Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Topic started by: jjelricksmith on May 31, 2022, 11:38:28 AM
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Has anyone got or used a bat from: https://worldclasswillow.com/ ?
One of the lads at the club just got one and it picks up amazingly, went down to Taunton and got a deal on a set of pads/ gloves + bat. Anyone else had any experience? Currently in the market for a new bit of willow and this looks like a good option, however haven't seen anything from them on the forum yet.
Any feedback appreciated.
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Only heard good things about them and the bat maker - doesnt he make the Adidas Pro bats?
Seen one player use one against us this year and the bat looked a beast!
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Believe @t2ylo has been to see WCW, IIRC he was quite impressed and he certainly knows his bats.
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Definitely on my wishlist to try, I like what they have going on. The stickers although not for everyone are definitely eye-catching.
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Too kind. But yes I’ve been to see the set up and was mightily impressed.
Picked up one that youngest son immediately snaffled.
Haven’t got a bad word to say.
Very impressed with set up
I’m going to buy another one for myself as they are that good.
Some pics on my Twitter
Not cheap but I think that about all bats - shapes are great.
https://twitter.com/t2ylo/status/1504153122100424711?s=21&t=JLIb9oxjFf5ONkF_nOK4cA
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Too kind. But yes I’ve been to see the set up and was mightily impressed.
Picked up one that youngest son immediately snaffled.
Haven’t got a bad word to say.
Very impressed with set up
I’m going to buy another one for myself as they are that good.
Some pics on my Twitter
Not cheap but I think that about all bats - shapes are great.
https://twitter.com/t2ylo/status/1504153122100424711?s=21&t=JLIb9oxjFf5ONkF_nOK4cA
Looks really well made, definitely agree on the shapes and definitely agree on the fact that they aren't cheap! Thanks for the pics.
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Is this the guy that had a falling out with a certain batmaker that makes bats heavier than you asked for?
Anyone know what happened? Just feeling nosy and gossipy!!
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I must admit, I LOVE the stickers. Wish the softs were a bit snazzier.
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Considering he's relatively new how is he justifying some of them prices???
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Branding is possibly one of the best on the market - really lovely stickers. Bat shapes are nice, but I can't really tell much discernable differences between their range, and as alluded to already, priced to the premium end of the market despite being so new to the scene. It could be due to location as they're based near M&H, but still, £695 plus extra for toe guard, scuff and an extra grip is a little OTT.
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£270+ for a G3 though :/
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£270+ for a G3 though :/
Yup there's brands who make their own bats and have been going longer with real history aren't even at that price... #joke!! WCW have no heritage or history so bewildered at prices...
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There’s nothing to say you have to enter the market cheaply as a new brand. If you believe your product will sell at a higher price point why wouldn’t you charge that?
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I like their branding too, and had been looking at their website for a while, trying to figure out their history.
As it happens, I was poking around my local Romida on the weekend, and they actually had a few WCW bats in stock (even though they're not listed on their website). The one I picked up seemed really nice, with a PU toe guard I think (?) that looked nicer than all the others (I'm not usually a fan of toe guards). I'm afraid I can't remember the grade, but it was more around the £250-300 mark I think. Which was about the same as the other bats around it.
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Higher prices can never be good, fair enough charging a lot for a top grade bat but there isn't any budget options available at all from them which is a big shame.
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There’s nothing to say you have to enter the market cheaply as a new brand. If you believe your product will sell at a higher price point why wouldn’t you charge that?
Yup I agree with the sentiment, if people are buying why wouldn't you maximise your profits. There may well be a customer base that is happy to buy from WCW. I know people have a go at M&H, but at least they have a brand that has heritage and roots with some of the best batmakers...
Each to their own, I just was puzzled that even the brand where he supposedly did some learning from doesn't sell over £500.
Just a few brands that I can think of with years of experience that are better priced: Warsop, JEDi, Hunts...
Maybe outside the forum people don't care... I do wonder how much of the 'it costs way more so must be amazing' thought process takes place...
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I know it’s a subjective thing so we can leave discussing who makes better bats, but give me quality now anyway over heritage and who used to be their bat maker.
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I'd take WCW over any current Newbury bat, for example. 😉
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You cant call your willow world class and then sell it cheap, can you? :D
Love the stickers. For some weird reason I thought this was a reboot of the might willow brand but guess I was wrong.
