I have a customer who wants 3 rods done in a hurry, as he says, my? is, do I ask him for the money for the rod blanks, after he chooses the blanks and the parts? cause honestly, I do not have the money to start those rods and then ask for payment after I am done. Any help on this matter will be appreciated, Thank you.

We all have different ways of doing this. My method is to get all the pertinent info in hand, price everything out and then give the customer a full price for the build. I do not break down parts and labor, I just give him the total price. Then I require a 50% deposit before any work begins. My thinking on the 50% is that it puts both the builder and the customer in for enough to make sure that both follow through. The builder will build the rod and the customer will come and pick it up and pay the balance when it's done. This is how I do it. Others may have different but equally good ideas.

Thanks Ken, Thats sounds fair to me, and i like that follow up, cause I really don't want to get stuck with those rods and trying to find a buyer cause the customer didn't pay, Your'e right about the 'give himthe total price, I wouldn't want to give him 2 different charges and scare him off,thanks again.

I also require 50% up front....NON-REFUNDABLE.

______________________________________
Super Tight Lines......Don

agree on everything plus cash or credit card if you can. Asthey say no out of town checks.

At least get the money for the parts - plus shipping At least this way he is paying for the parts and it is not coming out of - your - pocket Now unless he is rich - he will come back

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks all, I think I will get the cost for the parts and the rod blank, and when he comes to pick it up, then I will get the labor charges, by the way can anyone tell what would be a fair price for labor and for the deco wraps? thanks again.

That really depends on what you hope to make for your knowledge and effort. The idea would be to charge what the market will bear. Not knowing what your abilities and skills are I can't really advise you. I do think, however, than any competent rod builder is shortchanging himself if selling rods to the public and making less than $100 net profit.

Also be advised that your customer is liable for the Sportfishing Excise Tax ( [www.rodbuilding.org] ) which you are required to collect and pay to the IRS. Many builders simply bury this in the selling price, while others take a moment to explain the tax and why it is charged and what it is used for.

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

Lorenzo,

I certainly go along with a down payment to cover your cost.

I also like the balance paid before doing any personalization. i.e. labels or names penned and epoxy applied on top.

If for some reason they would not accept the rod this will prevent you from having to strip it down to sell to others.

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

Also be advised

This guy has probable gone to several builders on the net Got prices is trying to get as much as he can for as low as price as he can

It Is The Economy Stupid - BEEN THERE DONE THAT

Bill - willierods.com

I only sell custom rods, not components ... one price. In respect to deposits ... 50% no matter what.

i make no money on parts --So it is only labor
But
If I am going to put 100 hours in a thread wrap ---- I should charge 50.00 dolors ????? Cheap will be 5.00 an hour

I give a lot of - EXTRAS -- and of course get the - I got Several Guys That Want Rods -- So if you do mine real nice --- PLEASE
Been There Done That

Be reasonable - But do not CUT your -----

Do what you got to do

have a nice day

Bill - willierods.com

I also do 50 % and add in that you have a time limit after I inform you that your rod is done. It's usually 2 weeks that way you are not sitting and waiting all Winter for someone to pick up.

I agree with Jim. If you are selling parts, charge for parts. If you are selling a rod, charge for the rod.

A nonrefundable deposit of 50% of the total purchase price is not unreasonable. 50% should cover your parts.

If you need help pricing, we have a pricing sheet uploaded that factors all the parts of a build: [www.hydrafishing.com]

Hydra Fishing, LLC

Online: [www.hydrafishing.com]
Facebook: [www.facebook.com]
Email: info@hydrafishing.com

Maybe when I get tooled back up I'll consider a deposit. Up until now, I've never taken payment from anyone until the work was done and approved of. I figure if I expect a contractor to build a $300,000 house without asking me for any $$$ up front, then I should build a $300 fishing rod without asking for any $$$ up front.

50% up front for any build is fair and i've never had a custumer complain,as for dec.butt wraps i charge by the inch and the pattern,i.e. a diamond wrap with 4 colors-5$ per inch,but a more intense wrap like an in-and-out or a southwest blanket is going to be in the 15$ per inch range.this pricing usually gets me what my time is worth,which is really all you need to figure out for yourself,what is yor time worth?

www.southriverrodsllc.com

How long does it take you to build a basic rod? Now, how much an hour do you think your time and experience is worth? For example, 5 hours times $25 per hour equals $125 labor plus everything else. How much are other rod builders charging for similar work in your area? Find a niche.

Knowing your customers will help answer these questions. If you are just starting out then it is more difficult.

I try very hard not to take a deposit. If I do take a deposit I do not spend it until the rod is finished and picked up by the customer. I am getting up there in age and I do not want to have my wife getting calls from many customers looking for their rods and/or deposits if suddenly I am no longer around. With all the rods I have sold I have only been stiffed once for half the price. I know where the guy is and at this stage of my life confronting him is just not worth my time.

good fortune.

Capt Neil Faulkner

Capt Neil, Hello, I haven't heard or talked to any rod builders around this area, I live in Champaign Illinois, Its a colledge comunity, so to my guess theres not that many people fish regularly if you know what I mean, the guy I'm gonna build for its for his brothers who live a ways from here, but 25$ an hour plus the cost of any deco wrap sounds fair to me. So thanks for the feedback, Tight wraps!

Lorenzo

1. Make up a form with all the component information.
2. Agree on price and deposit.
3. Agree on delivery
4. Give warranty limitations.
5. Get it in writing.

Charging by the hour may not be to your advantage. The better and more proficient you become at any aspect of rod building the less you'll be making per rod.

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