custom rod pricing

[banshee]

Unfortunately the price you can charge is going to be based largly on demographics,how many rec/commercial fishermen in yamba earn the sort of money that affords them the luxury of a rod worth the sort of money mentioned?How many game boats opperate out of Iluka/Yamba?The average wage/salary just isn't the same for us (Nth NSW) as it is for people who live in S E Queensland,you may sell the odd rod to someone on hollidays for top dollar but I think you've already discovered locals are not going to pay say 3 to 4 hundred dollars for a custom surf/rock job when they can pick up a Chinese rolled Alvey for around 80 bucks,the 60 to 80 you mentioned is prety much par for what can be charged around here,any more and it's akin to pulling a broken mollar, if you want more you may have to sacrifice lifestyle and move to the big smoke.

[ryansrods]

i am already contemplating relocation probably up brisy way

[banshee]

i am already contemplating relocation probably up brisy way

If you move you may have to take a step backwards,go for a start in a well known tacle shop and do the shity stuff like rod/reel repairs,in time you shouldn't have to much trouble talking your boss into puting your work in the rack,I think Ian Miller got started at Harboard Tackle in similar circumstances.

[ryansrods]

yeh i know ive worked in the local tackle shop and built there rods on and off for the past 5 years

[PinHead]

a couple of thoughts on the business side of things...

1. Avoid accounts where possible..always get a deposit equivalent to the cost of materials before you start on the project.. Then you can pay cash for the materials and do not have to worry about all that horrible paperwork etc.

2. If people in your local area will not pay the price for a quality rod..forget them..let them buy the el cheapo gear. Think global not local...get a professional looking web site going and market via that. People will not mind paying good money for a quality product. I have purchased a Precision rod...very happy with it (cept it does not catch too many fish) but it is a great rod..it was not "cheap" but as far as I am concerned bloody good value for money.

3. Do a business plan with targets for every 6 months...and at each of those target stages see where you are at in relation to your plan...alter the plan if you have to...the old cliche..no one plans to fail but many fail to plan.

Hope it all works out for you.

[ryansrods]

hi pinhead am having bit of trouble writing business plan am a rod crafter and fisherman not much of an academic how do you get web page is this expensive

[Stuart]

Ryan

Pinhead is absolutely spot on mate. Forget about the people, who want to spend $80, your local market isn’t the world mate that’s why I spent all my time and effort marketing my product out of my local area. If you locate to Brisbane be prepared to struggle for a while as there seems to be a rod builder every second house these days. It’s a large market and equally as large with rod builders so be prepared to stick it out. As for a web site you may be better off approaching a uni student working in that area do make a web site for you…they are always looking for money. As for a business plan it would be a good idea to see a CPA accountant to get every thing set up to begin with….saves many headaches down the track mate.

If you do move up I may be able to give you some work on viewing your quality first. I’m always looking for a good rod builder to do some contract work for me.

Stu

[nigelr]

Ryan anything quality costs money, including your rods!
But spending say a grand on a 'domain' and some web-designer's time may save you moving to the smoke.
As I'm sure you are already aware, banshee is spot on re the demographics.
The big bucks just aren't as plentiful in the bush, almost irrespective of your occupation.
But as Pinhead says, with a decent website, you are effectively marketing world-wide.
You should be able to get some good shots of your rods in action in your local area, which you could use on your web page to good effect.
Just another option, anyway.
As for a business plan, doesn't have to be anything elaborate.
Just set yourself some targets over a set period of time, in order to evaluate the performance and growth of your business.
Above all, IMO, make your targets realistic. No point aiming to conquer the world market in your first year!
As an example only, with my own business (started at age 42) I set a 20 year plan.
First 5 years-establishment. Next 10 years-consolidation. Last 5 years rationalisation. So far, 10 years on, so good. I live near Urunga on the MNC NSW in a pretty financially challenged area, where there is not as lot of $$ on the ground. My first goal was merely to SURVIVE in business! I acheived this basically by admitting to myself that it would be a long slow road. As one of the Ausfish members has written on his avatar, persistance is everything!
However you must be careful with your money, inability to re-pay debt would be the major killer of small business, if you can avoid debt that will be a major plus IMO.
Also, be realistic as to what your income will be in the early stages of your business and plan your expenditure accordingly.
There are heaps of financially savvy fishers on this site, you will gets heaps of quality advice I am sure.
Cheers.

[ryansrods]

speeking about work stu is there any way i can do a week work experience with ya one day wherbouts in brisy ya located

[Stuart]

Ryan

That wouldn’t have been a problem last year as I had my own factory. Due to rent increases beyond my control I could no longer afford the rent. I’m now working from home which sux big time. I’m currently looking for a partner ship with some one to expand. Taking you on for 1 weeks work experience would be OK but not at the moment unless I get a factory with some cheap rent. I’m not in Brisbane but on the Sunshine Coast which is around 1.5 hours north.

Stu

[ryansrods]

thanks stu let me now when ya get a factory are ya looking for just a silent partner or workig partner what $$$ lookin at