Trad Gang

Hi all.

Got a situation and would love some thoughts. About a year and a half ago I purchased a brand new bow from a highly reputable bowyer, spent about $1200, so a good investment. After shooting for a few months there was pretty bad limb spots showing up to the point that the bowyer told me to stop shooting it and that he'd replace it. It was a long process and it was replaced by a different model, but in the end I was happy with it.

During the waiting period I picked up a used bow at RMSgear by the same bowyer but it was 74# at my draw length and so I had asked the bowyer if he could drop some of the weight, he said no problem and that he could take ~ 5ish pounds off of it for a couple hundred bucks. Done deal, I'd be $650 I to this bow.

While he was working on it something happened and he said he damaged it beyond repair and didn't offer a solution. So I had asked if he could replace the bow. After a few sporadic replys over the course of a few months and non-replies over the winter I'm now at about 8-9 months from the time this happened and I saw that he posted a bow that would work for my draw length so I emailed him. He's offering to take $250 off the full price of the bow.

I don't want to be ungrateful or ask too much but I feel like the majority of the bow's price should be covered. I paid for a shootable bow and trusted his judgement on reducing the weight and now I've been without this bow for almost a year. If he would have mentioned the possibility of it breaking I wouldn't have gotten it reduced. I could shoot it fine at that weight but wanted to shoot similar arrows to what I already had. Anyhow...

What would you do?

Normally, taking a few pounds off a bow, particularly one that the bowyer made himself, would not be considered a high risk operation.  However, $hit happens I guess.  Using a medical analogy, if a patient dies during an operation normally considered to be low risk, the doctor is not liable unless he was negligent.  Who knows if your bowyer was negligent or not?  Nobody was there watching him.  I would guess that while the bow was on his tillering jig, it just broke.

Now you have had two bows made by the same bowyer that have had defects.  If other people have similar experiences, he probably won't be in business much longer.  If I were the bowyer, I would try a little harder to make you happy than he seems to be doing.

I would not be very happy. I haven't had a lot of bad experiences with trad bowyers but I have had a couple. One guy is almost out of business now if not closed up shop totally. I would just call him and see if you can't work out something you both can live with. If he's an ass about it, that will tell you all you need to know.

I could argue against 74# being a shootable bow.  Back in the late 70's and early 80's that was a shootable bow. The fact that you asked to have 5# taken off a bow that you purchased used meant that it was not a 'shootable' bow. While some bowyers will take weight off bows, most do not for just that very reason. Jeff Massie was one of the best at it and he did a couple of bows for me a while ago.  It's one thing to take weight off a 55 pound bow, but 75 pounds is a stout bow. As a consumer asking for a bowyer to do this, there's some risk (in my opinion only) to bear on your part. You've taken a used bow and now compromised the original integrity further. I'm surprised bowyers now days don't have a waiver for this type of service, even if it's there own bow.  Again, that's just my point of view.
Another way to look at it is try selling a 74# bow on classifieds and a 55 pound bow on the classifieds. I'd bet most of the time you'll see the 55# bow go for more money and quicker.  Therein lies your discount.

Thanks for some input. I'm a craftsman myself and make custom hatchets that sell from $300-$600 and its been the case where I have gotten to the final stages of a clients hatchet and compromised the integrity, into the trash it went and I start from scratch. It was my fault so I'd fix it. That's where I stand with this, is I expected a high level of integrity from a fellow craftsman, especially someone well known.

Ray Lyon. in this case it Has nothing to do with the worth of a bow because of its weight. I currently shoot a 62# and 68# regularly. I'm 6' 2" and a lean 200 pounds and have been an athlete my whole life, I was shooting that 74#'s for weeks before I sent it to him. My goal was to shoot the same arrows that I have for the 68# bow, hence the drop in poundage. I spend $200+ for half dozen arrows so I didn't want to have 3 sets of arrows. He didn't give me an ounce of doubt that the bow could be compromised, I talked with him over the phone and he was in full confidence that it'd be an easy job.

Ray Lyon, After reading your comment again I see where your coming from. Yes, this bow on the market as a used bow won't sell as quick but it sold pretty quick to me because it was what I was looking for and I got to shoot it at RMSGear in person multiple times before commiting to it. So it's worth a lot to me, but obviously not someone who can't shoot the weight.

QuoteOriginally posted by Jarrod Reno:
Ray Lyon, After reading your comment again I see where your coming from. Yes, this bow on the market as a used bow won't sell as quick but it sold pretty quick to me because it was what I was looking for and I got to shoot it at RMSGear in person multiple times before commiting to it. So it's worth a lot to me, but obviously not someone who can't shoot the weight.

