Topic: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'? (Read 2508 times)

Liam-SCCC · « **on:** February 07, 2012, 02:10:04 PM »

The last bat I bought from one if the major brands was a kookaburra blade in 2009. Before that, the last major brand I bought was again a Kookaburra, this time a Beast and a Harrow.

Since junior bats I haven gone M&H, Kookaburra, Champ, Redback, Talisman, Joker, Ayrtek, Bulldog

Not really had a main stream brand, don't get me wrong, all the above bats have been/are belters. But I'm missing out on the experience of going to the shop and walking out with a shiny new bat. Instead it waiting around at home, scared of going to the loo incase you miss the courier.

I have never owned a GM, GN, Puma. And have only tried one of those, a GM Luna last year which I like using because it was a GM, but hated the feel because of those scoops.

Basically what I'm saying is, I think, does going to the shop to get the bat add to the whole experience of buying from a mainstream brand?

tommy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2012, 02:18:30 PM »

Simple answer..no, I have owned GM, GN, Slazanger, Duncan Fernley, Hunts and none have been as good as my current Bulldog. The quality is hit and miss and bats can often be sat round for months drying out.

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2012, 02:19:58 PM »

I can only speak personally but I think the smaller manufacturers offer better value for money and the interaction between the batmaker and customer is something I enjoy. I get more out of dealing with the smaller brands than the off the shelf brands. There is something to be said for actually being able to wave the bat about a bit and to compare differing blades but for me I place my trust in the smaller brands to give me what I want first time after discussing my needs with them. If I was to buy one of the 'big brands' sticks I would attempt to go to them direct although obviously this isn't always possible. Most of my softs have always been bought off the shelf though....

Alvaro · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2012, 03:10:19 PM »

I bought a Kook Blade 500 in the end of season sales for about �70. Went for it cos I knew it wouldn't be a log, but a lucky punt nevertheless.
It goes like stink, pretty much straightaway, so I'm happy with it.
Prior to it I had gone Hunts, BAS Vampire, Warsop, Newbery, broken GM LE, all of which have been good (the BAS was the only noticeably superior stick, but it was perhaps a one in a thousand bit of willow).

tim2000s · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2012, 03:25:03 PM »

If you are going to buy off the shelf, I'd always in the past have gone for a Hunts County. The best two bats I've bought like that were Insignias. I'd also argue that buying the Special Offers from Laver could be considered "Off the Shelf" and those are extremely good...

petehosk · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2012, 04:02:37 PM »

I am agreeing to BAS bats being very good.
I don't really count the 2 I have tried from Asad, which are both crazy good! But I also have a 'standard' BAS Bow twenty20 which is also superb and a massive surprise!! The only other surprising 'off-the-shelf' bat is an Adidas Incurza Elite which looks slim and nothing special but goes fantastically well!

Buzz · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2012, 04:25:20 PM »

am quite sure this would be rather a lot of money if it was bought from a custom maker...

Cover_Drive · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2012, 04:34:30 PM »

In terms of bats I would say no as smaller brands offer better product for money but some of mainstream brands bats do that too!

But definitely in softs, I have owned and tried some of forum softs and I still prefer main stream brands for softs despite some might still come from same source.

petehosk · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2012, 04:37:42 PM »

Yep - softs in particular!!!
The best pads I have owned/used (still own) are Morrant Ultralite Internationals.
And the best gloves I have owned/used are Lekka and also GM Orig LE.

Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2012, 06:34:34 PM »

There's a certain excitement of visiting a shop and selecting your willow, does it beat hanging round the doorway waiting for couriers to arrive though?

Could get the best of both worlds by selecting your willow at a batmakers, then let them finish it off and send it to you!

Canners · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2012, 06:57:35 PM »

The amount of times I have been to a shop or even a bat makers and felt a massive bat and thought that looks lovely and even picks up lovely.... I then get home wave it about a bit and it still feels lovely... However the next day I realise I've done it again and bought a massive bat that is too heavy for me...

I know the specs I want in my bats now and I stick to them, I would be very surprised if I bought another shop bat again- but with bargains like the scoop for 80 notes who knows

pacman75cricket · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2012, 07:03:08 PM »

Think you can get great value from custom bat maker compared to top end brands, however excellent bats can be found off the shelf even in lower grades eg kookaburra entry level I have seen but chances maybe lower but if you go to a decent shop they may have selected from hundreds to find the few good ones. I know Chiltern Sports do this as has Asad on here.

Joe · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2012, 07:04:47 PM »

In my eyes there's nothing better than walking into a cricket shop and walking out with a new bat. I've only ever bought bats this way, it ensures you get a good one.

Author Topic: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'? (Read 2508 times)

Liam-SCCC

Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

tommy

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

Alvaro

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

tim2000s

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

petehosk

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

Buzz

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

Cover_Drive

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

petehosk

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

Tom

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

Canners

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

pacman75cricket

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?

Joe

Re: Have I been missing out by not buying off 'the shelf'?