Whose advice/opinion do you trust?

[Rick D]

This is a question i ask myself after almost everything i read. Having a healthy dose of skepticism is a character trait my father and mother instilled in me as a young man. " someone is always trying to sell you something"     (my fathers quote).

So whose "words" do you trust? (lets try to keep this focused on traditional archery topics)

Rick  

[WidowEater]

Dont trust anyone on the unmentionable auction site.  Especially the ones that have their recurve bows unstrung but strung backwards so as to put pressure on the recurved portion of the limb.  Brainless.  

Lets get a little philosophical now and tell me this:  How can you trust someone you dont even know to tell you who to trust?

[LBR]

That is a good question, and a tough one to boot.

A few "red flags" for me.

"If you don't do it like this (the same as I do) you aren't doing it right."

"You can't go wrong with this!"

"I've shot 9,764 different bows in the last two years and this one is the absolute best there is, period".

There's lot of honest folks that try to offer good advice, but a great deal of the time folks can only offer their opinions.  Even the most honest and sincere advice can be wrong, or at least wrong for a particular individual or particular situation.  Opinions and experiences can vary greatly.  

There seems to be about as many "groupies" in this sport as there is in the rock music industry.  In some cases if you say something less than positive about somebody's favorite, you'd just as well be talking dirty about their mother.  Lot's of folks will hold back on their honest opinions because of that.  I've been referred to as pretty much everything but smart and honest over some of my opinions......I think you'll get a more honest (or at least thourough) opinion by asking privately vs. on an open board.  I know I won't post on some products due to this--it ain't worth the hassle.

If I want advise on a particular product, I'll ask different folks who have used it for a while--if possible, folks I know and trust.

If I want advise on hunting a particular critter, I'll try to talk to someone who has killed a bunch of them.  If they live in a similar area as me, all the better--critters can act differently in different places, hunting can be different in different terrain, etc.

If I want shooting advice, I'll talk to guys that have proven they know their stuff--either by winning big tournaments or consistently coaching winners, or both.

If I want advise on making something, I'll ask someone who has made a bunch of them and has a reputation for knowing their stuff.

One of the biggest challenges of getting good info. on the 'net it being able to separate the wheat from the chaff.  The catch is you have to know a little bit yourself to do that.  Sometimes it's just trial and error.

Chad

[vermonster13]

Chad is giving you pretty good advice there if you think you can trust him or me for agreeing with him.    

[joe skipp]

My OWN...PERIOD. Been around this game too long and heard too much BS....  :eek:

[twotimer]

chad gave a good medium,i live by what my ole pappy said,"son,when it come's to advice,a wise man don't need it,and a fool won't heed it"  

[Recurve50LBS]

Oh come on now Joe. I trust ya.

[Doug S]

Someone with alot of experience in the subject at hand.

[woodchucker]

My very,VERY,Good Friend.....Joe Skipp!!!!!  

[TonyW]

Trust everybody, just don't fork over any cash to a stranger unless you can afford to lose it. You learn more from mistakes than success, and the few swindlers you encounter are great teachers.

They also eventually get run out of town on a rail, so knowing this, I tend to trust folks that have a little history.

The sponsors of this site have earned the good will from a specialized group of customers, so I tend to trust them.

[Hackbow]

Although I don't follow my own advice all the time, I **TRY** to trust everyone until they prove to be untrustworthy. One can drive themselves nuts and become embittered if they're always looking out for themselves. It's only through being vulnerable/trusting with others that a strong relationship can be built. And know that folks will let you down at somepoint, but chances are you will let someone down sometime as well.

To put this into a trad archery perspective, I will admit that I have failed a couple folks on this very website due to not meeting timelines. I have also been been the recipient of the letdowns and once didn't receive what I paid for. My choices are to 1) be upset, not trust anyone and never again put myself in the position of being hurt or 2) forgive and move on. I determined a long time ago that my money and possessions meant nothing to me compared to the riches of friendships.

That doesn't mean I believe everything everyone has to say. I just try not to dwell on a negative if I can help it. Very rarely does it change anyone's mind and the issue would just consume my thoughts without any good coming out of it.

Rick I live in Pittsburgh as well. Let's grab a cup of coffee and fling some arrows sometime.  

[d. ward]

I don't believe nothing I hear and only half of what I see.........works good for me.....bowdoc

[Jason Lester]

well when it comes to this site there are a few names I trust.  Mostly because I have seen thier work and know they know thier stuff. Some I have actually met and are good friends with.

Actually thats one of the great things about this site. If someone gives you some bad advice others usualy catch it pretty fast. At least with making stuff.

[Dave2old]

A couple of years ago Trout Unlimited did a major survey and focus-group study with hunters in western states, and one set of questions focused on where we get trusted information on wildlife and public lands conservation and related issues. Most trusted are state game agencies and well-known and respected individuals who stay informed, whether they are writers or just friends. Next in line are a few sportsmen-conservation groups. Unfortunately, too many of us still trust what we read in amoral magazines whose strings are pulled by advertiser money, esp. the hi-tech gadget and ATV industries. On my own list, anyone and anything to do with the Outhouse Channell is real bad news. There are also certain groups that enrich their coffers by pretending to be sportsmen's friends but in fact their politics and actions make them among hunters worst enemies (no names here for fear of getting this post pulled and starting arguments none of us need). I find most of the info we exchange here on TradGang to be trustworthy ... not always correct or best for our individual needs, but earnest and well-meant within the realm of the advice-giver's personal worldview. And while the outdoor industry in general is filled with BS money-grubbers, the traditional archery and hunting world, at least within the realm of bows and arrows and closely related gear, seems to be a holdout of exceptionally fine folks. My 2 cents. Dave

[Caddo]

What Bowdoc said!    


LD

[MCNSC]

If refering to "advice" I think it is all good in that it works for the one giving it, however, that doesnt mean that it will work for you.
Mike

[Bjorn]

What vermonster said! LOL!

[BodarkOkie]

Advice is usually free....Taking it can sometimes be expensive.

[beaver#1]

advice.... at work, at, inthe world and on here, we all get tons of advice.  i have been shafted a few times from people i thought could be trusted.  but to start having a mind set of everyone is out to get you or only people you know personaly can help you is a bit sad ina way.  to have mind sets like this is the break down of human soceity.  take adice from all( sort it out as you see fit) give adive only when it asked.

[bretto]

Bowdoc, that was one of My Fathers favorite sayings.