Re: Grand River Tactical shooting mat/rifle case
Hey Mike.
The trial mat orders are done, and here is why. I though that I could turn these out at an astonishing rate. I was way wrong. I dont mind being upfront about this, some guys would never discuss what I am about to tell you.
I have right around $65 in the mats and about $75 in multicam. I also have about 8-9 hours into each one. Maybe I am slow, or inneficient, what ever, but thats what it is talking me. Maybe I just have not figured out all the short cuts yet, but when you see one of these mats, there is a shit load of stitching on each mat. Some of it is a little complicated. Those are the numbers and you can do the math.
At $125, and $60 in materials at the least, the neoprene foam being one of the most expensive components, I am working for aroun $5-$6 per hour. I am prepared to pay that price, as apposed to work for it, to get a product out there, that is going to get attention and talk, from the guys that know good stuff when they see it.
I dont mind laying this information out there, I am a shooter, and have bought lots of gear. No one can really appreciate the price of a expensive mat like an eagle, till you look at one, and think about what it takes to make one. You can not really appreciate a back pack, like a Eberlestock or a Kirafu, until you want to try to make one. The skills, the effort, time, and materials that actually go into them are astonishing.
I wanted an Eberlestock gunslinger in the worst way, I found lots of pics and started making one. Well, with all stuff that I have on my plate, and the materials that I lacked, mesh, light nlon, etc. etc., I was glad to pay the $250 (used in the for-sales) not to have to make one. Its an intense hobby, requires more patience than I have sometimes.
As far as orders are going, I am back logged, I will take your orders, but wait time is around 30 days plus or minus. There are guys that I am quoting this wait time too, and folks are eager to get in line, so more than likely, the wait time will keep increasing, but I want to be as upfront as possible with this. I dont want this to turn into the DCLW clusterfuck.
I am running as fast as a one man show can go, balls to the wall, still working on average of 12 hours a day the past 2 months at the normal job, wich is highly irregular. Once the school registration season slows down, I will be able to pick up more time for this and turn around time should be far less. Catching up every day, but I put myself under tremendous pressure not to keep guys waiting, and I feel it when they are.
I just wanted to throw this out there, I want to be honest with the community that I am serving, and be upfront with the folks who are spending their money with me.
On a side note, thanks for the info Dusty, I cleaned up the spelling on my site, I think, and sent you a PM also. That was my first crack a making a web page, from scratch, using notepad, and html commands, wich I think is a major accomplishment for ME!
I just forgot to spell check it.
Nick