Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gray Nicolls => Topic started by: AlanB on September 03, 2013, 10:42:07 AM
-
the Sports Direct offer of £200 posted has attracted attention on a number of threads (it is also listed on ebay)
http://www.sportsdirect.com/gray-nicolls-limited-edition-andrew-strauss-powerbow-cricket-bat-859136 (http://www.sportsdirect.com/gray-nicolls-limited-edition-andrew-strauss-powerbow-cricket-bat-859136)
Has anyone been tempted to buy?
Are the Strauss LE model bats any better than the standard Powerbow LE, or is the difference purely the signature / endorsement?
-
£200 for a grays Strauss LE sounds a good deal. Any LE bat from Grays should be very good, if I needed one, I'd take a punt on this.
Whats their returns policy on bats? i.e if you get a dud will they take it back if unused if you say you don't like the weight etc?
-
£200 for a grays Strauss LE sounds a good deal. Any LE bat from Grays should be very good, if I needed one, I'd take a punt on this.
Whats their returns policy on bats? i.e if you get a dud will they take it back if unused if you say you don't like the weight etc?
Distance selling regulations. You have a minimum 7 days return period.
-
You can return unwanted items by post within 7 working days of receipt of your goods.
Firstly Print and return this Returns Form to:
Customer Returns
Unit B
Brook Park East
Meadow Lane
Shirebrook
NG20 8RY
For more information, view their Returns and Exchanges information.
-
Strauss LE bats should all be 2'9
When we handpicked 4 in 2012 there were some fairly ropey ones in the box, probably just about ok for an LE, but for (at the time) an extra £80 or so, i would want something a little more special. We left those obviously. I imagine sports direct will have picked up what no other retailer wanted on clearance, hence price.
-
Only bought two things off sports direct. The first thing was a pair of Slazenger ultimate batting gloves for about £20, and a set of slazenger ultimate batting pads for £30. So there is value to be had, however I can't speak for what bats they carry.
That said, it looks a very good offer. I did see a gn powerbow on barrington sports for 195, but that might be the model below. The bat from sports direct might be worth a punt, can always send it back.
Question: can you return to their store?
Reason I ask is because I presume that sending a bat back in the post is going to be expensive. It cost me £10 to send my faulty albion helmet back, so having never posted a bat, how much do they cost?
-
You can only return it via their address I posted above.
You can get couriers who you can post a bat via for no more than £10
-
If you are returning one make sure you keep receipt of posting and keep pressuring them as from my experiences they like to give you the run around.
-
When returning anything, make sure you get it signed for delivery, and if possible tracked. Not worth the risk of not doing this.
-
Interesting comments, inconclusive as to whether the Strauss is really anything more than an expensive signature, which would of course explain why these are now heavily discounted.
Seems odd that GN do not seek to justify the price premium in terms of the quality of the bat itself.
With Sports Direct we lack the benefit of viewing the bats to help decide.
-
150 quid..... i was tempted.... n i bought it....... ahhh money low in bank again.....
-
150 quid..... i was tempted.... n i bought it....... ahhh money low in bank again.....
price is 200 not 150
-
Vat free?
-
Has anyone asked sports direct what the weight of the cricket bat is?
-
The price was further reduced from £200 to £150, looks like this only happened today.
So in view of this, I went for it, too.
Have received email confirmation of the order, now wait and see if there is still stock available.
-
I didn't ask the weight, it seems quite likely the bat will weigh around 2lb 9oz - 10oz, which I will be happy with.
-
The price was further reduced from £200 to £150, looks like this only happened today.
So in view of this, I went for it, too.
Have received email confirmation of the order, now wait and see if there is still stock available.
Argh... That's pretty darn tempting... =.= I think I'll take a pass though... (For once!)
-
That's a great price for that bat hope you get a nice one
-
Argh... That's pretty darn tempting... =.= I think I'll take a pass though... (For once!)
Yup very tempting at that price now :(. Think I'll take the plunge and get it :-[
-
Mines coming tomorrow...... Hope its a nice bat
-
Someones been quick off the mark
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-Andrew-Strauss-Limited-Edition-/261280981200?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item3cd58f60d0 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-Andrew-Strauss-Limited-Edition-/261280981200?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item3cd58f60d0)
-
Someones been quick off the mark
[url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-Andrew-Strauss-Limited-Edition-/261280981200?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item3cd58f60d0[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-Andrew-Strauss-Limited-Edition-/261280981200?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item3cd58f60d0[/url])
Pretty good looking one for SD standards, someone got lucky!
-
No reason why they shouldn't be decent bats for £150 on the basis they are genuine GN LEs minimum.
Still, let's see what is delivered though. Expect to receive it early next week and will post photographs by next weekend.