Agreed, I used to shoot #86 pound Howard Hill longbow back in the early 80's and then by late 80's I was in the low 70's and by 2000 I was around 60#. Now I'm in the 45-55 range. I think more people are in this range comparatively.
None the less, the bowyer did convey to you assuredly he could do this. One thing I've learned from some recent business mediation hearings is nobody wins in this situation (except the mediator and attorneys) even if you're right.  If you really want the bow he has, perhaps counter with $375 and call it a win.  Just food for thought. (Mediator's words to our business-even being right is going to cost you $2,000 more in fees to your attorney-is that worth it to you?--hardest pill to swallow ever!!). While we'd all like to think all in business feel the way we do, they don't. My posts here are all with the utmost respect to you. I'm just trying to give the unpleasant point of view that we don't want to hear sometimes and it's maybe better to take what you can get.

WOW!

That just plain stinks. Seriously.

Having been a business owner in the past I can appreciate the difficulty and challenges of "making it right".

However, knowing you have to take of your customers/clientele, you would think Customer Service and willingness to "stand behind your product" is a part of every self-respecting craftsman.

As Ray says above, negotiate the sweetest deal you can and close that door forever.

In the next year or two i hope to buy a "custom" or semi-custom bow.

I suspect you're not the type to publicly defame someone which is admirable. However, I (and likely others as well) sure would appreciate knowing who to avoid.

I hope you are able to arrive at a reasonable compromise.

I left his name out because I think everyone's jaw will drop. I absolutely love his bows and can't imagine shooting something else. Craftsmanship is seriously top notch along with performance.

I'll see how this pans out and let you know

Interesting...

Maybe he's had a difficult "season" in life and isn't processing things clearly...

I do hope you're able to reach an amicable resolution.

Why would a 74# bow be considered not shootable??  I shoot that.  That comment makes no sense to me.

And I can understand his reasoning to have a little weight taken off.  Just because its used doesnt mean their should be a risk involved.  Bowyers build bows and take weight off to hit their goal.

I think the bowyer should replace ur bow with a new one.  His fault it happened.  If it was risky he shouldnt have started it.

Not exactly the same thing, but if I were to agree to re-serve a string for someone for a set price, then I screwed up and ruined the string in the process, I owe that customer a new string.  If I don't want to assume the risk, then I shouldn't agree to do the work to begin with.

The draw weight shouldn't matter IMO.  The bowyer wouldn't give a discount for building a heavy draw weight.  That would be like me saying I don't have to replace a string  because it's a color I rarely sell.

Best of luck.  A good friend of mine had a bowyer who used to be highly touted on this very board rip him off.  The excuses for a twisted limb on a new longbow included blaming it on the string...that the bowyer supplied with the bow!  Never got a bow that was shootable out of the deal.  Litigation, especially across state lines, costs more than you can generally recuperate.

What would you do?

I would tell all do not ask a bowyer to "take weight" off. I would tell all bowyers to not do it if asked. Seems this is the issue since you have a good outcome with the first bow - which as I see it has nothing to do with this issue where you are dissatisfied.

I can't figure out what the bowyer owes you if anything - seems something is in order since he took the job. I wish he hadn't. The credit he offered might be close to making this right?

Never had any difficulty with any bowyers - some have missed weight - I didn't care took the bows paid full would not take a break if offered. Had some bows break and the bowyer rebuilt no charge good as new. I only work with bowyers directly though. Buying used bows I view this not a direct connection.Just my opinion. One time I blew up a used bow and alerted the original bowyer only as a professional courtesy on my part - we became friends for life.  

Good Luck
<><
<------------------<<<<<<<<

I've thought about it long and hard.

Hind sight is 20:20. I wonder if he'll ever do a weight reduction again. Before I asked him I had posted about it on here and a whole mess of folks told me they've done and and it's no problem.

You'll think that this is easy for me to say since I'm on the hard end of the deal but If it were my client I'd replace the bow 100%. BUT, 2nd to that I'd at least offer to pay the man back for what he bought the bow for so that the situation evens out.

It would be my responsibility to make it right whether that's replace the bow or the investment.

Different story if I bought the bow and blew it up. I'd expect nothing back and I'd learn not to ever buy a used bow again.

Point in posting on here is I wondered what others would think and if my thinking was outlandish.

