Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Forum News and Suggestions => Old Advertisers => Admin Board => It's Just Cricket => Topic started by: ItsJustCricket on October 12, 2015, 02:06:22 PM
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Good Afternoon All,
I am pleased to say that we will be visiting Newbery on October 27th and will apparently be the very first retailer to pick through their new range! :) We are planning to stock most of their bats, and pick them all out on the 27th. I am especially excited about the Merlin and Blitz, but this post will focus mainly on our exclusive Newbery bat, 'The Platinum', as there are some subtle changes that have just been confirmed today (another forum scoop)! ;)
The bats will be evolving, with brand new grips and Platinum branded (lighter) toe guards, and a Long Blade option, otherwise the same as how we initially designed (in harrow and SH), as I explored in this article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/designing-cricket-bat-platinum-newbery-paul-cole?trk=prof-post (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/designing-cricket-bat-platinum-newbery-paul-cole?trk=prof-post)
Further down the line, we are also considering adding a Player grade for the Platinum for next year, which would be priced at around the £220 mark, so would welcome any feedback on that? Platinum softs (also to be designed by us) may also follow next year if we feel there is sufficient demand for them.
On the 27th, we will be picking out some more SH Platinums, which should include lighter weights than our current stock http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/cricket-bats-c17/senior-cricket-bats-c18/newbery-the-platinum-cricket-bat-p1323 (http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/cricket-bats-c17/senior-cricket-bats-c18/newbery-the-platinum-cricket-bat-p1323) (hopefully 2.7 and 2.8 like last time) as well as a few in Long Blade and harrow. The LB bats will most likely start at 2.9.
As with any other 2016 bat of ours, we can handpick one exactly to your desired specs if you pre-order. All you need to do is pay an £80 deposit, here: http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/cricket-bats-c17/senior-cricket-bats-c18/deposit-for-new-2016-cricket-bat-of-your-choice-hand-picked-p779 (http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/cricket-bats-c17/senior-cricket-bats-c18/deposit-for-new-2016-cricket-bat-of-your-choice-hand-picked-p779)
I must stress that, as with all our pre-orders, deposits are refundable because we understand that sometimes a customer's required specs just cannot be found, or if you simply change your mind! There is no obligation after paying this deposit, but paying it will ensure that we at least attempt to find the perfect 2016 bat for you! :)
Cheers,
Paul
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Great news Paul. One question though, wouldn't a players grade of the platinum not contradict the whole point of the bat in the first place?
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Great news Paul. One question though, wouldn't a players grade of the platinum not contradict the whole point of the bat in the first place?
possibly, but as it would still be grade 1 and made in England, it's an option for us. The reality is not everyone can afford to spend £320. We would never go as low as 5 Star on this bat, but keeping it grade 1 may work? I need feedback on this though as it's just an idea at this stage and I am not completely sold on it yet.
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possibly, but as it would still be grade 1 and made in England, it's an option for us. The reality is not everyone can afford to spend £320. We would never go as low as 5 Star on this bat, but keeping it grade 1 may work? I need feedback on this though as it's just an idea at this stage and I am not completely sold on it yet.
I get the point about the price pot but I just don't think you can call it platinum like it's more exclusive model. It's aimed at the higher end of the market, personally I wouldn't cheapen the name and keep it at that unless you can rename the lower model
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I get the point about the price pot but I just don't think you can call it platinum like it's more exclusive model. It's aimed at the higher end of the market, personally I wouldn't cheapen the name and keep it at that unless you can rename the lower model
very valid point, Ian - thanks for your feedback!
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You could always produce a second tier bat and call it Gold or maybe a gemstone name. It keeps the platinum exclusive but then gives you a cheaper option and more decals to have fun creating
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titanium?
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Add another word to distinguish the two?
Platinum Elite / Platinum Reserve?