Thank you to all those posting helpful advice and hope everyone that ordered are pleased with their purchase.
-
Pretty good looking one for SD standards, someone got lucky!
shocking bat for a players edition bat with a £500 RRP. Imagine if you had paid £500 for that!
-
No-one will have paid 500 quid. We have had them on sale at £380.
I don't think they are described as players edition anywhere (could be wrong though) they are simply signed by the player and they also only come in his preferred weight. Mine is quite a different shape to a normal Powerbow too, still concaved though.
That one looks pretty typical of the ones we left behind when handpicking at Gray Nics.
-
There is another one on ebay now.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-LE-Bat-/321202874768?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item4ac92ee990 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-LE-Bat-/321202874768?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item4ac92ee990)
My bat is on the move and should be with me in a few days.
-
Someones been quick off the mark
[url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-Andrew-Strauss-Limited-Edition-/261280981200?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item3cd58f60d0[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gray-Nicolls-Powerbow-Andrew-Strauss-Limited-Edition-/261280981200?pt=UK_SportingGoods_CricketBats_SM&hash=item3cd58f60d0[/url])
Haha his prices are a little optimistic to say the least, baring in mind he probably bought it from SD judging by the barcode/sticker on the back
-
Decided to take the plunge aswell and mine turned up today. Would have been mortified if i paid £400 but for £150 pretty pleased 9 even straight grains , mallet test sounds good, it hasnt been signed though its just a sticker and there is a tiny blemish on the inside edge near the toe. Picks up nice.(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g356/richroz1/E5CB8ED7-ACDE-42E7-819F-1D2946FA0C4F-1894-0000005053E4BE4E_zpsc8d08528.jpg)
-
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g356/richroz1/CBDC7C68-6DA4-4469-B36A-85F0B62B16A5-1894-000000507412E8D3_zps8193b3c8.jpg)
-
Bought a load of gear for my 6 year old and some newbery whites which am pleased with but dont think i will buy another bat.
-
That's a reasonably decent looking bat, shame about the pin knots though! At least they are near the toe though, any shots from the toe upwards to show how much scooping it has?
-
(http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g356/richroz1/3A9C6189-3C9F-484B-8E7F-7A5D9B7ECF97-1894-0000005B2861D5CE_zps8208f3b1.jpg)
-
How is the pickup?
Does it have a semi-oval or an oval handle? Also does it come with an anti-scuff sheet?
thanks,
-
([url]http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g356/richroz1/3A9C6189-3C9F-484B-8E7F-7A5D9B7ECF97-1894-0000005B2861D5CE_zps8208f3b1.jpg[/url])
Cheers, you happy with the quality of the bat? If it performs, for £150, it's a pretty good buy! :)
-
Interesting that it isn't signed. That is how they look in their raw form when we handpick them. We have to leave them behind for Strauss (or Cook) to sign them at a later date.
-
Pick up is very good, i have not weighed it yet but would guess at 2.8.5 or 2.9 its got a mid middle and does not feel bottom heavey, handle is semi oval, there is no scuff sheet and seems to be pressed quite hard. Also seems a little dry but should be fine after oiling.
-
Thanks chad, yes overall pleased with the quality, was in two minds weather to send it back but gonna keep it because i like the feel of the bat.
-
Interesting that it isn't signed. That is how they look in their raw form when we handpick them. We have to leave them behind for Strauss (or Cook) to sign them at a later date.
Yes was a tad worried about the sticker, thanks for that info jake.
-
So the sticker is there to identify the model and then later removed to be replaced by an autograph?
My bat has been delivered today, whilst I have not seen it yet, there is certainly a sticker rather than an autograph.
Will put photos up in due course. Whilst I would have preferred a real signature, on the basis that it would surely wear off quickly in use, priority is for a quality bat for the money. Perhaps the bats sold at the £150 price level do not have the real signature.
The bats are not available on the Sports Direct website now.
-
So the sticker is there to identify the model and then later removed to be replaced by an autograph?
My bat has been delivered today, whilst I have not seen it yet, there is certainly a sticker rather than an autograph.
Will put photos up in due course. Whilst I would have preferred a real signature, on the basis that it would surely wear off quickly in use, priority is for a quality bat for the money. Perhaps the bats sold at the £150 price level do not have the real signature.
The bats are not available on the Sports Direct website now.
Correct on the sticker. Not sure why these have not been signed, to my knowledge, there were 'x' amount of bats that we sifted through, and all of these were signed in one sitting by Strauss.
I have one, i have a scuff sheet on my bat, so no worries about the signature coming off.
-
Ordered one of these from SD, arrived this morning. Impressed with the quality of the willow but mine too has a sticker instead of a signature.
