Topic: Research question (Read 3805 times)

GarrettJ · « **Reply #15 on:** January 08, 2014, 04:07:53 PM »

you have to offer a free return service if someone buys a bat without seeing it first as chances are the pick up might not be suitable eventhough the deadweight is what they think they like.

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 08, 2014, 04:16:19 PM »

Rather than in terms of 'years' or 'seasons'. How many balls should bats last for ? By last I mean perform properly and not turn into bog standard or planks.

People mention scoring 600 ish runs in a season, probably about 800-1000 balls only. What about of someone is scoring 2000-2500 runs so facing 2500 ish balls etc ?

Northern monkey · « **Reply #17 on:** January 08, 2014, 04:18:31 PM »

Very interesting topic

I've just bought two Affinity bats, based on reviews posted online, and after visiting its just cricket.
I waited a year though, to make sure the initial positive reviews posted,,were not negated by any poor reviews posted later.
To be honest,,it was Marcus's passion for his products as much as anything,that convinced me...he just won't sell anything other than the best he can
I've also got the impression Peter Aldred turns out a similar high quality product, and that again, is based solely on online reviews/you tube etc,,,I will buy a couple from him very soon

I had a laver and wood made, purely on reviews,(best bat I've ever had, before the affinity)

To some extent, looks are important,,grains/shape/stickers etc but, the bats got to feel right in the hands, pick up how you want, and if it's possible to bounce a ball on it, have a half decent soft feeling middle.

But I suppose because a bats a natural product, your never guaranteed that the bats gonna suit your game, until you've had a decent knock with it, out in the middle

One thing I have noticed over the last ten years or so, is the decline in quality of ,off the shelf mainstream bats,
I suppose it's opened the door for the boutique bat makers to jog the big guys memories, with what today's customers expect

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2014, 04:21:24 PM »

Quote from: Northern monkey on January 08, 2014, 04:18:31 PM

Very interesting topic

I've just bought two Affinity bats, based on reviews posted online, and after visiting its just cricket.
I waited a year though, to make sure the initial positive reviews posted,,were not negated by any poor reviews posted later.
To be honest,,it was Marcus's passion for his products as much as anything,that convinced me...he just won't sell anything other than the best he can
I've also got the impression Peter Aldred turns out a similar high quality product, and that again, is based solely on online reviews/you tube etc,,,I will buy a couple from him very soon

I had a laver and wood made, purely on reviews,(best bat I've ever had, before the affinity)

To some extent, looks are important,,grains/shape/stickers etc but, the bats got to feel right in the hands, pick up how you want, and if it's possible to bounce a ball on it, have a half decent soft feeling middle.

But I suppose because a bats a natural product, your never guaranteed that the bats gonna suit your game, until you've had a decent knock with it, out in the middle

One thing I have noticed over the last ten years or so, is the decline in quality of ,off the shelf mainstream bats,
I suppose it's opened the door for the boutique bat makers to jog the big guys memories, with what today's customers expect

Most things we buy now are declining in quality

Mars bars
Snickers
House builds are far worse
Fresh fruit and veg are smaller and go out of date faster

Etc etc

Various reasons for it.. Mostly to increase profit though

procricket · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2014, 04:31:50 PM »

We are a different breed though most on here to the bat buying public.

If you go through the history of CBF trends have been formed and in time there trends have passed.

On here what buys bats i guess a mixture of reputation and various other things.

Many people will tell you they produce the best but in truth 90 per cent of bats are all the same.

To many single so called boutique brands call themself "we" when it should be "I" make but like i said we buy differently on here.

I think away from the forum Price and sticker are king pure and simple and being about getting them out there going to ground putting in the hard yards until others sell your product.

Not seen anybody break into the big brand catogory for quite a bit there undercurrents of a few trying and doing it time will tell.

Northern monkey · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2014, 04:34:07 PM »

Yup, I agree

But then we have, affinity,Aldred etc showing the big guys, what should be sold.

It wasn't that long ago, when a �100 grade two bat, would have been an amazing bat. And a grade one bat,,exceptional
Now tho,,,it's hard to trust what's on the shelves...
A bit sad really

Kids want whatever Pieterson or whoevers using, no matter who makes it,,,and unfortunately companies, will exploit that

procricket · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2014, 04:59:11 PM »

And so they should they put big money into that marketing and like it or not most people keep going back.

It seems it is not hard to trust what on a shelf they keep selling them i agree the quality is varied but it because there showing you the full range.

