Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

I now understand why so many of you guys are going to a "no waiting list" policy and just posting up calls as they become available....

People just don't understand that most call makers have a day job, a family AND enjoy turkey hunting!  Ha!  Who woulda thunk!  :TooFunny:

As I was getting to the last of my list for before season I had a few pan out that I was not able to finish that I was hoping to finish and I've had a few people act downright rude, cussing me, DEMANDING that I build their call because I have ruined their season.  :o

It's a fun hobby and the pressure of a "list" is just too much sometimes and takes the enjoyment out of it!

I guess a lot of these guys are just new to the custom call thing because I know I have personally waited up to two years for  calls from certain callmakers.

Anyways, just venting!

Be nice to your callmakers!  ;D

IMO as long as the builder provides me an estimated lead time I know to sit back and wait. If there is no lead time given it can make things questionable especially if funds are sent upfront. They tell me it will be 3 months and 6 months later I've not heard from them I will reach out.

Demanding someone build their call because they've ruined their season is kids stuff. Probably best to recommend they call someone else.

 I got one this year from a well know maker on this forum. I knew I would have to wait and didnt put any deadline on it. Thankfully Mine made it in for thr season. But  had it not , It wouldn't have ruined my season at all . If Im banking my season on one call makers call im trouble already.

Amen, agreed. If a call that is ordered from a custom maker makes or breaks a season, something is wrong. I think most call makers want to get their products out timely, but day job, family, and hobby restraints could effect that. All in all, I have had nothing but quality experiences with all the ones I dealt with. Thanks much for sharing your talents with all of us.....

If not having or getting a certain call ruins your season, you are not a turkey hunter!   You are missing an awesome experience that only comes around a few weeks a year, while worrying about some physical item you don't have.

Amen my friend...

do you take cash up front? I think that would be the only leg to stand on from the consumer side is if they paid in full already.. every list I've ever been on I never paid a dime until the call was finished so I have nothing more then a phone call invested to be on a prospective buy list, when its done its done and I have had some really long waits.

Quote from: TauntoHawk on March 17, 2020, 04:35:56 PM
do you take cash up front? I think that would be the only leg to stand on from the consumer side is if they paid in full already.. every list I've ever been on I never paid a dime until the call was finished so I have nothing more then a phone call invested to be on a prospective buy list, when its done its done and I have had some really long waits.

I never take any payment up front, even if offered.  I personally just think that's bad business.

Quote from: Jrkimbrough on March 17, 2020, 04:38:59 PM

Quote from: TauntoHawk on March 17, 2020, 04:35:56 PM
do you take cash up front? I think that would be the only leg to stand on from the consumer side is if they paid in full already.. every list I've ever been on I never paid a dime until the call was finished so I have nothing more then a phone call invested to be on a prospective buy list, when its done its done and I have had some really long waits.

I never take any payment up front, even if offered.  I personally just think that's bad business.

That's what I assumed

It's a shame people bring unnecessary stress into your hobby/passion

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If he was so concerned about having the call for this season, maybe he should contact the call maker 8 months in advance instead of 3 months before the season starts....just a thought.

When I got my second custom call, my Spalted Maple With Green Slate from Mac Turkey Calls I now realize I was probably a pain in the neck to him. For one I did not realize that seasons started sooner in certain areas and that he was out hunting, because of that I sent several texts and called I think once. I was worried about having it in time for my season which I eventually did, but I do feel bad about it now that I know more and have apologized to him to which he was graceful enough to say don't worry about it.

That said I personally am not likely to ever buy from somebody I have to wait 2 years from, I am just to antsy to wait that long and I know it, I get hyped up waiting for something to come in a week. The one exception will be when I finally get ready to order from Mr. Buice, I have no clue how long his wait is.

Some things I have learned is to ask questions ahead of time, if you want something special done with your call or not done to the call ask the maker if it can be done before you make the order. Ask if it is going to be done before your season and if not make sure you can live with that.

Understand that life happens, if the maker has had an emergency then that is life, deal with it. You may choose to ask for a refund or you can just man up and wait the extra time, think about what you would want done if you were delayed because something happened to you family member, or you got injured, you would still want the chance to make things right so give the maker the same chance.

Sorry to hear that,he sounds like a little bitch. I would not even bother building him a call as he would just pout about it.

I guess he b one and done


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Nothing is guaranteed this day and time , if that one call was going to ruin his season , i just feel sorry for him. Now on ordering calls and waiting about 2 years to receive that call, most of the time , that WAIT is awesome on receiving that call , you have been waiting on from that call builder, that your number is up and you will be receiving your call in couple weeks. That mail day is pretty special. I think it's honor that the call builder even adds you to his list knowing you will have almost 2 year wait. That call builder could of said NO , not taking orders.

