First let me say that I am in no way thinking about starting a reel repair business. It's all I can do to repair my own reels but I am curious about a few things after reading several threads about reel repair.
1. Do most individuals that repair reels as a business do it full time or as a part time side job?
2. Can a person actually make a living strictly by repairing reels?
3. How do most people charge for repairs, by time spent working on a reel or X amount per reel?
4. In general, how much do people charge to repair a reel?
5. Are people willing to pay what it costs in time and effort to make it worthwhile?
6. How many reels per day do you need to do to make it worth while to do it as a business?
As I said I am just curious because it seems to me it would be very difficult to make a go of it as a business for a number of reasons. (1) There are so many different makes and models today compared to years ago. (2) Time to locate and obtain parts, most people want it today. (3) Most people do not realize the cost of parts and time required to diagnose some issues. (4) Just dealing with people (I couldn't do it). I'm sure there are many other reasons I couldn't do it but these reasons readily come to mind.
Everyone is different, xaf --
Suffice to say -- keep your day job...
Plus -- the best sure-fire method to make a small fortune in the reel repair business, is...
...to start with a large fortune...
It is fun and enjoyment first -- if you make enough to break even at the end of the year -- you are doing good.
There are a few folks who do a great job at running a reel repair business -- but they are rare.
IMO.
Best,
Fred
Fred - so true - for me friends and family (oh and my own of course :))
What Fred said....Bill
From Shimano:
Job Summary:
The Reel Technician I is responsible for playing a vital role in creating and maintaining loyal customers. Under direction of the immediate supervisor, must meet or exceed quotas. Maintain quality repair of reels. Communicates professionally with customers, management, and co-workers.
Job Level:
Entry Level
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Analyze needed repairs on fishing reels
Repair reels with quality and efficiency with minimal to no re-work.
Meet or exceed reel repair quotas of ten (10) reels per day.
Establish collaborative relationships with peers.
Be available throughout the day to receive consumer calls.
Respond to emails and voicemails in a timely manner for same day turnarounds.
Maintain individual and departmental service levels and goals.
Identify and provide feedback on any non-conformities of product being serviced.
Mandatory overtime and weekends when required by management
Travel if needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Job Qualifications:
AS400 knowledge preferred.
JDE knowledge preferred
A minimum of 2 (two) years experience in Customer Service required.
A minimum of 2 (two) years fishing experience.
Some mechanical skills required.
Proficient in Microsoft Office s Word and Excel.
Education:
High School or GED equivalent
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. Shimano North America reserves the right to modify and change responsibilities and duties herein without notice.
Shimano North Americais an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
I started for fun and a favor for a buddy. Turned into a part time hobby/ job. Now I stock parts and do 250 plus or so reels a year, just for fun and fishing cash.
Cheers:
Todd
My impression of the Shimano job description is that it is unrealistic. Between the emails, phone calls, working with others, etc., how much actual time is going into each of those 10 (minimum) reels each day?
Frank
I service only mine and a few immediate family members' reels. I could buy a new reel cheaper if I considered my time more than $2 per hour. ;) You best be retired to repair reels and do the customer justice. If you do a thorough job and have a family your family may starve to death. :D
I started as a hobby, developed it into a buisness with all profits going back into the buisness (parts stock, and tools). I did between 150 and 400 big game reels anually for 4 years. I transitioned back just doing my own and friends (20-40/yr) after I bought a boat. Not a big money maker with my profits hovering between $5k & $15k per year, but it does generate some cash flow, and it allowed me to set up a workshop. It also allowed me to meet alot of local fisherman and become a more integral part of the local fishing community.
My part-time comercial fishing with the boat generated around $5-$10k per year in fish sales which basically covered operating costs. (1/3 cost of boat ownership).
Fishing was much more fun than working on reels :)
& it's a lot less stress working on a few here and there than sitiing on a 3-6week backlog of customers' reels.
John
I've always only serviced and repaired my own and later some of my friends tackle as I was very aware that it's not really a profitable business.
