| Were archery sales down in 2002?
“Not on the Internet” says Fred Lutger of FreddieBearSports.com.
“Our Internet sales soared 100% in 2002 verses 2001 sales.”
Fred Lutger, owner of
Freddie Bear Sports
In perspective Lutger also admits his internet store is in it's infancy
stage compared to his successful brick and mortar store, Freddie Bear Sports
in Tinley Park IL. Lutger has owned and operated this SW Chicago suburban
archery pro shop for 23 years.
The Internet store, www.FreddieBearSports.com,
was created to sell archery and hunting gear worldwide.
“The internet gave us an opportunity to expand our sales without increasing
our retail space. Our overhead is much less on the Internet and we are
able to offer our customers discount pricing. People who shop on the Internet
are looking for the best price and that's what we offer.”
Chris Mennella
Lutger believes his success on the Internet is do to several factors.
“ First and foremost you must have a very liberal return policy. People
must try on clothes for the proper fit. If it's not right you make it right.
If an item isn't what the customer expected, it can be returned. Customer
service must be impeccable. That is what I would expect as a customer and
that is what I deliver,” said Lutger.
 
"Big Al" and Ron Smith.
“Another aspect to good sales is good pricing,” Lutger added. “You
must offer a fair and competitive price for the goods you sell. I must
buy at the right price in order to sell at the right price,” says Lutger.
Fred has 23 years of buying and selling experience in the archery industry.
He has been the only buyer for Freddie Bear Sports during that time.
In addition to operating his own retail store Fred has worked for archery
and hunting product manufactures developing marketing and selling policies.
“I worked on the road as a sales rep for many of the large companies. I
sold archery and hunting related products to dealers and distributors.”
 
Dan Marzano and Anthony
Santor.
An important point that Lutger emphasizes is product knowledge. “All
my employees’ bowhunt. We all use the gear we sell. Hands on is the best
teacher. I want the person taking and filling orders to know everything
about what they are selling. My employees know how it works, what the options
are and what other products are similar. A good trained staff is vital
to any business but it is even more important in the archery and bowhunting
equipment marketplace. People have lots of questions about archery and
bowhunting products. We have the answers.”
What does Lutger expect in the future? “I see increased sales on the
internet as more people turn to this method of shopping. The bowhunting
community is also maturing. We have a community of hunters with increased
product knowledge. They know the equipment and they know what they need.
FreddieBearSports.com can make it easy for customers to find that piece
of equipment that isn't available locally. I am expanding our product selection
daily.”
For more information:
FreddieBearSports.com
17250 Oak Park Ave.
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Web Site: www.FreddieBearSports.com
Email: fbs@FreddieBearSports.com
Phone 708-532-4133
FAX: 708-532-1141
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