"Craig" wrote in message
...
To me, you are not sponsored unless you are getting paid or receiving free
product. Discounts are just that, something you negotiate, and I can
negotiate my own discounts without the need to feel obligated to anyone.

I also agree that sponsorship is all about salesmanship and promotion.
One's ability to help their sponsoring company sell more product. The
more
product one is able to move, the more they are worth.

When I see the words bought and sponsor in the same sentence I have to
smile.
--
Craig Baugher



Bought and sponsored can be in the same sentence. You may get the boat for
wholesale and a guaranteed buyback at the end of the year. Unless you are
in the top 20, you are going to be paying out for some of the stuff, but
hopefully you can show that the money they put into you is improving sales
and you can negotiate a bigger chunk next time. And a sponsor giving you a
big discount that he does not offer to the general public is money out of
his pocket. Guide I used to fish with at Lake Fork (would still fish with
him, but now I have to pay my own way to Dallas and Lake Fork is nice, but
not worth going to Dallas for) used to be on the tour. Was in the top
group. He stated that he made about 250K a year gross, with winnings and
sponsors, but after all the travel bills, other costs, etc, he netted about
$68k a year. Plus he had to spend 8 months on the road. So unless you can
get the TV show, or be in the very top, you are not getting free ride.
Fact is even at the top, you are working your booty off. Figure out all
those trade shows, store openings, fishing shows you have to spend time at
selling the products. And those seminars you give are selling the product.