I try to go by Schneider's Custom Rod Shop, http://www.schneidersrods.com/ , each October when I go to the Southern Council Conclave in Mountain home, AR, http://www.southerncouncilfff.org/conclave/conclave.php . The Schneider's run a neat little shop and are very nice folks! They always have some "deals" and as a result, I always have a number of blanks to build... (With 3 kids that fly fish we can always use another rod or two - HA!)
Several years ago, we too obtained some $5 spinning rods blanks from Schneider's that built up some neat little 6 ft. 2 piece butt over tip 3 wt. fly rods. Sorry but I no longer have the # (i.e. Batson spinning e-glass blanks?). These were not the very best rods that ya' ever owned, but they were/are fun little rods that we were able to build for $10-20 each. We even tried to use components that we have laying around or could salvage to see who could build the "cheapest" rod - I believe my cheapest was a little over $8!
These inexpensive little blanks were great for to use for a first attempt at building a rod or for classes, and they came at enough of a low cost that ya' could give 'em away to make a kid's day and hardly be out any cash!
If ya' live within 10-12 hours of Mt. Home, which is how long we have to drive to get there, then you should drive and attend the Southern Council Conclave or Sowbug (also held in Mt. Home), and while you're there, make a side trip to Schneider's Custom Rod Shop - We always do!