plug prices

[tattoobob]

what is everyone opinion on someone buying a plug for 20 dollars then once the supply is gone trying to sell it for twice of what they paid?

I think if we the plug buyer refuses to pay there price it will do 2 things
1) it will not drive the prices up
2) it could stop the guys from buying up all the plugs when they first arrive at the store,not leaving enough for others.

Alot of guys seem to feel it is okay to take advantage of there fellow fisherman. It seems to be happening more on ebay and sol I don't see it here

[luds]

Originally Posted by tattoobob

what is everyone opinion on someone buying a plug for 20 dollars then once the supply is gone trying to sell it for twice of what they paid?

I think if we the plug buyer refuses to pay there price it will do 2 things
1) it will not drive the prices up
2) it could stop the guys from buying up all the plugs when they first arrive at the store,not leaving enough for others.

Alot of guys seem to feel it is okay to take advantage of there fellow fisherman. It seems to be happening more on ebay and sol I don't see it here

I don't think it happens here because most of us know each other. It's more anonymous on sol and e-bay.

[lurch]

It is very frustrating to see plug prices increasing. It would be nice if there were limits on the number of plugs a person could buy at a shop or even directly from a builder.

A few weeks ago M&Ds had a limit on the number of plugs a person could buy so the horders do not buy them and ultimately resell them "for what the market can bear". I hope other shops take the same steps so the plugs get to as many fisherman as possible and not to a select few.

"for what the market can bear" = the seller is going to fleece you

I personally will fish every plug I buy no matter who made it.

[zimmy]

I guess it is just the way things are... supply and demand. Hand made, hand painted, high quality components, hand assembled in the US in small batches. They are probably way underpriced to start with... If you are lucky enough to be in a shop when they come in, you get em at a reasonable price. Some guys who can't get em will pay a premium. So then you get guys who will take advantage of it. I jsut try to control my desire for them... Do I need a troublemaker surfster or a jointed RM to catch fish? No, so I try to prevent the "I need it" urge and be happy with what I have. I think I have a very small supply compared to most guys, but I still have way more than I need.

Thing that gets to me is that I become afraid of using certain plugs since I know what they are worth. Does it make sense to throw a $50 needle or danny with the chance of losing it on every cast? I could sell it and buy 3 others that probably work about as well and not have to worry about it... Then I get into not wanting to feed the fire.

[zimmy]

oh I forgot... if you are buying em with the intent to resell at a profit, you are scum

[riverrat2]

If people bought them strictly to fish and not hang on the wall and post pictures on the internet of their "collection" they would not be as expensive.

[sapo]

It seems like some of these "resellers" are making more off the plugs than the plug builders themselves. Now that's just not right!

Cheers to M & D's, and TimS for limiting how many plugs people buy from them.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by riverrat2

If people bought them strictly to fish and not hang on the wall and post pictures on the internet of their "collection" they would not be as expensive.

AMEN!!!!!! What the F^%$# is the purpose of hanging a plug? They are made to be fished for cripes sakes... I used to build I'd be pissed if my plugs weren't fished... They were made to be fished..Not collectors items..

[Pete F.]

Well they were a lot less expensive then. But jigs were one side or the other of $2.
I think they have the Danny pictures mixed up

[BigFish]

And gasoline in 1980 cost about .75 cents a gallon. How much is it now?

[Saltheart]

Once the builder sells it , its not his business what the next guy does with it. Each person who owns one has the right to do what he wants with it.

i may sometimes laugh at people paying $100 for a plug and think they are crazy but its up to them if they think its worth it.

Anyway , I have no issues with people buying and selling anything in a free market. If you want them cheaper than an ebay reseller is getting , go to the tackle shops daily or get friendly with the owners of the shop so that you get some at original retail. I do not buy and sell plugs but i have no problem with those who do. Its part of the game.

BTW , I won't pay even $20 for a plug anymore. I bought tons when they were $7 but none at $20 (bought about 50 gibbs for an average of $7 when they were originally selling the business and simply kept them for use or to give as gifts ). There are jigs and plastic and eels and metal lures ,etc.

