Kathleen

I have been working with companies, compiling information, opening accounts etc. 2 of the major companies, W & L, would consider a monetary discount (ie: 10% off orders of $xxx, 15% off $xxx, etc) but need to provide more ideas of annual total volume to them. One of them suggested just running a buy or 2 to get a baseline under us and then they will come back to the table with their discount offers. Am prepared to run a couple buys just to see involvement amount, etc. but herein lies a couple questions. Where to list purchase information? I think it has to be a membership site (ie: yahoo groups, etc.) to restrict open trade information, prevent spamming of members, etc. Any thoughts on this???? Also, of the many manufacturers I have been spending time with on the phone and in person, I flew out last week to meet with one, they suggest hosting a tackle crafting convention trade show. Most of these companies would be interested in doing a show for the smaller crafters but the questions remain, when, where, etc. Would love to have you throw out ideas and comments on this too. WHEN would be the best time for everyone for something in this nature, and where would everyone be interested in having this? I was really impressed by the willingness of the large companies to work cooperatively with this. They like the idea that instead of shipping out a 1000, small orders, they could possible lower our prices, and ship in a large quantity to one to split up. It would lower their man hours required with the small orders (NOT that they mind, they just liked the idea.)

Nothing is up with Cabela's! Just ask for the MASTER FISHING catalog. This year they created a wonderful master fishing catalog just loaded...almost as thick as the Spring master catalog. If you have trouble getting a hold of one, let me know and I will pick up and mail to you...(cabela's Dundee is less than 6 miles away) I have been known to spend some time there Kathy

Dear ONLYBASS, I must apologize. I in NO Way meant to seem condescending, and if what I wrote came off that way to you or others, then I sincerely apologize. I was in no way wanting to sound like that by noting some things about myself, it was merely offered out there as sort of an introduction as to who I am. I am new to this forum, haven't posted much, read lots of topics, learned lots from all on forum, and I was just putting myself out there. "Guess ....." comment enlightening. What I meant by this is please explain your comment. I know that the buying group I belong too, works. While I see no reason for the same not to work with tackle crafting industry, I also admit I haven't analyzed all to death, was just asking if such a group existed, and if anyone would be interested. separating a co-op from an association.Seems as if that was a neat bit of info. IRS 501c3 formation laws and regulations I am sure you checked with the "group" working on the association to not double the effort or compete needlessly No, I didn't check with the group. I was merely throwing the question out there, does one already exist, and testing the waters about interest. I didn't state that I was starting one, I was just asking. Of course, I would speak to the proper people if it were to come to it. I wasn't putting it out there to step on toes, just throwing it out there. Good thing I don't have a fragile ego or I would feel depressed watching 23 CNC machines run $60/hr each when I have been taken to task by a marketing guru. I don't believe I took you to task about anything. I apologize again for any misinterpretation that occurred. Members here are "needful" of a custom mold maker with short lead times. From all the posts I have read, this is true. And as it appears this is what you are doing, I wish you well and hope to do business with you, as hopefully soon I hope to get into the plastic molding. As I am not familiar with many members of this group, do you have a website or do you just make custom orders based on individuals requirements? This would be a great initial accomplishment by any individual wishing to lead/establish a co-op.But you just blew the best chance that you did not know of.Nice start. Unless your last name is Debeers or Kay,then I'm toast I don't think I want to touch this one. I apologize that you took my post wrong, but I never attacked you or made fun of what you do or who you are. Again, OnlyBass, I apologize. I apologize to any and all I may have inadvertently offended.

The best way to save money is to turn your hobby into a legal business I am a legal business. I actually have 2 home legal businesses and co-own 2 other business, so being in business, is not new to me. While a business is a great way to go, it is not for everyone. Many have tried it, decided it was not for them and give it up. I believe that a lot of people on this forum, are not legal businesses, just hobbyists and have no desire to change this. This is a personal decision and it is NOT for everyone. Why you would be brain dead not to start a home-based business". SEE ABOVE! While I am in business and love it, being in the tackle industry is not just any home business. There are many more steps, though not difficult to achieve, there is more red tape (Excise taxes, exemptions, etc), that some people would rather not take. By the time large lots are broken into small lots and shipped, much,if not all,savings will evaporate. Guess, I need this one explained to me. Will you be able to get what you want, when you want it? No it is not instant gratification. It does take planning and organization on everyone's part! will not come close to the savings of a legitimate business via taxes and wholesale purchases. Totally not true. All groups purchases are wholesale, so you get the tax breaks too, but as the buying power go up so do the discounts and lengths the wholesale companies are willing to go. (See above, the $14,000 dollars I saved is $14,000 off already wholesale pricing. Jewelry making is a expensive undertaking, don't recommend let the wife start, there would definitely be less tackle making money for you Think emeralds, rubies, etc, in the Plano organizers all over your house

