From: mo bo hunter
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Date: 17-Jan-17 |
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Why does it seem that the more a bow cost the less warranty thet come with. not knocking bowyers, just saying, everybody says buy american, seems like out of country bowyers give better warranties, and alot of smaller bowyers give the same or better ones than the higher end ones.
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From: Orion
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Date: 17-Jan-17 |
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Dunno. Not sure that's really the case. Regardless, offering it is one thing. Standing behind it is another.
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From: Bownut
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Date: 17-Jan-17 |
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Kegan's Omega bows have a far better warranty as any in the US. I did ask one other US bowyer about the warranty and he simply replied..."as long as you own it". Trouble is I can't remember who it was. It does seem that one,two or three years is tops for most custom bow warranty's. I will add to that...I had a limb issue with a Palmer recurve years ago and it was quite a while after the stated warranty had passed. He replaced the limbs with no hassle at all. I am convinced that in the community most bowyers will work with you even after the warranty...depending on the particular issue.
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From: bigdog21
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Date: 17-Jan-17 |
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because you buy a good quality crafted American bow. you don't half to worry about warranty. this one is 48 years old and still going strong and not babied at all. have many ore and they will all outlast me.
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From: mo bo hunter
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Date: 17-Jan-17 |
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Ya but there not all like that nowdays
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From: bigdog21
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Date: 17-Jan-17 |
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these company offering cheap bows and adding the warranty as a sells attraction. when they know the largest portion of people buying them will probably not keep or use them long enough to worry about a lifetime warranty. the American way. they know most will shoot them for a year or two and will move on to shooting more fancy and personal or different bows and these bows will be sold ,traded or given away or even put in a closet to not see daylight for years. then if someone would keep them as the pried and joy. will they have the sales reseat 10 years later and what was the cause of damage? or that's not covered. a lot of ways they figure they will never half to worry about it. if they haven't closed the doors are sold out to another name company by then. in 40 years and almost as many bows most custom I haven't had one fail to preform.
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From: Barber
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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As said above Omega longbows have a lifetime warranty !
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From: bigdog21
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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was talking about the cheap overseas bows
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From: Bobby B
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Always worth asking about a legitimate warranty claim. Companies (or bowyers) can sometimes pleasantly surprise you.
On the other hand many companies count on just throwing stuff out there and seeing what sticks. I have watched enough businesses do beta testing on the public for things that people bought at full price. And the company KNEW they released products that are not yet proven.
It's a problem I see everywhere now that so many biz managers think that accountants should have final say on how a business functions.
It's a shame really-
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From: GLF
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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As much as people would like to believe that the out of country bows are inferior its just not true for the most part. Besides having a better warranty most of them will shot right up there with the best of ours and better than some. A lot of our companys will warranty a bow long after the written one runs out. Then you have some that stick to it to the day.
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From: Bowlim
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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A small time maker will normally go out of his way to help a client, if only to protect his own good name. But for a small shop to offer a lifetime guarantee when the maker may be old and unlikely to be called on it, is not doing any clients a favor.
A lot of big companies can hide in the fact that nobody expects that much from them because if they make thousands of bows what does one that isn't good mean, but we expect perfection from high end makers. Big companies also make wide ranges of gear, normally, so we know they have their cheaper lines also.
Most of the overseas companies that make good bows do it because they are copying American designs.
Lifetime guarantees cost the average archer as we all elect to bail out the most incompetent or careless buyers.
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From: hawkeye in PA
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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The reductions in warranties seems go hand in hand with the newer string materials also.
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From: Nordland
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Don't worry - the Golden Wrecking Ball will ban all foreign bows with 35% import tax ...
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From: BowAholic
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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I think it's more the individual bowyer than anything else... and I'm pretty sure I know which one it is, and he has always been that way... even back in the MoJam/getting started days... sorry to see you had a problem, but look what you've learned from it.
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From: Caughtandhobble
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Not that long ago, a member here snapped a BW bow in two pieces from a 4 wheeler accident. BW caught wind of the mishap and replaced his bow. It just don't get any better than that.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Likely, if you nicely call the bowyer first, they will work it out. If you come on the Leatherwall, pouting and calling foul to the bow maker before you even make an attempt to get it resolved, you may reap what you sow. We tend to get a little haughty as Americans thinking we can do things better than anyone else. People in Asia were making bows thousands of years before we were even a country. There are lots of great choices today, from many areas of the Earth, that are only kept at bay by the size of your expendable cash reserve. The wise archer generally will keep an open mind, since information can actually get in that way.
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From: kenwilliams
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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I warranty my work whether the customer is "nice" or not. I do so because it is more about my professional reputation, than my customers behavior or attitude.
