Hey guys so as most of you know I'm just starting up my reel repair shop. I've done about ten reels but they are mostly for people I know. I want more customers but I'm not sure how long that should take or what else I should do. I have a website up and I've got plenty of business cards. I'm sending out introduction emails to select charters in Georgia. Also my buddies that I have done work for are telling other people. I had one guy that owns a charter company say he was going to ship out 3 this week but now I'm not hearing from him. Am I doing something wrong or am I just not being patient?
West
Business cards,,,,help! ;D
Join whatever local online communities you think suitable-maybe do some sponsoring or just put in time disseminating information in a friendly helpful manner to raise your profile-see if a sig line of your URL is acceptable.
Have you spoken to local tackle shops at all?
See if they'll accept some of your cards.
Noting like word of mouth to generate business, keep everyone happy and word will spread. Will take time though. Any shops in your area? A good shop usually is backed up with service/repairs, they might need some help. Stick with it,best of luck!
There are actually a couple tackle shops in my area and none of them do reel repair so that might be a good idea. The guys at the table shops always refer people to someone an hour away. Maybe I can do like you said and give them some cards.
West
I also post ads in the local Craigslist. Maybe start a Facebook and Instagram page to go with your website.
Speaking of your website, how hard was that? I've been wanting to make one for awhile.
Quote from: xjchad on August 20, 2018, 04:44:53 AM
Speaking of your website, how hard was that? I've been wanting to make one for awhile.
It's really not hard but it's time consuming. Also cheaper is not always better. I got a deal on mine and they take care of my domain and website in the same package but I do the design and managing. I also have to do all my own search engine optimization (SEO). It's definitely a lot harder doing that on your own but saves me about 30 a month.
West
Might have better luck working with the tackle store instead of just giving them cards. They make a few bucks off you and can add a service for their shop. You won't make as much but it will save you a bunch of time and costs of dealing with clients,shipping etc.
Just be patient West.
It takes time. Once you get a charter boat, they will be lining up.
Like what has been mentioned, let the guys working at the tackle counters know. They are always getting asked about reel repair. Also let any local fishing clubs/organisations know you're in business. Once a few try you out the word gets out. Be prepared for a few surprises ;D
Good luck.
Send letters to the charter operators and lodges in your area.
Time will get you going. Join a local fishing forum if there is one.
Ive never advertised but have seen my name recommend in a couple of Fishing magazines.
I do over 1000 reels a year with most of them coming in the late winter and spring. Last spring it was 450 reels in 3 months working 7 days a week and reels coming from all over the USA.
Be careful it will become a job at times.
Keith
Thanks guys I'm working on the charters and I'll stop by the and talk with the shops. I guess I just want results quick. Appreciate the replies.
West
Quote from: RamseyReelRepair on August 20, 2018, 03:55:53 AM
Quote from: Benni3 on August 20, 2018, 03:50:10 AM
Business cards,,,,help! ;D
Sarcasm?
no my friend when I was doing pant and body work,,,it was nice to have ;D
All of the above are very good ideas —
Early on, what worked for me also —
* Do seminars at shops or tackle shows showing folks how to service their own reels — most will not want to bother, and will just bring their tackle to you in a week or two, after they see all of the tiny complicated parts. Adult schools also offer opportunities.
* Go into tackle and sports stores, talk to the owner or manager by introducing yourself and asking if he has any personal reels needing service or repair. Then offer to do his for free — just to show what you can do. You would be surprised how many times this approach results in a LOT of business — as well as crates of old reels coming out of the back room and given to you free of charge.
* Set up a mobile trailer, signs, and table at the launching ramp on opening days or busy fishing times. Have a couple or urns of free coffee available for folks. Reel service & repair.
* One caution —don't get caught up in the fishing stories — be polite, but don't let the braggarts dominate your time when there are other folks waiting to ask you questions. Pay attention to your customers, lookers, and the motives for your business.
There are very few folks doing this craft any more — and yet it is appreciated by many folks.
