If you are not sure about what you charge give it three months then when you fill out your taxes it will start to open your eyes. Those times when you do a simple repair and charge a little over your price add up. Even if you do this "just for fun" you still have to account for shipping, gas, postal fees and a few others. Having a reputation for being " cheap " isn't a good thing when it starts coming out of your pocket.
I hope this may help some new comers when they are trying to figure what they should charge.

I figured out it was cheaper to mail a rod than deliver to some one even 30 min away once you calculated mileage... I want to say 25 miles or so round trip ended up being more expensive than mail.

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Did you insure the stuff you were mailing?

Did you add the cost anticipated direct cost, overhead and G&A for replacement goods and time spent mitigating shipping losses and damages?

Sammy the light is shining in your eyes I see! I also note you may have removed your Ray Bans!

I always insure for full retail value. Include price of tube, fragile stickers, and postage label. Sure I could add in ink, tape, etc but some things just have to go to the cost of doing business column.

Postage in state is about $15 insured on a rod up to 8' with USPS. Online postage is cheaper than taking it to the post office myself - online discount and no mileage to PO.

No mileage as USPS picks up at my house on a free scheduled delivey - no fuel charges (although that may not last long given the state of the PO)

I don't count picking up tubes from Home Depot because I usually just grab a couple to keep around whenever I have to go by there for something else.

With a 2% breakage rate on shipped rods, no I don't calculate that in. The time to fill out the online form was negligible. Maybe about 10 - 15 minutes. Fill it out online (easier because it links with the online postage record you paid). I think you come out better because you file directly with the home claims office, not your postmaster on up the chain of command. At 2% and 15 minutes, for 100 shipped rods you're looking at 30 minutes of time related to claims. You spend more time taping the ends of tubes probably.

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Bill, I couldn't afford Ray Bans but I did chunk the knock offs.

Gentlemen,

Also being in the custom picture framing business for 32 years, I happened to come across a quote quite a few years back that I firmly believe in to this day: " I have no quarrel with those who sell for less for they know what their quality is worth"

I don't believe Orvis has listed anything in their catalogs that was inexpensive. They have a wonderful reputation for "quality" products. Sage, Thomas & Thomas, Winston, etc are other businesses that appear to list only "high end" products - and what reputation do they have? Now say Wal-Mart . . . .strictly utility - "Live better for less" - when you are the only one in town, you only have to be so good!

However, if you charge at the "high-end" your quality better be there. Customers will pay for "high quality" - if they see it is there, and will definitely return.

Charge for what you feel your craftsmanship is worth and cover your expenses. Only you know what your quality is worth!

Charlie
tightlinerods@aol.com

Charlie, I love that quote. Hope things are going well up your way.