Jarrod, I think he owes you more. He took on the job, and he muffed it. It is up to him to make good on it. Just my opinion, nothing more.

So you paid 450 for the used bow?  I'm assuming he didn't charge you the 200 for the job after all was said and done?  So you're 450 into the bow that blew up?  He offered 250 off a new bow?  So your loss is 200 in the end?  I'm just running the numbers.  It would seem he essentially warrantied 55% of your used bow's value?  How old was it?  Most bowyers don't warranty anything past 3-5 years.  Some with exceptional services and ability to absorb losses will do more than that, but that's only a few bowyers I personally know of.  

It sounds like he was attempting a somewhat fair arrangement?  Are you wanting the full 450 out of him basically?  He certainly doesn't owe you a brand new bow for free.  I think with some negotiating you guys could reach an amicable agreement.  Whether he built your used bow or not, it all depends on how old it was, how many owners it had, who knows maybe a prior owner damaged it?  There is a good chance it was fired with arrows too light for it, plenty of folks might be too lazy to shoot at least 8gpp on a 74# bow...that's a roughly 600gr arrow.  A 5# reduction shouldn't be a real big deal theoretically, BUT the procedure still involves risk.

The unfortunate fact is many bowyers are not full time operations, and they are not set up to absorb the cost of all product failures like a Walmart.  Is this right?  Not necessarily, but in the end it depends o if it can be proven he was negligent doing the reduction? I think it would be a little different if the bow you sent in was one you bought directly from him new once upon a time, but it seems it was one of his bows from a third party (RMS)??..we all take risks buying used bows.  It sucks when it happens.  

I hope you get it resolved in a manner you can be happy with!

The bowyer had an opportunity to rethink the decision to reduce the weight once he got the bow in his shop and could see & inspect it in person.  He undertook the work and assumed the responsibility for that work.  I agree that he should make it right, and that would be covering the amount you paid for the bow, at the least.

QuoteBUT, 2nd to that I'd at least offer to pay the man back for what he bought the bow for so that the situation evens out.

If it were me in your situation, that would be the preferred outcome.  In fact, if I were the bowyer that would be the preference also!

Reducing weight on a bow is not rocket science.  An experienced competent bowyer should be able to do it without much fanfare.  Especially on his own product.

He took the job in and made a statement which led Jarrod to think he would get his bow back lighter and in one piece.  Since it broke in the bowyer's hands, that trumps whatever else went before.  In my business, I knew when I took a customer's product apart, and dropped or damaged a part, it became "mine" in the sense that I had to fix it or at least share the cost of the repair that was due to me-and saving a customer meant being "very generous" about that!

I would have no problem expecting a bowyer to be willing to lighten the DW on a bow he built for me.   I'd be far less likely to ask him to lighten one I bought used(and I think he'd be much wiser to refuse such a request!) But, since he did -and the bow broke(?)in his hands, then his customer service reputation is on the line.

But if the bowyer doesn't see it that way, Jarrod is left to salvage whatever he can from the deal.

I will differ than most people here, I think he does owe you.  He took a bow that operated perfectly and messed it up.  Age, used, etc doesn't really matter imo.  He agreed to the reduction.  It is now his responsibility.  I believe he AT LEAST owes you what you paid for the used bow off of the price of a new bow.  


In my opinion, you had nothing to do with it, and you should get a bow back out of the deal.

Thanks all for the feedback. A lot of good points. I'll send a reply tomorrow, been trying to figure out if I can come up with the difference in cost. The lady isn't super thrilled  :)

And, warranty is not an issue here.  He agreed to do the job.  Maybe the bowyer should put together an agreement applicable to this kind of issue so that a customer Is making an informed decision.

If I take a pair of pants to the cleaners and they are handed back in two pieces I expect to be compensated based on what they were worth when delivered to the cleaners.

I also think he should be returning the bow to you for your inspection.

I dont understand why its an issue to have a weight reduction done on a used bow.  One arrow shot makes it a used bow.  So that wouldnt qualify for a weight reduction?

Once a used bow gets a weight reduction and complete refinish, its basically a new bow.  I see no issues with getting it done.

Tough situation to be in for sure. I am not going to give advice as it would only be opinion. All I can say is I hope you come to an agreeable outcome.

QuoteOriginally posted by Rough Run:
The bowyer had an opportunity to rethink the decision to reduce the weight once he got the bow in his shop and could see & inspect it in person.  He undertook the work and assumed the responsibility for that work.  I agree that he should make it right, and that would be covering the amount you paid for the bow, at the least.