Best,
Fred
West: I have started a business many years ago of gun smith shop, It took a lot of work getting my name out there. What helped me along was I belonged to a gun club and was a known for my pistol shooting in the NRA pistol matches, word of mouth and business cards really helped.
Now I've started Rod building for customers and some reel repair I had I sign made for my truck and cards, when ever we go fishing I take my truck and hand out cards. It has worked but slowly. Personally I do more rods then reels but if your staring out you will get there.
It was suggested that you get you name out to boat captains, most in my area have people that have been with them for years and it's hard to get there business. Here they want to cut your price or no deal. I have not been willing to do that.
Joe
One more thing: You need to go all in in the sense that you should stock up on parts so that you can tell customers that you can get their reels out in just a couple days. If you have to order parts, you're adding at a week or two to their wait. No one likes that. I also put a one season warranty on my work and will fix any reel that comes back unless there is corrosion.
Thanks guys. I can always count on Joe and Fred to help me out with some great advice. I'm a little Leary about sticking up on parts right now because I don't know what the main reels I will be working on will be. Thoughts?
West
Quote from: handi2 on August 20, 2018, 04:48:04 PM
.....Be careful it will become a job at times.
Keith
hey West, careful for what you wish
follor Keith advices, once they (reels) start to show up dont get caught on pretending to do in time more than what you actually could do.
you might not know, I live in Baja, Mexico (born and raised here), I never really wanted to "have" a sidejob as reel repair guy (Im an CPA accountant by day and reel/rod repair by night), but in my small town the guys that were/are the local reel repair guys I didnt really liked their job, sending my reels to another city to an un-known reel shop was not an option as either was sending my reels to USA it was expensive and time consuming, so I opted to learn to fix my reels, thats when I found the Boss Alantani few years ago (almost 10 years now), then, without knowing it, I was fixing reels from my close fishing friends, then I attended a local fishing club meetings to give some tips on reel maintenance, that brought me some new friends equal to more work but I tell them that I will need to charge a minimal fee to recover cost of material cuz I bought my materials and tools from USA (expensive once shipped and converted to USD vs Pesos), they agree, then I started to get reels from friends of my friends that werent my "direct" friends, so, thats when a charged a normal fee per reel and I started to see some spare money for paying for my drug cuz Im a fishing addict, more lures and new reels appeared on my fishing cabinet ;D.
then while I was buying a pizza I knew a local guy which was owner of a local fishing charter, I gave them one of my reel reapair business cards and BOOM, the next day I had 10 reels on my front porch for repair, not much money for a living but those reels were $150-$200 job pending to collect yay!! and then that same guy recommended me to one of his friend, which was the owner of his competition charter boats, they liked my job better than the current known local reel repair guy, so I had another 5 to 10 reels every month, plus the ones from my friends, etc, etc.
thing got worse 2 years ago, when I told them I was also now repairing fishing rods with the best materials and components "a la par" (at part) with my reel's job quality.
so, that brought me lots of fishing rods to fix and restore and I was having hard time to comply with the estimated days to get the job done (I was taking more jobs that what I was actually able to do), so, I had to start with a new policy on my side-bussines,
Im not accepting rush jobs anymore, I still working like this nowadays cuz I still enjoy fixing reels and rods and dont want to feel it as a job ( I have a normal job for that), if you want a fishig reel/rod fix it on a rush time frame you will have to pay my prime cost hour as a CPA, no one is accepting that so, now everyone is agree to leave me the reels and rods and let me work at my own time with the promess that I will repair it the same way I will fix it for myself or even better.
