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[Buzz]

How you guys can comment in the way they have without actually seeing the products... personally from the small bits I can see, there seems to be a classic GM theme through the kit - with a mixture of "modern" looking pads and "traditional" ones at various levels of protection, so people of all budget can look as close to their hero (sponsored) player as possible within their budget. Which is something I have always liked about GM kit.

The bat stickers aren't terribly clear from the pictures so we can't really comment.

As for the different face options - why not experiment a little and see what is most popular - personally I have an F2 bat and think it is a little flat, but like the size it makes you feel you have - so the F4.5 option makes sense. Given it will be down to personal preference it shouldn't be a big deal - certainly I think it is a bit of a mountain out of a mole hill.

The Icon, Argon and Octane are three awesome profiles - and the comments people have made on here previously back that up. The Purist seems a nice shape which is similar to one that other firms have used successfully, so fingers crossed.

The bags are similar, just with marginally tweaked colours

Personally I think it is a really classic range - certainly not one that merits the kind of criticism dished out.

The only thing we haven't seen is the really show stopper (like the Bubble for example) - but that is hardly a huge deal.

Given how competitive and at the same time restrictive the cricket equipment market is - I think the kit looks good and am amazed by the comments on here.

Now if there was a re-released GM Maestro in old Green and Blue livery - but with a similar shape to the Trott bat - then we would be talking

[Butterfingerz]

Ed - Tried to send you a PM but your mailbox is full.

[Edward Lowy]

Was the purist an easy option to bring back? Did you consider any other classics?

What do you make of pretty much all the big boys following suit and bringing out a retro range?

Purist is a new bat. The name is an old favourite but for anyone to think we could just relaunch a similar shape to one that came out in 1996 - we would be crucified on forums such as this if we did that.

Launched the 1885 a couple of years back - green and blue livery, very traditional. Sales about 2% of our total.

Kind regards

Edward

[Johnny]

Surely you get no choice though Buzz - you get whatever hand me downs the stig can spare!

[Butterfingerz]

Purist is a new bat. The name is an old favourite but for anyone to think we could just relaunch a similar shape to one that came out in 1996 - we would be crucified on forums such as this if we did that.

Thats where youre wrong, read the comments from the forum about the other brands which have released retro designs and youll see its all positive.

[Edward Lowy]

Ed - Tried to send you a PM but your mailbox is full.

I don't really do PM's. If you don't wish to air something in public, feel free to email me elowy@unicorngroup.com

Kind regards

Edward

[Edward Lowy]

How you guys can comment in the way they have without actually seeing the products... personally from the small bits I can see, there seems to be a classic GM theme through the kit - with a mixture of "modern" looking pads and "traditional" ones at various levels of protection, so people of all budget can look as close to their hero (sponsored) player as possible within their budget. Which is something I have always liked about GM kit.

The bat stickers aren't terribly clear from the pictures so we can't really comment.

As for the different face options - why not experiment a little and see what is most popular - personally I have an F2 bat and think it is a little flat, but like the size it makes you feel you have - so the F4.5 option makes sense. Given it will be down to personal preference it shouldn't be a big deal - certainly I think it is a bit of a mountain out of a mole hill.

The Icon, Argon and Octane are three awesome profiles - and the comments people have made on here previously back that up. The Purist seems a nice shape which is similar to one that other firms have used successfully, so fingers crossed.

The bags are similar, just with marginally tweaked colours

Personally I think it is a really classic range - certainly not one that merits the kind of criticism dished out.

The only thing we haven't seen is the really show stopper (like the Bubble for example) - but that is hardly a huge deal.

Given how competitive and at the same time restrictive the cricket equipment market is - I think the kit looks good and am amazed by the comments on here.

Now if there was a re-released GM Maestro in old Green and Blue livery - but with a similar shape to the Trott bat - then we would be talking

Thanks Buzz - I certainly would recommend people seeing the range before jumping to conclusions. But everyone is entitled to their opinion, we are very interested in the discussion.

Am of overseas now, so replies may be a bit sporadic until mid next week.

Kind regards

Edward

[Manormanic]

As for your derogatory comments about our staff, let me just say that it is an honour and a pleasure for me to work with the ladies and gents that we employ. I know them well and have absolutely the highest regard for them.

Didn't actually see Paul make any such comments - and having met the guy, I find the idea quite, erm, humorous.  If a little unlikely!

[Tom]

I have said the range is not really coherent, and the array of stickers/face types/names will be confusing. I appreciate some of this may be cleared up once a catalogue is released. But from what I've seen ordering a Six6 LE F4.5 hardly rolls off the tongue, particularly if the F4.5 or particular grade is only available on certain bats.

Do you think there could be some confusion from customers, as to the benefits and differences of each shape, sticker design and face type?

[Manormanic]

I also think it is odd to see manufacturers offering this insane level of detail whilst abandoning long handles, long blades and the like.  But that seems to be just my personal bug bear!

[uknsaunders]

Just to echo Buzz's point, I seem to remember a few grumbles last year. Why did the Halo go after 1 year, they all look similar and what's going on with the Zona etc etc. After a year the most people really like the Argon/Octane and for the most part all the concerns were addressed. As a customer I like choice. Having a midway point between F2 and F7 seems a great way of keeper the traditionalists onside but beefing up those edges. Looking forward to seeing the range in the flesh. That's really the acid test.

[Vitas Cricket]

I also think it is odd to see manufacturers offering this insane level of detail whilst abandoning long handles, long blades and the like.  But that seems to be just my personal bug bear!

GM offer long handles across the range (except 303) they are made to customer request though.

The retailer is just as guilty here, we stock a tiny selection of long handle/long blades. Most customers wanting these are happy to wait for us to order them in.

[tushar sehgal]

Stickers are just that...stickers. Some will like them and other will not its all a personal taste thing so can't judge a brand by that although some are so bad that it does deter customers. GM's case the stickers are not bad, maybe not to everyone's taste but definitely not bad. Anyone remember the salix stickers for 2013? with the cracked stone/vinyl look. I thought were horrendous but Paul (IJC) assured me they looked better in flesh. To be honest they do look better in flesh so lets extend that same courtesy to GM.

As for retro shapes, I think if its not a Purist it could have been called something else. All the people who are in love with the Purist were the ones who would have gone for the range first and thats where disappointment might come from. I have never had the original scoop, dynadrive, bubble or purist but when they came out I did go buy them all due to all the hype I wanted to see what is it that people loved about them. So if the Purist lovers are going to say "its not the same" then it might impact some of the sort of neutral customers like me from going after that range considering I already like the Epic, Icon and now Argon chosing a Purist over these might be a tough call for me

[thecord]

Across the industry, the wet summer of 2012 basically resulted in one season's sales being split across two years. It has been gruesome for all. We knew that when we launched GM 2013 a year ago, but it did not deter us from launching new products.

As at now, retail stocks are pretty low, there is a lot more optimism about for a normalised 2014.

Good question - many thanks

Edward

Thanks for answering my question Edward, great to have a big brand like GM happy to interact with customers even when we can be a picky bunch 
Hope that 2014 is more buoyant as you suggest

Phil C

[tim2000s]

As someone who only ever liked the GM livery on the two classic GMs that I have (the green and yellow mid-nineties colours) I'm a little indifferent as to what I've seen here, or other recent branding. Having said that, I rather liked what I saw of the Zona when I saw it in the flesh, when the pictures really didn't look that good.

On that basis, while I would have liked the Maestro and Purist names to represent a retro, rather than a redux, product, I'll reserve judgement on everything else until I actually see it in a shop.