[Gunpowder]

like most of the people on this site, i fish all of the plugs i own. even the hab's.... cause thats wat he wanted!!! i can understand if only like 100 plugs were made of a certain kind like hab's jersey devil being put on the wall but i say fish all the rest and only buy one or two of each lure with the intent to fish them. not buy 10+ to sell at a higher price a year later like wat is happening on SOL. i love all the custom lures that are out there, but it is getting harder and harder to get one because they are being horded by so few.

[Skitterpop]

To each his or her own.

[nightfighter]

I couldn't possibly fish all the plugs I own, and I consider what I have a modest collection, compared to some I know of. Many that I like a lot, or are extremely nice pieces of woodworking and finishing, are hanging on exposed beams in my den. I like having fishing gear around, especially to get me through the winter months. I will have our Christmas tree adorned with plugs as well.

When Luds came by for a bite before a night of fishing on the boat, he told me that there were a couple that were in high demand. I guess I'm clueless on that front... I do have some Mac's, some for show, some to fish. Some of those were bought directly from Mac in the first years he was building, some at the end. Many in the collection have come via raffles/fundraisers, so how much did they cost me?????

That said, having changed the primary type of fishing I do from surf to boat, if I had a need to raise funds for a T-Top, or a primary high end boat reel, would I consider my collection as a source of funds??? Absolutely. And I would certainly look to see what market value was on various classified boards.

Lastly, if I were only able to procure custom plugs on the retail market, I would now have a small fraction of the collection I now enjoy. I recognize and admire the work that goes into each plug. But no way I could see myself going out and paying even just the retail prices to replace what I have. And the workmanship is probably worth more!!!

And I have yet to sell a plug, ever....

[luds]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

I couldn't possibly fish all the plugs I own, and I consider what I have a modest collection, compared to some I know of. Many that I like a lot, or are extremely nice pieces of woodworking and finishing, are hanging on exposed beams in my den. I like having fishing gear around, especially to get me through the winter months. I will have our Christmas tree adorned with plugs as well.

When Luds came by for a bite before a night of fishing on the boat, he told me that there were a couple that were in high demand. I guess I'm clueless on that front... I do have some Mac's, some for show, some to fish. Some of those were bought directly from Mac in the first years he was building, some at the end. Many in the collection have come via raffles/fundraisers, so how much did they cost me?????

That said, having changed the primary type of fishing I do from surf to boat, if I had a need to raise funds for a T-Top, or a primary high end boat reel, would I consider my collection as a source of funds??? Absolutely. And I would certainly look to see what market value was on various classified boards.

Lastly, if I were only able to procure custom plugs on the retail market, I would now have a small fraction of the collection I now enjoy. I recognize and admire the work that goes into each plug. But no way I could see myself going out and paying even just the retail prices to replace what I have. And the workmanship is probably worth more!!!

And I have yet to sell a plug, ever....

Ya got some nice pikies.

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

the way i look at it a plug builder should set his price so that whatever it is will yeild him a profit of whatever he deems necesary to make a decent wage.i have no pity on those builders crying that they aren't making any money or how they are slaving to make a buck.once the builder sells his plug to a shop the shop owner sets his price by what he pays for the plug and how much profit he has to make to run the shop and make a living.once some buys that plug it is no longer anyones concern what that person does with the plug, fish it or resell it.as far as the high price of certain plugs it is the internet hype that has created this demand.just 2 years ago there were shops on LI that were selling certain plugs for 18 dollars, these plugs were definetly fish catchers and used by many . they didn't fly out the door but sold at a steady pace, now they go for 60 bucks.and the poor guy that has been fishing them for the last 25 years is out of luck unless he knows someone or has deep pockets.

[Saltheart]

I think eyes make a big difference sometimes. I also know that there were days when several different color and shape poppers would not work but a small chrome creek chub would. Not sure why but I like having the plugs available in different styles and colors.

[lurch]

Originally Posted by l.i.fish.in.vt

the way i look at it a plug builder should set his price so that whatever it is will yeild him a profit.

