Peter

many thanks for starting this new post. I think you said all that needs to be said.

Stringing any racquet means you need to understand the pattern. If you get it wrong the frame may break and it will cost you dearly by not only replacing the frame but also ruining your reputation. Racquet manufacturers will not replace a frame free of charge if it has been strung incorrectly or tighter than their recommended tension even if the professional players exceed this figure.

I think you went a little too far saying you need to have your beloved Yonex racquet strung by a Yonex stringer. If this was the case we'd all be queing at All Englands for a restring because that's the place to find the Yonex stringing team.

At the end of the day there are lots of competent stringers but not many good ones who really understand badminton. Most are tennis and squash racquet stringers and they don't really understand much about badminton string and the different qualities of each string.

I only string badminton racquets and wouldn't expect somebody to bring me a tennis racquet and know the different types of string to use. I could learn but would then seek to go on a course to talk to the guys who string at Wimbledon and the top tennis tournaments.

Paul

Simon

Great tips here.

One point that raises it's head frequently is time. If you don't have a lot of spare time, then it's fine stringing for yourself but will you be able to commit sufficient time to others? After all, reputations are made based on quality of job and turnaround time.

The courses are run by UKRSA and you will find them on the web. They run courses throughout UK so hopefully you won't have to travel too far. Bear in mind they teach you stringing tennis, squash and badminton and their knowledge of badminton is not as good as some of the guys I know who only string badminton. However, these guys string at Wimbledon and a lot of the major tennis tournaments in UK so they are very good indeed.

The other thing you need to consider and some may say I'm being a bit of a stick in the mud here is that if you are setting up a business you should register for tax – that's entirely your choice. However, you may be the unlucky one who strings for a player who works at Inland Revenue. As I say, it's your choice.

The main thing here is learning the trade. This isn't a little money on the side activity. What the badminton world needs is good professional stringers, even if you are part-time. We don't need any more amateurs under-charging in the market so that the professional stringers cannot make a living. There is enough for all but recognise that the price in the market is already fair for the investment in time and money a professional stringer has made. It's not the time to string one racquet but the committed time to string all the racquets they have already done to gain a good reputation. This has a massive value so please respect it. Under-cutting to steal business for a quick buck on the side does not exactly present you in the best light.

I'm not having a go here but just pointing out that I here about lots of people buying stringing machines and starting up, which is fine. But, if you are going to do this, then be professional as this is a skill anyone can learn. Think of it another way; if you built up a good stringing business and somebody came along under-cutting your prices and stealing your customers, how would you feel after all the hard work you put in? I rest my case.

Aside from all the above, there is plenty of information on the web to gather stringing patterns such as Yonex, Victor etc. Find the patterns, print them out and then they become a great reference manual. But you also need to learn how to draw your own patterns. This is required when you get a racquet in and can't find a pattern. You then need to draw from a picture of the racquet of from the stringing pattern in the frame already – but don't assume it's right – check it, in case another amateur got it wrong. I've had enough unusual racquets in where the strings have been cut out. I've had to do a lot of research to find a picture from the manufacturer with the racquet strung and then blow the picture up enough to write the pattern.

There's one last thing and I'm fanatical about this…Make sure you have a very good supply of spare grommets. It amazes me when I watch the stringers at All Englands that there doesn't seem to be a technician changing grommets before the stringers re-string the racquet. Split grommets are the main cause of string breakage, along with a poor mishit. So make sure you invest in a de-grommetting tool and plenty of different size grommets.

Paul

Rob

There's another very important point I didn't mention about pricing.

If you undercut to gain a customer, what are you really teaching them? You see, there are people who will buy from you because of who you are and the trust they have in you as a person. There are some who will buy because you are in the same club and therefore it is convenient to give you their racquet. There will be many more, however all are THEIR reasons for buying from you.

Now, what you need to do is give them another reason why they should buy from you e.g. you are fanatical about testing different strings and tensions so you have a premium selection compared to most stringers and you are therefore more knowledgeable in your quest to help them find the best string for their style of play combined with their racquet.

Another reason, you give them a “testing” deal like no other stringer to make it more cost effective for them to return a racquet sooner to either test another string or tension until they do find the correct combination for their style and current choice of racquet.

Another reason, you will go through the same process again when they change racquet because their new racquet may need a completely different combination to play at its optimum.

Things like this, if you sell it, do a number of things.

1) You are providing reasons why they should use you over other stringers, which is directly of benefit to them – not you.

2) you lock the player into a deal with you under the testing phase therefore shutting out your competition.

3) You can then educate your player regards the strings which may result in completely crossing off certain strings from your data base on them (and for other customers too) because they do not respond well enough. This data is obviously yours and therefore no other stringer knows exactly what combinations have been tested – going back to number 2 again. The added benefit of this is shortening the testing phase for your customer next time around.

4) If a player does not have reasons like these for choosing you as a stringer, then they fall back to the only other method of choice and that is price. However if they are choosing on price, then you are also teaching them about customer loyalty. You see, whenever people buy on price alone, then they will always take their business to the lowest price seller. So, there is no customer loyalty and therefore it is very difficult to build a business if you do not have loyal customers.

Anyone reading this who is in business MUST take note. These lessons also apply to you whether you are a stringer or not. You have to give your customer more reasons to buy from you that are purely beneficial to them. But, by the fact they continue to give you their business, it will impact your business postively for the future.

Paul

Rob

Sometimes a different colour of string has a completely different feel. I saw this a year or so ago when players I know were testing Victor VS850 string. There was a marked difference between the blue and white and split between who preferred what.

Perhaps there is something in the dye that causes the string to respond differently. But overall coloured strings can act very different to the original white. Personally I prefer the white strings and if I had to do a test I would stencil the racquet in a different colour.

Good to hear from you Rob. I hope your stringing services will soon be in great demand.

Paul