the strings and cables are not good quality. I change out 95% of all of my new bows to GAS strings and it is a game changer.
I think you hit the nail on the head at the end when you called it what it was - disrespect. Not that the shop HAS to give you any special perks that they wouldn’t give other people. But like you said, this is a very service-oriented industry, and loyalty to a shop is a two-way street. You’re not some schmuck who’s gonna buy a bow or some accessories and never go back, and you had already established that with them.
And this is EXACTLY what was discussed when you spoke with Aron Snyder on the Kifarucast. I am giving very serious consideration to buying either a Prime Black 3 or a Hoyt Axius Ultra as my new bow. On what basis will my purchasing decision be based? Based on the excellent level of service that I know I can expect from my local pro-shop [less than an hour's drive from where I live] and which has serviced my Hoyt bows for nearly ten years, although not a Hoyt dealer, DOES stock Prime bows Regardless of whether or not I do choose a Prime Black 3, I know I can still expect a similarly-excellent level of service. I will have a really tough choice to make as I've shot Hoyt for nigh on twenty years BUT the nearest pro shop who stocks Hoyt bows [but NOT Prime] is three hours drive away and I will not be able to shoot both bows side by side. And I live in the east. Of England.
I started off with a PSE Bowmadness XS ten plus years ago from bass pro.. I have been going to a local archery pro shop in AZ for YEARS. I have shot countless flagship bows and they have set them up many times over for free of charge. My dad bought a flagship bow and then I got my daughter all set up.... My wife suprised me this year with a Hoyt RX7 Ultra. Had the shop not treated me this well over the years I would have gone somewhere else.
I understand Brandon. I've had the same problem with Hoyt in my country. So I just gave up on Hoyt, even after trying to contact them and trying to explain, they did not even take the time to send me a response. I could probably set up a bow better than any local shop, but I have to deal with bad customer service then in the future. In my case now, there is a great shop for PSE locally so guess what my next bow is going to be, lol So yes I totally get it.
The bow shop and the service is what decides what brand bow i shoot. Last two bows we bought were at a shop 2 hours away and I’d go back there no questions asked, and I passed a couple other dealers of the same brand bow B&B Archery in Pearl MS is a great shop
I was recently trying to find a specific bow that is not in production anymore. The shop that had one treated my wife and I like royalty. I wasn't spending a fortune on a flagship, but they went the extra mile on every aspect of our visit. Support your GOOD local shops.
You have more patience than I would have had. If I was told about that $30 fee, I would have laughed at them and walked out. The $30 is about principle, and the fact that YOU are the customer. A car dealer would never charge me a fee to test drive a $50-$60k truck that I may buy. These pro shop owners who have the mentality that a customer is “lucky” enough to buy a bow sold by them will quickly find themselves out of business. Keep up the great videos.
I agree I would love to see what John Dudley will do with a pse in at least a year. Love what hes doing right now but its going to be a lot different next year.
Eric Spleet I agree. Give it two-3 years and that’s when it’ll get fun to see. I agree with this idea that in 5 years we are gonna see some great iterations to that bow.
I think so too. I hope they give him some room to roam. He has the potential to really come up with something next level. And then make it ugly ass green!! Haha
Never been charged for set up unless I am buying a bow! Where is the video where you are explaining what it is you’re doing with all these bows? Are you reviewing them?