If they dont they will be out of business soon.

Maybe we can get some of the local plug builders of the site can help us understand how they price their plugs?

Do they set their price for them to make a profit? Do they set the price for what the market bears? Do they set the price based upon what the local shops will buy them for?

[macojoe]

Ii can't afford them at $10 each!! I am still waiting to be a try it guy and get for free

[fishing bum wannabe]

The plug builder doesn't get the $20 you pay at the tackle shop. He probably gets $12 (60%). Out of that he has to pay a 10% Fed tax and pay for materials (you don't get crok/spro swivels and triple split rings and hand tied bucktail tail hooks on the chinese plastics). If he sells direct he has to deal with the costs of attending shows/flea markets and/or packaging/shipping for mail order. If he's efficient he makes a profit.

If you're unhappy with the cost of customs and happy with the chinese plastic, stick with them. The chinese make great lures (however not all are that inexpensive. Good plastic is in the $10-15 range). If you happen to want a descent needlefish or a large swimmer or a canal size pencil popper, you're SOoL because the demand isn't high enough and they don't exist in plastic. The custom plugbuilders fill a need, and if you think the price is too high, build your own or do without.

The idea that the plugmakers manipulate the demand and price for their product and that that is unfair and makes them bad people is ludicrous. I guess you expect that Lexus for the same price as the Camry too. I bet you always buy your rods/reels at Walmart too and don't have a Lami custom wrap (or it's equivalent) in your arsenal, because they're too expensive. Of course builders want a demand for their product that exceeds supply! Who wouldn't! It's great for the ego, if nothing else.

I build my own, trade a few, give a bunch to friends and catch a lot of fish on them (best fish this year, 75# SBFT on one of my needles this summer), and don't sell. I couldn't make a descent dollar with my production methods selling to shops. But I've seen most of the products by the current builders and am impressed with the work that went into them. In the right cicumstances, customs can be the only producers. The needle that I made and used for that Tuna was something that there is no plastic equivalent, and we had been trying everything in the tackle box to no effect. We have used the same needles on stripers to great effect when they wouldn't touch sluggos. Are customs worth the money? On some days they are priceless. You want one of my needle fish? And you thought $50 was expensive!

KarlF

When do I start saving money? I got more plugs than I'll use in a lifetime, and am already planning this winters production, and the cost of tooling and materials is more than I ever spent on lures.

[FrankG]

You want real pretty plugs???ones that swim right??at a modest price??and are available?? buy BigFish Lures....Ive seen Larry test these and have done so myself .. there as good any and even better than some.

Put 'em up for sale online or in some Long Island B&Ts and I will buy them.

[FrankG]

2 years ago there were shops on LI that were selling certain plugs for 18 dollars, these plugs were definetly fish catchers and used by many .

I bought my Beachmasters for $18 a piece. I remember people bitchin because they came with no hooks. Now they go for $45 and up on fleabay.

You want real pretty plugs???ones that swim right??at a modest price??and are available?? buy BigFish Lures.

I will, just put 'em all up for sale online or in a B&T on Long Island.

[Tburg]

If in this post , I repeat what others have posted please excuse me.
I do not log on as mush as i would like and I do not read all the posts all that closely as I should....

I would luv to be able to purchase plugs from all the small commercial builders on this site and by them direct and from the local B&T stores, but I cannot afford it and personally I cannot justify paying $25.00 or more for something that I could loose in the first cast...This is not to say that they are not worth the money... I dable in making a few plugs a year ( 10-15 max) for myself , family and friends. It takes time to make each plug and in no way or form do they match the quality of 99.9% of the ones I see on this site for show and or ones for sale.

If those that want to pay top and over the top $$ for a fishing plug or any other item then that indiviual made the decision to spend their own money....Those that inflate a price and recieve the money, well thay have done nothing wrong unless they do not deliver on the product they advertised. If there is a limited supply of a item for whatever reason and a demand for the item..well the cost to purchase will be higher...Were all adults for the most part and if you want it, purchase it , trade for it and or make it....

Merry Christmas to all and to all may you get many plugs to fish next season....