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I think it makes business sense to have a cheaper model to Platinum. It can be renamed like Platinum players & elite or Gold etc. as others have mentioned
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Update! Here are a few ideas we've been floating around for the two grades. We're keen to keep the lower grade bat in line with the Lounge branding, and as so it'll still be called Platinum, and be the same bat, the same shape, the same (virtually) decals, but will have a different name. So some options -
Lower Grade (Still G1, made in England, price point in line with Newbery Players bat, so around £225-£250) - Platinum Players, Platinum Reserve, Platinum One.
Higher Grade (These will remain the same, just with the addition of the distinguishing between the two grades, likely to just be one small sticker to indicate the difference between grades) Platinum Elite, Platinum Pro, Platinum Limited Edition.
Just looking for feedback at this stage, so all comments and suggestions appreciated!
Chris
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i like the platinum limited edition for the higher grade bat especially if it was an LE such as the first relaunce of the slaz v12 but i think have a platinum and platinum LE as the two bats would work without compromising on the quality of the product or over complicating the range
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I like Platinum Pro for current bat and Platinum One for g1 grade
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I like Platinum Pro for current bat and Platinum One for g1 grade
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Have to agree on this.
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How about making the current platinum into a more limited run and call them the LE and making the lower grade 1 the standard but still very high quality offering?
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Platinum LE (G1 Grade) and Platinum Lite (lower grade) :D
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Got me it should be the Platinum 1 for lower grade 1. And Platinum Pro or Elite for top bat - either sounds great!
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In jewellery they use to grade of platinum (A bit like the he carat system for gold) Platinum 950 and Platinum 900, with the 950 being the better quality, maybe use that, and it wouldn't be another LE/pro/elite name bat which means different things from different brands anyway
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Update! Here are a few ideas we've been floating around for the two grades. We're keen to keep the lower grade bat in line with the Lounge branding, and as so it'll still be called Platinum, and be the same bat, the same shape, the same (virtually) decals, but will have a different name. So some options -
Lower Grade (Still G1, made in England, price point in line with Newbery Players bat, so around £225-£250) - Platinum Players, Platinum Reserve, Platinum One.
Higher Grade (These will remain the same, just with the addition of the distinguishing between the two grades, likely to just be one small sticker to indicate the difference between grades) Platinum Elite, Platinum Pro, Platinum Limited Edition.
Just looking for feedback at this stage, so all comments and suggestions appreciated!
Chris
Would be nice to see something different done as you have the opportunity to not follow the usual daft branding used by most bat companies, the best thing about the branding is that Platinum is simple and understated rather than the usual mass market language used with sales in mind. Don't call a bat pro/players/elite if you don't have any pros using it! Reserve would indicate a higher not lower quality, and just to buck a stupid trend - please only call it Limited Edition if it is actually a limited edition. If when you run out of stock, you'll get more made (which I'd imagine you obviously would!), the product clearly isn't limited edition.
I'd say you've made a bit of a rod for yourself re. keeping the platinum branding - platinum is a term that's very associated with 'grade' type language, which is obviously why you've used it for the Platinum Lounge to try and indicate the premium quality willow and experience etc. So the thing that would make most sense to call a slightly lower grade version would be the Gold! Which I think scans/fits well.
Calling a bat the Platinum Elite (for example) would be a bit like the England team calling themselves the England 1st XI - doesn't really make sense. Which makes me think of Platinum A for the lower grade ha. Just my two penn'orth - you've got a nice non-mass market brand name for the bat, don't take away from that by tagging on some typical sales language grading epithets.
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^^ couldn't agree more ^^
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Thanks for the feedback, guys. Possibly not a short term plan, but I am thinking of doing a Gold, Silver and Bronze bat (all with different stickers, but similar look with Platinum lounge branding etc). Gold would be grade 1, Silver G2 and Bronze G3. Same profile shape for each and all made by Newbery. Thoughts on this?
Paul
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Its the way to go keeps it nice and simple as platinum gold silver bronze grading is easily understandable.