Im not bragging or feel "proud" of this way to working but Im simply dont want to change this part of the hobby for having real reel repair job that I MUST have to do on certain hours and days.
my normal daylight job is already leaving me too little free time, I dont want another job that kills my current spare time for family and fishing, even working that way I have enough reel and rod jobs to keep me busy for many weeks in a row now, but to tell the true the really best part of this "side job" are all the new friends I have made on this new actitivy, now I have more and better quality fishing toys, more fishing trips invitations and more friends than ever.
so, back to your original question, wait some time so the word on quality job spread for itself and fast, customer service = treat your customers the best way you would like to be treaten as a king (this really work), enjoy what you do and give plenty of guarranty on your jobs and this is really important even if it looks suspicious.
this is my motto in reel/rod repair... it works
Stocking parts is important, as a pro like Bill knows so well.
Having said that, until I really had a feel for the types of reels I enjoy working on, and what needs work in my area — I would be wary of stocking too many parts unless they were pretty common maintenance parts like drag washers, bail springs, level line mechanisms, etc.
I have thousands of new old stock parts that I haven't ever touched in 25 years. Got to be careful, because the $$$ get high real quick — and if a client needs a part or two, usually down here in the lower 48, it can be sourced in a week or less. Too many $$$ tied up in inventory is a major issue until you get your feet under you, and have a better idea of the need. Even then, parts can be ordered.
Simple services requiring bearings, drags, washers, etc. — are easy enough to have in stock without a major cash outlay.
Plus, I didn't want to mention this — but this repair work may or may not fit into your life. That needs to be worked out first over a period of time, experience, and other priorities in your life.
Just my opinions...
Best,
Fred
West, try to do a great job all the time and they will come to you, no need to hunt them down.
They will know how to find you.
Sal
Thanks guys I appreciate the input. Fred is there a red flag you have seen that may lead you to think this isn't a good fit for me? Full time or part time it doesn't matter to me.
West
Quote from: RamseyReelRepair on August 20, 2018, 08:55:34 PM
Thanks guys I appreciate the input. Fred is there a red flag you have seen that may lead you to think this isn't a good fit for me? Full time or part time it doesn't matter to me.
West
Just that very, very few guys make a living at this reel repair craft.
Generally, it is a hobby that hopefully will pay for itself, and offer a little income.
If you are relying on this for a source of income, usually another profession is required for your main source of income. I only know of two or three folks on our site who do this full time as their main source of income.
All of the others have a full time other profession or job.
Much like farmers — unless you are a giant corporate operation — you still need a main job working for someone else or yourself — that puts beans on the table, pays life's bills, provides shelter, benefits and health insurance, and a future possibility of retirement.
Everyone is different though. So no red flags, just caution about doing something you love as the main source of your income.
You likely have all of this dialed in and figured out — this is just information for others who may want to follow this path.
Best,
Fred
Thanks Fred. I'm actually in land surveying so I'm hoping to just supplement but if it becomes more I'm good with that too. Appreciate the heads up though.
West
Excellent, West —
There is an old joke about business — sort of goes like this (pick your profession):
"If you want to make a small fortune in the (reel repair business) — start with a large one".
And as for the rest, do what you love — hopefully in your hobby as well as your main profession.
You are wise to ask questions — and experience, patience, and planning will be your guideposts.
Your passion will make you successful. And money $$$ is a poor yardstick for real success.
All the Best,
Fred
Quote from: foakes on August 20, 2018, 09:47:22 PM
And money $$$ is a poor yardstick for real success.
All the Best,
Fred
Best thing I've heard in a long time.
Thank you for the reminder Fred!
Quote from: foakes on August 20, 2018, 09:47:22 PM
And money $$$ is a poor yardstick for real success.
All the Best,
Fred
I love it thanks
West
West; You have gotten some good advice from a bunch of people, Here is my advice. Do quality work don't compromise your work to do cheep for sake of getting more business. Be honest with people, and most of all study as much as you can to learn about the trade along with that love of it or leave it. If you don't love your work you will always be so-so at best.
I would follow Fred's advice with going slow to figure out what reels are the most popular with you and also you have to look at customer volume. (spinning or conventional). IMHO.
Joe
Thanks Joe I always appreciate your input. I'll do my best with every reel as if it were my own.
