Pricing Game Calls

[Tom McMillan]

I would appreciate knowing if you sell any game calls, what prices are you charging and are they calls with Hut or similar components??
Also, if you sell any of these wholesale what price do you charge? The calls I'm thinking of would be the deer and elk grunt type calls and deer type calls. Also the new cow elk call if anyone's doing those. Thanks!!!

 

[GoodTurns]

haven't sold any yet, but have two magnum duck calls (cocobolo and tulipwood) at a retailer who gives me space, yes, gives for $35 each.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I make all that you mention. My reeds come from HUT and a variety of other sources. I have never whittled my own reeds. I have been pricing mine at $35.00 and that seems to work. More importantly though, my sales increased when I started signing them (my signature laser engraved). Most sales are to collectors or to collector/hunters than to just hunters. And collectors want their calls signed. Price of calls depends on popularity of the maker. If you can get fairly well known, jumping up to $50-$60, or more, should not be a problem. Just look at the acrylic calls that sell for $100.00 to $300.00. They are twenty-five cents worth of plastic but the makers are well known. Don't try to compete on eBay. Sadly, there are quite a few really nice calls for sale at all times that go for tiny money. Good luck.

 

[Tom McMillan]

Thanks Jon and Frank. Yes, I know EBAY is a difficult market for pens and I've noticed pretty much for calls too. I do see one store there that has some nice calls a little higher priced at buy it nows, but not sure what he actually ends up selling. My Son's Uncle is planning on marketing some calls I'll make along with some bow supplies he and another friend are making probably to the archery market. I like the $35 retail price, but cutting that back to a wholesale price of maybe $18-$20 concerns me at this point (actually the Cow Elk calls could probably go for a bit less since there's only one piece to turn).

 

[FireproofInc]

One of my best buddies is a call maker. Does an outstanding job, he does a lot of fancy stuff. Several custom call maker websites, might want to check into waterfowler websites and such. minnesotawaterfowler.com is one such site.

As far as pricing, same goes for pens I think. You can charge what the market will bear, especially if you are well known or collectible. cscustomcalls.com is my buddies site if you wanna take a look at pricing some stuff.

Cheers!

 

[TellicoTurning]

Hi Tom,
I do a few calls that I sell locally at a Trader's Row type show.. haven't started this year yet.. too early for tourists.. first show will be June 9 through "end of color" for the Smokies.. usually late Oct/early Nov... I generally get $45 for both the duck calls and deer grunts.. and just sold some elk bugles on the internet.. same price. I include a lanyard and a velveteen bag for the calls. I use the HUT reeds and sometimes from CSUSA..