Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Custom companies => Fusion Sports => Topic started by: Danny on May 23, 2008, 02:26:10 PM
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Are you guys liking the new Fusion stickers? Personally I prefer the old ones by far. The new ones dont look as "custom made" if you know what I mean?
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Much prefer the old ones... although i do like the F on the back (bottom) of the bat
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much more stylish.. nice design overall
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Much prefer the old ones... although i do like the F on the back (bottom) of the bat
Quite ironic considering you were one of the 'designers'!
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haha they didnt use my designs tho! :o
I was rather disapointed! I liked my designs!
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does anyone know if the red and blue stickers are available yet? anyone seen them? I'm hoping to acquire a Fusion bat very soon, but it doesn't look likes it's been looked after very well and if I do get my hands on it I'll prob send it for a re-furb (if they're not too expensive!) - not a massive fan of the new stickers (much prefer the design I submitted!!!), but I think I will prefer a different colour to black.
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I have seen one set of Red ones, which were a sample set. Not to my taste really, they've also changed the Black stickers slightly on the front.
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I much prefer the old ones if im honnest
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yeah i prefer the old ones toooo 8)
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I just feel that for a great custom made company that Fusion are known as these new "modern" stickers seem to give the bat a very "factory like" look to them.
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That said, knowing what people on here know about Fusion, would anyone consider not getting one because of the stickers?
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I quite like the stickers now, they're growing on me. The back is nicer than the front I reckon.
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You can buy a Fusion blank or order old stickers if you dislike the stickers, most who have seen them in person like them; it's the same with the pads.
That said I've seen them in person I'm still not sure on the pads
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I quite like the stickers. I think they look kinda futuristic and I quite like the black-silver-red colourway.Overall think it looks very nice! I applaud Fusion! ;)
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Well I personally didn't like them at first however when/if you see them in the flesh, they look much better. Haven't seen the pads in the flesh though...
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The stickers have grown on me. Still not a massive fan mind.
Tom - 2 things, did you get my logos? and do you know if Fusion will sell me a set of stickers to put on the bat i'm going to refurb which is a Superbest?
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Yes and more than likely yes. Provided you can prove it's genuine either by way of handle, shape or rayon rods; as you bought some clefts off them in the past I'm sure they'll be ok.
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I think those stickers would look really good in orange or blue.
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Not particularly either way,I prefer the old ones in blue or black but the new ones are ok..
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I would have liked to see the old style in maybes white and red/blue.
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Prefer the old style but having said that havn't seen the new ones up close so can't really say.
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Tom could you enquire how much a prototype snicker would be to buy or even rent for a couple of months? When you're next in? i'm having trouble getting through on the phone.
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The new stickers definitely look better in the flesh but i still prefer the old ones.
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Where have you seen the new ones in the flesh like jamie nd al be getting them on mine soon aswell.
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Some 1 for our 1sts has got a new grade 2 1 lol, pity he cant use it lol.
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Orite nd al tell ya 2mora who might be moving to blackhall.
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Chrissy please refrain from holding personal discussions in topics (Use MSN or PM)
Also please write in good english.
Thanks - Leo
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Sorry leo my bad.
LEO Edit: No probs mate
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I would use the sticker shapes and locations from the old style stickers which everyone seems to like and just update the design! If there was ever a case of if it aint broke them dont fix it then this was it!! I did like the FS part on the old stickers reminded me of Panini shineys!!
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as this thread has re-surfaced, prob worth mentioning that I heard they are re-designing the stickers again for 2009
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i have just sent my fusion to have some weight taken off but it wont be being sent back until they have received 2009 stickers. Spoke to james on friday and he said a week to 10 days for them. I will post pics when it arrives back! I prefered the old stickers to the 2008's so i hope they go back to the old style
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Spoke to Bill last night about these new stickers - he is going to ask James to post visuals of the new stickers.
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wheres he going to post it on? fusion website or on forum?
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any pics of new stickers yet?
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Jesus man has anyone got any news or pics on the stickers????
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....i too am very intrested. seeing it is my design thats gonna get replaced:( ah well;p
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http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/product_detail.asp?pCode=BATS_LE (http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/product_detail.asp?pCode=BATS_LE)
the new fusion le bat you can see some of the sticker, i dont know whether these will be same as normal bats though
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From that image from the link above, first looks were the stickers look great. Better than the current ones for sure anyway. I like the yellow on them. And that profile looks amazing!
