To be honest I went in expecting the kind of treatment I had previously received at their Richlands location. i.e. As a customer without an in-depth knowledge of what I was looking for I was wasting their time and getting in the way of their socializing. However, my recent visit to their Hampstead location was a complete 180.
I don't know anything about bow hunting but am interested in learning more and possibly attempting it in the future, so I am a deep pocket for just about anything that an experienced hunter would recommend. I decided to give this location a try since it is not a bad drive from the base, and based on internet searches Eastern Outfitters are one of the only games in town when it comes to bow hunting. As I entered the store I noticed it seemed a bit smaller than the Richlands location and it is all on one floor (no archery second floor). I came in and did not receive a "hello" or "welcome to eastern outfitters" as the lady working the cash register didn't even look up from her phone as I entered. "Oh well" I thought, "here we go" expecting to run into the same type of folks as the Richlands location. I found my way back to the archery section, which is stocked very well with numerous option (almost too crowded to be honest), and noticed that there was no one there. I looked around a little bit and checked out some items, just so I could get a feel for the items I was looking at online. I then visited the bathroom (for obvious reasons) which was quite clean, and when I returned I did some final perusing of their inventory. That is when Paul showed up. I think he was helping another customer at the gun counter when I was first looking around so he wasn't immediately available, and since this was late on a Thursday night, I don't expect they had a huge number of sales people minding the store (I only saw two other customers the whole time I was there). I cannot say enough good things about Paul. Once I explained I am a novice, he spent the better part of an hour, going through all the ins and outs of bow hunting. Bows, setups, companies, draw length, draw weight, options for accessories, methods to improve before going to the woods, etc... You name it and he knew it.
He made recommendations based on my situation and nearly had me buying a bow that was about $100.00 over what the wife had authorized me to spend. However, I stuck to my ceiling knowing that since this may be a passing fancy (which I suspect it is not, but you can never tell when you are starting out) I didn't want to overcommit right out the gate. As a matter of fact I even called my wife to see if she would change her opinion on my way out but she didn't take the bait. So as I left I noticed that they were doing classes that I had no idea anyone in the area was offering. Which means that I will be back with every scrap of change I can squirrel away now.
Even though I didn't buy anything that night (I actually bought a bow online that I wouldn't have expected them to match price wise), the professional attitude, enthusiasm and depth of knowledge that Paul exhibited means that instead of actively avoiding Eastern Outfitters as I have done in the past, they will be my first choice for any outdoor items I need. (I.e. tree stands, arrows, tips, release, wax, maintenance, hunting clothes, etc.) so in the long run they will still get my business and based on their inventory, I will be happily spending quite a bit of time and money there.
If you are in my same or similar situation and want to make contact with Paul, Sunday, Monday or Thursday are the day to head on out there. I am sure that the other Bow Techs they have around are just as good but if you see me there it will most likely be on one of those days. read more
