Syren Ship Model Company News, Updates and Info.....(part 2)

[Chuck]

If Chris somehow decides not to produce those as a kit, I will absolutely do so.   This way folks can laser cut their own parts or cut them out the old fashioned way.   I would have to remake the carvings for 3D printing for the Barge though.   

 

I hand carved those and had them cast the old fashioned way.

 

Chuck

[RossR]

I know you put the production of your ropewalk on hold due to tariff issues, any plans to reprice it and start production again.   I might be interested in paying a few dollars more to get one.   

[Chuck]

Its not a matter of repricing....Its a matter of sourcing the parts.  I still havent solved that one yet.   Sorry.

 

Chuck

[Chuck]

Just a heads up on the restocking effort.   

 

I finished making enough Blocks and now tan rope to reopen.   I am about 85% finished with Dark Brown rope.  I basically only have .018 and .012 Brown rope left to make.   I figure 25 - 30 packages of each....but I am running out of steam, LOL.   Thats about half of the amount I am usually at when fully stocked.  So maybe a couple days before I reopen.   After a full 8 days just making rope from sun up to sun down its getting really hard to stay focused.  But I am almost there....If I sell out in one day again then I just quit, LOL.   

 

Chuck

[glbarlow]

Seriously how about a limit per purchase. This hoarding is a detriment to us all.

[Chuck]

Because as I have found out...it really doesnt work.   I have had folks just ask their wives or neighbors and friends to order and they brag to me about how they "beat me".   So only the honorable folks actually get burned in the end by complying with a reasonable request like that.  The guys who dont care are obsessed about getting what they want no matter what.  Working retail can be stressful sometimes.  I am just going to try and keep up and make more until it hopefully settles down.   But let me tell you, it aint fun making rope every day for 8 to ten hours.   

 

Sadly there is only one method that truly works....I hate to do it but folks have been telling me for a decade that my prices are too low.   I took a long hard look at what other companies charge for this stuff and its crazy.   I think my stuff is the best by comparison (I am biased) and I was still 30 to 40% and sometimes 50% cheaper based on the lengths of rope and blocks I offer.   So yes when I reopen,  my prices will be 50 cents to 75 cents per package more expensive than when I shut down to restock.  Not a huge amount but maybe enough of a deterrent against buying 12 packages at a time of everything.   Sorry guys...between my costs going up and the hoarding...I have no choice.  I am tired.

 

Its either this or I just shut it all down and find a part time job where I am not churning out rope and blocks at a very low margin.... working 70 hours a week, 7 days a week.  The admiral might have a point except for the fact that I do love doing my small part in making the hobby more enjoyable for folks.   But like me, its getting old fast.

 

Chuck

[KennyH78]

Chuck, I for one cannot blame you for raising your prices and I will continue to buy your products even if you raised your prices by 25%. You have the best looking ropes and blocks on the market. 

[Chuck]

Thank you.....but dont buy too much...LOL

 

For rope specifically....it isnt Rocket science to make nice rope.   Ben makes fantastic rope at ropes of scale as an example.   I really wish more of you would try making it yourself.  You really dont have to pay someone else for rope as it is so easy to make.  It still surprises me how much of it I sell.   

 

I sold 30 foot long packages or 9 meters for  $5.50

Ben sells the same length of rope for $9.50 US

 

So in order to get more on par with that and others...I now charge $7   

 

Still a pretty good discount.

 

For 3D printed blocks,  I was charging just $4.50 - $5 for a package of 25.   To bring that price in line with others who basically sell the same thing....These will now cost $6.   So we shall see how this goes.   They other guys are up around $7.50 to $8.75 

 

Maybe at closer to real market pricing the hoarding will ease up a bit.   Once I actually did the comparison I realized how low my prices actually were and how it probably contributed to that phenom.  Because I really dont want to stop just yet if I dont have to.   I think I have a few years left in me churning out rope, blocks and fittings.

 

Chuck

 

 

[Coyote_6]

That money is well earned.  There is nothing wrong with charging a fair price - the quality speaks for itself. 

 

I would hate to no longer get Syren products when I am halfway through my project!  😭

 

Keep up the good work Chuck!  Looking forward to the reopening - shrouds and stays take more line than I would've thought!

[glbarlow]

I believe we have to absorb the tariff for Ben’s rope but I may be wrong. 
 