I dont charge others as then I can simply tell them to wait till I have time, or "sorry I could not fix that"
It actually cost me money for glues, epoxy, fuel to drive to fetch something, or even a guide sometimes etc. Makes the wife cross that I dont charge🤐
Quote from: happyhooker on January 29, 2020, 03:12:52 AM
My impression of the Shimano job description is that it is unrealistic. Between the emails, phone calls, working with others, etc., how much actual time is going into each of those 10 (minimum) reels each day?
Frank
X2. Actually it sounds kinda like a miserable job.
Quote from: Gfish on January 29, 2020, 01:43:22 PM
X2. Actually it sounds kinda like a miserable job.
I actually enjoy working on reels, especially now that have been home for 5 months.
I already knew there was no money to be made, but if you're able to break even at the end of the day and meet some great guys as you move along, you did good.
Sal
This...
Quote from: Alto Mare on January 29, 2020, 02:15:19 PM
Quote from: Gfish on January 29, 2020, 01:43:22 PM
X2. Actually it sounds kinda like a miserable job.
I actually enjoy working on reels, especially now that have been home for 5 months.
I already knew there was no money to be made, but if you're able to break even at the end of the day and meet some great guys as you move along, you did good.
Sal
Frank - I'm not going to disagree, but I have been to the Shimano facility in Irvine SoCal - and it's pretty impressive. Also, if you think about it, if you have the experience and only work on a very narrow species of reels (one brand), have all of the specialized tools and setups (along with all the parts readily available), it probably wouldn't be a stretch to do 10 or more in a day. There are folks in this forum that could probably do certain types of reels with their eyes closed if they wanted to. But, you're right - doesn't sound like a lot of fun. - John
Another thing to consider about that Shimano job:
I don't think their idea of a repair is the same as most of us here.
I think a repair for most of us includes complete disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. Whereas, they probably just expect you to identify the problem fix/replace the part, and put it back together. There's a huge difference in time required for those two options. (at least for me, but I'm probably just slow) :D
I wouldn't feel right just popping a side plate off and putting in a new drag stack (or whatever part) and screwing it back together.
Quote from: xjchad on January 29, 2020, 06:13:10 PM
I wouldn't feel right just popping a side plate off and putting in a new drag stack (or whatever part) and screwing it back together.
I have friends that have told me, Alex, just just install the spring that is missing, I dont want you to spend much time on my reel everything works corrently, next month I will bring the reel again for a proper service, but of course, when I open the reel up, there is no grease here or there, saltwater crystals are present on the hidden corners of the frame, etc, so even when it wasnt request I clean the reel, take the factory grease, clean the bearings, lube everything with proper saltawater grease and tsi321 oil on bearings and last thing is to install the new spring that it was missing, I need to say that some of the new penn reels and some okuma reels have been lubed really good from the factory, I have found no reason for lube them again when brand new.
with that said, well yes, Im with you Chad on this one.
10 per day. Sounds grueling. Sounds like work, not fun. But if it was all the same model and you had all the parts you need at your fingertips...without cleaning..sure.
I'd be bored working only on Shimanos.
Here's BPS's Outdoor World reel repair ad. Sounds like more fun with a bigger variety.
I've never heard of about half of those brands.
That Shimano job description... Don't you reckon that is to become an authorized service and warranty center? Like on their list here:
http://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/REEL_SUPPORT_SERVICES/Shimano-Authorized-Service-Centers.html (http://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/REEL_SUPPORT_SERVICES/Shimano-Authorized-Service-Centers.html)
-steve
I would imagine that 10 reels/day WOULD be possible along with all the other job duties, if they were into just tossing out a non-functioning multi-part unit and then replacing it.
For example, the complicated line roller unit on my Stradic's probably have about 8 parts, would they disassemble it and replace only the ball bearing and that stupid pot metal sleeve(both of which are corrosion magnets), probably not. Much faster/eaiser to replace the whole unit, and pass the excessive cost on the customer.
To be fair though, they did once send me these parts at no charge.