Price or Quality?
Since Banker always fishing has convinced me to "semi" retire (Thanks Chuck!)
I am faced with 2 choices as I see it.
Choice #1 To turn out the highest quality "standard" Mount (which is really a competition mount)
Therefore raising my prices substantially,
OR
Do less "standard mounts" to Keep charges down, but do fewer pieces per year.
Honestly I get burned out more often just cranking out mounts.
I really enjoy doing high end custom mounts with background scenery and such.
I really enjoy doing Chucks fish because he only want the best possible job not the best price.
He has become one of my favorite clients in short order!

I know this sounds like a no brainer but it really is a challenge that confronts me daily.
Looking for some friendly input from My Texas Friends?

I have seen a lot of your work through postings. You Sir are very good at what you do. If you can afford to retire and keep a standard of life that is comfortable to you I would do so only if you are ready. Make sure you can fill in the voided time that a job would have taken up. I would keep up the replication business as part time after retirement and keep doing the work that you have set a high standard for. Never settle for anything below your standard. You may want to do it has a hobby to make some extra cash and do it on your terms. I would take a few replication jobs a year just to stay active and to make a little extra money. It may take a little more time to complete em but you are still doing something you love and keeping your high standard. Good luck and keep doing what you are doing. You are GREAT at it.


Side Note: I would always keep my best clients and doing their replications as needed.

Could not have said it any better "Gitter"! I still have a few more for you Bryan. You are truly the BEST. Each fish you have done for me has turned out GREAT. Every time I look at em on my wall I can go back to the day of the catch and relive the moment as if it was yesterday. Again you are the MASTER when it comes to fish replications and also very reasonable in your prices.




Side Note: If any Gill Buster or other anglers want a fish replication done Bryan is the man. His work really adds to the room they are hanging in.

Highest quality, hands down. It's how you get referrals.

For what I have seen of your work you need to keep up the quality. If you do decide to retire as already been stated you may just want to take less work. Again keep up the super quality of work that you have shown. To lower the quality would not be a good thing at all!

There's your answer.
Quit thinking about the work and focus on who you want to work for.
Pick your clientele and then let them pick the product.

As a footnote I'd add that you might still consider more than one level of offering.
In other words, only work with Cadillac clients but in addition to selling Cadillacs be able to offer the right client a Chevy as well.

I have a good friend that is a photographer and my daughter does wedding flowers. They'll both tell you that the client who is more concerned about the product is the one they want to work with regardless of the size and scope of the project.

To do what you do, you must take pride in your work. Gonna be hard to let something purposely go out the door that's not up to your standards. Less mounts/clients sounds like the answer to me.

Thanks for all the replies.
I was in no way considering sloppy work. I feel like my standard mounts are a good value. I am considering another category of mounts that are competition grade for the VERY discriminating angler.
Just kicking the ideas around for the near future. The input from ya'll is valuable to me.

I'd stick with high quality. That's becoming a rare thing these days and its a real tribute to the artisan when you do see it.

I'd offer 2 levels, but make the distinction obvious:

"Economy Mounts" - For those looking for high standard mounts at good value.

"Executive Mounts" For those who want the highest quality mount to match the catch of a lifetime.

Marketing....