Given they were advertised as having Straussy's on them do you think it's worth having a gripe at SD? Picks up a bit heavy for me too so not sure how much use it will get. (2.10oz)
Had no experiece of their customer service and probably being a moany old sod for the money I paid :D
-
Very pleased with the quality of the bat I have received.
It is labelled 2lb 10oz and is approaching a weight of 2lb 11oz on digital scales with a toe guard fitted. Personally, happy to have received one of the heavier ones and there is not too much concaving.
Edges 37mm max and 35mm along the middle.
Willow is clearly G1 and has at least 14 fairly straight grains. Hardly a blemish back or front.
Impressed with the finish, too. Similar to Bradbury.
Yes I would have of course preferred a real signature and will reflect on that, would be reluctant to return this bat though.
Will take some photographs and tap it up.
-
Here we are then....
These have been taken in a mix of natural and artificial light hence the differing colours of the face. The grains are clear though.
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC00970_zpsb20d5d8a.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC00970_zpsb20d5d8a.jpg.html)
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC00959_zpsf12171c7.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC00959_zpsf12171c7.jpg.html)
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC01001_zpsf1d58358.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC01001_zpsf1d58358.jpg.html)
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/51321ec7-69db-4728-a913-06c505117313_zpsed259f5a.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/51321ec7-69db-4728-a913-06c505117313_zpsed259f5a.jpg.html)
-
That's what LE willow should look like!
Nice bat.
-
Here we are then....
These haven't all been taken in a mix of natural and artificial light hence the differing colours of the face. The grains are clear though.
([url]http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC00970_zpsb20d5d8a.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC00970_zpsb20d5d8a.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC00959_zpsf12171c7.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC00959_zpsf12171c7.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC01001_zpsf1d58358.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC01001_zpsf1d58358.jpg.html[/url])
([url]http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/51321ec7-69db-4728-a913-06c505117313_zpsed259f5a.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/51321ec7-69db-4728-a913-06c505117313_zpsed259f5a.jpg.html[/url])
That's more like the quality I would expect for a bat around £350! :) I just got mine today, succumbed when it dropped to £150. Isn't anywhere near as nice as this one, but it is a clean face. Was planning on reselling on eBay, but it does seem to perform. These seem slightly softer pressed than the other GN bats though, does anyone know what the shoulder stamps 'J' and 'P' stand for? Just wondering whether these are made here in the UK or in Asia.
-
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC00997_zpsab6413b3.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC00997_zpsab6413b3.jpg.html)
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/DSC00993_zpsa0903d58.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/DSC00993_zpsa0903d58.jpg.html)
-
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/69cfccb6-b7d7-48f0-ad3e-aaa9911b1c50_zpsf3a96070.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/69cfccb6-b7d7-48f0-ad3e-aaa9911b1c50_zpsf3a96070.jpg.html)
-
([url]http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s653/alan_brown2/69cfccb6-b7d7-48f0-ad3e-aaa9911b1c50_zpsf3a96070.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/alan_brown2/media/69cfccb6-b7d7-48f0-ad3e-aaa9911b1c50_zpsf3a96070.jpg.html[/url])
That's the shot, looks to have a fairly low amount of concaving compared to mine - looks like you got yourself a blinder for £150, I hope it goes well for you!
-
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/IMG-20130909-WA0001_zps6bd788fd.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Chaddy_117/media/IMG-20130909-WA0001_zps6bd788fd.jpg.html)
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/20130909_220600_zpsb7b5e059.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Chaddy_117/media/20130909_220600_zpsb7b5e059.jpg.html)
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/IMG-20130909-WA0013_zpsd87dde06.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Chaddy_117/media/IMG-20130909-WA0013_zpsd87dde06.jpg.html)
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/IMG-20130909-WA0027_zps8138eb1a.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Chaddy_117/media/IMG-20130909-WA0027_zps8138eb1a.jpg.html)
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/IMG-20130909-WA0029_zpsa036cf1f.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Chaddy_117/media/IMG-20130909-WA0029_zpsa036cf1f.jpg.html)
(http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u419/Chaddy_117/IMG-20130909-WA0031_zpsd10554b7.jpg) (http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/Chaddy_117/media/IMG-20130909-WA0031_zpsd10554b7.jpg.html)
Mine weighs 2.10, and responds pretty well, shame it's fairly concaved, but I may still use it...
-
wonder how much sportsdirect are making on each one of those...
-
Chad, your bat is nevertheless from the photos (thank you) a decent amount of wood for the weight, blemish free face and has the original signature too.
Spotted the stamps on mine too, they are "L" and "P", don't know what these signify. Rolled the grip down, there is no ID or label on the top half of the handle.