West
Quote from: RamseyReelRepair on August 20, 2018, 12:48:51 AM
Am I doing something wrong or am I just not being patient?
it's taken me about 20 years...... :-\
In my area, there was a huge void. I initially started because I had to. One thing led to another. I don't have a huge operation but I don't want one. I do a few hundred reels a year and that's good for me. I wouldn't want much more.
I will throw this out there, once you get somewhat established, I'd recommend you become selective. What I mean is, don't waste your time and resources on reels that are too far gone. Be super polite but don't spin your wheels on a lost cause. At first, I fell into that trap because I was trying to build something from nothing. Eventually, you'll have the experience to look at a reel and determine if it's worth it for you and also for the customer. I'm not the kind of guy that likes giving a customer a reel back that retails $100 new but needs $80 worth of work and parts.
Quote from: FatTuna on August 22, 2018, 08:08:47 AM
....once you get somewhat established, I'd recommend you become selective....
There's a guy here in southern BC like that his website out & out tells people with spinning reels not to bother just buy another one.
While im not a reel repair man, if reducing capital expenditures is important, think about not stocking parts for penns that cost more then couple bucks. Let Scotts do that for you and use their quick service as your inventory of spares. At least until you get some volume built up. Just sayin
Quote from: whalebreath on August 22, 2018, 01:20:41 PM
Quote from: FatTuna on August 22, 2018, 08:08:47 AM
....once you get somewhat established, I'd recommend you become selective....
There's a guy here in southern BC like that his website out & out tells people with spinning reels not to bother just buy another one.
That is attitude that I hope I don't get, after all the new spinning reels that are on the market today as well as there popularity expatiation. I he has enough business to do that. ::) :-X.
Joe
Wow so I talked with the owner at the tackle store and offered to do a few of his reels free. He said he didn't have any right now but asked for a card and said he would send everyone my way because I'm the closest place within an 45 minutes to an hour. That being said I have 10 reels lined up in the next week. 3 Shimano tekota 500lc and 7 ambassadeur 7000. Anything I should lookout for? I believe those Abu parts are hard to get right?
i was up in ilwaco, washington, last week. big harbor, lots of fishing, nobody fixes fishing reels!
That's crazy! What do they do their them out and buy I need one when something goes wrong? Did you offer your services?
West
We are a full time reel shop that has been in business for 34 years and the best advise I could give you is go above and beyond for your customers and word will get out and you'll have more than you can handle. Handing out business cards and talking to tackle shop owners is great and will help you get going but the real business will come from word of mouth. It takes time but if the work is good it will come.
Well, based on West's location ( Googlemaps ), I pretty sure that 95% of the reels he will be seeing are freshwater.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chatsworth,+GA+30705/@34.78701,-87.3521757,7.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x885fc2b67e45d215:0x35ee68224f3d8bc3!8m2!3d34.7659145!4d-84.7699385 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Chatsworth,+GA+30705/@34.78701,-87.3521757,7.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x885fc2b67e45d215:0x35ee68224f3d8bc3!8m2!3d34.7659145!4d-84.7699385)
I suggest contacting local fishing clubs, and becoming a sponsor, if possible, in local fishing tournaments . . . Maybe offer "reel service" as a Prize ?
Tight Lines !
Nice ideas I'll have to look into sponsoring. There are a bunch of guys that go to Florida fishing around here.
West
Quote from: RamseyReelRepair on August 31, 2018, 06:29:18 PM
Nice ideas I'll have to look into sponsoring. There are a bunch of guys that go to Florida fishing around here.
West
West,
One other thing . . .
Since you are so far from the ocean, it might be a good idea to have photo's of Freshwater reels on your website, rather than Saltwater reels.
https://www.ramseyreelrepair.com/gallery (https://www.ramseyreelrepair.com/gallery)Tight Lines !
Thanks that's a good idea except I've only had one freshwater reel come thru recently that I got a pic of and it was an pflueger trion that was practically new. Weirdly enough all the reels I've been getting have been salt reels that guys take to Florida. It's about an 8 hour drive to Mexico beach from here. I'll definitely throw up some freshwater reel pics as I get them.