Quote from: Jrkimbrough on March 17, 2020, 02:39:54 PM
I now understand why so many of you guys are going to a "no waiting list" policy and just posting up calls as they become available....

People just don't understand that most call makers have a day job, a family AND enjoy turkey hunting!  Ha!  Who woulda thunk!  :TooFunny:

As I was getting to the last of my list for before season I had a few pan out that I was not able to finish that I was hoping to finish and I've had a few people act downright rude, cussing me, DEMANDING that I build their call because I have ruined their season.  :o

It's a fun hobby and the pressure of a "list" is just too much sometimes and takes the enjoyment out of it!

I guess a lot of these guys are just new to the custom call thing because I know I have personally waited up to two years for  calls from certain callmakers.

Anyways, just venting!

Be nice to your callmakers!  ;D

Never cared much for the list thing but it is a way to keep track of things. I work 10 hour days and have a home to take care of with my wife who I also enjoy spending time with. I do not have a duplicator or CNC my strikers. They are all done by me one at a time at 20-30 mins each from start to finish. Tedious work at times but fun for the most part. For myself and other call makers life does get in the way. Contacted some guys last week letting them know I hoped to have their strikers done by last weekend because I was on vacation. Well things change when your 85 year father blacks out doing PT and 911 is called. Yes all ended well but in short order my week changed and less of what I wanted to do got done. Caught up now but the point being yes we all want new toys to hunt with. Hell I'm as bad as anyone out there but please understand this is a hobby for most of us and our day to day life changes and takes the top spot in our lives. Just to say I will never take money up front. I tell everyone I will not take money till my work is done. Thanx to the hunters that do like and use my strikers.

I totally get makers doing away with list. I think if guys kept their mouths closed and didn't have ridiculous expectations it works great. It's a shame guys act like this and then that puts preasure on call makers. I have no problem waiting for calls.

The flip side is a person may never get a call in a wood they prefer. There's a few different woods that I really like and you possibly take away the ability to get exactly what you want. The wait also makes the call more special and appreciated IMO.

I can see why guys are doing away with them though. Some people just expect way to much.

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I've made a few pot calls and this year tried making box calls, its not easy. I don't know how you call makers can make any money for the amount of time invested in these, If a person needs a call, run out to Wallyworld and buy 1, I truly cherish the calls I have bought from the great people on this form,  thank you all for what you do, you certainly don't do it for the money.

I've had guys recently that looked at me like I had three heads because they want a box call a week before the season opens and I had to tell them Im completely out. Actually had a guy stand there with his hands out to his sides and said "are you a call maker or not ? ".  Had guys call in the last week upset cause Im out. I sold every box I had at unicoi.  I then rebuilt for Nashville and sold every box I had. Had a dozen or so on my list most of which are shipped. I hope I never walk into my shop again to 50 or 60 sticky notes on the wall. It's not fun at all. When I first started I somehow built a wait list before I even knew how to build a box. It was miserable. I've noticed others that did that with pots and boxes.  It eventually worked out and is such a relief. 
  Personally Im to the point I'd much rather do a comp or two, donate to a couple fundraisers and build for Unicoi and Nashville, posting any additional for sale calls at my own pace. To the guys that can handle those long list and pump em out my hats off to em. I can't do it and even if I did I wouldn't be putting out my best work each time.   Oh, and the guy upset on the phone this week because I'm out of boxes stood at my table in Nashville and BS'd for 30 minutes and never mentioned a box.

Guys best of luck this spring and be safe.

Ive been doing calls since 06, never advertised any & only sold a few on here from time to time, and a few locally ea year. No interest in a list or competing or anything like that. Kinda saw how it was gonna be with lists & such when this custom call thing started to get popular, so only build a few when Im in the mood. I build them for friends, birthdays, special occasions for gifts etc. Ive got plenty to do & dont need any pressure or guys pestering me. Yes, ive had guys on this forum contact me, order a call or calls & strikers then disappear or not respond to Pm. only a week or 2 later. Those will never get a call or striker from me. Those that do have em had alot of luck w them. Its a fun hobby, & I keep it that way. Most enjoyment I get is coming on the forum & conversing w everyone about calls. Mike

Just go ahead and call them out here so we can all point and make fun of them for getting their painters in a wad.  That sounds awful to deal with. 


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Quote from: camotoe on March 17, 2020, 06:15:36 PM
I guess he b one and done


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He'd just be done if it were me.
I've been on guys lists for several years and just figure I'll get the call when or if I get it.
Some guys don't seem to realize every phone call a callmaker gets to see when they are going to get a call done just takes them away from making calls,family,etc.
These guys that are pushy or a pain should be thrown off the list.

