Shopping Darts and Dart Supplies on the Web

In the past ten years, regional dart stores have become quite rare, and even some major metropolitan areas now lack retail establishments where darts enthusiasts can go to buy new darts, or stock up on the most garish new flights. For example, the Chicago Metropolitan area (where Passionate Darter Sherilyn Herkey and I both reside) has three large and well-established steel-tip dart leagues, yet it has been without a retail dart store since THE KING OF DARTS closed up shop in 2006. While some larger recreational or sporting goods retail chains may carry dart supplies, the selection is often limited.

Fortunately for darters living in areas where darts stores are a thing of the past, we have the Worldwide Web. Darts and most darts supplies seem to be products taylor-made for small, web "storefront" based businesses. Excluding boards, backboard and larger, heavy items, the darts themselves and common supplies (e.g., flights, shafts, tools, etc.) are very small items. Thus, a fairly diverse inventory could be stocked and a dart-supply business could be relatively easily run from a space not much larger than a spare bedroom or home office. In addition, the size of darts and supplies means that most orders could be fit into small to medium sized shipping boxes or mailers such as "Priority Mail" boxes, and rapidly/inexpensively mailed to customers.

Over the past two years I have ordered darts and supplies from six of the better known web darts retailers, and my experiences have varied. In order for other darters to have some idea what to expect when shopping these web-based suppliers, I review them here. It is worth stressing again, these reviews are based upon my own experiences, and intended to inform . Your experiences may be different, and if so, please email replies to PASSIONATE DARTER and share.

A-Z Darts & Billiards: Based in Sacramento, CA., A-Z darts is my personal favorite online dart supplier. They have never had to "back-order" supplies and they usually ship same-day, or next day, and will answer phone calls if you have questions. Prices on some items tend to be a little on the high side compared to the others. I visited the store while on business in Sacramento, and found the staff to be friendly and helpful. They also stock a full line of billiards and Poker-related items.

Big River Darts: Based in Clinton IA. Big River has a good selection, though their prices tend to be high, and customer service is a bit lackluster. They ship within 1-3 days which is plenty fast. A darter friend and I visited their retail store a couple years ago. We both got the distinct impression though that Big River was a booming web-based business, since there were three people filling orders and stuffing boxes the whole time we were there. As a result all three of the people in the store acted a bit annoyed that we decided to visit and shop the old-fashioned way.

Editor's Note: I recently received a response direct from "The Dart Guy Kim" with regard to this review..."I can understand why this customer felt this way... Depending on the day he came in would make a Lot of difference in our "mood". Tis true... we seldom have "Time for a Walk-In", and encourage peeps to call before they come (YES- I'll even Wait for them) and it would help if the shopper had a "shopping list" ready, as I don't have any posted hours for walk-ins... I hope that darters will keep in mind that this review is based on only one visit and I encourage darters to call ahead and make their judgements, not only one visit but hopefully they will come back and pleased, not just pleased BUT ecstatic, with their service AND their products!"

Dart World, Lynn, MA.: One of the longest established darts retailers in the US, Dart World has a rather extensive online store. The current (Fall 2008) version of their web site is cumbersome to navigate, and their retail prices tend to be a bit high. The only order I ever placed with them arrived in a week. Dart World is a gateway importer and wholesaler of quite a few darts products, and some of the other sites reviewed here deal in "Dart World" products, so they may have a reduced emphasis on retail marketing.

Horizon Darts, Kansas City, MO.: Horizon has long been established as one of the biggest mail- order and web-based dart suppliers in the Midwest. I have never visited their retail store, but would like to. They claim to have $1Million in inventory, though their selection in dart brands is a bit limited. They do have a huge selection of flights shafts, etc. Horizon has a $50 minimum order policy for web sales, which is a big drag if you just need to stock up on $10-$20 in flights or shafts. The upside to Horizon is that they answer their phones during business hours, which once saved me some headaches and return costs after I inadvertently ordered the wrong item. They are also willing to try to track down items that they don't normally stock, though this can take some time. An all around good place to shop on the web…best if you plan on buying darts or a new board to get you over the $50 minimum.

National Darts, LaGrande, OR.: National Darts arguably has one of the better designed, and easiest web stores to navigate, and offers some of the best pricing you will find. However, they seem to never miss an opportunity to disappoint a customer. I have placed three orders through them, and have never received an order in less than a week. Another order took six weeks to fill, and not only came incomplete, but also came with the wrong set of darts. The third order had to be canceled altogether, and a refund negotiated by my credit card because it was not filled. It is impossible to reach a real live human being on their phone number. Instead you are invariably referred to contact them through the online "help desk." In spite of the slick web site, I get the impression National Darts is really a one-man show, and may be operated out of a basement as a side business. This is sad, because National offers great products and some of the best pricing around. I have learned the hard way and don't plan on ordering from them again.

St. Louis Dart Shop, St. Louis, MO.: St. Louis Dart Shop has somewhat limited selection, and parts of the web site are a bit difficult to navigate. However, they have competitive pricing, and the one online order I placed with them arrived within a week. If you are ever in St. Louis, try to stop by the store. The staff are friendly and attentive to walk-in customers.

Rating Table of Web-Based Dart Retailers Reviewed

by The Dart Frog...

With a maximum score of "25" points, here are the reviews:

Company	Web Address	Web- Site	Navigation	Prices	Service	Attentive to Detail	Overall Score
A-Z Darts, Sacramento	www. a-zdarts.com	4	3	3	4	4	18-Visit in Person
Big River Darts	www. edarts.net	3	2	2	2	4	12-Specializes in online ordering, Retail Store in Clinton, IA, but staff not attentive to visitors (minus 1)
Dart World	www. dartworld.com	3	2	1	2	4	13-Prices high, site difficult to navigate.
Horizon Darts	www. horizondarts.com	3	3	3	4	4	16-Higher prices with $50.00 minimum.
National Darts	www. nationaldarts.com	4	4	4	0	0	9-Poor customer service and poor shipping, minus 1.
St. Louis Darts	www. stlouisdarts.com	3	3	4	4	3	17-Recommended to stop by their retail store when in town...

Rating Scale from 1 to 25 with "25" being the highest:

4=Excellent3=Good2=Fair1=Poor0=Needs Opportunity for Improvement, Won't Order Again





Send your comment, feedback, and experiences with these online dart stores to: E-Mail Webmaster. Thank you...and as always, shoot well and I'll see you at the line.