Thanks for all your responses. I really appreciate that you would take the time. I especially like non-tuypicals response "I would have been inclinded to reply: Well, as one do-it urselfer to another...go ahead and do-it urself and appreciate the "savings" and in fact, it is exactly what I was tempted to reply, but I used what little self restraint I still have and did it a little differently. That's coming right up, but in reality, I think, Jason did "nail it". The real answer lies in the golden rule of supply and demand. While I've fallen behind in supply a couple of times, I can't stand keeping people waiting so I've increased supply and I don't have to backorder...for now.
But the real reason I posted this topic is to show what most of us in this business go through from time to time. None of us get rich in this business and most of us do it because we love it and have been involved in it for almost ever. In my case, if I can supplement my autum years by doing something I love and for which I have a passion, that will be good enough.
Here's my reply to this guy's letter:
Hi ---,
Thanks for taking the time to send me your thoughts about the value of the
Bow Bolt.
I am a little bit confused though because other than the traditional "sleeve
takedown system", I am not aware of another system that costs significantly
less than the Bow Bolt. The "hinge" or "hook" system that Dick Robertson
sells is about the same money and so is the Treadway system and the Bevel
lok system. The average additional cost of any of these systems in a new
two piece vs. a one piece bow is around $200. So, my system is in the ball
park with the rest of them. Being the designer of the Bow Bolt, I also
happen to think it offers more features than the others, which I won't go
into here, and that is why I took the time and spent the money to develop
it to the point that other bowyers might want to try it.
You mentioned, and I quote, "all of us traditionalists whom like the idea of
a packable bow, smell the markup for miles. I cannot fathom how threaded
steel could cost so much to create and offer to the market." Let me try to
explain.
There were around 20 prototypes of the Bow Bolt made in various materials
including carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. The tolerances in the
machining process, while coarse in the beginning at .002" to .005", were
refined to between .0005" and .002"in the end at a cost of approximately
$200 each. That's $4000 for starters.
Next, I personally built 7 prototype bows using the system before I was
comfortable offering the system to other bowyers or offering my own bows
using the system in for sale. I wanted to be sure that it worked well and I
wanted to develop an installation process that others might follow. This
was costly. What would you have to pay for seven 2-piece bows right now?
My guess is that it would be between $4500 and $7000. I made no money on
those bows since they are prototypes and can't be sold so...., let's add the
minimum of $4500 to the $4000 mentioned above. Now, we are up to $8500.
In the beginning, I had no plans to apply for a patent for the Bow Bolt, but
many bowyers and traditional archers told me that I'd be crazy if I didn't,
so I did. Two years and another $6000 later, I was issued a US patent for a
"PRECISION ALIGNING FASTENER". Now we are up to $14,500 in expenses for
developing and protecting an idea I had because I wanted a better system
than what I had been using or had seed to that point.
Oh, but there's more. Between the cost of my simple website, some
advertising in the archery magazine, and sponsorship on Trad Gang, a great
value, I might add, there is another $2000 per year. So now, we are up to
$16,500. And there is still one last thing that is very important. It is
called product liability insurance. Without it, if you were injured because
one of my bows failed or the Bow Bolt failed I would want to be sure that
your medical bills were paid. I have found that product liability
insurance is second only to medical insurance in expense. Add another $2000 per year
and now we are up to $18,500 to safely get the Bow Bolt on the market.
So you see, it is not just "a piece of threaded steel" that I am trying
to market. Now, how many would you like to buy?
Sincerely,
Craig Warren
So, you can see, I did use a little self restraint in my answer.
Dino, your comment is the real reason I posted all this stuff here.
Bill, Doing great, how about you? That prototype bow I showed you 4 years ago got lucky this year. I got a small 8 point with it on Oct. 6.
Zog, I'm with you. EVERYONE charges too much for everything.
Java Man, does that mean I should send you another 100 Bow Bolts right now? LOL
Again, to everyone, thanks for looking at this.
Have a Very Mery Christmas
Craig
Topic: Am I charging too much (Read 2496 times)
