Viking Archery Canyon Lake Texas (thumbs down)

[jetlag887]

I have never dealt with this guy, but..
Viking Archery had a store here in San Antone that was originally owned by the same family as the Houston store. They had a guy named Fred running it here, Fred is awesome and very helpful!

I think Fred has now opened his own store. Good guy.

[Claybird]

I have heard the stories about the old man, never dealt with him myself. I go to the Houston store almost exclusively for all my archery stuff because of the people working there (Kevin, Scott, and Rick). I don't live in Canyon Lake so I'm not real concerned about that shop, but I recommend Viking in Houston to everyone I know wanting to get into and learn about bow hunting. Top notch in my book.

[BuckySWT]

is Fred the heavy dude that worked at the store in Canyon Lake? Younger guy?

If so. ..I agree...really cool guy. Viking was ok to go to if he was manning the counter and the old man was gone. He was fixing something on my Guardian (they're not a BT dealer), and I didn't care about all that...I just wanted my bow fixed. Right when he finished, the old man came in and bad mouthed my bow. I ignored him, thanked the young dude, and left...and haven't been back.

[Atfulldraw]

Ahhh, the good ole days when we used to have a weekly Viking rant.....

[Pablo]

I think that it was 85-ish or so and I had Viking do service, new string on an old Bear Pronghorn. The did a great job. Even bought some arrows there once upon a time. Olde man Tim was and apparrently is still a crank but the younger men in the store really took care of me and knew what they're doing. Apparently they still know what they're doing, lol.

I think the Houston store is in good hands but did not know of the other store.

[Smart]

Shameless plug?

.........Pimp my vanes...

[brunner]

I hate that the sons have to make up for their fathers bad attitude and poor customer service. Personally I will not shop at any Viking archery if it is affiliated with Tim the dad. If the sons ever buy their branch or all of them I may consider going back or trying the Houston store but until then I do not plan on spending a dime or stepping foot in any of them for that matter. Glad to hear the sons do their customers right! Wish the pops would step up!

[MarkG3]

Well, thank you all for the warning. I live in San Antonio and was thinking about driving up there.

[hoyt_maniac]

I have never had an bad experience at Viking I buy all my hoyts there and have had nothing but good things to say

[mars1107]

I've only been into bowhunting a year and a half, but Vicking Archery in Houston was the place I went to and they were more than outstanding when it comes to their work and customer service. I don't get where people can lump sum the whole family,I don't even know the old gentleman thats being talked about in this thread, but as for the guys at the Houston store they're getting a bad rap.The three bows my cousin and I took into their shop weren't even bought there, but they rigged them out, gave us d*** near shooting lessons and advice for nothing, and everything we bought to rig the bows with wasn't bought there either(sorry internet prices are far cheaper than any bow shop), and they worked on them just the same not one complaint.they didn't know me from adam nor owe me anything yet they treated me good, the decking out of the bows and cutting arrows to length cost, but that was it. I'll always give my bussiness to the guys at the Houston store.

[Mike Murphey]

Tim is Tim..he will never change no matter where he has his shop.....

[brunner]

Just want to reiterate I am not dogging the Houston branch. I've never been there. They may be the best shop in Texas BUT I refuse to spend money in any Viking location owned by Tim. 'Lump summing' family is easy when the businesses are all owned by Tim. Just my .02 ..... Again

[Slick8]

I have also had Scott make me a string for my AphaMax and not only did he do a great job but let me watch and answered ALL my questions while he was at it. The Houston store is a good place.

When Scott "De-Ganderized by Mathews Drenlin a few years back he removed the string and all of the serving to inspect it for "damage". I thought well I'm buying a new sting for sure. NOT, he looked it over and said it was good to go. Re-served it and put my bow back together tweaked to perfection. The bill????...A massive $21.

If I ever decide to buy one of those carbon Hoyts they're number one on my list!

[rtp]

I have been going to Viking in Houston since the early 90's off and on. I never had a run in with Tim but witnessed it. Some guy next to me at the shooting range was jawing with Tim back and forth like normal guys do. A switch went off and Tim starts screaming at the guy to pack his stuff and get out. I stood there with my mouth hanging open I think. I promptly packed my stuff and left a few minutes later.

Rick and Scott are top notch and always have been helpful and provided stellar customer service. I would highly recommend these guys to anyone. They can really tune a bow or trouble shoot if needed. Dont judge them by Tim.

If you are not going to Viking Houston because of Tim, I think you may be doing yourself a disservice.

[Lip]

Ed Lipscomb (Lip) is an old friend of his. Maybe he'll chime in!

The last time I went to Viking was December 2004 and I remember it well. I think the thread was lost in one of the crashes but the story goes something like this...

Over the last several months, I’ve gone into a local archery shop and shot a Razortec, an Ultratec, and an Xtec and really liked the way they shot. I’ve been wanting a new bow for a while now and decided I’d wait on the new Hoyts to come out. The new Vtec is very similar to the Xtec with a bit stiffer riser. I decided on a Vtec and left my card at the shop for them to call me when they arrived. About a week ago I called and was told they were on their way. I called again today and was told they had received two shipments and sold them all. I made the comment that I had been waiting on a call and was told I’d been called twice and should have answered my phone. I asked if they had reached my voicemail and was told he didn’t know about any voicemail. Knowing this shop’s owner has a reputation for being volatile, I decided to go to the store instead of discussing this further on the phone.

This afternoon, I went by the shop and unfortunately the person I wanted to talk to was busy with another individual. The owner asked me if I needed something and I told him who I was and asked what number they had called me on. (A little explanation here: my office phone forwards to my cell phone but takes 4-6 rings before my cell phone rings. I had asked that they call me on my cell phone.) I was told there were only two numbers on my card and that one of them was a fax number. I thought the card I gave them had my cell phone number on it but it was my mistake, I had given them the wrong card. I was trying to explain this to the owner and to give him my cell phone number so I could be notified of his next shipment when he snapped. I apologized for making the mistake repeatedly and did everything within my power to defuse the situation. I was asked to leave the shop, was threatened and was escorted out. A few minutes later, my phone rang, caller ID showing it was from the shop. This was the first time the number had appeared on my phone.

I’ve seen him get a little short in the past but never seen him like this. I thought that some people went in there with a chip on their shoulder and created an antagonistic situation. I can assure you that this was not my intention today and I did everything to avoid this outcome. I spoke calmly and smiled throughout the ordeal and it just didn’t matter what I said. In parting, I did suggest that he needed to get some help.

So here I am in the city of Houston, wanting to buy a Hoyt with no place close to get one and even if I get one elsewhere, no place close to get one serviced. A good friend of mine just bought a new Switchback and said they are smooth and fast. I might need to reconsider my decision to buy a Vtec.


I had the reputation of being one of the most mild mannered, laid back guys on TBH who could get along with anyone before that day. It was that event that totally changed my reputation. The reality is there just happened to be a fellow TBHer who witnessed the whole thing.

If you haven't been run out of Viking with threats to be escorted out by gunpoint while being reported to the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security, (I embellish only a little) you are probably a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I would agree that the sons are great but I haven't found a reason to set foot in Viking Archery again.