Thread: Fair price?

Originally Posted by HOODLUM

You guys are right on as doing it as a business, I made that mistake before with my mobile BBQ, there was demand for it and some money was made....But...I don't enjoy cooking like I used to...Still make Jeky, Hams,Bacon, and Smoked fish for myself and a few others but no longer advertise or take on new customers...
Mass production for me, isn't possible. Since all my baits are coming out of plaster molds, with most of them being hand carved or clay masters...heck...I use pill bottles for injectors built into the molds, so when they get a core shoot no 2 batches turn out exactly the same, or when accent stripes are drizzled in each bait is the only one like it
Soft baits are so much fun to make! When people approach me Id like to sell a few...Just enough to keep getting materials

Just an idea for you Hoodlum:

Like with your previous experience, you found it to NOT be enjoyable once you started doing it as a business. You have to remember that your are not just making baits. You are actually creating them. You are hand carving your molds. You are doing it not just to make the bait, but the entire process. Once you start making baits for others and selling them, it turns in to a job.

So, here is what I would suggest. When you make some baits up for yourself, make up a few extras. I wouldn't put a dollar amount on any of them. When you are approached by someone that likes you baits and wants to buy some, ask what he would like to trade you. Keep in mind, they like what they are looking at right this second, not what you "could" create. If you don't have it on hand, don't go and make it.

For trading, you would be surpised what people want to trade. As long as both parties are happy, then it doesn't matter of the dollar value of each product. You may just find that someone else makes hand made products of a different caliber. A friend once told me that if he had a $200.00 knife, and you had a steak, and he traded that knife because he wanted a steak, then it doesn't matter what the knife cost. As long as both people are happy with the outcome.

You may just find a whole different level of enjoyment. It becomes a business however when people ask you to do them in pink, orange, blue or anything other than what you current have on hand to trade at the present time!

Wicklundrh you made great point!!
Things tend to get out of hand on me quickly, trading may help to keep me in check...the barter system has worked well for me in the past with smoked goods, and pickled goodies
Jackie that's a great idea!
I have boxes of my cranks that have never been wet....My old faithful standby rigs keep pulling fish, and the ones that got created during the winter months just get dusty in the closet...The wife gets on my case cuz between the cranks and softies are taking over the house....Time for a garage sale!!!
Thanks for the input guys!