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Not a fan of the swirls down the back tho !
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not a fan at all im afraid. might look better when we can see more?
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Can't see enough of it to say if I like them or not, but I'd have liked the Yellow to be Orange to fit in with the whole Skyer and Website thing.
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I'd worry less about the design and more about the fit. Also they need to redefine the description of the bats, they still have the Superbest as the best willow possible and with a RRP of £260 reduced to £195. The LE is even better than the best possible which I think is some sort of miracle grade previously unobtainable and has a RRP of £270 reduced to £270.
Professional prices need professional products and professional people, this change in direction is slack at best. I much preferred the old website and the opportunity to speak to Bill & James with errors and delays part of the service because it was all real. The bats were never stunning masterpieces but the ability to speak direct to the maker, have input in the choice of willow, choice of shape and try before you buy made them very popular on the forums where service carries a premium. This image change dismays me as there is a gap in the market for honest batmakers selling good bats at a sensible price and I feel they are moving out of it.
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I think James seems to have a 'business' partner now who seems to pushing him into this direction. I think there is also a few staff working for them now. I suppose James has built up a reputation and is a entitled to try and cash in on it. People who have experienced Fusion and been happy with there bats will probably be happy to pay the price increases. The new 'LE' where you go get your bat custom made still compares pretty favourably with other companies prices, e.g. Millichamp & Hall charge £270 for same experience. We should also bare in mind that gray-nicholls 'custom made' were £280 last year and the top of range kookaburras and gm are in the same price bracket.
I am at a loss though how the company that makes a 'superbest' bat from the very best willow can then come a little later with some even better willow. The r.r.p also annoys me as they are the company and setting the prices so how can they set an r.r.p and then sell it on there website at a reduced price.
I have a superbest which cost me £195 but there is no way i would ever spend over £200 on a bat, my fusion is a good bat but not the best i have ever had.
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Grading ideas are ridiculous. I saw what i think were the perfect grades on a site the other day. Grade one ,grade two, grade three and finally bat makers choice. This being the very best willow performance wise but may have a few imperfections. Mind you,you have to hope a batmaker is honest and doesnt just sell all ugly willow as BMC
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Well in some ways i feel a little conned as i bought my fusion superbest last season, which is suppose to be the best willow available and then 8 months later there is a new bat taken from the very best willow which has been saved over the past 12 months!
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Thing is that when you buy Willow from the merchants it isn't as easy as G1, G2, G3 etc. There must be 10-15 grades such as Superbest and Vellum alongside G1, G2 etc.
MG2 have the above grading, it would be much easier though if everyone sold it as they bought it. That would mean the system wasn't open to abuse, for example a batmaker can buy a G4 piece of willow and sell it as G1. However it may be more difficult for the consumer.
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Also just thought of something out of a very good book tom told me about ... When the bread machine was first marketed no one wanted one. So the company in am effort to increase sales bought out a new super amazing machine and priced it very high! People saw this new machine and now rushed out to buy the old machine which now seemed like a great bargain. Maybe fusion thought the same?
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I posted that earlier in the Fusion Bat Prices thread. http://www.custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=1117.15 (http://www.custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=1117.15)
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Oh sorry dam thought i was going to sound super smart there!
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i assume they arent doing the £135 bat anymore? as it is seems to have disappeared from the website. And also seem to be branching out into coaching workshops! I assume this must have something to do with maverick cricket or the pitchvision tie in.
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Pitch vision tell of they are going to have a bat maker writing a few articles soon...
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Not sure who the masterclasses are involved with as they mention International Cricketers, I know they've got some good contacts from their work with International sides such as England so may involve some of their coaches. Also James knows a number of Zimbabwe players so may involve them also. Not sure though, today was the first I'd heard/read of it.
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well fusion are obviously trying to market there products using coaches which is a pretty good idea. Gives you plenty of exposure to players!
Well if its with maverick cricket he used grant flower and dave houghton for some of his workshops. They seem to have a lot of products about to be launched without anything actually coming quickly!