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Didn't woodworm use a similar naming convention a few year back?
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Fact you aren't going to change the branding much (guess just change colour of the silver 'platinum' bit on sticker to reflect grade) is a bonus. People will still want the quality looks but want a bat that is accessible to their price range. Sounds a winner
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yep, I am thinking the only difference will be the colour of the matt stickers (gold, silver and bronze instead of black), Price points would be around £240 (gold), £180 (silver) and £120 (bronze). All the same shape. The platinum would get more free extras and more lounge space but all bats handpicked etc.
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Makes sense that, imagine that would go down very well if the Platinum has already sold well.
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we could market it heavily at the 2016 Olympics too! :D
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we could market it heavily at the 2016 Olympics too! :D
Missed the boat on London 2012 didn't you, just think!
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Missed the boat on London 2012 didn't you, just think!
Very true! Beauty is there are always things like the Commonwealth Games, Winter Olympics, World Championship Athletics etc, so it's not limited to being relevant every four years! Anyway, just had an initial chat with Newbery about this. Watch this space...
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Just a little bump on this one.
It looks like we will be going ahead with "The Gold" by Newbery - a Grade 1 bat, priced in line with Newbery Players bats, with the same decals, just gold instead of the matt black. Also "The Silver" by Newbery - a Grade 2 bat, with silver and chrome decals, priced the same as Newbery 5 star bats.
There is a possibility of a bronze, in the Daredevil price point, but we are still exploring that for now.
All the bats will maintain the distinctive shape of the Platinum, we're just making it more available for all our customers!
Chris
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@ItsJustCricket so by when do you plan to have the lower end models released ?
Do you have any profile pics of Merlin ?
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Didn't woodworm use a similar naming convention a few year back?
They did indeed.
Was when they released the Hard Drive, Mega Bite and Satellite.
If I remember correctly (I used to love Woodworm because Freddie and KP used them...) the Hard Drive and Mega Bite were available in Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze, while the Satellite wasn't available in the top grade.
In other news, I need to get out more... :-[
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@ItsJustCricket so by when do you plan to have the lower end models released ?
Do you have any profile pics of Merlin ?
Hopefully by December, if not a bit before...
Just emailed you the Merlin profile pics, Amit.
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As I am visiting Newbery tomorrow, I felt this thread was worthy of a bump.
Also, to clarify what I think has been some misunderstanding (due to where this thread has gone), I won't just be picking out Platinum bats tomorrow, but the whole range, including Blitz, Merlin, Kudos, Kudos2 etc.
Apparently we will be the first shop to look at a new batch of 400+ bats so it will be epic! :)
Same process with the pre-orders: just an £80 deposit needed here, please, and it's not too late! http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/cricket-bats-c17/senior-cricket-bats-c18/deposit-for-new-2016-cricket-bat-of-your-choice-hand-picked-p779 (http://www.itsjustcricket.co.uk/cricket-bats-c17/senior-cricket-bats-c18/deposit-for-new-2016-cricket-bat-of-your-choice-hand-picked-p779)
Paul
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Quite excited to see the Kudos2's Paul, bring on the photos!
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Just out of interest, who do you think had made those 400 bats since your last visit?
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Just out of interest, who do you think had made those 400 bats since your last visit?
Newbery ;)
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Newbery ;)
Ah the smoke and mirrors answer.
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Just out of interest, who do you think had made those 400 bats since your last visit?
Newbery as they use a CNC I believe as well as some traditional handmade bats
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Hello All!
Just a little teaser that in the next couple of days we are officially going to be launching the IJC and Newbery collaboration for the 2016 season. We are very excited for this and not only that, but we've taken on board the comments generated by the forum, and one new exciting feature particularly was born out of a forum comments thread.
For now though, safe to say that IJC and Newbery will be very much at the front of the cricket market for 2016!
Chris
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Going for gold?