Selling Bows?

[perry f.]

I'm new to building bows, and to tell the truth, I do this for fun, and don't want to make a business from selling bows. However, I've had several people want to buy some of my bows, or have me make one for them. In these times the money could come in handy, for bills and funding future bows. Just wondered if anyone could tell me what kind of insurance I would need in case something happened. Thanks!

[Pat B]

If you have to buy insurence it isn't worth selling bows as a hobbyist.IMO  I have sold a few but give most away. I don't want it to be a job or I'll loose interest. I do this for me!
 If someone wants to buy one of my bows I will sell it. I will not do custom orders.
 As far as I am concerned it is "buyer beware". I will explain that the bow is made from natural materials and I have no control over the durability. In most cases I will replace a bow if the materials fail but I want the old bow back so I can study it. If it is obvious it was abused I won't replace it and if it was abosed it is usually obvious.

[marty z]

I pay $900.00 a year for liability insurance.
So you have to sell some bows to just pay the insurance. I sell 20-30 bows a year.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Im with Pat, keep it fun and give them away. If somebody wants one bad enough invite them over for a build along and they supply the wood. I have "criteria" for my give aways, it makes it fun that way.

[mater]

Give away or not your still liable. I dont care what anybody does, but just beware. Also helping someone make a bow makes you the brains of the outfit, so your not excluded.

[Roy from Pa]

I started making bows for me, now I have not made a bow for me in 1.5 years. It's always someone else. I have decided not to do that anymore. It's not fun anymore, it's become work.

[Eric Krewson]

I quit selling because of my concern for the liability issue.

At the Spring Fling  guy wanted me to make him a bow and I expressed my concerns over liability. He said it was a shame when a top notch artistic craftsman(his words not mine)would be shut down by the court system.

One's best bet would be to form an LLC if you plan to make bows to sell professionally. They may get your shop equipment and pile of osage staves, but little else.

[John Scifres]

How many bows have you made?

[perry f.]

Thanks for the info. I never plan on making any custom bows. I just figured that after I made one, if someone was to want it, then I would sell it to them. I was giving them away when I was making a several board bows, but that got a little outta hand. People were coming out of the wood work.

John, if you count board bows, glass bows, and the one self bow I've made around 10. I am by far still a rookie. I have a lot to learn.

I can give board bows away, and even stave bows. But at this point in my financial situation, I couldn't afford to give away a glass bow, and that's what I'm making right now, with the exception of a couple self bows that I'm tinkering with in my spare time.

[John Scifres]

I'd make the bows for the price of supplies until you really decide if you can do this.  Keep in mind that to be strictly legal you should be paying the 11% PR Excise tax on sporting goods.  That and liability scared me off of making bows for money.  It's also too stressful for me     Plus even after 150 or so bows, I just don't think I can charge what they are worth to me.  I'm just not that good.

Good luck though.  No one can tell you what you are capable of.

[perry f.]

Thanks for the info. Like I stated in my first post. I don't want to make a business of selling bows. I was mainly just interested in what kind of liablity insurance i needed if I was to sell a bow or give one away for that matter. I realize that I am a beginner at making bows and I have a lot to learn.