Help with Hooks?

[One Sock]

Hey guys, maybe you can help out. I was on a quest for over 5 months now trying to get a manufacturer for some 2/0 octopus hooks that would meet my expectations for a wacky rig hook. I also wanted them in red. Well I finally struck a deal and plunged my hard earned cash into about 10,000 hooks.

Does anyone know where to find some sort of packaging for hooks? I would like to do some resale, make a few bucks and get my hooks for free, but putting them in a small ziplock type bag is kinda cheesey and probably wouldn't sit well with most of the stores I deal with. Oh and I am also selling in 25 and 100 packs only so the packaging must be a bit bigger than your normal 10 count package. any help would be appreciated

[dampeoples]

Jann's sells little boxes that are designed for stuff like that, like a clamshell, different sizes, they might even have a hang tab.

[David Reid]

Sock, The sort of thing DP is talking about are definitely called clamshells. You can buy these with or without hang tabs. Google them or do an advanced search. The advantage of these is you can use a stick on label (front or back) or use a printed header card you staple to the clamshell. (the advantage here is these are mostly anti-tamper and theftproof. Clamshells also come in hinged 1 pce or 2 halves and are often made so they clip together. They also come in single compartment with a slide in back but I wouldnt advise these as the cardboard will probably get wet and messy and are probably not the best option. ( matter of cost really though). I once read the results of an American survey that said 70% of Fishermen automatically agreed they shouldnt litter but that 70 to 80% of them actually did which is probably true. (in that way they are like cigarette smokers who know its wrong but the vast majority of whom drop empty pkts, cellophane, butts etc everywhere).

Also available and they use here are Hook envelopes complete with hang tab which you can only put a very limited number of hooks in but you can also slip a display card into often printed both sides. These are the best for retail packs but because you can only put a number of hooks in them are probably not suitable here. Heavy Plastic Bags with a header card are probably your cheapest and best bet though. In this case a Ziplock with a header card and backing is probably what I would use. 10,000 hooks while it seems a lot is not and only makes 400 x 25 pkts or 100 x 100 pkts. Do the costing and I think you will find it will cost you at least 20, 25 cents or maybe as much as 30c pkt for clamshells versus PBs. That amounts to an extra $120 for the 400 pkts or at least $30 and more like $60 for the 100 pkts.

Before you make any decisions figure out how you are going to do your labels. Most inkjet printers will do labels (see Avery etc) and most will also do light card. You often need a guillotine as well (and thats not for your wife or girlfriend btw. You have to figure it out and learn yourself which all take time). In the first instance you probably wont make money but it will quickly teach and give you some necessary skills re merchandising. To get labels/ cards printed independently will tend to make you broke unless you are talking at least 2000 + which you aint here. I could give you heaps of advice as I have learnt most of these things the hard way over the years but dont have time at present. If you meet resistance from retailers listen to them and take in what they say but then give them the option of PBs or Clamshells with the proper extra prices added on and I suspect they will backpeddle virtually everytime. Good Luck.

[One Sock]

Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like the clamshells are the way to go

[David Reid]

Sock, Like I said do your costing and you should have a pretty good idea of what it cost either way. Retailers often dont have a clue and will often push you towards the most attractive and presentable packaging until you give them the real facts and costs but to some degree you have to listen to them as they will often give you info and details you would otherwise miss or overlook at times. Good luck with whatever way you go and remember its a learning curve that will open up other possibilities. David

[One Sock]

Yeah, I found the clamshells , got them all seperated in 25 count packs, printed little stickers, now to package them up when the clamshells arrive. did the math on everything, It all comes out to 1.18 per 25 pack, packaged and ready to sell. Now to discuss retail with stores...that's a whole new thread :-)