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Going back to the willow itself, I do think that all those who have bought a Superbest will feel cheated as if their current LE is willow they have put back and better than the Superbest's sold. However I think that the LE willow is just hype and no better than what is being sold as Superbest. Wrights sell 300,000 clefts a year and only 15,000 grade 1 clefts in total to all the bat makers in the world. From that only 1050 SS grade bats which would genuinely be the very finest are sold per year. For a company as tiny as Fusion to have 70 is impossible as all top willow requires the purchase of lower grades. If you do the maths they would have to buy 20,000 clefts each year to get the 70 LE's, far more likely that they have just hyped up their willow to create a top price that they hope 70 people will pay and bumped the other models down resulting in losing the lowest grade that made the least profit.
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Talisman i couldnt agree with you more mate!
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http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/shop.asp#Fusion%20Sports%20Cricket%20Bats (http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/shop.asp#Fusion%20Sports%20Cricket%20Bats)
some of the new stickers on there now, some price changes too...
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Oh nooo.
Cant they design something nice for once.
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rr fusion have possibly made the worst stickers possible
should go back to the old school stickers
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Different, but not sure I like them yet. Can't see that much of them though. I liked the 2008 seasons the most out of any of the Fusion stickers.
The blue stickers would look better with a co-ordinated grip. The yellow grip gives me an image of CJI and Ikea.
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hmmm... The Red Bat seems to be replacing the Super Best and is grade 1 willow. The blue bat, is also grade 1 willow - anyone else confused?
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New stickers arent doing it for me.
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Just saw it there, yes Im confused.
Heres the link, http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/product_detail.asp?pCode=BATS_RED (http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/product_detail.asp?pCode=BATS_RED)
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I dislike the front sticker on the blue, so I guess it will be the same sticker on the over two bats?
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Dislike them stickers still think the 2007 stickers were the best.
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The only thing i dont like is the line down the middle of the front sticker, I am impressed they have dropped the prices though, Notice tey have dropped the 'superbest' description from the red bat. It seems a big jump from £175 to £270 for the top bat, i think someone was saying on the other forum they have ordered one so will be interesting to see what they look like
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OMFG they are just the worst stickers going atm !
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I think you're going a bit over the top there! Gladiator and Solitaire are definitely worse!
You've not even seen the whole sticker yet.
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Tom i love the gladiator stickers!
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Urghhh! Probably the reason I would never buy a fusion, clearly not a lot of thought or cash put into designs and obviously just trying to milk the market and make as much money from as little work as they can. Wouldn't be surprised if they left stickers off the next range and had them mass-produced in India- profit margins would be better wouldn't they?
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fusion are to commercial for me prices are ever rising and you can get a quality bat like CE for the fraction of the price
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Hate them too be honest. They've changed the stickers twice in 2 seasons...Shame.
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I note with interest that the statement that James makes every bat has now gone. In its place it now states that bats are made by master craftsmen and James tries every bat before packing. I wonder where in the world these master craftsmen are based? Oh Dear... a step too far I feel.
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The descriptions of the bats make them sound like cheap, indian bats. Ashame to see a good company end up like this.
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Mike I do think you're being a tad harsh on Fusion here, yes they haven't said James makes every bat (did it ever say that though?) Everyone wants to further themselves and make as bigger success of themselves as possible. Money drives some, others want worldwide exposure and others want satisfaction of people using their inventions. Fusion have tried to do that by improving their website, stickers and products such as the Skyer. This all takes valuable time; remember Fusion have been a one man band for ages and James couldn't get every thing done even when they were relatively small, with the introduction of the Skyer and the launch into e-commerce and retailers he's going to have to change how they're working. They could either hire loads of staff, change manufacturing, turn away orders or have a long waiting list. From a business point of view I know which one I'd choose, and I'm sure 90% would choose the same.
As I've said before if a company is honest, either when you ask or even better being upfront about it I have no problem as to where/who makes them. As then it's up to the buyer who to choose to buy from. As you know there's many other companies claiming bats to be handmade when they're not, others who sell KW as EW. Fusion haven't done that to anyone and have been pretty honest in the past, which has shown on their reviews. From previous experience the only problems have come when a 3rd party is involved for example with the website, James didn't have access to write the Superbest descriptions and I've had to write them myself on some occasions based on my experience of working there (it would seem they were then copied over to the new site). If I'd known about the storing of some better or worse willow I would have altered the descriptions accordingly and I'm sure if James would have made the site it would never have been up in the first place.
