Topic: Affinity Cricket Carbine Sport - Vitas Cricket Exclusive (Read 13626 times)

Number4 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 24, 2014, 10:38:33 AM »

Quote from: tim2000s on July 24, 2014, 09:35:10 AM

Having seen the three that I have seen in the hands of people who aren't forumites, I'm not so sure about that.

So they are a well renowned brand over the UK?

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #31 on:** July 24, 2014, 10:41:45 AM »

Quote from: smilley792 on July 24, 2014, 10:23:29 AM

The onły question that is coming into my head is.

Do I buy one of these at 245 or just stump the extra 80 for a proper carbine?

If you're happy paying that much you may as well go the whole hog and get a full version - saying that I do prefer the colours of the sport...

farnham_quins_2 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 24, 2014, 11:08:46 AM »

They look like good bats to me, and good idea from Affinity to go for a lower price point.

I've followed and retweeted, fingers crossed

tushar sehgal · « **Reply #33 on:** July 24, 2014, 11:32:39 AM »

Folks if Affinity wants to sell at that price point then its their decision, they have the faith in their product selling at price.

Also remember for both sides of the argument, there are many other brands doing this and some get more support on this forum where as others get less for doing so. E.g. Hammer was hammered for his prices simply because he was seen as the American brand, re-stickering etc but what he was selling was indeed very high end product from excellent bat makers, whereas Salix / HH were mostly supported expect for 1 or 2 members simply because most members seem to feel a connection with them. I see a mixed reaction to Affinity and it simply comes down to how aware you are of the brand, those of us who know the man and history will most likely be less harsh and newer posters/members find it ridiculous pricing but if they have a favorite brand on the forum now and that brand starts doing these prices in future they will support it, they are not that aware of Affinity or Mr. M so they find the prices absurd. Some of us are paying 180 for a butterfly so what's wrong with a G3 at 245?

fasteddie · « **Reply #34 on:** July 24, 2014, 01:28:07 PM »

Tush.

Looking at there grading and price point it is only right and proper to raise an eyebrow or two.
They are pushing it, a lot.
Does Marcus actually make the bats from start to finish? What is his input?

With regard to your point about Salix and HH, people on here agree with the base level in public mainly because they don't want the hassle of getting bitched at.
Many privately agree that they are overpriced, hyped, and bloated.

As for Affinity, well the branding is very tidy indeed. I like it. A bit small (font and stickers), but love the colors. Would I buy one at that grade and price? Never.
But hey ho, we can all chose.

Oh, forgot to add; This post has been checked just in case I offend anyone (in an open forum). We don't want too many people disagreeing with those at the bottom now.

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #35 on:** July 24, 2014, 03:02:55 PM »

Quote from: fasteddie on July 24, 2014, 01:28:07 PM

Tush.

Looking at there grading and price point it is only right and proper to raise an eyebrow or two.
They are pushing it, a lot.
Does Marcus actually make the bats from start to finish? What is his input?

With regard to your point about Salix and HH, people on here agree with the base level in public mainly because they don't want the hassle of getting bitched at.
Many privately agree that they are overpriced, hyped, and bloated.

As for Affinity, well the branding is very tidy indeed. I like it. A bit small (font and stickers), but love the colors. Would I buy one at that grade and price? Never.
But hey ho, we can all chose.

Oh, forgot to add; This post has been checked just in case I offend anyone (in an open forum). We don't want too many people disagreeing with those at the bottom now.

Am I right in thinking that Marcus makes some of the bats and others are outsourced?

simonmay5 · « **Reply #36 on:** July 24, 2014, 03:12:25 PM »

Quote from: neoncricket on July 24, 2014, 03:02:55 PM

Am I right in thinking that Marcus makes some of the bats and others are outsourced?

That's right he makes all the persona and some off the others the others are outsourced

JB · « **Reply #37 on:** July 24, 2014, 03:34:29 PM »

He told of what he makes and what he doesn't when the Phantom was being released

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=27875.60

Hope the link works its on page 5 of the thread, M77

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #38 on:** July 24, 2014, 03:45:50 PM »

Suppose that opens up a whole new debate, what's the difference in buying an Affinity G3 for �245 (Or a G1/G2 for �300+ plus for that matter) another 'stickered up' brand for nearly half that?

If the bat in question was made by Marcus then I can understand the pricing, the man clearly has exceptional skill and knows a thing or two about bats. However for the outsourced bats I can't agree with this, I appreciate he'll use trusted bat makers for his outsourced bats but it's still no difference to buying a BlankBat for example (or a Neon for that matter). The only difference is the pretty stickers and clever marketing.

