For Rod Builders
RodSmith is the marketplace built specifically for custom rod builders. Your spec sheets are your listings — every component documented, every build searchable by the anglers looking for exactly what you make. No listing fees, no monthly charges, and no platform fee on your first five orders.
General marketplaces treat a handcrafted rod like any other product. RodSmith charges a flat 3% of the rod price plus card processing — and no platform fee on your first five orders.
| Platform | Marketplace fee | On a $525 sale you keep* |
|---|---|---|
| RodSmith | 3% of the rod + card processing — 0% on first 5, no listing fees | ~$494 |
| Etsy | ~6.5% transaction fee + $0.20 per listing | ~$475 |
| eBay | ~13% final value fee | ~$457 |
*Approximate net after marketplace and card-processing fees on a $500 rod + $25 shipping; competitor rates are their published 2026 fees for comparable categories — check their fee schedules for specifics. RodSmith example: 3% of the $500 rod ($15.00) plus ~$15.53 card processing on the $525 charge, after your first five orders. The $25 shipping buys your label, so that is $469.47 paid out plus a label you don't have to buy.
Payments run through Stripe. Your earnings transfer to your Stripe balance as soon as the buyer is charged — that is the same at every tier. What the tier changes is how long Stripe holds them before a payout and how often payouts run. As you deliver orders and build a track record, your payouts get faster — automatically.
7-day Stripe hold after the buyer is charged, with weekly payouts on Fridays.
3-day Stripe hold after the buyer is charged, with daily payouts.
2-day Stripe hold after the buyer is charged, with daily payouts.
Full tier criteria and the order lifecycle are documented in Builder Payouts & Fees.
Document the blank, guides, seat, and wraps once — buyers browse by platform, water, and material, and see exactly what your work is made of.
Buyers who want something you haven't built yet send a commission inquiry with their water, technique, and budget attached.
Card processing, payouts, and tax collection run on Stripe — you never handle a buyer's payment details.
Buy discounted labels in the order flow, and tracking updates the buyer (and your payout) automatically.