how to price your calls for sale??

[doublespurs21]

how do you know what to sell your calls for???  sometimes it feels like i'm ripping myself off by not selling it  for what i want,, i know it matters on your time and cost of materail. it seems like i'm making 2 dollars a hour , not trying to get rich, but i need to get the money i spend on materail back, which i'm not, but i'm having fun, so i quess that matters the most,,, chris

[fargobox]

Chris,

If you are making $2/hr then your making more than most...many of us, and probably most callmakers don't do this for the $, I know I don't, especially, when I look back at the time in the build and the time in my wood burning.  As far as material goes,,you need to be a good hustler  and learn to find deals, make deals, look for salvaged wood, old bldgs, barns, furniture, etc.

Having fun is what it's all about...it's a passion and staying connected to the sport, the people, the wilderness and the reward that comes from making happy hunters and calling in birds from your own calls.

[ahornberger22]

Somebody once told me that something is only worth what someone is going to pay you for it. I sell my boxes for $65 usually. I came up with this price by asking a bunch of guys what they would pay for one, I also looked at other callmaker a prices. I haven't won any awards (or entered any competitions) yet and I'm not as well known as others so I can't charge $125 for my work yet. Maybe one day I'll be able to. I'll also sometimes sell calls that weren't special order for $45-65 to get rid of them and get some exposure. ( it also helps when my college bills come around). Anyway, I determined it by finding out what others think they're worth and going from there.

[Jake St. John]

I am a part time call maker.  I get up most mornings before work at 3:30 to 4:30 on most AM's.  I have to stop working on calls at 6:30 or 7:00 AM for my regular job.  I like doing this as I do my best work early.  At the end of the day is not a good time for me so I do not do much call work in the evernings.  Sat. and Sunday afternoon when time permits.

When I start getting more orders than a predetermined wait time on my list of about 10 mo., I go up on the price.

Works for me.  But hey, You cannot be doing this for the $.  You have to do this for the love of hearing one like I just finished, and knowing someone will be playing that thing for some gobbler down the road somewhere.

Mr. E