Good Morning fellow Trad Gangers,
I haven't posted in quite some time, apologize for that. Anyhow, anyone have info on Dave Doran.
Attended Gene Foster in Dunlap and He wasn't there. I know health hasn't been great. Just curious/concerned.
Saw him and Nancy this summer. Both are doing well. He is still providing a valuable service to trad archers
He was at the Longbow Safari in Oregon, but not at Petaluma.
Dave has sold the retail side of the business to my son Riley Savage, and he is just getting started with that. Dave has kept the leather works, the arrow making, and the Pro Dipper dip tube portion of the business. Riley should be going to some of the shoots this summer, but maybe not as many as Dave, because he has another job a wife and two little ones at home. He hopes to update the web page and do more on-line business than Dave did. I have advised him to soon become a sponsor here, because this is a great site to be on. Steve
Saw Dave and Nancy, a couple of weeks ago, at Larry Fischer's memorial service. He is doing good, is going through medical stuff, but is still mobile. Not attempting to speak for the new owner, but it sounded like he is going to try to do more business over the internet.
Thanks,
I'm sorry to hear that the new owner plans to do most of his business over the internet. He's got a lot of competition there for commonly sold items. He'll do better if he can get exclusive rights to custom made items, if they are things people want to buy.
Dave had little or no competition for items he sold at meets, whether generic or custom made. Often, I would just stroll through his shop and buy something that would never have occured to me to buy over the internet.
I doubt that he made a whole lot of money at the meets, and was on the road a lot, so I would assume that part of his compensation was that he enjoyed being there, and the money was just the icing on the cake.
Dave, as I mentioned in a earlier post my son Riley will be going to a number of shoots but just not as many as Dave D. did. Dave was retired and could travel more, my son has a real job and vacation time. We at Surewood plan to set up shop next to Archery Past at shoots. I'm sure Western States in Cali. will be one that we attend. Steve
We always make it a point to buy something from Dave and Nancy at every shoot we see them at. Good folks. Sorry to hear Dave is not his usual self. Best to Dave and Nancy.
I know Riley. He is a very detail oriented guy and very personable. He will provide great customer service. Archery Past is in good hands. I'm sure these are some reasons Dave selected Riley to take over what he and Nancy built.
I know many of us here in Washington look forward to Dave and Nancy attending the annual event at Moses Laket Rock Shoot and the TBW rendezvous. I always have a shopping list and browse the trailer for bargains and other stuff I need...want.... as well. They will be missed!
Will he still be operating under the same name Steve?
I enjoyed buying stuff from Dave and Nancy, great folks.
Long haul for me but the Eagle Cap shoot was were I would browse their trailer and swing over and visit you guys at Surewood. Maybe we will see you all next summer! Best of luck to your son.
The name will remain Archery Past and yes we will both be at the Eagle Cap shoot just outside La Grande this coming year.
I aim to order some of those Surewood shafts for Christmas gifts!!
Dave.
Is a Friend and good customer and fellow Marine....
I whish him well concerning his business and his health...
Semper Fi Brother.
A big THANK YOU to all for the update. I will miss seeing Dave and Nancy at Foster. Riley, best wishes and luck with your new endeavor.
We did miss Dave and Nancy at Petaluma and Fresno shoots. Its nice for all of us venders to meet up at shoots. I also always wait to buy from Archery Past. I look forward to meeting Riley at a shoot in the future. He should really try to make the West Coast IBO Traditional Championship Hosted by Orestimba Field Archers in California. It will be April 17-19,2015. Western States Trad is going to be in Petaluma California I understand. We all would like to see him in Fresno at Gene Foster Trad as always. Thanks for sharing the issue with the limits of Riley's travel with Archery Past. The business is out there for him if he can make it. Hope to see him!