West
Quote from: RamseyReelRepair on September 01, 2018, 05:30:55 AM
Thanks that's a good idea except I've only had one freshwater reel come thru recently that I got a pic of and it was an pflueger trion that was practically new. Weirdly enough all the reels I've been getting have been salt reels that guys take to Florida. It's about an 8 hour drive to Mexico beach from here. I'll definitely throw up some freshwater reel pics as I get them.
West
West,
Once you start sponsoring in local fishing tournaments ( freshwater, naturally ), I think you'll start getting a lot of freshwater reels coming in.
I looked on Googlemaps, because I was curious . . . You're approximately 350 miles inland.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Savannah,+GA/357+Red+Rd,+Chatsworth,+GA+30705/@33.3994943,-84.052647,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88fb75fc78f20659:0x4e0c6751036020bc!2m2!1d-81.091203!2d32.0808989!1m5!1m1!1s0x885fe81881670dcb:0xdfeecef3357c8354!2m2!1d-84.7526726!2d34.7417007 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Savannah,+GA/357+Red+Rd,+Chatsworth,+GA+30705/@33.3994943,-84.052647,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88fb75fc78f20659:0x4e0c6751036020bc!2m2!1d-81.091203!2d32.0808989!1m5!1m1!1s0x885fe81881670dcb:0xdfeecef3357c8354!2m2!1d-84.7526726!2d34.7417007)Tight Lines !
I agree that if I sponsor freshwater I'll start getting freshwater and when I do I'll start posting those pics but in the gallery is where I post reels we have worked on which have just been saltwater reels basically. www.ramseyreelrepair.com/gallery
West
Quote from: RamseyReelRepair on September 01, 2018, 10:53:50 PM
I agree that if I sponsor freshwater I'll start getting freshwater and when I do I'll start posting those pics but in the gallery is where I post reels we have worked on which have just been saltwater reels basically. www.ramseyreelrepair.com/gallery
West
West,
Maybe some pics of reels being worked on and the shop's "bench", itself, might be helpful . . .
Possibly, some "Before" and "After" photos, too.
Tight Lines !
You may wish to reach out to some of the local tournaments and offer up a free reel service as a prize, this gets word of mouth out.
Thanks I'm actually working on that now. Should it just be a cleaning and lubrication or should it be a repair if needed? Maybe up to a certain amount? Thoughts?
West
I keep a couple of complicated reels in coffee cans — completely disassembled, parts cleaned.
When doing Saturday morning, or weekday evening reel clinics for servicing reels at shops, stores, clubs, or shows — I just dump and spread out the parts on a plastic tray —
As I am talking to folks and doing basic routine service on other reels...
There is no intention of ever reassembling these reels — it just lets folks think that I know what I am doing (whether or not I do!) — lets them see a complicated reel completely disassembled, all the tiny parts, etc..
Most folks at that point would rather pay you to do their reels — then get involved in that mess of parts!
At the end of the clinic, I just scrape the parts back into their coffee can, snap on the lid — and go home until next time.
The reels I have like this are a Penn 209 LW, a Mitchell 300, a Shimano Spyrex, and a couple of baitcasters.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: foakes on September 07, 2018, 04:42:20 PM
I keep a couple of complicated reels in coffee cans — completely disassembled, parts cleaned.
When doing Saturday morning, or weekday evening reel clinics for servicing reels at shops, stores, clubs, or shows — I just dump and spread out the parts on a plastic tray —
As I am talking to folks and doing basic routine service on other reels...
There is no intention of ever reassembling these reels — it just lets folks think that I know what I am doing (whether or not I do!) — lets them see a complicated reel completely disassembled, all the tiny parts, etc..
Most folks at that point would rather pay you to do their reels — then get involved in that mess of parts!
At the end of the clinic, I just scrape the parts back into their coffee can, snap on the lid — and go home until next time.
