Figured I would throw this out there... All the prices on a line of "Build Your Own" rods being offered by a production builder. Good news for custom builders of course.

NFC HM blanks are around $20 more than the retail price listed on the NFC site
The new Fuji split seat is a $50 option
A KDPS upgrade is $20

Micro guides:
K frame alconites - $50
Ti K frame Alcos - $100
Recoils - $140
Ti SiC - $150

Spiral wrap + $50
Balance Kit + $35 - $75
Chevron butt wrap - $100
Name - $25, Personal Message - $40

And build/delivery time:
4 - 6 weeks - $25
3 weeks - $50
2 weeks - $100

Good news for builders, Just always good to watch what else is going on.

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alex, I think you are charging way too much. lol

LOL - that was good JP. Wonder how much they would charge for one of your handles? $100? $150?

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The downside is that this gives potential customers the impression that all custom builders charge this much, and they won’t even consider looking into a custom rod.

And I thought $39.95 for my rods were too high! I bet I can get at least 49.95 now. But then the time frame is a little tough...

Mike;
Why shouldn't custom builders charge this much?

Until recently, my "specials" to attract new clients were positioned just shy of $300 ... but my average sale was $400-450.

Look at the prices of high-end factory builds - G Loomis NRX @ $450-500, St Croix Legend @ $370-410, Kistler Z-Bone Stock @ $400. These aren't custom rods at all and they are clearing at least the $400 mark with taxes and/or shipping.

Whatever the case - you know best what your work is worth. Charge accordingly.

Don't seem out of line IMO.

100.00 for a chevron is a bit steep don't you think?

I agree with Mike. Only way I saw it as good news is most of the custom builders I know don't charge nearly as much.

Example... a set of black pearl recoils is only $60ish retail... should be looking at at least $100 profit just on the guides considering they would be bought retail.

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If his prices are too high, he won't sell any rods. If they're in line with what his clientele will pay, then he'll do fine.

.................

then what is a good price because I'm just getting in to rod building I have no idea what to ' Charge ' I thought that I would charge pre hour but I see that charge buy pice I thought that I charge up charge of 20% on pices like giudes & reel seats ext,+ per hour my spell is not good I spell checker

Starting point - cost of parts plus shipping to you and to the customer, plus about $ 100.00
Extras fancy weaves, time consuming butt wraps, decorations in handles etc.
If you back up a rod, a guarantee should be worth money - a broken rod is usually users error, such as high sticking, doors being stepped on.

Plus talk to the customer and see what he expects to pay, If you can't meat his price or he is too low let him know.

They want it cheep I send them to wall-mart.

Bill - willierods.com

My son made a set of signs for me that I have used at shows: "Good rods aren't cheap" .... "Cheap rods aren't good"

You can't effectively charge by the hour. If you do, as you become more proficient or invest in better tools, you'll make less money.

Consider charging by the task. So much for building a handle, so much for setting up the guides, so much for wrapping and finishing, etc.

There was an in-depth 3-part series in RodMaker back in Volume 8 that outlined pricing as done by a variety of rod builders around the Country.

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bill boettcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Starting point - cost of parts plus shipping to
> you and to the customer, plus about $ 100.00


This thought MIGHT be dangerous. What if you buy at wholesale, buy in quantities to receive discounts, buy at High Point to take advantage of the CRAZY deals, etc.?

My pricing formula is retail price of components + basic building fee + extras + FET + outbound shipping/handling fee + sales tax.

By charging the retail of the components, you have room for supplies and inbound freight AND you absorb any profits that YOU acquire through smarter purchasing decisions. Think about it, your customer would have to pay full retail PLUS supplies, freight, etc. and they would still have an unfinished rod in their hands.

Don't undervalue your work ... unless you want the customer to do the same.

Nothing is written in stone.
make the price too high, your customer will go elsewhere.
When any one sends you an e-mail and asks for a price I ask many questions first then an About Price until I know he is serious Many shop around and - Kick The Tires.

Bill - willierods.com

bill boettcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> make the price too high, your customer will go
> elsewhere.


The idea is to build rods for profit, not exercise. IMO, if the conversation starts with price it isn't about performance ... end of discussion. Of course, price does come into play on the majority of builds and it has to be fair - but for both parties. Believe it or not, most of my repeat customers don't ask for a quote.

No Jim

The conversation starts with

What are you looking for
How long
One piece two
What fish
What line
How will you fish it
Fresh or salt

Plus a lot more I can not price it till I know what I am building Like going to the dealer and asking - I want a blue car ???? How much

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2011 02:26PM by bill boettcher.

Jim Gamble Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bill boettcher Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Starting point - cost of parts plus shipping to
> > you and to the customer, plus about $ 100.00
>
>
> This thought MIGHT be dangerous. What if you buy
> at wholesale, buy in quantities to receive
> discounts, buy at High Point to take advantage of
> the CRAZY deals, etc.?
>
> My pricing formula is retail price of components +
> basic building fee + extras + FET + outbound
> shipping/handling fee + sales tax.
>
> By charging the retail of the components, you have
> room for supplies and inbound freight AND you
> absorb any profits that YOU acquire through
> smarter purchasing decisions. Think about it,
> your customer would have to pay full retail PLUS
> supplies, freight, etc. and they would still have
> an unfinished rod in their hands.
>
> Don't undervalue your work ... unless you want the
> customer to do the same.

I agree!

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane