Topic: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors) (Read 7010 times)

tim2000s · « **Reply #15 on:** January 09, 2014, 11:53:54 AM »

Quote from: Buzz on January 09, 2014, 11:17:14 AM

for what it is worth, my (clearly very conflicted) view is that you will get the very best deals from the forum sponsors

my only caveat is in September or October for the sports direct sales. this remains unfair for the sponsors as the prices are frequently below cost!

as for the stig's retainer. what ever it is, it is clearly not enough!

To be fair, if I was a retailer, I'd purchase in bulk from the SD sale as it's below cost, and sell on making a profit, especially with non-end of life items.

The Palmist · « **Reply #16 on:** January 09, 2014, 11:54:16 AM »

Quote from: Gingerbusiness on January 09, 2014, 10:16:20 AM

Agree whole-heartedly with this.

I have lost �300+ recently (UKSportsWarehouse and Batman - Both eBay) and am livid - Trading standards have been approached in both cases.

I have brought a lot of bats off this forum - not had a single problem with a sponsor, or anyone else.

I have brought a bat recently from John @ Red Ink - Seamless process and really great communication.

Off topic and may warrant a separate thread but do englighten us if these two sellers have been crafty just so no one else gets duped. ta

procricket · « **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2014, 12:03:22 PM »

Quote from: CameronPye94 on January 09, 2014, 11:40:50 AM

Did I forget to mention that in my first response, I should have said that along with the great service you know you'll get a great deal as you have a bat hand picked and selected for you.
I have dealt with both Vitas & VKS recently and they were top drawer. The prices were the same as pro direct or anywhere else, yet I had photos of bats to chose from sent and their exact weights, for me you pay for the best products and service as well as the goods when buying from a sponsor.

That's the deals which make the forum better things like pictures and stuff like that I agree if you can't get to a shop then this is a great advert to the forum sponsor who do this.

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #18 on:** January 09, 2014, 12:21:28 PM »

Quote from: tim2000s on January 09, 2014, 11:53:54 AM

To be fair, if I was a retailer, I'd purchase in bulk from the SD sale as it's below cost, and sell on making a profit, especially with non-end of life items.

Bingo, exactly what we did. Many SD prices in that recent sale were cheaper than Slazengers trade price, go figure.

tushar sehgal · « **Reply #19 on:** January 09, 2014, 12:32:56 PM »

I guess it depends. Sponsors provide exceptional service, I am mean Paul (IJC) was emailing me from warehouses so I would be happy with what I wanted. You don't get service like that. I have only had one bad experience with a sponsor so it can happen, there are hints of other sponsors in past messing people around as well but that does not put everyone sponsor in that same category. One thing active sponsors will build is reputation, trust and loyalty amongst us buyers.

As for buying from other avenues, I have had more issues than I would have liked. Some had horrible products, others were unaware of something called customer service and many other issues. Where these big retailers have a hand up on sponsors is sale times, so they way I see it is if its sale time and there is something really heavily discounted I will take a punt but for year round peace of mind and quality assurance I trust the sponsors. Most times it is the best price or competitive enough and assurance that I am not just any random customer...most sponsors refer to people by their names on here, which shows they care and take interest...

Gingerbusiness · « **Reply #20 on:** January 09, 2014, 02:10:36 PM »

Quote from: The Palmist on January 09, 2014, 11:54:16 AM

Off topic and may warrant a separate thread but do englighten us if these two sellers have been crafty just so no one else gets duped. ta

Quite simple.

The Adidas Incurza from UKSportswarehouse broke -- Sent it back, they said they 'sent it off to be assessed at Adidas' -- Didnt hear a thing, then when pushed they said it was user error why it broke (The crack opened up in the MIDDLE of the BLADE! lol) -- Now they have kept the bat, after numerous attempts to recover it. So they have stolen it too!

The GM came with a crack in it but I hadn't noticed it. It was noticed about 3 weeks later, contacted him, told that it would cost ME �45 to return it to GM India. Seems to disappear when I contact him. Not alot I can do about it if I can't get hold of him.