The reels I have like this are a Penn 209 LW, a Mitchell 300, a Shimano Spyrex, and a couple of baitcasters.
Best,
Fred
Great idea Fred!
Although we all know you could put those back together with your eyes closed... ;)
Nice idea thanks!
West
Quote from: RamseyReelRepair on September 07, 2018, 04:25:26 PM
Thanks I'm actually working on that now. Should it just be a cleaning and lubrication or should it be a repair if needed? Maybe up to a certain amount? Thoughts?
West
I would keep it to a basic service, depending on the reel (old Jigmaster versus some guys $2000 dollar high end top shelf ShimanoDiawaFinNor mega fish zapper 5000) it could get pricey for you, where as a basic service you can knock in a short amount time, possibly while they wait.
Great thanks
West
Quote from: foakes on September 07, 2018, 04:42:20 PM
I keep a couple of complicated reels in coffee cans — completely disassembled, parts cleaned.
When doing Saturday morning, or weekday evening reel clinics for servicing reels at shops, stores, clubs, or shows — I just dump and spread out the parts on a plastic tray —
As I am talking to folks and doing basic routine service on other reels...
There is no intention of ever reassembling these reels — it just lets folks think that I know what I am doing (whether or not I do!) — lets them see a complicated reel completely disassembled, all the tiny parts, etc..
Most folks at that point would rather pay you to do their reels — then get involved in that mess of parts!
At the end of the clinic, I just scrape the parts back into their coffee can, snap on the lid — and go home until next time.
The reels I have like this are a Penn 209 LW, a Mitchell 300, a Shimano Spyrex, and a couple of baitcasters.
Best,
Fred
Fred,
So, what is the most "complicated" and difficult to work on reel ?
Tight Lines !
Like most of us on here, Dave —
It is not so much the complicated part — experience over the years makes that part easier for all of us.
It is the difficulty of wanting to do a good and complete job on a reel that is graphite or plastic, many graphite and plastic components, painted on or adhesive logos, tricky and mostly unnecessary features and weird components, lots of bling.
It takes mostly careful hand cleaning with chemicals that won't harm or discolor the plastic graphite materials, lots of cleaners, toothbrushes, multiple steps over and over to get it right, maybe 10-12 bearings because that is what is needed to overcome a weaker frame, and sand-lubed by the owner.
I guess the types that come to mind, are Asian Spinners with rear drag assemblies, and bait feeder mechanisms.
Others have no issues working on these, like Philaroman — but if I accept these jobs (which I need to do for good, repeat clients) there is a higher service charge — and that still doesn't cover the job.
If they are not too bad, I will just try to get by with a basic service of the bearings, cleaning, lubing, rotor, bail, A/R, and drag stack. But at least for me, that still generally means going 100% into the reel...since there is always...a little more to make it right so I would fish it myself.
Best,
Fred
Dave: I want to add something to Fred's post. It's very tempting to say at times when you are frustrated with a complicated service or repair, to say aw that's good enough. When you get that feeling, walk away and come back and do better then just good enough.
Joe
Sounds like great advice here. I am in the same position although retired but find reel maintenance and repair fascinating. It is a fun hobby at the moment.
Quote from: GetReel on September 09, 2018, 01:27:41 PM
Sounds like great advice here. I am in the same position although retired but find reel maintenance and repair fascinating. It is a fun hobby at the moment.
Unless you can snag a job working for a tackle shop who needs a repair person, It is going to be just a hobby. Your not going to make a substantial living of just repair. That is not to say or discourage you from pursuing that endeavor. By all means join the group and contribute to the profession.
Joe
Quote from: foakes on September 08, 2018, 02:07:01 PMI guess the types that come to mind, are Asian Spinners with rear drag assemblies, and bait feeder mechanisms.
Fred
My choice would have to be the Shimano Baitrunner spinning reels.
Tight Lines !
(https://i0.wp.com/www.jollypesca.net/ShimanoParts/BTR6000D_v1_m56577569830818073.jpg)