That said, it is easier to be nice to nice people.
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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George how can you even comment on custom bows when you don't have any or had any built? Just wondering sounds a lot like Lewis or did you forget as well in a Sr. moment. Not busting on you but unless you been through some of these issues you don't have first hand experience only what you herd or read.
How would you feel if you paid 1,500.00 got bad glass then herd well there's no guarantee that glass won't be streaked either on another build. Not what you really want to hear.
Seems to me the provider of glass should be liable?
Best to talk to Bowyer but when there's seems to be no end in site then what do you really do. I been living with one that bothers me every time I look at it or shoot it. Someone else it wouldn't bother but me I am more particular than most.
Oh I know there's nothing perfect in this world say like you George you will have some slippery comment from the back door.LOL
I'd say the meds are working today how about you your neds working.
Maybe there's a time when a bowyer should be called out but that's not often. Others should know what's been experienced. I also am aware going to far as well and I have done that which turned into abusive and they didn't need that out of anger.
I don't like finish flaws or streaked glass. 2 of my pet peeves are when I pay big money to have them right and expect to and then when they aren't they eat at me.
Carry on
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From: The Whittler
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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How many on here would sell a bow you own to a stranger we don't know and say any problems down the road just let me know and I will refund your money. Not knowing how this person took care of said bow.
I am sure most bowyers (I didn't say all) would work with you depending on how the bow was taking care of.
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From: PEARL DRUMS
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Cheap limbs and bows are cheap to replace. If you can sell a complete take down for $129, after its marked up three times, you can afford a lifetime warranty. Not so much when youre talking a $1200 bow with $600 limb sets.
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Refinish flaws and bad glass streaking has nothing to do with bows blowing up.
A bow that blows up is a totally different thing. Sometimes there are reasons that can't be proven and could be questionable. Its a matter of honor or if this is a good customer how far they are willing to go to please.
I say this all the time. Variables that's what this life is nothing but variables.
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From: N. Y. Yankee
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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" People in Asia were making bows thousands of years before we were even a country."
Excellent point George!
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From: Clydebow
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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I read George's post a couple times and didn't see any comment made about custom bows.
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From: GLF
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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RymanCat I know George has had at least 1 custom. Around 20 years before I met him on the leatherwall I ended up with his Zebra longbow.
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From: Clydebow
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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"The reductions in warranties seems go hand in hand with the newer string materials also."
Why would a warranty be reduced because of positive advancements in string material?
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From: hawkeye in PA
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Clydebow, Dry fire failures for one. But when one manufacturer had a increase in sales the rest had to follow. Remember speed still sales even in trad archery. I have no expertise in this field, but do some experience. Personally I've had far less trouble with the old school strings than when I went to fast flight,etc. on fast flight compatible bows. Use to shoot 65 and 70# bows and generally hold onto such bow until trouble arises. Have had enough risers crack through the grip area and or limb attachment area that I went back to B50/B55. And seldom have a problem now. Maybe just coincidence on my part. Why would bow warranties be reduced my some of the major manufactures for no other reason than net cost?
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From: Bownut
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Just an added tidbit...those cheaper imported bows are sold by some very good retailers in the US...ie. LAS. When there is a problem 9 times out of 10 folks like Lancaster will make it right and they in turn will deal with the manufacturer.
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From: jk
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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My bows have always been built by "custom" bowyers, though I bought all but one of them used.
IMO "custom" means nothing unless someone's built something unique just for you, hasn't just sold you something from inventory or according to an existing model..
IMO also, bows bought through dealers should be backed by the dealers...if problems, the dealer sort that out with his supplier. That's just life in the grownup business world.
IMO "custom" and "used" are the ultimate capitalist products, more so than anything with a "warrenty". If things don't go well with the seller, that's the risk of small business capitalism.
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From: Scooby-doo
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Buy American that is funny. Maybe made in America but a lot of bow woods are not available here and if the bow is a T/D most times the bezels and such are not made here either. I 100% agree on what Orion said, one thing to say what the warranty is but backing it up is whats important. I am not a big Black Widow fan but I will say they have one of the best policies ever. I have seen them replace a bow that was several years old and even pay for shipping. Norm Johnson has always been very good as well plus a few others. Scooby
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From: reddogge
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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I bought one of Kegan's Delta take downs used knowing one of the limbs had been repaired and the limb failed shortly. Kegan replaced the limbs for 1/2 price which I thought was a very nice thing to do.