ItsJustCricket · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2014, 02:39:14 PM »

This is an interesting thread, thanks for posting, Frank! Remember even forum sponsors can offer sales sometimes too...

It amazes me to read about some of the horror stories people have had with others, like Cricket Direct. I don't know how a business can survive in this market with even average customer service, let alone poor!

Jason_Yuan · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2014, 02:46:32 PM »

For me i will only get bats when its actually real bargain for example �145 for the oblivion le from prodirect before, but for a bat which might cost more, i will get it from its just cricket or vitas cricket as you will definitely get a nice bat from them as they actually hand select it.

Gingerbusiness · « **Reply #23 on:** January 09, 2014, 02:47:40 PM »

Quote from: ItsJustCricket on January 09, 2014, 02:39:14 PM

This is an interesting thread, thanks for posting, Frank! Remember even forum sponsors can offer sales sometimes too...

It amazes me to read about some of the horror stories people have had with others, like Cricket Direct. I don't know how a business can survive in this market with even average customer service, let alone poor!

If I had the time, and money, I would push for a suspension of trading through the courts for UKSportsWarehouse.

'Batman' obviously has no warrenties on the bats he sells and thus does not want to refund a broken bat. Does not help me through.

I am going to be on a first name basis with Trading Standards employees soon.

fasteddie · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2014, 02:47:48 PM »

All retailers, sponsors or not, should compete hard for our money. The forum gives some a platform which they use to the best of their abilities.

There does seem to be some 'Emperor's new clothes' behavior at times which doesn't give credibility. On the other hand others behave impeccably and build strong brand loyalty.
This alone clouds judgement and causes buyers to act on emotion and not fact.

A lot of people seem to want a lot for a little investment, but that's often the norm these days.

Personally, if the price is representative of the product then I'll pay and not quibble of a few quid.

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 09, 2014, 06:27:49 PM »

Quote from: Buzz on January 09, 2014, 11:17:14 AM

my only caveat is in September or October for the sports direct sales. this remains unfair for the sponsors as the prices are frequently below cost!

When you say below cost, it can't be below SD's buying price surely? Otherwise they'd be losing money and I can't imagine a business doing that. Could it not just be that they get stuff cheaper as they buy in greater quantities?

smilley792 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 09, 2014, 06:30:50 PM »

Quote from: ProCricketer1982 on January 09, 2014, 06:27:49 PM

When you say below cost, it can't be below SD's buying price surely? Otherwise they'd be losing money and I can't imagine a business doing that. Could it not just be that they get stuff cheaper as they buy in greater quantities?

Sports direct own slazenger, so the slazenger stuff they don't technically buy.

ProCricketer1982 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 09, 2014, 06:34:05 PM »

Quote from: smilley792 on January 09, 2014, 06:30:50 PM

Sports direct own slazenger, so the slazenger stuff they don't technically buy.

Ah, yeah that might help

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #28 on:** January 09, 2014, 06:51:36 PM »

SD sell plenty of products from other brands at cheaper than trade too.

Obviously they are likely to be ordering in hefty quantities, generating a significant discount, but some of the prices i've seen are silly. They can only be doing it to clear warehouse space.

horseman · « **Reply #29 on:** January 09, 2014, 06:54:53 PM »

Ditto the sports direct comments. Try and buy gloves etc cheap to protect my summer equipment. Bats I would only trust the sponsors or buying personally from store.

Author Topic: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors) (Read 7010 times)

tim2000s

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

The Palmist

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

procricket

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

Vitas Cricket

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

tushar sehgal

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

Gingerbusiness

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

ItsJustCricket

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

Jason_Yuan

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

Gingerbusiness

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

fasteddie

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

ProCricketer1982

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

smilley792

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

ProCricketer1982

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

Vitas Cricket

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)

horseman

Re: Bargin hunter or trusted retailer (forum sponsors)