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The descriptions of the bats make them sound like cheap, indian bats. Ashame to see a good company end up like this.
I'm hoping the descriptions and pictures are not finished yet, it would seem so as you don't really see or get to read much about the product.
As for them ending up like this, from knowing the Fusion family I'm delighted to see these changes. Shows if you work hard at something it can pay off, Fusion could have easily have stayed a small family run company making a few hundred bats a year but that would have meant James still living with his parents, driving around in his Dad's car and working long days with the phone ringing still at 9pm with orders. Maybe they've lost what they were initially but that's in pursuit of greater success, yes they may lose a few forum customers along the way but they'll gain a lot more custom (and most importantly recognition) from the wider market whilst the forum guys can still support the new up and coming family run businesses. The success Fusion are having couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of people in my opinion.
Maybe I'm a little bit biased about them as I know them personally, but I'm delighted to see them doing well.
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I see where your coming from Tom.
I guess as an aim they are trying to end up like Salix or Newbery? In my opinion they need a little more class to there products as the designs and layout are coming accross to me as a cheap effort unlike Salix or Newbery. But i guess we will see in time to what they end up becoming and i wish them all the best..
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Warsop is still a family business (i hope I am right). They do much better quality bats and in larger numbers that Fusion can ever imagine. Therefore, the statement that "Fusion could have easily have stayed a small family run company making a few hundred bats a year..." may not be a valid point to some extent....
There murky definition or difference between a Superbest and L.E. will make a lot of their customers unhappy. I bought the Superbest because I thought it was the best willow money could buy. Now I feel betrayed having paid £195 for Superbest which was not the superbest.....
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Yes but Warsop don't also make/supply fielding aids like Fusion had and were to do. If James was to continue juggling the Skyers, bats and other fielding aids (like he was) then my point is certainly more than valid. Warsop even have changed the way they work to keep up with demand, they now sell a lot more ready made bats rather than customs.
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Tom, loyalty is a great asset and would expect no less from you. I am merely expressing sadness at what I think is avoidable from their point of view. In answer to some things that have been said I'd like to point out that I strongly believe on a professional and personal level that keeping production of your product (whatever that be) in house even if you do not make it is better economy than outsourcing it. I see no obvious problem with doing this themselves and the reason they are trading in the position they occupy is down to quality of product and service rather than cost. So to increase one while lowering another can only work one way to the improvement of the business.
Warsop make 30,000 rounders bats a year as the main business so there is a way to make another product and still keep the cricket bats going. Warsop have been credited with other brands bats too. Ready made bats are the bread and butter of any company and Fusion are right to produce a bigger range of them, I would have liked a range of shapes rather than prices though.
We all know why India makes bats, no need to go back over it again. I think that the step up in terms of range of products should mean ease of production problems, full time bat making is easier than part time. The skyer is a great product, no doubt about that, but is it worth a change of direction for Fusion, only time will tell. We are only expressing opinions here, I'd love to see what we think 2 years down the line.
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Just spoken to Bill and I would like to clarify all bats are still made in the UK, completely by hand using a hand driven press. The difference is the Blue and Red are stock shapes and £30 has been knocked off the price to reflect this. The LE is handmade to your specification from the lightest of their willow.
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I'm pleased to hear that, I guess that press is their own not many hand driven ones in use.
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I much prefered Fusion when they were just a small company but i feel that they have boosted thier prices abit too high. But are they still going to be making the Other bats apart from the L.E so you can have your specs?
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Well they are standard shapes so i dont think you can choose specs. You obviously will be able to choose weight but that will be about it. Thats why the price has gone down £20 i think.
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Now thats where i think the big let down with this is, before you could choose your own specs and forum members liked that but now if they just do standard shapes then i feel that some forum members will not like that. Any news on what shapes they are producing?
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Most people ordered the a very similar spec anyway, weight 2lb 8/9oz, mid middle etc
James can just make a batch of bats together now, rather than doing one at a time which is much more time consuming. The prices are down between £20-£30 for exactly the same grade of bat. Lots of companies just do a couple of stock shapes now rather than every bat custom.