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From: bigdog21
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Its not about buy American. its about keeping are craftsmen alive and going. I cannot remember ever not buying a bow I wanted because of warranty. really warranty is the last thing that cross my mind. between imports and metal ilf set ups. are craftsman will slowly vanish all but a hand full. then when you do decide you do want a custom, they will be far and few and so back logged and very pricey. why do I think this? because it happens over and over find a cabinet builder or a shoe cobbler, hell even the small engine repair man or vanishing. my town is just about vanished because of big business and cheap prices for cheap products. and yes I do take blame in that. but at my age now looking back wish it would of went different. I would of supported my local business a lot better. just saying watch what you wish for it maybe all you can get one day.
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From: mo bo hunter
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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I started this thread with no one bowyer in mind, I've just been going to many different bowyers pages reading their warranties just to see how they differ, most (not all)of the bigger ones are like one year pro rated two and three, some offer straight two year,and some (few) offer three a lot of the three year was smaller bowyers,as stated above omega lifetime for original owner,bodnik lifetime for who ever owns it, like I said just seems like price goes up warranty comes down
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From: MStyles
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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I'm sure the archery stuff made overseas is decent. I don't own a bow made overseas, and I have no plans to buy one. I have shot some foreign made bows, and they were ok. I've had 2 custom made for me bows and one custom made in the USA, the bowyer picked the woods etc. I look at it this way; if you to want to buy American, you have buy what Americans make...pretty simple.
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From: mgerard
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Good question to ask a bowyer then is how much warranty work he does :>)
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From: Clydebow
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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just "seems" like price goes up warranty comes down
How about this. Someone come up with a list of as many major bow manufactures as possible that have significantly reduced the warranties on there bows over the years. A bowyers $600 base price bow has the same warranty as his top of the line $1200 bow. I believe that all the bows I've bought over the years had a one to two year warranty regardless of price, however I'm almost seventy years old , so my memory may be slipping!
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From: fdp
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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This has kind of gone side ways hasn't it. More than one of the guys on this thread has worked in the sporting goods world, some of them for a loong time. So let's set some things straight.
1. Some manufactureres won;t ALLOW the dealer of their product to do warranty repl;acement on their goods. If you do, you can lose the line.
2. Bows break. Just like fishing rods, cell phones, or cars. Doesn't matter how expensive, or not. And actually, unless it's a short lived product, there isn't much correlation between price and failure. Much to the dismay of many.
3. EVERY area of products, bows, televisions, washers and dryers, doesn't matter, has one or few "brands" that do phenomenal warranty support. Then there are even more "brands" that do O.K. warrnat support. ANd lastly, (and there are about as many n this category s the first category) there are a few "brands" that are terrible when it comes to warranty support. And lastly, and this is the smallest group, there the "brands that have virtually -0- warranty support. And people buy them any way.
It has a LOT more to do with the personality of the "compaany" then anything else.
As an example. there was a particular brand of fishing rods that were all the rage in the '90's (some folks here will remember them) the warranty was virtually non existent. People bought them any way. They supported neither the dealer, or the customer, and they sold in droves. And, most dealers made that clear to customers, but they bought them any way. They are still avaialble, and the warranty is litle better today than it was then.
Nothing different about the bow situation.
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 18-Jan-17 |
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Never herd of that custom bow before thought he was just a classic man. I have had many and big prices too, I get them all tricked out and can't get swat back either. I'm pretty much done with the customs having built. I'll just get a used bow if I like one that's all wooded up and priced good. Sick of it all anymore finding better off just shooting the classics.
I been fortunate never broke a bow but seen them break. I think if one of my customs ever broke? I'd have to do the jump.LOL
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From: MStyles
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Date: 19-Jan-17 |
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I caused a custom made for me Saluki Scythian limb to become badly twisted because I left it strung on a hot day in a closed up car. I contacted Lukas Novotny and said I caused it, but could I send it back to possibly be fixed. When I picked up my repaired bow from him at the Kalamazoo Exp, he gave me my bow, plus another free one he insisted I take for my trouble! I was shocked, of course, and I had to argue with him to at least take some money for the materials. I would call that standing behind your product, and then some.
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From: reddogge
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Date: 19-Jan-17 |
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In the older days Bear would overbuild their bows to make them idiot proof and people would be happy with their B50 strings and heavy wood and fiberglass arrows.
Now people are pushing the envelope with thinner and thinner low stretch strings with fewer strands and lighter arrows to chase that last fps out of the bow. Some bowyers are pushing the envelope on limb design and radical hooks to get super speeds out of them. No wonder the warranties are shrinking.
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From: lawdy
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Date: 19-Jan-17 |
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My 25 year old Meigs longbow is definitely not warranteed as Meigs archery is done as far as I know. I would never ask for a replacement anyway with what I have put that bow through. I have got my moneys worth out of "Betsy" and she is still going strong.
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