Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: CORIUS on September 01, 2013, 09:21:39 pm
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The reason I ask is because I would like to make some extra money and maybe even make a living off of doin something I love. Any advice on good advertising techniques or any other advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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I have sold a few bows over the years but prefer to give away any extras I might make.
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nope.
I kinda don't want to, nor do I have the time, tools, or skill to commmercially produce them.
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The best advice I could give you is to not even consider selling them at this point. You really need to get a lot of experience behind you and build up your wood stash. Once you get the experience of a bunch of good quality bows and give em away to a few people, word of mouth will bring you more than you can handle. It would probably be alright to sell a few here and there that you already have made. But whatever you do, do NOT start taking custom orders until you are absolutely sure that you can deliver. One other thing to consider, you may love it now, but when you start getting paid for it, it can become just another job and you can get burnt out on it. I don't want to rain on your parade, but these are just a few of the many things to consider. Josh
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good advice Josh.
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I like trading for guns ;D.
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Couldn't have put it better Josh! 8)
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An important point made, being sure to deliver. Personally I sell sometimes. More often than not honestly. However right now for me is a good example of being far behind and its no fun. I am overdue on two bows already and have a third to make by oct 1st and another after that promised for free. I try to make up for taking so long by giving proper arrows with the bow, and once even gave the bow for free. I could never make a living but it does help with a tank of gas and a nice dinner out on the occasion. But I could make more money if I just took on a second job and still spend less time working.
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Take a year and make about 50-60 bows. Dont sell them, give them away and trade them. After that year is up evaluate your desire to make a living doing it for another 20 years. 60 bows a year will take in about $17-18,000 if your good.
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I'll never be good enough to sell natural material bows in this day and age of warranties and a sue happy society...because they are too unpredictable...that's why a lot of guys switched to glass back in the day..and even today I've seen lots of guys make the switch to glass and give up on selling natural bows because its hard to warranty them against human error/ignorance....and you won't even be making minimum wage either...archers and people complain about the costs of a bow in this day and age and are clueless as to what it takes and how little the bowyer actually makes...good luck
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Too much like work and not nearly as enjoyable as giving them away.
Tracy
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I am probably 50-50 on selling bows and giving them away over the years. Selling bows has it pluses and minuses: Plus, extra cash, being recognized for your craftsmanship. Minuses, having to work when you would rather being doing something else, making up failed bows, starting over when you miss poundage and the worst, LIABILITY, the possibility of having someone sue into poverty because a bow failed and hurt them.
The liability issue stopped me from selling bows, still give one away to good friends every now and then, may sell one to an old trusted customer in the future but haven't since the liability issue came to the forefront.
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You said a mouthful there Eric! LIABILITY! That's what happens when low life lawyers take over! Nowadays, liability is something that has to be considered no matter the endeavor. Josh
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Thank you all for the words of wisdom. I think ill start out by just giving them away for now to close friends and family.
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Plus, when you manufacture sporting goods you need to collect the 17% tax that we sportsmen voted long ago to put on ourselves. No other industry in the country has ever voted a tax like that on itself, only sportsmen. That money goes to purchasing access and improving habitat for more hunting and fishing opportunities.
I looked into incorporating and going whole hog into bow making years ago. The first sit-down with an insurance agent was an eye opener. He suggested a minimum insurance cap at $5 million to insulate myself. My rates were going to be around $425 a month. Good thing his office manager was an EMT and knew how to provide CPR.
I was hoping to sell a bow a month, fer cripes sakes! Even at a bow a week, it raises your bow prices $108/each.
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The thing about Warranty is a good point, kind of scares me ever to think about selling bows even if I had 200 bows under my belt and 20 years doing it. I was thinking maybe DIY kits where the customer gets a couple lams and center piece for the handle and a small chunk for the tips. Have a sheet with directions on it and Bob's yur uncle. If it fails it fails, I didn't do it...!!
Maybe do other wood working besides Archery, and also there is a lot more to Archery than just bows & arrows.
(1) arrow racks
(2) bow racks
(3) sell staves
(4) knives
(5) quivers
(6) gloves and tabs .........................and the list goes on..
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I wonder about a release they sign that says anything that happens to them while using any product made by you is entirely their doing and that you provide no guarantee of safety or liability?
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I haven't got a lot of bows under my belt yet , but I don't think I would ever sell a completed bow just staves and every once and a while one that I have started on , I will give them to someone that is going to use it to hunt with or target shoot with .
I would have no problem donating one to auction off to raise money for the club I'm in .
Selling and giving away my staves have left me low on wood a time or two but at least I was able to help someone out that may not have had something to work with otherwise.
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By having them sign a release you are admitting that something might go wrong... I'm just saying!
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I am going to call a lawyer and ask him a few questions about release forms.
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To me making these bows better and better over the years gets the benefit of meeting some interesting people and their ways.Enjoy shooting and hunting with them.A passion turned into a business can lead into bitter memories instead of rocking chair memories.What blackhawk,Gun Doc have said pretty much sums it up.
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Corius- If you want to sell bows, you really should talk to a business lawyer. You'll need to have business insurance no matter what!!! Making your business an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) Is the best this you can do. It makes sure that they can only get so much money without putting you out of business or losing personal items like your house and/or car. It can also prevent them from going after you in civil court. That is how the laws work here anyway. Do your research for your area.
I've made it a business for the last 18 years and I still love it. Got 100's of bows under my belt before I even considered making it a business. I've seen too many great bowyers get burned out because they did nothing but custom order. I'll do customs every now and then, but basically let customers choose from what's already been made. If you really want to make a go of it, just make sure to cover all your bases from a legal standpoint. Hope this was helpful.
G
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Years ago we had a martial arts school...we had all students/ parents sign a wavier.. Accordin to our lawyer and insuraunce guy this was a good thing... But they made sure we understood that it was just a good faith gesture( like a handshake) and that they wouldnt even be admissable in court if it came to that... Brian
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Brian beat me to it. The piece of paper I had my Karate students sign cost me $600 the Lawyer charged me and in court would have been worth what a piece of paper cost. It just means you will show a good faith effort to make it safe.
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I sell my bows. I don't make a ton, but I know a guy who has infinite staves and is right next to me and it lets me get tons of stuff I want and is fun giving it to them even though I get jealous. I take the character ones and the pipes are for sale ;) it's fun and if I can't make them because I'm just tired of it I will make them wait a little or not take orders for awhile. I don't want to get burned out of something this fun. I can go on awesome hunts and have nice gear by selling. And to people that want a good custom bow, I'm not that expensive