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Used bows are probably one of the most difficult items to get an
accurate description of in an auction listing. I run an archery
shop and have seen more instances than I can count of people buying
used bows online that said it was in good condition and then finding
out that the bow was damaged or would not adjust to fit them.
First, make sure that the bow will fit you or can be adjusted to fit you. You need to know your proper draw length. The only way to find this out is to be measured with a draw length gauge bow. Do not attempt the methods commonly discussed online about measuring wing span, ect. These will not give you an accurate measurement. Any Proshop should have a draw gauge bow. Be honest with them, tell them you are buying a bow online and ask if they can accurately measure you. Offer them a few bucks for their time.
Once you have your correct draw length measurement, find out what the draw length of the bow is and what it was designed to adjust to. Some bows have a fixed draw length and can only be changed by changing the cams. Some can be adjusted several inches without any additional parts. Some need modules to adjust the draw length. On some bows you need to change the Cams, Modules, Cables and Strings to adjust to the draw length you need. This can be costly, make sure of what you need to adjust the bow before purchasing the bow. You may find that after purchasing the bow you may need to spend another $25-$150 in parts and labor to have the bow sized to you. Also find out if the parts you need to adjust it are still available. Many manufacturers don't support parts on bows over a few years old. Give the manufacturer a call to be sure you know what parts you need and if they are available.
Many people have bought bows that were listed as in good to like new condition only to find out that it is damaged and in need of costly repairs. This can be from fraudulent listings or a seller honestly not knowing what to look for. Many times, the damage can only be seen once the bow is fully dissasembled. Ask yourself why that one year old $800.00 bow is being sold for $150.00. Many people try to dump damaged equipment on unsuspecting buyers online that they wouldn't sell to someone locally. Many times cracked limbs, worn cables, bent axles or damaged rockers won't be evident until a bow is broken down and examined by a trained bow technician. It is definately worth the cost to have a pro-shop dismantle and inspect a bow purchased online. This should be done annually on any bow. It is definately cheaper than the emergancy room bill when a bow blows up when shooting it. Have this done right away, especially if the seller has a return policy.
If you have bought a damaged bow, the cost to repair it can run anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars if parts are even available for that model. Despite what many sellers claim, no used bows carry a manufacturers warrenty. Also, many manufacturers do not honor warrenties on new bows sold online. Bowtech, Hoyt, Matthews, Ross, Jennings and several other high end lines only honor warrenties on bows sold in a dealership and only to the original owner. These companies do not allow their dealers to sell their bows online. If someone is claiming that they are a dealer for these companies and are selling new bows online, they are either lying or they are breaking their dealer agreement and the bows WILL NOT be covered by the factory warrenty. They track this information by serial number. You are out of luck and have to purchase repair parts and labor at full cost for any repairs to these bows.
Check to see if the manufacturer of the bow is still in business, I've had many customers purchase Golden Eagle and Champion bows online only to find out that they cannot get parts because the companies no longer exist.
Find a reputable dealer in your area that can help with your purchase. You can find a list of dealers at www.archerysearch.com
For a Source for draw length modules and parts feel free to contact us through our Ebay store stores.ebay.com/archerytrader/
First, make sure that the bow will fit you or can be adjusted to fit you. You need to know your proper draw length. The only way to find this out is to be measured with a draw length gauge bow. Do not attempt the methods commonly discussed online about measuring wing span, ect. These will not give you an accurate measurement. Any Proshop should have a draw gauge bow. Be honest with them, tell them you are buying a bow online and ask if they can accurately measure you. Offer them a few bucks for their time.
Once you have your correct draw length measurement, find out what the draw length of the bow is and what it was designed to adjust to. Some bows have a fixed draw length and can only be changed by changing the cams. Some can be adjusted several inches without any additional parts. Some need modules to adjust the draw length. On some bows you need to change the Cams, Modules, Cables and Strings to adjust to the draw length you need. This can be costly, make sure of what you need to adjust the bow before purchasing the bow. You may find that after purchasing the bow you may need to spend another $25-$150 in parts and labor to have the bow sized to you. Also find out if the parts you need to adjust it are still available. Many manufacturers don't support parts on bows over a few years old. Give the manufacturer a call to be sure you know what parts you need and if they are available.
Many people have bought bows that were listed as in good to like new condition only to find out that it is damaged and in need of costly repairs. This can be from fraudulent listings or a seller honestly not knowing what to look for. Many times, the damage can only be seen once the bow is fully dissasembled. Ask yourself why that one year old $800.00 bow is being sold for $150.00. Many people try to dump damaged equipment on unsuspecting buyers online that they wouldn't sell to someone locally. Many times cracked limbs, worn cables, bent axles or damaged rockers won't be evident until a bow is broken down and examined by a trained bow technician. It is definately worth the cost to have a pro-shop dismantle and inspect a bow purchased online. This should be done annually on any bow. It is definately cheaper than the emergancy room bill when a bow blows up when shooting it. Have this done right away, especially if the seller has a return policy.
If you have bought a damaged bow, the cost to repair it can run anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars if parts are even available for that model. Despite what many sellers claim, no used bows carry a manufacturers warrenty. Also, many manufacturers do not honor warrenties on new bows sold online. Bowtech, Hoyt, Matthews, Ross, Jennings and several other high end lines only honor warrenties on bows sold in a dealership and only to the original owner. These companies do not allow their dealers to sell their bows online. If someone is claiming that they are a dealer for these companies and are selling new bows online, they are either lying or they are breaking their dealer agreement and the bows WILL NOT be covered by the factory warrenty. They track this information by serial number. You are out of luck and have to purchase repair parts and labor at full cost for any repairs to these bows.
Check to see if the manufacturer of the bow is still in business, I've had many customers purchase Golden Eagle and Champion bows online only to find out that they cannot get parts because the companies no longer exist.
Find a reputable dealer in your area that can help with your purchase. You can find a list of dealers at www.archerysearch.com
For a Source for draw length modules and parts feel free to contact us through our Ebay store stores.ebay.com/archerytrader/
Guide created: 08/10/06 (updated 10/09/08)
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