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I know it’s a subjective thing so we can leave discussing who makes better bats, but give me quality now anyway over heritage and who used to be their bat maker.
This is the thing imo. I had someone last year telling me i charged too much, as i was a relatively new maker/brand. My argument to that is just because you've been going years doesn't make you good and price imo should be based on a number of factors. Quality, costs, target market etc etc. If people aren't allowed to ensure their business is profitable from the get go, then you won't have a lot of UK batmakers around soon. I haven't been going long, but does that mean i don't provide good products, have the same costs etc?
I've more issue with people charging silly money for 'pro bats', or brands stickering up less than quality bats and charging the earth for them on the back of some good marketing.
Do I think £700 is expensive? Yes. Do i think anyone has a right to set their own pricing? Yes. However, i do think this distorts the market a little and could price many people out of the market, therefore feeding the growth of cheap/fake bats further.
I don't think its as simple as 'experience justifies higher pricing' personally.
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Maybe outside the forum people don't care... I do wonder how much of the 'it costs way more so must be amazing' thought process takes place...
Lots.
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I do wonder how much of the 'it costs way more so must be amazing' thought process takes place...
This completely, so many people think this way.
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That isn’t restricted to bats though, is it?
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I’ve been down to see the setup. The nicest people! All took time out to chat with me about everything and anything. Bats exceptionally made and are next level.
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Mike who owns and makes them is a top lad, ex-army and I met him to offer some guidance before he got into the industry. He's certainly hit the ground running and gained a lot of exposure with his branding and products in a short space of time. The number of Pros hes adding to his stable shows he knows how to make a decent bat!
The cricket market isnt an easy palce to enter with bats as your key product as we all well know with the numerous brands that have come and gone, the fact he makes them in house is his USP and time costs money. The value on someones time translates to the cost of their products, factor in the raw materials ontop of your time it takes to make a bat and price points may well seem higher.
I've got a copy of my screaming cat he made me and its a beauty! For those that have been down there you may well have seen my Ayrtek/Affinity Scat knocking around as I left it with him for a while in the event others wanted it copied.
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This is the thing imo. I had someone last year telling me i charged too much, as i was a relatively new maker/brand. My argument to that is just because you've been going years doesn't make you good and price imo should be based on a number of factors. Quality, costs, target market etc etc. If people aren't allowed to ensure their business is profitable from the get go, then you won't have a lot of UK batmakers around soon. I haven't been going long, but does that mean i don't provide good products, have the same costs etc?
I've more issue with people charging silly money for 'pro bats', or brands stickering up less than quality bats and charging the earth for them on the back of some good marketing.
Do I think £700 is expensive? Yes. Do i think anyone has a right to set their own pricing? Yes. However, i do think this distorts the market a little and could price many people out of the market, therefore feeding the growth of cheap/fake bats further.
I don't think its as simple as 'experience justifies higher pricing' personally.
This is the same for many things though. Car brands, fashion, watches. These brands have a long history and even though some newer brands make similar products these brands still command a higher price. I don't think KIA would be having a go at Ferrari (Not to say your amazing bats are KIA in this example :D).
@Kulli I think was also saying this.
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This is the same for many things though. Car brands, fashion, watches. These brands have a long history and even though some newer brands make similar products these brands still command a higher price. I don't think KIA would be having a go at Ferrari (Not to say your amazing bats are KIA in this example :D).
@Kulli I think was also saying this.
Not quite sure i understand where you're coming from here mate? Are you saying Ferrari charge more because of their history and this it's the same with batmakers?
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Not quite sure i understand where you're coming from here mate? Are you saying Ferrari charge more because of their history and this it's the same with batmakers?
Pretty much. They have a long history of making cars and even though their product is similar to many other brands they charge a lot more for their product. A KIA will get you to the same place as a Ferrari but they both charge at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Your bats will do the same job as a Top GM but people wouldn't expect to pay the same amount. Is it right? Not really but thats what years of making quality products does for your brand. People trust these long established brands and new brands have to gain peoples trust.
Laver is not that old but people would expect to pay more for them over your bats (No disrespect intended as I am a huge fan of yours). Laver have worked hard to get their brand where it is, as I'm sure you are.
You're allowed to charge whatever you want but I think the customer who challenged your prices is thinking along these lines. Just my opinion.