Every time you mention retirement the hoarders come out. 😞🫣

[Chuck]

49 minutes ago, glbarlow said:

Every time you mention retirement the hoarders come out. 😞

LOL....I can see me at the ripe old age of 85 making 75-100 packages of rope a day!!!  7 days a week.   It has to end at some point.   Ben makes a great rope too!!!   Or as I have mentioned.   Its so easy to make your own and it will cost you pennies.   No waiting on the postman either.  Give it a try.   Its funny actually.  I have sold a rope walk to a lot of people (probably 6-700 or more) and I still see those same guys buying my rope instead.   I have to scratch my head.

 

It is so easy with a little practice.  Its not rope rocket science.  And it will be just as good if not better.  I think I have to teach more folks to fish.  Maybe I will release my rope walk plans/files so folks can make their own or go get them laser cut somewhere...more people should try and make their own. 

 

Chuck

[dvm27]

I can indeed confirm that Ropes of Scale is adding the tariff to their prices. But it's not Ben's fault and he has no choice but to pass on the tariff to customers.

As for Chucks products I believe, like most artists, he is amazingly talented but a crappy businessman. I think we all know the value we are getting with his products. I bet things would change if his wife ran the business!

[Chuck]

1 hour ago, dvm27 said:

I think we all know the value we are getting with his products. I bet things would change if his wife ran the business!

Yes that is so true.   I never charged enough and I give too much away for free. And I work way too much. Life is too short.   I hear that from her every day lately.   LOL...

 

I guess this is a good post to give an update on the capstan project.   Another brilliant business decision.  I have completed the build log and added all of the files for download.   I just have to write a few topics of instruction for the materials I am using and the techniques I used...all of my secrets and methods.   Then folks will be able to join this project area and download those files and make their own kit.

 

If you dont have a laser cutter or 3D printer,   thats OK too.   J.J. (scrubbyjoe) has agreed to produce these kits for sale so folks can buy one and join the group to start a build log alongside the others.  That is free and you could a tually start a topic in that area right now if tou wanted to.  
 

I dont suspect we will have a lot of people who will be laser cutting their own stuff or 3D printing their own stuff yet.   But I do think that this number will increase in the future.  And yes I am giving this project away for free and J.J. has my permission to produce these and sell them.   If anyone else wants to,  they must get my permission first or you can just use the material for your own personal use.  This is all new territory and we are testing out a new way to bring projects to our members.

 

Having said this,  We will be charging a small fee to join this club area for the downloads only.  Not so MSW can make a killing off it, but so we can keep track of those with access and manage the release of the files out to the world.  The cost to gain access and be invited to download these files is  just $5.

 

Just five bucks, LOL.

 

So yes,  please dont tell my wife that I am giving away something else, LOL

 

I will never make the Forbes 500, LOL

 

But everyone have fun.

 

 

Chuck

[Chuck]

People are sending me requests to join the group.  Dont do this.  This is just a quirk of the software.  
 

This is the way it will work.  Once I finish setting up the tutorial topics.  I will announce it is ready for folks to join.  
 

The NRG will add a store item to its online shop.  You will have to go there and buy your access to the group for five bucks.  We are still setting that up.  
 

Mary will contact me with your information and I will send you an invitation.  You will see your the invation and will be able to click a link to accept it and join.  
 

Basically its the same way it works for the Winchelsea group build.  Thats when you will gain access to download the files.
 

 If you are not 3d printing or laser cutting your parts,  its free to join as you will be able to buy a kit and start a build log without paying $5.

 

You only have to pay the five bucks  for access to the files if you are making the parts yourself.
 

Chuck

[RossR]

3 hours ago, Chuck said:

I have sold a rope walk to a lot of people (probably 6-700 or more) and I still see those same guys buying my rope instead. 

If anyone has one they want to sell, send me a private message.  

[GGibson]

9 hours ago, Chuck said:

Ben makes fantastic rope at ropes of scale as an example.   I really wish more of you would try making it yourself.

 

Truth be told, Ben is my rope guy at Ropes of Scale.  But you, Chuck, are my blocks & deadeyes guy.  Always have been, always will be.

 

As much as you guys who do make your own make it look easy, it's much less frustrating for me to simply get my credit card out.

 

9 hours ago, Chuck said:

For 3D printed blocks,  I was charging just $4.50 - $5 for a package of 25.   To bring that price in line with others who basically sell the same thing....These will now cost $6.   So we shall see how this goes.

 

Fair enough!  I'm a long ways out from needing them, though, so I'll bide my time.  Get some rest, Chuck!!