Just wanted to hear a few opinions as to why things have come to a standstill on the Trad Bow Classifieds....I have seen bows that have been listed with upwards of 30 hits, but no sales...is it the economy? Is it high gas prices?
Share your thoughts as to whats' going on,, THANKS!
My 0.02$
Partly the economy. Everyone spends a chunk more on gas than they used too. I have another theory though.
It's almost huntin season. In fact, some places whitetail season is already in. So I think most guys are concentrating on shooting broadheads & such with their hunting set-up and don't really care to throw a different bow into the mix.
That's my theory anyway.
I think it is too close to season to introduce a new bow to the mix. Buying one now doesn't leave a lot of time to get aquainted with it properly before taking it to the woods. I have bought a bow recently but don't plan to hunt with it until I get really familiar with it. Besides most of us already have go to bows setup and ready to hunt with. Just my $.02
Scott,
This is the wrong time of year to sell a bow. It's time to hunt, not buy.
Consider buying right now....if you're intending upon using the bow this season you need time to intimately personal with the weapon....not enough time for that.
Economy? Maybe, but I'd say it due to hunting season. Recall years past, not many foks buy bows during late August through November.
Probably the hunting season and most have little time to devote to setting up a new bow. I wish they were selling because it would be much less tempting for me to jump on some of these deals.
I am currently trying to gracefully back away from the classifieds. I just picked up traditional archery 8 months ago after years of thinking thinking about making the switch. Needless to say, I am hooked..and after a Big Horn, Silvertip and a Morrison Shawnee, I am trying to swear off new bow purchases. Yes, I saw that SilverTip and I hope it disappears soon....cause it is testing my strength. = )
Mike~
Yep. Thats kinda what I figured, but it was a question that has been on my mind, you see some very nice bows get snapped up in an hour then, boom! The other nice one's sit for weeks...
Most guys should be intimately personal with their bow of choice as most seasons are coming in as we speak...
makes sense to me!
I'm one of the guys that deletes the classified ads when marked "sold" and I've have not noticed any slowdown. The number of listings has skyrocketed due to the ever increasing membership.
Bow sales are generally hottest January through April or so. Season is over and guys are looking to switch or upgrade for next year, with plenty of time to familiarize themselves with a new companion.
Income tax refunds hitting about that time of year doesn't hurt either! :readit:
As along time buyer/seller I'll give you a different perspective. Prices. I'm seeing bows listed for much higher than they historically would go for. Yes prices do go up over time, but not at the rate I'm seeing. Bows that normally sell for $350 are being listed at $450 and finally reduced to $400 and sitting.......
Contrary to what was stated above bows do sell well this time of year. You have newbies getting in and old timers getting the replacement they ordered and trying to move the old one out.
Time of year has never really made a huge difference except from Nov until amid Jan.
Personally,
I am not buying because I have not seen the bow I want at the poundage I am interested in.
Both right handed
1. Cari-bow Silverfox 43Lb @ 28in
2. A&H ACS 43# @ 28
I don't like heavy bows and it seems many of the bows listed are too heavy for me.
Charlie
Hey buckeye where in ohio are you located? I have a silver fox due to be done soon and it's going to be only 3-4 pounds hevier then that. After I get it your more than welcome to shoot it if you'd like.
Some of the bows that are not selling are just priced too high...I have noticed more than a few bows the last few months that were obviously being sold for a profit...kinda seems "anti-family" and personally turns me off to the add ...
Bob
QuoteOriginally posted by Bob Barnes:
Some of the bows that are not selling are just priced too high...I have noticed more than a few bows the last few months that were obviously being sold for a profit...kinda seems "anti-family" and personally turns me off to the add ...
Bob
I agree Bob.
Plus, like said above, hunting season is close.
Mike :campfire:
I believe their is still money to be spent on bows. Compounds sell like the dickens this time of year because not much preparation is required prior hunting.. Traditionsl bows are a different ball game and its real tough to become experienced with a new bow in a month before deer season.... The local bow shop compounds/some traditional, had the biggest sales day in their 10 year history this past Thurs. They were all compound sales!!! I had to wait 20 minutes just to purchase a dozen 125gr. field points... They didn't make much money off me!!!!! Jim
Just my 2 cents, but bow prices are getting out of hand (new and used). Check out most big name bowyers, pick a bow, add a few options and you're staring a grand in the face (these are the same bows that were $450 - $500 a couple of years ago.) Lots of folks want more for a used bow than a new upper-end rifle would cost.
Hey Scott. Yeah, higher prices, an uncertain economy and hunting seasons, mostly the latter. In my case, I've bought and/or traded a half dozen bows in the past as many months. Just don't need or want any more. Set-up/familiarization time isn't an issue for me. On a bow in the weight range I usually shoot, it takes me about 5-10 minutes to set it up and familiarize myself with it.
So far I agree with everything I have read...personally...Im waiting because Im used to my current LB, and dont want to change up until after the season. I also need to work on getting clearnace from the soon to be mom(my wife)....I mean $300-400 is a lot of diapers. :goldtooth:
And my .02 Cents where are all of these leftys coming from. We are suppose to be a minority. And its killing me :scared:
Brent
I'm mostly broke cash wise and those words I hate keep coming up "No Trades"!
Prices are the big factor in my opinion. It was not that long ago that I listed bows for sale and was practically chastised by a couple "lookers/buyers" that I was offering them "too cheap". Needless to say the bows sold within the first couple hours of listing and they had missed out.
As soon as a few of the "A" list bows are offered at top prices, I believe many sellers feel they can ask the same high dollar for their bow.