X2...I agree that he owes you at least the amount that you paid for the bow.

QuoteOriginally posted by monterey:


If I take a pair of pants to the cleaners and they are handed back in two pieces I expect to be compensated based on what they were worth when delivered to the cleaners.

The only time something like that ever happened to me, I took a pair of pants to the cleaners and they came back with dry cleaning spots on them.  The cleaners said the spots were already there when I turned the pants in!  Guess they figured the price of a new pair of pants was more than my business was worth.

A couple things

1.  You spent 1200.00 on a new bow.  It has some issue that the bowyer tells you to stop shooting it and then takes months to replace it "with a different model".  That would have been a red flag to me.  Replace it with the model I paid for

2. The used bow you had him take weight off of I would have had him ship it back to me so I could inspect the damage.

Just my 2 cents.

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. I don't think he owes you a whole new bow, but perhaps splitting the difference is reasonable. Make the best deal you can and be done with that bowyer. Too many great bowyers out there to keep experiencing mediocrity.

Any current bowyers care to offer a comment or two?/. We've heard from the users, now let us hear some ifs, maybes, and I would haves. My customer bows came from a man who would have stood up and either made it acceptable or given cause for why not.  Who ever this bowyer is has some explaining to do on his reasoning---which none of us have heard yet.  If the situation is as described, I would not likely do business with him/her. Please let us know how this comes down thanks

He accepted the job and the libility, but based on that, if I was a bowyer I would need to have customers sign a waiver before doing the job.  In the current situation, I can't see how the bowyer would need to build him a new bow for nothing, but is likely responsible for discounting a new bow by the amount that was paid for the used bow. Just my opinion.  If you are involved in a car accident, insurance covers a portion of the value of the car you were driving, but not the cost of a new vehicle.

I would add a thought: The (now damaged) bow was a pre-owned bow. Despite appearances there is no definitive way to know how that bow was treated and used by its previous owners. Bows can have weaknesses inherent in wood lams, and there is no such thing as a perfect glue job or perfect bow. Most likely the reworking exposed a weakness (caused by what or who?) and the bowyer was shocked by what resulted.

If I was a bowyer I very likely would never attempt a weight reduction on a used bow. If I did attempt it I would definitely have the customer sign a waiver releasing me from all liability.

I think it makes good business sense for the bowyer to offer a discount on a new bow. I also don't think this warrants a replacement new bow. Call it bad luck or bad work...it all depends on who is looking at it.

Roadkill, any smart bowyer will not weigh in here.  It would be nice to hear the other side but at the end of the day, they have a business to run and bows to sell.

I would also add, if I were the bowyer, I would talk to the bow owner, work out a suitable solution and move forward knowing to be more cautious in the future. Same scenario for the bow owner.

Hopefully you can both stay professional and gentlemen like.

You bought a used bow....no history of proof if it was dry fired, left in a car in the sun, abused or anything else.  The bowyer agrees to reduce weight and for whatever reason the limb is ruined.

Weight reduction of bow limbs I always thought was a risky enterprise...as one bad move with belt sander and the limb is weakened or if glue is not holding then you expose that void the limb comes apart in your hands.  Guess better to find out that way than when on a hunt at full draw without a weight reduction.

Without knowing all the facts as to the exact issue that happened and the root cause....it is hard to say.

I think him offering a discount on another bow and the amount being pretty close to what you paid is fair.  If he has another bow that meets your needs just sitting there make him an offer with what you are comfortable.

You can either chalk it up to experience and buy another used bow from someone that meets your needs in hopes the cost of both together would be less than a new one.....or just buy a new one from the bowyer.

You say you love his bows and cant think of shooting anything else...  You decision on how you react and handle this could decide what you shoot going forward from this bowyer or having to find another favorite.

I believe non-emotional discussions over the phone or in person are the best way to resolve these issues....speaking in clear terms without yelling or accusations.

In the end...you have to live with the outcome so do what feels right.

I have bought a couple used bows from one of my favorite bowyers......and some have complained about issues in limbs but it was imperfections in the clear glass and never affected the bow or their longevity.  Are typically there in the others too but cant see them in black, brown or green glass like you do with clear.  Just how it goes...

Good luck....stay calm, stay professional, talk it out like men...and then hopefully can work out a solution good for both of you.

QuoteOriginally posted by Jarrod Reno:
 

While he was working on it something happened and he said he damaged it beyond repair and didn't offer a solution.

