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📖 The Backstory: How It Happened
Most online shops only show their glowing 5-star reviews. We love those too, but we also believe in absolute transparency, a good laugh, and the realities of running a small, owner-operated business.
A while ago, a customer placed an order with us. Shortly after, he reached out asking for a heavy discount and free shipping on his next order because he was now a “regular.”
Look, we get it! Archery gear can get pricey, and in this economy, everyone loves a bargain. If we were a massive corporate giant, we’d probably hand out discounts like candy. But as a small, independent shop, our margins are tight. We politely explained that we just couldn’t absorb those costs and stay afloat.
Unfortunately, our buddy didn’t take the “no” very well. He warned us that if we didn’t oblige, a terrifying review was heading our way.
But then came the ultimate twist:
Even though he was upset with us, he realized that our package sets were still the absolute cheapest in New Zealand. So… he went ahead and bought them anyway!
After the purchase, hope sprang eternal, and he asked for the discount one more time. When we still had to hold our ground, he decided to get his money’s worth via keyboard. Because he bought a complete package, he didn’t just leave one bad review—he copy-pasted a massive, 2-page technical essay across the sets, the individual bows, and almost every single component in his order.
Below is the exact, unedited review he left, followed by a quick, friendly reality check.
💬 The Original Review (Unedited)
Long story short, DO NOT BUY this outdated MK1 version, get MK2 online it is far superior AND cheaper.
I know most people will never get a chance to compare MK1 and MK2 side by side, and Archery Park is basically taking advantage of that, it’s like someone is trying to sell you an iPhone 14 at a higher price than iPhone 15. In isolation MK1 is a great bow, just like iPhone14 if you never had a phone before. But once you find out that iPhone15 is around, it is better AND cheaper, you just feel like you’ve been tricked.
I was new to archery when I called Markus, we had an agreeable chat and he convinced me that MK1 stock that he has is better than the “cheaper” MK2. I ended up getting 2 bows from Markus a 30# and 40#, and when I was going to get a 3rd for my mate, Markus was straight up rude and pitiful about free Christmas delivery and told us to shop somewhere else and called us poor.
So we did, and we got a MK2 of TradeMe just to see what it’s like. And oh boy Markus is full of it.
So here is an honest comparison between the outdated stock Archery Park vs the current MK2 version.
(see the attached pictures)
1. MK1 the lower limb mounting socket is poorly installed, as a result limbs twist to the side. Both MK1 bows that we have are visually crooked if you look down the string. The nut that holds the screw is not flush with the surface, instead it is awkwardly recessed in the riser, felt material gets in the way. With MK2 everything is perfectly flush and straight. You can see this issue on both my photo and the official photo on the ArcheryPark website. Easy to miss, but it is there.
2. MK1 tips are uneven from left side to right side and have sharp edges. These edges cut into the string, and only after a few months of use my string already shows signs of coming apart. Mark2 tips have much better finish, they are fully symmetrical, the grooves run much deeper and hold the string evenly on both sides.
3. MK1 has poorly installed rubber washers, they twist when you tighten the screws, and the glue comes out everywhere. You could probably take down Mark1 bow only a few times before the rubber rings come off and the thing is ruined. So it’s a takedown bow that you can’t really take down reliably. Mk2 uses a different material, and the issue is solved.
4. The riser for Mk2 is a bit smoother, they have refined all the edges for a more comfortable grip.
5. MK1 bows we got were both out of spec. The 30# turned out to be 28#@28 and 40# turned out to be 38.5#. I specifically asked Markus for 30 and 40. A random MK2 from TradeMe was 40# right on the dot without having to even ask them.
6. MK1 limbs are not compatible with anything. Here is the biggest issue for me, MK1 has these tapered limbs which will prevent you from having compatibility with new limbs. You can’t use the MK1 riser with longbow limbs, you can’t use LH MK1 riser with RH limbs. You can’t use MK1 riser with MK2 limbs. So basically you get absolutely now chance to swap limbs and risers. You can’t get a LH riser to shoot arrows on the right side of the bow. But with MK2 NONE of that is an issue because the libs are straight cut. Also MK2 limbs are CHEAPER and are far easier to find online so you can combine raiser vs limbs in any way you want.
7. And even though MK1 is outdated, has worse finish, is out of spec, it is somehow MORE expensive at Archery Park. Also on TradeMe the bow comes with a nocking point pre-installed for free. MK2 on TradeMe is $200, and here for the older version you have to pay $240.
The worst part for me is that my very first bow experience is basically getting tricked. Every time I pick it up it’s a bit sour.
Unless these guys have the decency to take these bows back, I’m stuck with an inferior bow I have paid more for, while my mates enjoy the updated and improved version for cheaper. I have no idea what ArcheryPark means when they say they provide “Better Quality” to their customers. Fat lie. These guys must be sitting on a stockpile of older bows they are desperate to sell.