Yeah, it's hunting season here in Washington and I have my setup for the year, but I'm still looking for 3-4 bows...AND I am not going to pay more than I think I should.
I don't agree with the too close to hunting season to change bows theory. I always shoot better with a new bow. :D
me too,that's why i change so much.
The sellers need to be more committed to the sale and lower their expectations. IMHO
Money's tight,People are haveing trouble makeing there house payments right now.Home forcloshers are up by as much as 60% in some areas.And the repo man is picking new cars at a rate of 6 plus a day.So buying used bows may be second on the list of things to do.Used bow prices have been on a steady down hill run for over a year.High end collectable models are not selling all that well eather.Not nearly what they were going for.A good sample,would be the mighty 1960 Bear Kodiak 60" 46#er.Saw one sell for under 300.00 last week,fact is I believe it was about 295.00 solid shooter.1/4th of what they were selling for.bowdoc
Its hunting season starting most are hunting or fixing to ... you dont find to many bows for sale ... also more people are realizing for just a little more they can have custom brand new bow once in their life...nothing like a new bow :)used bows should not cost a arm a 2 legs either ...if its couple years old its USED!!!
Back to school shopping can also be added to the above, not to mention tuition payments, etc. With that said, I just purchased my third takedown Massie "Longhorn". Where there is a will, there is a way. :knothead: :jumper:
I'm with vermonster13 - that "No Trades" is a killer for me!
There are still good deals on some bows (and it's really hard not to take advantage of them) but there are quite a few bows being listed for just under what the bow was new.
I understand these days you don't want to take too much of a "hit" on a bow that's only a year or two old, but when you drive the car off the lot it's value takes a dive. I feel it's the same way with bows - the warranty stated by all bowyers I've seen is "non-transferrable"
Kind of shocked me.. I had a set of Winex limbs for a DAS listed for about half of what they cost new, and they are virtually new.. Nada...
I listed those limbs and another set 4#'s lighter over on the other sight.. Nothing so far. Guess I'll keep 'em until spring..
Me, I have a hard time resisting a good deal,lol!!
I think the used bow market has changed a bit in the last year or so, mainly price wise. You can still sell a bow, IF it's priced right and the poundage isn't too high.
I really think you have to be prepared and take the hit for around 50% of new, for most bows.
I don't know if it is because there is a glut of bows out there or the buyers are just more particular, OR that the used bow market won't catch up to the higher prices of new bows.
Either way, I have to think it's going to affect new bow sales too as it makes buying new and selling it used (in order to buy another new bow to play with) less attractive.
Haven't seen the one I want yet in my specs (60 or 62" Palmer). If I had, I assure you I would have bought it. Also, it's almost hunting and people are busy (scouting, gear prep, shooting, hanging stands) and spending their money on other new gear (clothes, stands, broadheads, arrows, etc.).
BD
Some bows are now more available, such as the Morrison Shawnee. A few years ago, you could get most of your money back, but now there are more of them available and the selling price has really dropped. It's a good time to be in the buying side of things.
It could be as simple as a market correction. We may have leveled out on our growth in Trad Archery and there aren't as many people looking to buy as there was.
A couple of years ago I was buying bows right and left. It seems like every week a new one would arrive. I quickly got tired of trying so many bows, and also learned real quick that none were really magic bows that cured my shooting problems :) Now I'm down to two bows, a really sweet recurve and a selfbow that was a gift. I no longer have a drive to own more bows.
Perhaps a fair number of others have also got tired of the bow merry-go-round and now only buy when something really special hits the market?
Dave in Ft. Collins, CO
Not seeing any lefties I want...
Thanks guys for the perspectives...I agree that most bows are outpriced for used, but if it's in someones spec-range, it'll sell....as for getting familiar before the season? cant ya just pick up a bow and hit what youre looking at within a few minutes? :confused:
Great item of discussion here.I think everyone has great ideas on the used bows not moving.
I think hands down the issue is sellers are
asking too high of a price. Used is used.
Just my 2cents. Hope all of you get to go bowhunting soon.
More lefties than usual,mostly in higher weights though. Some folks have been heading down in the weight department and that think that's some of the problem.
Could school starting make a change for awhile on where the money is spent?I know it did for us when I had kids that age. (kids first recreation second) Ben
One of the reasons used bows have gone up in price is the price that you now pay for a new, custom made bow. I would bet that O.L, Ron, Bob, Palmer, etc. have all had significant price increases in the last couple of years. Limited supply and increased demand will always result in increased price regardless of product. The used bow market and the new are no exception to this rule.
:goldtooth:
1. You keep putting Dacron bows up when I want a flast flight
2. Your bows are too pretty and good...it just took yesterday to sell one of those metal handled Hoyts!
Just kidding around...I know your pain. I've had bows sell after I had them on here so long I forgot I had listed them!
I sold three bows here in two weeks. That was around 4-6 weeks ago. I know I couldn't use them any longer and although they truly were "as new" they were used. I was prepared for and took a loss (monetarily) if you choose to look at it that way. On the other hand they aren't gathering dust in my closet. They are now being used and I generated enough revenue to buy a bow that I really wanted (not just to try-out).
The other side of the equation: I bought a bow here this summer that I absolutely love and can't put down. I had no idea how I would like it, but it was a great bow from a great bowyer and the great price sucked me in. I'm real glad it did.
All that to say this - how many times have I read here and elsewhere "get one and try it, if you don't like it sell it. That bow will hold it's value and sell quickly". Alot of people want to try, not buy. As long as too much $$$ doesn't change hands there is no guilt. Not good for sellers - JMHO.
its hunting time so they keep a hold of em
because I've dropped down to the mid-upper 40's in draw weight :D :readit: :D