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Buying used bows
fishermanben
Member Posts: 15,370
I would be scared to buy a used bow. As good of deals as they may seem, you can never tell if one has been dropped or mistreated. You could buy an "accident waiting to happen". Are any of you guys weary of buying a used bow for that reason, or am I just paranoid?
Ben
Ben
Comments
My old man's backhand used to land,
Hard on the side of my head.
I just learned to stay out of his way.
There's been streetfights, blue lights,
Long nights with the world sittin' on my chest:
It just showed me how much I could take.
Hard times, bad luck.
Sometimes, life sucks.
That's all right, I'm ok.
It ain't nothin' but another day.
Joe
french people don't speak german, thank my dad for that
Take the risk and get a deal. [:D]
NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent
"kinda like sloppy seconds"[:0][:0] Did I say That[?]
I never thought of it that way. That shines a whole new light on the situation.[xx(][:D]
Ben
For the record when my hoyt got run over it went in the trash, there wasn't any saving to that pile. [xx(]
Buckey, I'm not talking financial state, heck anyone in this forum can afford a computer and the internet so I'm fairly confident they can buy themselves a new bow.
Do you buy anything that's used? I'd like to compare it to a firearm. I have only bought one brand new gun this year, my reason... registration, I hate it. As for used guns... I'll buy good deals all day long. [:D]
I agree it's risky with a bow, limbs and so on, but I don't see any problem. It's risky for me driving to work on the highway, but I still tough it out everyday..[:D][;)]
Most Ohio hunters carry a stick with a sharp rock attached, only legal means to harvest a fox.
NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent
Hornet
Ben
Compound bows, even the newest most adjustable ones are user specific - in that they are set up to fit one archer. What you will want to know is what it will take to make it optimal for your personal use. Even new bow, if it does not fit you correctly, may be worse than worthless - it may be a total waste of your time. Again, take it to your expert. Have him tell you your options.
The fashion element: the because a bow cost $600 5 years ago doesn't mean that it is worth even 1/3 of that today. Bows are a little like downhill skis or bicycles - there is always a new model, making anything else the old model.
Depreciation: Compound bows are not like firearms. A fine rifle will often appreciate - and will often work good as new for decades. The compund bow is more like a PC. Do plan it being a boat anchor at some point in time.
Accessories that come along with it: Again, the accessories have to fit you and what you are going to do with the bow. Everything said above applies to attached accessories. Plus, remember that the main thing a bow does ,besides shooting arrows, is to vibrate. all threaded items loosen, needing retightening. Over and over again. Picture what the threads in all those aluminum pieces look like after a few years.
Bottom line - the compound bow is use item, not a collectors item. It is built to use, wear out, become obsolete and be eventually tossed.
If someone is willing to give you a used one - before accepting it I would still have it fully evaluated before beginning to spend any money on it or the rest of what you will need to fit it out. Money pits happen.
If you buy a new one, from a reputable and expert dealer who will stand behind you in the case of anything happens and who will guarantee your satisfation - often this is the way cheapest way to go.
Speaking retired - from 15 years behind the compound bow bench, over 5,000 served.
Jay
Okay, here's where I'm coming from. One of my friends is in a quandry. He can't decide if he wants a new Parker, or a one year old Mathews. What do you think?
How long does he plan on having the bow? If like me, he considers it a "lifetime investment", then I would say go with the new parker-if for no other reason then he will have a warranty for the bow.
However, if he is like many, who "upgrades" as the technolgy gets better, then the Matthews wouldnt hurt.
"Waiting tables is what you know, making cheese is what I know-lets stick with what we know!"
-Jimmy the cheese man