wow! You have all given me a lot to answer. Seems like a couple of you have put a lot of thought into it It really is quite simple, I just hope I can explain it well enough! You all know that typing doesn't always convey the true message so I will just dig in and do my best! common denominators with your other crafts. Tackle making is a craft so basically there are many components that are easily transferred into this type of cooperative. We (the jewelry making group, 1000+ members), just decide to purchase as a group. We run a wire buy every month (since you can't make jewelry without it). We researched, found the best products and the best prices, created a spreadsheet, have a buy time frame, and do it. Many of the items are purchasable only in large quantities (1000's+), we break it down to the group and allow purchases by the hundred, and the host just divides it all. After the initial buy period, a note goes out to the group, about what needs to be filled. Most of the time, the item is filled, if it does not meet the minimums required, it is dropped from the buy. That is the main reason, payments are sent in until all the order is finalized, not as you place your order. We do this with 10 buys a month, you just pick and choose what you need. In the jewelry group, I would say we purchase approx. $12000. per month. While it took time to develop, the buying power allows us to compete and make extra deals with the manufacturers to give us the most for our purchasing power. The price break at Lakeland for blades is at 1000 and 10,000 quantities The Price break at Skirts Plus- Living Rubber-Rat Trap (all for skirts) is very similar. So all the blades are divide out by a reasonable quantity and split. you only need 10 people at 100 blades (or skirts, or what ever the buy is) to reach the 1000 minimum, etc. So instead of purchasing 1000 blades at the best price yourself and having to have a large amount of your capital wrapped up, you can order smaller quantities at the same discounts, and expand your inventory, which in turn can expand your business at a faster pace than otherwise available for the small or medium manufacturers or hobbyists. It gives you a better pricing edge, and allows more profit for you in the long run. BTW,what kind or type lures do you make?Or are you just interested in setting up this network Right now, I am currently making spinner baits, spinners, and starting to experiment with soft plastics. I really want to tackle lures but I am still researching this before jumping in. Tackle making components are overtaking my home! (I am sure you all in the same position). setup something is on a total dollar amount discount not on a per item discount but I wouldn't think Lakeland,Wourth etc. would do that. After some large buys (cooperative buys) you would be surprised how much the companies are willing to work with you. On my wire buys, they wine and dine us now. We also were able to establish a individual discount for those times when you need something and a buy is not on the horizon. They will give this when they see what a collective group is capable of! Something like this could really help guys like myself buy cheaper. Common things like skirts would be relatively easy to do. Certain blades, swivels, etc... also. EXACTLY! I am not saying that every item, for every individual could be offered. You cooperative buy the items that the most people are interested, driving the prices to the individual down. you would probable need to buy it wholesale This is the only way the group works. I already have numerous wholesale accounts set up. No more buying retail! someone is kind of giving up there time for almost free. Yes, this is true. The buy fee is included just to cover costs the host may incur. Packaging supplies, gas to post office. But in the long run, the amount of money saved more than makes up for it. I am probably a lucky one here. I am a stay at home mom of 3, who has a wonderful fishing hubby who supports me, 3 teenagers who help as needed, a person who doesn't have to work 9-5 and then make my business orders. The jewelry cooperative last year saved me approx. $14,000. And since I charge the going rate, that allowed an equal (maybe a little more than even) profit. So while it is work and time for free, it really isn't in the long run if you have strong business practices. I should also add, while I am a stay at home mom, I do run my custom jewelry business, PTO treasurer, church youth leader, I also have a master's in marketing and freelance occasionally! My background is in national advertising and new product marketing. Sorry so long, KATHY

While I am fairly new to tackle crafting and tackle underground, I have been a crafter of one sort or another throughout my life. Has anyone here tried or does one currently exist, a cooperative buying group to try obtain the lowest possible prices? While I read the posts about the association forming, this would have to be separate due to IRS laws. I belong to a beading cooperative group and place orders constantly and save tons of CASH! For those of you wondering, a cooperative runs like this.... Certain buys are set up for each company, for this example, I will use Living Rubber. A host or hostess runs the buy, everyone sends their order into them (on a host created spreadsheet), the host figures the discount, and arranges larger discounts with the companies (not difficult at all). All payments plus a minimal buy fee to cover labels, bags, packaging supplies etc. (Ours are never over $5.00) , are sent to host who places orders, has order shipped to them and then repackages (if necessary) and sends to purchasers. I used living rubber as the e xample because I noticed they have a large discount on the 101+ packs of skirts. If everyone cooperative purchases at certain times, everyone same money. More money saved, more products being purchased, one can never have enough can they? I would be more than willing to help set something up if enough people are interested. Thanks for all the great posts on this site, I am learning so much! Thanks, Kathleen

Looking for a lure maker to produce lures in our painted design, 1st lure (with more to come) is a popper lure. Looking for approx. production of 50, with potential reorders for fishing group of women Must be reasonable in pricing (preferably wholesale pricing). If custom designed, we own all rights and cannot be manufactured by you for others. This is our woman fishing group and we hope to market a line of tackle. Thanks, KAthy...Please reply if interested here and I will contact you. If you have a website, please include that info as well. Thanks again. Love this forum. (we currently make our own wire tackle, maybe one day, hard tackle but after reading 12+ pages of this forum, we need to do lots and lots of research!