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[rhino25]

Hey guys,

wondering if anyone could provide some advice on softs manufacturers? Or anyone that can help design and make some?

thanks.

[FattusCattus]

Pop! - wriggle, wriggle!!  (That's a can of worms being opened!)

I think forum sponsor brands will be the guys to answer - most of them describe the process as a bit of a nightmare, and the manufacturers will really be interested in people who are going to order quantity.

I think Champ Sports used to be a good starting point, although things may have changed there.

[ajmw89]

All I'm gonna say is don't do it unless you are fully committed to it and understand that you will get messed about, emails going unanswered for weeks at a time and things costing more than you'd anticipated

[rhino25]

Ok so doesn't sound easy at all...might mean a bit more research.

I'll check out champ sports as well.

[procricket]

See if another brand will let you piggy back onto there orders but possibly next season is realistic

Work out the quantities you want and what you have to spend and so on.

Be careful of people helping you and pushing you down directions who are on the make mate.

[smilley792]

Ok so doesn't sound easy at all...might mean a bit more research.

I'll check out champ sports as well.

It would be easier if people were willing to help.

There are a fair few people on here that have softs made and know who to contact and who not to. But you will never see them list them conpanies.
there all secret squirrels in the cricket softs illuminati world.
Unfortunately you will struggle to get real info on here.

[rhino25]

Yea I've been really worried about some suppliers just out for the money.

that's probably a good to jump in with another supplier as I only want a a limited number of sets to begin with.

fair call smiley, but I don't just expect them to straight up tell me, maybe a helpful push in the right direction.

[procricket]

Ok

New Grayhound Not sure on quantities needed great supplier
Ranson You will need quite a few
Larssons Unknown
Champ Will deal with anybody
SS Need decent quantities
SF Quantites game

Loads more Pakistan too loads more does that help!!!!

F.C.Sondhi  will require a minimum quantity
Robinsons Once again expensive

Your worried about suppliers out for the money what else will they be out for!!

[Tom]

So you don't know what shape to do, and you ask us. You don't know where to buy softs, so you ask us.

So what actually are you going to bring to the cricket equipment world?

[rhino25]

Tom, I have an idea for a bat profile, and I have can find some,suppliers but given the amount of knowledge of bats and,cricket equipment,some guys on the forum have I would been pretty silly not to at least ask what people prefer, etc etc.

honestly do smaller brands or businesses come out with new never before seen products? Not likely. Hence the general discussion,in,regards to the bat profile.

I only asked for,general advice. Ie try xyz. Or we like this. I don't expect it,be easy but I am,only trying to,set up something in my area to provide some nice gear

.

Ok

New Grayhound Not sure on quantities needed great supplier
Ranson You will need quite a few
Larssons Unknown
Champ Will deal with anybody
SS Need decent quantities
SF Quantites game

Loads more Pakistan too loads more does that help!!!!

F.C.Sondhi  will require a minimum quantity
Robinsons Once again expensive

Your worried about suppliers out for the money what else will they be out for!!

thanks for help. Of,course they are keen,for,the cash. Just don't,want to be ripped,off haha.

[smokem]

So he asked people for thoughts on a profile - I would say that's part of market research (even though it is UK-biased forum and his customers will be mostly in Oz).  But he has to start somewhere...

And while it's nice to be innovative, it is his interest and again he has to start somewhere. Who is to say that after he gets his feet wet that he won't come out with something a bit different?

Rhino is from Australia from what I recall. So he's probably not going to worry any of the UK sponsors on this forum as he simply won't be price competitive for the same products.

A bit surprised at some of the negativity. Used to think this was a friendly and positive place but I guess not anymore. If you aren't willing to help, then it might be best not to put someone down for what he's passionate in.

Off to find the "this place is not what it used to be" thread...

[Jenko]

I have been in touch with Rhino and you are indeed being a tad harsh. There are little to no decent brands or options in this neck of the woods (Central QLD and North QLD) so all he is doing is trying to get a decent selection of research as to what the average cricketer looks for in a profile - once he has a decent cross reference of what to look for in a shape then he can expand on what he already has sitting at home.

Kudos to him for looking into getting into the market here in Australia, its something I certainly want to do myself in the future (I want to get into the making and repairing though) and I wish him and his brand well.

[Montys Beard]

So you don't know what shape to do, and you ask us. You don't know where to buy softs, so you ask us.

So what actually are you going to bring to the cricket equipment world?

Little bit harsh Tom? Everyone has to start somewhere, he's canvassed for a shape which he may or may not use - just getting consumer insight which is a good idea in my opinion, what's the point of coming out with somehting new and innovative straight away if people turn round go, "Hmmm, interesting, but no" You're then left with a load of sticks no one wants and have already spanked a load of cash up the wall? Start by providing something people want to purchase then once you're up and running you can experiment a bit? (I know you're the wrong person to say this too mate)

As Jenko says, the options on bats down here is very limited, totally ruddy dire if you want the honest truth. You don't see anyone using anything outside of Kookaburra, Puma and  GN (the occasional GM or NB - I was in GCCC recently, all the young lads want NB because "Finch uses it") At home I enjoy seeing people turn up with a bat from a small brand - then admiring it endlessly  whilst the person who owns it looks at you funny and keeps trying to get away. Here, it's the same brands over and over again - and they are very expensive with it!

So what I'm hoping Rhino brings to the Australian market is a bit of variation on the big boys, a decent bat at a competitive price with good service? If he fails then I guess we'll all be back in Rebel sports baulking at the price of a 4 grain GN Kaboom.......

[Tom]

I may be harsh but I have more respect for those who go out there, attempt something and then come on here for advice rather than those who seem like they want all the research to land on their lap.

My personal opinion is the cricket world is filled with people looking to take as much as they can get.

No problem with sharing knowledge, I've shared my fair share over the past 8 years. But little bit tiresome answering the same questions to someone who posts on here without any contribution, will flog their wears for a year and then disappear once they've realised there's no money to be made.

There's oodles of threads about where to buy softs and there's other sites outside of here with information. You can also find out what's in vogue and what consumers want by sitting on here and reading posts for a few months, but perhaps that's too much of a long game for some.

[rhino25]

Tom, I sent you a PM.

But I'd also like to add, I can't really come in and show anything or the discuss what im doing too much as I'm not a sponsor of the forum. I assumed it would be better to ask a more open question so it doesn't become a marketing thread going "look what I have" with my logo all over them or anything like that.

Hopefully I can come join as a sponsor prior to the new Aussie season and by that time, I'll have a more refined range of profiles for the bats, and maybe 1 set of gloves and pads to go with it.