If they are not ready to turkey hunt without your calls I don't figure they will hurt the turkey population to much!!
Start you a no sell list, and remember those guys when the smoke clears and they want a call!!

I don't understand how someone could put their name on a "waiting list" and then get upset because they have to.....wait.   It's called a waiting list for a reason. 

I must be lucky.  I've been working from a list for almost 2 years.  When I think I am about to get caught up I get swamped with orders.  Every once in a while a guy wants a call right now and when he learns there is a wait he will go elsewhere.  But I've never had a bad experience with someone wanting a call.  The pressure of a list can be overwhelming, but i really cant see any way around it if i am going to build calls.  With a full time job and a family and responsibilities at church some weeks there is no possible way to get in the shop.  I have to say that if it weren't for the people I get to meet I would not continue to make calls.  It's just work like anything else, but the blessing is the friends you make along the way.  I visit with folks weekly that I consider friends now that I never would have met otherwise.  My life is fuller and richer because of those guys.  You cant make much money building calls, but some things are far more precious than money.  I got this picture from a friend this morning thanking me for making the call that fooled this gobbler.  He was sincerely grateful and I feel like I helped him make a great memory.  You cant beat that in my opinion.  (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200318/689c9f5d560796f1d52050d727f740ba.jpg)

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Quote from: Gobbler2577 on March 18, 2020, 11:31:19 AM
I must be lucky.  I've been working from a list for almost 2 years.  When I think I am about to get caught up I get swamped with orders.  Every once in a while a guy wants a call right now and when he learns there is a wait he will go elsewhere.  But I've never had a bad experience with someone wanting a call.  The pressure of a list can be overwhelming, but i really cant see any way around it if i am going to build calls.  With a full time job and a family and responsibilities at church some weeks there is no possible way to get in the shop.  I have to say that if it weren't for the people I get to meet I would not continue to make calls.  It's just work like anything else, but the blessing is the friends you make along the way.  I visit with folks weekly that I consider friends now that I never would have met otherwise.  My life is fuller and richer because of those guys.  You cant make much money building calls, but some things are far more precious than money.  I got this picture from a friend this morning thanking me for making the call that fooled this gobbler.  He was sincerely grateful and I feel like I helped him make a great memory.  You cant beat that in my opinion.  (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200318/689c9f5d560796f1d52050d727f740ba.jpg)

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I am newer to the forum and had read a ton about how good Buster Halford's calls are. I decided to do some research and came across this post.

I have never met Larry. Contacted him on FB Messenger a couple times. That's when I learned of his waiting list that I wasn't aware of. Sounds like a list is a good thing. Business is good. However, then you see a post like this and realize what these guys go through to make things happen.

Working a full-time job and taking care of a family and still trying to maintain a business has to be a tough thing to do.  We all have our responsibilities. Many of us are busy. It's life now-of-days.

With that said, it is the sincerity in this post that makes it stand out from the rest. The honesty that is expressed and the compassion for people as friends, not just as customers. I already know that I will be supporting Larry in the future.  Not just because of his excellent call-making abilities, but for his values and what he stands for as a man. 

Every now and again you run across a truly good person. Thank you Larry for your post.

Get off the internet and finish the poor guys call already.







:TooFunny:

Quote from: Gobbler2577 on March 18, 2020, 11:31:19 AM
I must be lucky.  I've been working from a list for almost 2 years.  When I think I am about to get caught up I get swamped with orders.  Every once in a while a guy wants a call right now and when he learns there is a wait he will go elsewhere.  But I've never had a bad experience with someone wanting a call.  The pressure of a list can be overwhelming, but i really cant see any way around it if i am going to build calls.  With a full time job and a family and responsibilities at church some weeks there is no possible way to get in the shop.  I have to say that if it weren't for the people I get to meet I would not continue to make calls.  It's just work like anything else, but the blessing is the friends you make along the way.  I visit with folks weekly that I consider friends now that I never would have met otherwise.  My life is fuller and richer because of those guys.  You cant make much money building calls, but some things are far more precious than money.  I got this picture from a friend this morning thanking me for making the call that fooled this gobbler.  He was sincerely grateful and I feel like I helped him make a great memory.  You cant beat that in my opinion.  (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200318/689c9f5d560796f1d52050d727f740ba.jpg)

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Very, very well said Gobbler2577. My sentiments exactly!!!

I'm not much of a call maker, but I do sell wingbone calls whenever I get around to making them. I get a lot of requests, but I've never taken waiting lists or preorders. When they're ready they're ready.


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