Catto Prop Price Increase

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:04 am

Sweet! I am expecting my prop to ship in another week or so...

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:46 pm

Price on the three blade is still $2150 as of yesterday...I called up Craig, and ordered me a prop!

I told him I wanted it by next summer, and he told me that should not be a problem, and at his current rate, I *MIGHT* have it by the end of the year. I don't need it that soon, so if it's not here in December (I don't expect it will be), it's not a big thing.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:44 am

Chad,

That sounds about right as far as scheduling delivery. I have learned some things about Craigs' scheduling system in the 11 months I have been waiting since ordering my prop.

First of all, Craig will ask you when you really need your prop. Knowing I would not have my engine hung till around August this year, I told him so and he said I would probably get it sooner.

I touch base with him about every other month. I update him on the status of my building and assure him I am not ready for the prop until August. Craig appreciates the updates and wants to know where you are in the building process.

Here is the neat part (in my opinion). Craig tells me when I talk to him about his current production status, who's prop he is making and what's going on in his life. He once told me about a flying former customer who had a prop strike and needed a prop so Craig "bumped" him to the top of the list. He gets to know his customers and clearly takes great pride in building you your custom prop.

He told me this week that he will be taking a vacation soon to Switzerland to attend the RV fly-in at Hoganas and staying at a customers' home. He has a number of props in Europe and was looking forward to putting faces with names.

So, I believe this "floating" scheduling system he has adopted is pretty fair. The key with Craig is 1) be honest about when you really need your prop...i.e., you do not need it before you have the engine hung, wings completed, etc. and 2) keep in touch with him every so often to let him know if anything changes, let him know of anything nice someone said about his props, discuss colors, etc.

My prop is currently in "production". He builds 10 props at a time. The problem now is the temps this week in CA are 107 during the day and he is not able to shoot paint.

We will not be disappointed...

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:50 am

smithhb wrote:We will not be disappointed...

That one line sums up the whole deal with Craig, in my opinion. I've been doddling around with prop ideas for a long time, called him numerous times, and each time, I get the feeling that I am talking to a friend.

I am perfectly fine with his floating schedule, and if someone needs a prop in front of me, that's fine. I love working with good people, and from everything I've ever heard about the man, and now from talking first hand on an order about what I want, ie-colors, I know he is good people.

I asked him about painting the blades a custom color, and he said as long as he has the code, he can get it. Done.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:50 pm

I've visted Craig in his shop a couple of times. To say he has a backlog is an understatement. To say he is an honest, stand-up guy is an understatement. He's been a single dad raising two kids for several years now and running a business with himself as the only employee. A guy can get kind of busy living like that.

Hmmm.... I think the Au Pair he hired to watch his kids was from Switzerland. Makes you think.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:24 pm

Brad and I just talked about visiting his shop in September when I'm out there for Reno. Does he work out at the airport, or his other address?

newtech · Post by **newtech** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:07 pm

cjensen wrote:I asked him about painting the blades a custom color, and he said as long as he has the code, he can get it. Done.

I sent Craig small bottles of the house of Kolor Kandy Apple Red, Kandy Teal, gold base and clear top coat that my plane is being painted with. He did a beautiful job of painting the Kandies on the prop tips.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:32 pm

Your tips look great Steve!

I'm actually gonna have Craig paint my blades the main color of my airplane, and use the trim colors on the tips. Should be a pretty slick looking prop!