Let's get the downside out of the way first. Quicks are not the cheapest place to buy archery equipment from. There, I've said it, and probably put off some potential visitors, but what you get for the extra few percent you'll pay over internet prices is by far and away the best customer service I have ever experienced.

I took up archery last year and as Quicks Archery in Walton-on Thames (they also have branches in Waterlooville, Leicester and Honiton) was my nearest store I headed down there to buy my first bow and the other accessories I needed to get started. I'd had a chat with them on the phone a few days before to check they had my short list of choices in stock and was told to allow plenty of time to try things out.

Arriving early and with the shop barely open, I was greeted by a member of staff who took time to chat through the various options in my price range and explain the various benefits of one set-up over another. After my draw length had been measured he popped off to the store room and returned with a riser, limbs, sight and a few other bits and proceeded to put it all together for me. All the while he chatted away asking me about where I had shot and how I'd got on in my beginners course.

I was then taken through to their indoor shooting range and he made a few observations on how my technique looked as I shot half a dozen arrows and then disappeared only to return with another set of limbs he thought would be more suitable. A quick dismantling and restringing of the bow and off I went again. With two more limb changes to increase the draw weight (power) of the bow I looked at my watch and realised I had been shooting for over three hours!

At no point was I pushed towards one product or another, I just received honest advice on everything I tried. Final choices made, the only item not in stock were the arrows. But all the components were available so he offered to assemble them for me with my choice of nocks and fletchings and then to post them out to me at no extra charge.

I can't fault the service I received and have returned since my original trip and experienced the same high quality advice and help each time. A definite 5 stars for these guys.