Seems like a no brainer to me.  The bowyer didn't say the bow failed, he said   "HE damaged it beyond repair."

If I take my car to the shop for a repair and the mechanic drops it off the hoist, he needs to either repair it, replace it with something of equal value, or pay me the value of the car.

In this case the bowyer should replace the bow he broke with something of equal value.

This is nuts! I'd love to know who we're talking about here. A weight reduction by a skilled bowyer, especially on a bow he built, is no big deal. Ive had it done to perfection.Bottom line is, he agreed to do it, on a perfectly sound bow, F'd up, any conscientious bowyer would replace it no charge.

If the bowyer was building you a bow and messed up would he send you said bow anyway?

QuoteOriginally posted by The Whittler:
If the bowyer was building you a bow and messed up would he send you said bow anyway?

Good point.  I've had more than one occasion where a bow was taking more time than planned, and I called to find out what was going on, and the bowyer has told me something happened and he was having to remake a limb or riser.  It would be unbelievable to receive a new bow that had been broken while it was being made!  

OTOH, I'm sure any bowyer reading these comments is going to include a waiver in the future stating that he is not responsible for damages done while working on a used bow, unless it is one he made that is still under warranty.

QuoteOriginally posted by The Whittler:
If the bowyer was building you a bow and messed up would he send you said bow anyway?

That's irrelevant.  

When a bowyer is making someone a new bow, the bow belongs to the bowyer until it is finished and paid for by the customer.


In this case the bowyer broke a bow that was already paid for and already belonged to the customer.

The only way the bowyer would have the right to keep the customers bow is if he paid the customer for it.

Think about an auto shop again.  Lets say you took your car into the shop for an oil change.  The mechanic drained the old oil but forgot to add the new oil.  He proceeds to take the car for a test drive and burns up the engine.

What would you say if he told you, "sorry, I ruined your car beyond repair so you don't have to pay for the oil change...oh, and you can't have your car back and I don't owe you anything."

See how ridiculous that sounds?  Same thing.

Posted a response that made no sense because I was confusing posts from two different people.  I deleted the post.

It's beside the point, but most folks here are assuming the bow was damaged during the weight reduction process.  In fact, we have no way of knowing that.  The bowyer might have accidentally run over it with his truck, of set it down on the table saw, which just happened to be running at the time.  Who knows.

He agreed to take 5# of weight off.  That's not a lot of weight for a 74# bow. Before starting the job, he no doubt had an opportunity to inspect it and could have declined the job if the bow looked suspect.  

IMO, he broke your bow and owes you a replacement or your purchase price.  However, if you don't have an agreement in writing, there's not much you can do about it.

For him he has a business decision to make as well, I run a small business (painting) I sometimes get into situations or make decisions I regret later but I believe in doing good business you sometimes take a hit even if it hurts a lot. It's not always about what's "fair" your the customer and in this situation I think he owes you a replacement bow and should then learn and change how he does things moving forward. I have this happen from time to time and it's honestly the mistakes or just unpredictable stuff that makes you good at what you do. He risks loosing a good customer and his reputation here. I believe if he'd gone all the way he'd probably keep you as a returning customer as well as probably sell a few bows from others hearin about it. I've had bad situations literally turn into good work in my business because of how I handled a bad situation my fault or not. Does he "legally" owe you a replacment bow? maybe not but with the information you laid out I'd say it would have been wise.

I know the bowyer you are talking about. I purchased a beautiful bow from him a few years ago and after having it a while I found a serious defect. He took the bow back and built me a new one and that was that. He is a well respected bowyer and has been in business many years. I believe he is sincerely trying to settle with you and I would do as others have said, negotiate the best deal you can get and forget it.

In this case, the customer did nothing wrong.  He hired someone to do a job.  Not only was the job not completed, the customer's bow was ruined in the process.

In my opinion, at a very minimum the bowyer should offer to apply what the customer had in his bow (450.00) toward the purchase of new bow.

In other words, the customer should be made whole for something that the bowyer had in his "care, custody, and control."

If I borrow something from you and I break it I will buy you a new one, but I guess that's just me.

The bowyer should pay the OP what he payed for the bow or offer that amount towards a new bow.

I've had some more time to chew on this topic.  I stand by a few of my earlier assertions, but I am starting to lean more toward full 450 credit on a new bow.  I think the 250 is basically a bare minimum...I could accept that if it were my used bow he blew up and I would walk away and never work with him again UNLESS he really convinced me it was beyond his control, aka a glue failure etc or something traceable to prior abuse of the bow AND I'd need the broken bow in my hands for inspection.  But really the right and true thing to do since he accepted and attempted the job is to give you full credit, risk or not, if he's that well known a weight reduction should be no big deal.