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But you also always get new entrants to markets who go premium, while there will always exist brands in every market who’s market is budget or lower end, even if they have 200 years or history.
You’d pay a lot more for a MacLaren than a Ford, because despite both being cars that go from A to B, their not exactly competing for the same market.
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This thread is giving me Vietnam-movie flashbacks to high school economics class 😂
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Basically brands can charge what they want. If it’s too little or too much they won’t last long.
Whether each one offers value for money or not is up to us to argue about, as always.
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Bloody cheek of Tesla.
I’m fuming.
Why aren’t they much cheaper
Heritage free charlatans.
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This is the same for many things though. Car brands, fashion, watches. These brands have a long history and even though some newer brands make similar products these brands still command a higher price. I don't think KIA would be having a go at Ferrari (Not to say your amazing bats are KIA in this example :D).
@Kulli I think was also saying this.
Understood and hope you didn't take offence. I wasn't being argumentative, was genuinely trying to understand. I agree with some points and think you're making the same point, in that it's people's perceptions but it shouldn't be.
However, not sure the car analogy works here. A Ferrari is a very different product to Kia, yes they're both essentially cars but at very different ends of the spectrum. A bit like saying you can live in a 1 bed bungalow, so it's the same as a 20 bed mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
Essentially batmakers use (or should) very similar components, a willow cleft and a cane handle. The end results in terms of product have to be similar also in terms of look etc. Yes experience in balancing/shaping, pressing etc will come into it, but does it mean someone relatively new to the game can't produce great quality and therefore charge for it? I just don't get that the people who have served more time, have a history get to charge more and those who haven't can't.
I'd actually argue that the more history and bigger you get means you maybe go down a more production led route, rather than a more bespoke route. Pressing bats at a set level, less detail on finishing etc and even outsourcing production. Not saying this is any particular brand or that it's every larger brand, just saying does experience, heritage and history equal a better end product?
For me, its quality of product which matters and should determine what anyone is willing to pay.
It it was down to history and heritage, then not many could charge more than Slazenger! 😂
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Understood and hope you didn't take offence. I wasn't being argumentative, was genuinely trying to understand. I agree with some points and think you're making the same point, in that it's people's perceptions but it shouldn't be.
However, not sure the car analogy works here. A Ferrari is a very different product to Kia, yes they're both essentially cars but at very different ends of the spectrum. A bit like saying you can live in a 1 bed bungalow, so it's the same as a 20 bed mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
Essentially batmakers use (or should) very similar components, a willow cleft and a cane handle. The end results in terms of product have to be similar also in terms of look etc. Yes experience in balancing/shaping, pressing etc will come into it, but does it mean someone relatively new to the game can't produce great quality and therefore charge for it? I just don't get that the people who have served more time, have a history get to charge more and those who haven't can't.
I'd actually argue that the more history and bigger you get means you maybe go down a more production led route, rather than a more bespoke route. Pressing bats at a set level, less detail on finishing etc and even outsourcing production. Not saying this is any particular brand or that it's every larger brand, just saying does experience, heritage and history equal a better end product?
For me, its quality of product which matters and should determine what anyone is willing to pay.
It it was down to history and heritage, then not many could charge more than Slazenger! 😂
I think we are on the same page. It's just how the world is.
It's like Louis Vuitton making a leather bag and me making a leather bag. If our quality and product is the same why shouldn't I get Louis Vuitton prices?
Why should Salix charge more than you? Doesn't make sense but it also makes sense...
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Is this the guy that had a falling out with a certain batmaker that makes bats heavier than you asked for?
Anyone know what happened? Just feeling nosy and gossipy!!
Yes, said purveyor of bats heavier than the customer orders had a real temper tantrum after someone keen to learn as much as possible about the cricket bat making industry decided to start his own cricket bat making business which has proven to be much more successful
Not sure that heritage alone can justify higher pricing. I would rather pay more to a new company that produces great bats now rather than long standing companies like M&H or Newbery trading off what they were in the past rather than what they are now
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Bought a WCW Orca from Talent Cricket, will report back!
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Bought a WCW Orca from Talent Cricket, will report back!
Any feedback? Eldest son is keen to buy one - the marketing works on the younger generation as all my U15 team want one! Personally feel better value for money could be found elsewhere and on this forum - that said not had one in my hand.