You should donate calls when you can

[Braz]

I just wanted to share a story of something that happened to me.

A while back, a fellow call maker asked for donations for a charitable organization. I almost always donate to these kinds of things, as that is a real easy way for me to help out all over this great nation we have. On June 19 I got a PM on that board from the fellow. Here is what he said.

Hello
The 20 gauge call that I won on the raffle is one of the nicest calls that I have and I would like to get some more from you.  Do you still make them and if so do you ship to Canada.  I'll pay to much for something I like and willing to send you the money way before you send me anything.

I responded that sure, I'd make some up for him and sent it off. Didn't hear anything else from him so just forgot about it.

On July 9, I got this message from him.

Sorry about the delay in replying but with work coming to an end and some damn fool suggesting I take a 6 day fishing trip I've been a mite busy.  If you can make the calls all sound as good as the one that I won I'd like say 10 of them[if that sounds like work I'd settle for less.  I'm not concerned with gauge just sound and I'm sure your work is good in any gauge.  The yellow 20 gauge is pretty easy to find once you throw it on the ground in a hurry so I am a tad partial to it for myself.  Let me know what you think and I'll be happy to throw a check in the mail for you.  Just don't do it for free as that always sucks and I don't mind paying for quality and as I won't shop in a big box store the part about North american made is a big selling point to me.


I responded to the man with a price that I normally charge, and told him, since he was buying 10, I'd sell them to him for $1.50 apiece less than the normal price. Shipped of course, and only would charge him for the extra, if any, to ship to Canada. This is what I got back from him.

I'll buy them at (here was a price $2 more than my original asking price) a piece plus shipping and not a penny less.  I'm having a good year in my spraying business and don't mind paying for a product I like as long as it ain't from China.  If you would send me your address I would send you a check and don't worry about hurrying as I'm in no hurry cause the hides ain't worth nothing until near the end of October.  Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but the wheat midge needs to be killed around here and I got busy again.

I was just really shocked at all this. I have been donating calls because I wanted to help organizations out, but this is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me. I just want to encourage all of you to donate every chance you get. Not because you will make a lot of sales, but because it is a great way to help out folks all across this great nation. If every one of us does a little bit, it amounts to a huge amount. And you just never know, it may come back in Roses!

[justannie]

Way to go Braz! I often donate calls too. Rarely does it turn into a bad experience. Often there will be a very happy winner and more calls ordered. And to others that donate.... always include a couple business cards. People don't know who you are if you don't advertise.

[Braz]

Excellent point Bonnie. That is exactly what I did. I almost always send three cards with every call shipped.

[BigB]

Great story Braz!  You never know when things like this will happen. 


Brian

[Bill]

Braz
It has been said that things happen in 3's well here is story #2

I got this pm this week
Morning Bill
  I have a request to make.  I have a few friends down there in the US I'd like to send calls to.  I was wondering if you would be willing to make some up for me and mail them to these guys.  I'd be more than happy to pay you well for the service and quit trying to screw yourself helping me.


Of course I told him I would be more then happy to help him out I got another pm from him
Morning Bill
  Sorry I didn't get back to you right away but the wheat midge needs killing up here and I got busy again.  I'm going to need 8 of them calls made up and as I don't hunt with any of these guys I guess I'd leave it up to you as to what kind of call to make for them.  I have not even got all their address's yet so if you would let me know your price I'll put a check in with the next bunch of migrating geese and get you paid for your troubles.  I'll send you the address's as soon as I can but had better go make money now


This is still getting put together I am very pleased that he chose me to make some calls for him

Bill

[Al_at_THO Game Calls]

Is it just me, or does it sound like the same guy?   And what the heck is a Wheat Midge LOL

Either way, I know they are going to get some outstanding calls from a couple of great call makers!  Good going guys!

Not to be a wet blanket, but I had one just horrible experiance donating calls to an organization.  One that really soured me.

But a couple years ago, I donated calls to a group for a Youth Calling Contest (from the same state as my horror story too) and once the contest was done, I got a picture from the guy who I donated the calls to,  of this little guy, not more that 5 or 6, in blue jean overalls blowing one of my calls and having a great old time.  Best picture I ever got from someone, and made the whole thing worthwhile for me.   I'll have to try and find the picture.  Cute as all get out.



Al @ THO

[Bill]

Yes Al It is the same guy
Not sure what a wheat Midge is but since he is into spraying crops for bugs I am guessing it is a bug that can destroy a crop of wheat ;D

Thanks for the kind comments

Bill

[Heirloom]

I've had almost all good experiences too when donating calls. The best are when they REALLY help someone out. The buisness that comes from the donation is really secondary to that. It's nice though and like y'all said, someties you get ack a cool picture.

[John_NY]

I have only donated 3 so far but it was fun. 2 went to the emergency relief fund for taxidermists and the other to an auction to raise money for the wife of a taxidermist who died from cancer this year. Makes you feel good to be ablee to help in some way.

John

[Heirloom]

I really hate to stick a "shameless plug" in here But you folks that are interested in donating calls and helping those out who help keep us in the shop might want to check out Hunters Helping Hunters. Here is a link I think...
www.huntershelpingh unters.org
Anyways, these folks are a non-profit organization that works to help out hunters and their families in times of need.

[misfire]

Funny you mention this as I have donated two calls on another forum for the owner of that site who is facing some severe financial problesm after an accident left his small child under water for an extended period of time. He has no health insurance as he is self employed and the hospital bills are amounting to a very large sum. Never met the guy in my life, but its a small thing to do to help a fellow hunter and human being.
On a side note, I get hit up pretty regularly for donations to the NWTF and just recently found out something VERY interesting. If you already have , or have HAD, a sponsor membership, then every call you donate goes towards your diamond life membership. This year alone I have donated over $800 worth in calls to the NWTF, just need to get the sponsor membership

[Braz]

Wow. But how are they determining the value of the call. By the price it actually brings, or the same way the IRS does in determining value of donations. Materials only!

[Heirloom]

Funny you should mention NWTF like that. I regularly donate to them. Is there anything else you can tell us about that?? Maybe where to find more info about it???

[dogcatcher]

I know several ranchers that donate hunts to the veterans that were wounded and recuperating in the hospitals at San Antonio.  They call when ever they have a group of vets together and tell me how many hunters there will be.  Never looked at as trying to get a return for the donation.  All of the ranchers have been on and off customers for years.  I do this because I remember all of the crud that was thrown Vietnam veteran.

As for as charitable organizations, there are 2 that generally ruined it for most of them.  When I found out the calls that I donated landed up in the hands of directors without being offered to the overall membership they lost all of my respect.  The more I looked into it, it seems  that some of these shenanigans is going on all over the country.  After I got sick in 2000 and had to give up all woodworking for about 4 years, with about a 4 year absence all of the requests kind of died off.  For the ones that do ask I ask so many questions that they know they had better be above board.  Sour pills are hard to swallow.

Marvin

[misfire]

I do not know where you could find out about it in more depth. I got a form in an email that I can fill out at the end of the eyar and then send it in to them. Someone else told me about it and then I confirmed it with someone on the State board.
As far as the value of the call, whoever you donate the call to has a slip they will fill out with an approxiimate value of the call