Certainly an unfortunate situation. I was about to pull the trigger on a bow order from this bowyer and I will certainly be taking so time to rethink my decision. Customer service is beyond important  .  Would certainly be informative to hear the bowyers side of the story and how he saw it.

here's my 2 cents, if a guy sent me a bow to reduce the draw weight:

1) I would never charge a couple hundred dollars to take off 5# of draw weight.

2) If I destroyed the bow in the process I would find out how much he/she paid for it and pay them that much for destroying the bow.

3)  Yes, absolutely, it would suck big time, but right is right.  

4) I normally don't pipe up too much about how another bowyer conducts business, especially when I read only one side of the story. If this one side I read is the absolute fact, then the customer was treated wrong concerning the second hand bow that got destroyed.

QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Mecredy:
here's my 2 cents, if a guy sent me a bow to reduce the draw weight:

1) I would never charge a couple hundred dollars to take off 5# of draw weight.

2) If I destroyed the bow in the process I would find out how much he/she paid for it and pay them that much for destroying the bow.

3)  Yes, absolutely, it would suck big time, but right is right.  

4) I normally don't pipe up too much about how another bowyer conducts business, especially when I read only one side of the story. If this one side I read is the absolute fact, then the customer was treated wrong concerning the second hand bow that got destroyed.

:thumbsup:

The longer people continue to make excuses for things like this, the longer things like this will continue to happen and continue to erode confidence in a small, niche industry.  


I for one commend you for speaking out.  When I am in the market for a new bow, you sir, will be at the top of my list.

Spot on Mike and Tooner.  Well stated.

Being sure to make things clear. His reply for compensation was left open ended asking for my thoughts... Tht is why I had posted on here to get some feedback before I replied.

I started out feeling taken advantage of and didn't want to reply harshly or out of bounds.

In the end I've learned some things. First, used bows are risky which leaves me with some responsibility here, totally understandable. Second, forum posts are a double edged sword that can fester. be careful about posting on a forum  :)  I didn't want this to become a witch hunt. But on the other hand got some great points which smoothed out my expectations so I was able to reply in a respectable fashion.

In the end this is working out fairly and I am excited for my next bow from this bowyer.

One thing is for sure, not including the company or the name of the bowyer in your comments, is very commendable of you.  I've had a few unsatisfied customers myself and they all took their matters directly to me and I have the upmost respect for those who do that.

QuoteOriginally posted by Jarrod Reno:
Being sure to make things clear. His reply for compensation was left open ended asking for my thoughts... Tht is why I had posted on here to get some feedback before I replied.

I started out feeling taken advantage of and didn't want to reply harshly or out of bounds.

In the end I've learned some things. First, used bows are risky which leaves me with some responsibility here, totally understandable. Second, forum posts are a double edged sword that can fester. be careful about posting on a forum   :)   I didn't want this to become a witch hunt. But on the other hand got some great points which smoothed out my expectations so I was able to reply in a respectable fashion.

In the end this is working out fairly and I am excited for my next bow from this bowyer.

Thanks for following through and providing this explanation.  I've been following this thread, and always get nervous when the other guy's side of the story doesn't factor in.  There's always another side.  That being said, I think it was very good of you not to give any information as to who the bowyer is, because a simple thread like this could destroy his business.  But based on what I've read here, my conclusion was that he needed to make it good with you, and it sounds like he did.  Best of luck, sir!

Glad everything worked out for you.  I also commend you for not naming the bowyer and keeping it between you both.  Ken

This guy has been described as a "Reputable Bowyer" If he destroyed my bow for any reason and refused to pay me in cash for the full price I payed for the bow then he is not Reputable and for that matter, if he can't reduce the poundage on a bow he built he isn't much of a bowyer either. I would have posted his name and company business on the first post if I didn't get my money back in full.

James

Relax James.  The OP is satisfied, so there is no reason to be insulting to the bowyer.

I was following this post with interest as well.  I think your choice not to name the bowyer was commendable, and done with good taste as well as respect.  I'm glad you could work out a fair deal for both of you.  Far to often we (myself included) tend to get upset or mad over certain situations and over react.  I think by posting here and getting others input gave yourself the time needed to stop and clear your head and think the situation over, and be able to solve the problem to a happy conclusion.  Happy shooting with your new bow.

Jason