Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
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Author Topic: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?  (Read 6398 times)

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tim2000s

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Reading a couple of recent threads on reaction to various CBF Sponsor brands, it made me have a bit of a think.

In the games I've played around London, both SE and SW, I've noticed a profound lack of the more esoteric kit that forum members seem to prefer. When you consider that we are roughly 2,500 members and we play around the country, we are fairly thinly distributed.

Considering that there are 120 teams playing in the Kent Cricket leagues, and that this accounts for 1,320 players if only 11 players ever represent a side. Given that London is covered by at least four, if not more, Leagues, you are probably talking 5,000-10,000 players in league cricket around the London area, plus many more that don't participate in League Cricket.

When looked at in this vein it becomes strikingly apparent why a bat that isn't recognised, looks good, sounds good, and appears to go like a wild one gets a lot of interest. There simply aren't that many of them around and penetration is very low. It also explains why my SAF Hades got so much attention last summer when it was used.

The simple point is that CBF is actually a shop window and users using CBF-sponsor gear are part of that! A good bat from any maker on here gets a lot more attention than anything from the bigger brands simply because they aren't seen very much.

Having said all this, someone is bound to end up playing a team full of people sporting Aldreds, RKs, H4Ls and others....
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justnotcricket86

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2013, 08:00:58 AM »

I have managed to spread the word in my team and they are starting to come round to the idea that big brands aren't the be all and end all. A mate is getting an RK Custom sent to him today (the 2.10lb) one that Ryan posted in his thread last night, mate has picked up a Spyder recently and always getting asked about my H4Ls.

This season I have seen 2 very nice Bulldogs, a Talisman, several H4L, Woodstock is all over Shropshire, Hawk, couple of Ayrteks, a SAF, and suprisingly, quite a few GM Purists!! Every big brand bat I have seen has been toilet!

Trying to do my bit!
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Cys1

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2013, 08:02:47 AM »

Very interesting observation Tim. Would have thought that there would be a lot more penetration from the multitude of small brands available in the UK. I think we all tend to forget that 90% of cricketers do not have access to the information about brands and their kit that we are exposed to on the forum and many of them would be happy to fork out £300 for a top end off the shelf bat.

In SA we only have 3 local brands and most cricketers have no idea that you can have a custom made bat in the UK for a lot cheaper than some of the top offerings of the a international and local brands.

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tushar sehgal

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2013, 11:51:03 AM »

Here is what my team looks like (more than 11 bats as some have more than 1)...

3 H4L
3 RPC (1 is mine)
1 BR Le (mine)
3 BB
2 Bulldogs
1 Woodstoc
3 GN powerbow

I am sure I am forgetting some in there...
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morgzy10

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2013, 11:55:14 AM »

my club is a little boring in terms of bats

slazengers
newberys
kookas,
gray nics
couple of SS

i think im the only one with a custom company bat (itias and warsop)
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DiscoStu

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2013, 12:01:32 PM »

When I played in the mid-Essex league, the teams were full of Warsops. More than any other brand. Now I'm out here in Uzi Sports country, I have noticed more than a few of the boutique brands being used.

People still prefer to have a feel for the bat before they buy so the local retailers are very important to what is being used.
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uknsaunders

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2013, 12:02:16 PM »

what does "esoteric" mean  :)
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justnotcricket86

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2013, 12:22:05 PM »

what does "esoteric" mean  :)

Interest held by a select few/small group.

I like to think of us more of a cult/underground relgion ;)
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tim2000s

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2013, 12:22:11 PM »

Here is what my team looks like (more than 11 bats as some have more than 1)...

3 H4L
3 RPC (1 is mine)
1 BR Le (mine)
3 BB
2 Bulldogs
1 Woodstoc
3 GN powerbow

I am sure I am forgetting some in there...
Yes Tush, but as your team buys most of their bats from you, I'm not remotely surprised that you have that selection in your team ;)
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fasteddie

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2013, 12:27:39 PM »

It does show that there is a huge potential for the boutique bat makers to make a very good living from just their local region.

I do scratch my head a touch when there is such an open goal why these smaller brands don't make a bigger PR push.
It's so easy to scale your reach using simple means such as Twitter, FB, and old fashioned word of mouth.

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thecord

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2013, 12:44:11 PM »

It is surprising how quickly things can change in a club once the lads see what is available. My team has gone from all mainstream brands to having a Redback, Ayrtek, Tk Blank, Uzi Green Mamba, BAS, CA, m&h, willowstix and h4l in the space of 3 seasons.
And no those aren't all mine!
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trypewriter

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2013, 01:05:44 PM »

I'm using the only salix that I've seen out and about in my league, but I do play at a very low level. Our skipper has a red ink and loves it. However, in our locale, I'm surprised I haven't seen more Paul Aldred bats - maybe not the top range ones, but the silver sovereigns are comparatively cheap as chips when compared to many of the big name brands. I genuinely don't think that the majority realise that there are guys out there who can make you a belting bat without it costing an arm and a leg.
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charlie15

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2013, 01:40:05 PM »

I had pretty much the whole oppo crowd around me when I walked in to bat on Sunday with my Laver, I had to check and make sure I wasn't carrying a giant rare diamond!  I stuck around for 48 deliveries as well so they could all have a longer look!
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morgzy10

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2013, 01:41:57 PM »

loving the longevity of your innings charlie so the oppo could get their rocks off
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tushar sehgal

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Re: Why do people react in the way they do to Forum Sponsor Kit?
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2013, 02:38:25 PM »

Yes Tush, but as your team buys most of their bats from you, I'm not remotely surprised that you have that selection in your team ;)

Yes but to be honest it just takes one good bat from the forum brand that gets shared and creates a lot more interest than bigger brands..most of these guys are "Brand" suckers but it all started with a H4L and then a RPC....now they ask me to suggest brands and I do my best in trying to get them what would suit...they all know I get them here but they don't sign up...there are other brands we have tried that didn't get any love but I find that I need to be more carefull too as I have noticed that it seems to have an impact on what they decide..
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