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Tom are these going to be made by hand?
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Yes, as above every bat hand made as before just now in a stock shape.
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Can you still get bats custom made to your specs then?
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Yes, the red and blue bats can be custom made for an extra £20. The reason he told me that they are introducing stock shapes is that people just asked for very similar specs all the time with his renowned high spine and concaving, as Tom said and that makes sense to me.
I have just bought an LE, 2.8 with his normal profile, so i didnt buy a fusion due to them being custom made and most people dont, they buy them because theyre good. I hope the stickers look nice, but i dont really care if they dont. The ones on the website are slightly different from the ones being printed as they havent been done yet!
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Yes, the red and blue bats can be custom made for an extra £20. The reason he told me that they are introducing stock shapes is that people just asked for very similar specs all the time with his renowned high spine and concaving, as Tom said and that makes sense to me.
I have just bought an LE, 2.8 with his normal profile, so i didnt buy a fusion due to them being custom made and most people dont, they buy them because theyre good. I hope the stickers look nice, but i dont really care if they dont. The ones on the website are slightly different from the ones being printed as they havent been done yet!
Mine wasn't that great.
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Pictures from their newsletter, which also says that james makes all the bats.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t190/bilburt/fusion1.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t190/bilburt/Picture1.jpg)
I think they look pretty nice!
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i like them. not the best stickers going but still nicer than there black ones
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Thanks Raymond just subscribed to that newsletter now, also noticed the descriptions have been re-done on the site:
http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/shop.asp#Fusion%20Sports%20Cricket%20Bats (http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/shop.asp#Fusion%20Sports%20Cricket%20Bats)
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I like the black ones!
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Thanks Raymond just subscribed to that newsletter now, also noticed the descriptions have been re-done on the site:
[url]http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/shop.asp#Fusion%20Sports%20Cricket%20Bats[/url] ([url]http://www.fusionsports.co.uk/shop.asp#Fusion%20Sports%20Cricket%20Bats[/url])
Not sure why, but having read the new descriptions I think they represent the product better.
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Website much better.
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The new website is really well made and has more information on the bats. It is still not up to the mark (on the bats and softs as compared to the Skyer). Two out of the 3 paragraphs describing the bats are the same. Maybe a better copywriter would have done justice by playing with the words. However, much better than last year.
Prices are competitive but I do not agree with the statistics that 90% of their customers have asked for the same specs. This maybe true for the weight, pick-up, etc. but not for the middle position.
I remember asking James to make a bat with a mid to low middle and what I got was a mid middle or in James' words a "longish middle".
I agree with many others that, Fusion has developed expertise in only one shape. But they need something new to compete and survive with the big companies. Rarely, you can see a company which can survive on just one innovation. Look at Motorola they were the first to [produce walkie-talkies and mobile phone. The became complacent on the design and innovation and lost out to Nokia. The revived them selves with the Raza but again stuck to the same slim concept for too long and lost out again and again to their rivals.
Fusion claims that the new skyer would last longer than the old one. So are they prepared for compensating the business loss due to lower repeat orders?
The most striking change on the website was the RRP part which seems to have been communicated well to Fusion and good that they realized the mistake they had made.
btw, does anyone know how many bats did fusion sell last season and of those sold how many were the Superbest??
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Just got my superbest back from fusion, will post pics later of red stickers
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do you like them sultan?
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yea i do, i didnt think i would be that keen but there better then i thought. They should have just kept the big 'f' at the back in my opinion!
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My newly lightened superbest:
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/chris_kimberley/NEWPICS010.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/chris_kimberley/NEWPICS009.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/chris_kimberley/NEWPICS008.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/chris_kimberley/NEWPICS007.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/chris_kimberley/NEWPICS006.jpg)
And before:
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/chris_kimberley/cricketbat014.jpg)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/chris_kimberley/cricketbat013.jpg)
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not the best quality pics as taken on phone
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Disgusting.
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Better than the old ones... not better than the ones before them!
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I agree with Leo. The firsts ones were by far the best, followed by these and then last years in lasy place.
Don't like the back sticker at the top. Its too plain with Fusion Sports wrote in 2 different ways. Maybe a big FS would have been better. And they need to sort out a better grip (if its like that in real life).
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grip will be changed to a white octo/snake