Has the quality really gone down i doubt it has because who gets the most willow gets the better looking grades by percentage.

Do you really believe the custom makers/ brands on here make the best bats better than the big boys better than most Asian brands at half the price.

All opinion but what sells bats local is price and reputation nationally it is marketing

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2014, 05:01:55 PM »

Quote from: procricket on January 08, 2014, 04:59:11 PM

And so they should they put big money into that marketing and like it or not most people keep going back.

It seems it is not hard to trust what on a shelf they keep selling them.

Has the quality really gone down i doubt it has because who gets the most willow gets the better looking grades by percentage.

Do you really believe the custom makers/ brands on here make the best bats..

I'd trust a human over a machine to get the pressing right for each cleft. Apart from that probably not difference IMO

procricket · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2014, 05:03:34 PM »

But that is incorrect every bat is pressed by a machine and normally a man feeding that machine a cleft.

So what is your point???

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 08, 2014, 05:05:43 PM »

Quote from: procricket on January 08, 2014, 05:03:34 PM

But that is incorrect every bat is pressed by a machine...

True, but the amount of pressing will be either a standard machine amount or human judgement amount. Unless I miss understand how pressing is done ? ( and I've only seen rob pack and Gary at choice so not a big selection)

procricket · « **Reply #25 on:** January 08, 2014, 05:08:23 PM »

Most use Human judgement mate the ones i have seen have or claim too.

As long as it not over pressed a decent bat can be made and to most us mere mortals it wouldn't matter anyway.

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 08, 2014, 05:13:31 PM »

Quote from: procricket on January 08, 2014, 05:08:23 PM

Most use Human judgement mate the ones i have seen have or claim too.

As long as it not over pressed a decent bat can be made and to most us mere mortals it wouldn't matter anyway.

So it sounds like it's a case of 'do you trust mr Indian machine feeder' or 'do you trust mr English machine feeder'

Personally I trust one more than the other and yes, I agree that 99% of people wouldn't notice. That can apply to anything though in life. Proven many times ref food, drinks etc.. That's how waitrose, Mercedes etc stay in business

Northern monkey · « **Reply #27 on:** January 08, 2014, 05:27:45 PM »

My point is,
The smaller boutique bat makers /suppliers, just can't afford to sell bad bats.if they do, then they won't be in business for long
My opinion of the larger suppliers, is they no longer care.

As regards what's on shelves,variety cost etc, I don't think it matters....it still seems to be a lottery whether you pick up a half decent Kooka/gray nicks/Gm etc for whatever cost

procricket · « **Reply #28 on:** January 08, 2014, 06:17:01 PM »

Quote from: Northern monkey on January 08, 2014, 05:27:45 PM

My point is,
The smaller boutique bat makers /suppliers, just can't afford to sell bad bats.if they do, then they won't be in business for long
My opinion of the larger suppliers, is they no longer care.

As regards what's on shelves,variety cost etc, I don't think it matters....it still seems to be a lottery whether you pick up a half decent Kooka/gray nicks/Gm etc for whatever cost

You would be surprised what a sticker can do or a reputation or miff of making good bats can do to your mind..

Overdrive · « **Reply #29 on:** January 08, 2014, 06:21:31 PM »

Some excellent points being made on this thread. Many thanks in advance.

I see that price is obviously a major issue. What are your price points for grade 1,2,3 etc I' looking at fair value pricing rather than grudgingly pay. So the price we are happy at with a handmade bat rather than heading to a mass market brand.

Also, if you would be kind enough to let me know your thoughts around 'boutique' brands;

- Do you have a sense of pride around supporting the small brand?
- Are you rebelling against the big brands?
- How do your clubmates with big brand bats perceive you and your custom bats?
- Do you feel 'special' having something nobody else has?

Apologies for the list of questions, i am just trying to put together a pattern of behaviour and trigger points. Putting together buying behaviour. I have already seen that some retailers active on here stock smaller brands like Uzi...ItsJustCricket (very enthusiastic videos). It would be helpful to hear their interpretation on the sales process and how they believe customers approach the non mass market bats they offer.

Author Topic: Research question (Read 3805 times)

GarrettJ

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ProCricketer1982

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Northern monkey

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ProCricketer1982

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procricket

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Northern monkey

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procricket

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ProCricketer1982

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procricket

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ProCricketer1982

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procricket

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ProCricketer1982

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Northern monkey

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procricket

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Overdrive

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