Not trying to dig at Affinity, I'm a big fan of the brand and think Marcus has got the marketing and design side of the business bang on - just making the point that I'm sure behind closed doors most of us are thinking...

Northern monkey · « **Reply #39 on:** July 24, 2014, 04:55:31 PM »

He doesn't just have marketing side bang on,,
The performance is what matters to most of the bat buyers out there,, and affinity have this absolutely spot on.
The bat will both pick up and respond as good if not better than a hell of a lot more expensive bats.
Purely because, Marcus won't let a non performing bat be sold.
The bats will sell,,and you won't see them on here or fleabay 5minutes after they've been used either

Shortpitch · « **Reply #40 on:** July 24, 2014, 05:32:59 PM »

I personally like the bats but 245 quid likeness, i doubt it. I dont understand one thing, when a bat maker and his brand are available to you to order, why buy custom brand bats from store? Even from my experience, I have seen that when you buy in more quantity from a Bat maker he tends to give you great discount more than the stores. I personally prefer blank bats( not the brand on this forum). I would put any kind of stickers of the manufacturer unless i get a sponsorship, if not I already paid the price for the bat why do free marketing ??

Just as Tushar mentioned in his post Hammer stickered some lavers before as his bats and sold them at least 100 dollars more than what Laver would charge. I guess its the customer loyalty to the business

.

ItsJustCricket · « **Reply #41 on:** August 11, 2014, 03:07:53 PM »

Unlike some others on this forum, I am a big Affinity fan - one of the biggest around actually, and have made my feelings known publicly on many occasions, so what I am about to say may surprise some of you: I think the price is too expensive too.

Comparing the grading to Gray-Nicolls, the Sport is the same grade as a 4 Star bat, and certainly looks like most 4 Stars do grains-wise, but costs �105 more. Despite the fact that the top Carbine (grade 1+) is in line with the price point for the Gray-Nicolls LE. I am pretty sure that these Sport bas will perform better than most Gray-Nicolls 4 Star bats, and imo are better finished too, but I use this comparison to suggest that the price gap is still too high. Even the Affinity Toro bats cost less than these Carbine Sports and are a grade higher??

I think it's a good idea to do a lower priced Carbine, and am actually envious of Vitas Cricket for having this opportunity, but I think �180-�200 would be a more sensible price point for this bat.

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #42 on:** August 11, 2014, 03:32:46 PM »

The grading has never been mentioned, only speculated about by others. The bat pictured below actually meets JS Wrights criteria for G1 (the willow does not come from JS Wrights but i am using their criteria as it seems many regard them as the best...)

I trust Marcus to provide bats of high quality, which he does. Affinity's pressing/performance, finishing, stickers etc are all of the highest order, even on the Sport model. Grading is not important to me, and as I have raised many times there is no industry standard for grading anyway, I could sell a dirty old chair leg as grade 1+ if I wanted to, using my own grading system. The wood used is mostly blemish free, with relatively straight grains, free from heartwood. The grains aren't high in number but Affinity bats are tools of the trade, not ornaments. They are designed to hit the ball a long way, which they do. I would rather have a bat that hits the ball a bit further and is 'ugly' than one which is 'pretty' but doesn't do the job it was built to do as well.

We went for the Sport as a direct response to our local market. Many of whom ogle premium products like Affinity bats, or GN Legends etc, but few of whom can afford or are willing to pay for them. Most people seem to max out at around �250. We went with this price point to allow buyers to get a premium product within their price range. If people feel the price encourages them to go for a more expensive Affinity model then fantastic. The Sport was never intended to please everyone, it was designed with a very specific market in mind and thus far response from the intended market has been good.

fasteddie · « **Reply #43 on:** August 11, 2014, 04:12:26 PM »

If you are responding to your clients, giving them what they want, at a price point which works for them.....Well, young man you are a businessman, not a sheep. I love it!

Your email, phone, and online service is first class. If your f2f service matches that then you can easily justify the price.

However.....If these are next to G1 bats at the same price point, there could be questions. But, this isn't a bad thing as it's a reason to engage and explore the clients requirements more fully. Also it gives you a chance to develop that relationship where you can be seen as a 'trusted' person. Bingo, you will sell once, twice, three times and more.

Good luck Jake.
P.S; I do think 245 is a touch too high, but I don't have your local knowledge, so that matters not

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #44 on:** August 11, 2014, 04:22:48 PM »

It is easy to forget we on the forum are blessed with a number of brands boasting excellent customer service as well as fantastic products at very, very good prices.

Most of the bat buying public aren't aware of the likes of say Red Ink, Aldred, H4L or going even smaller lets say Ryan with RK bats. All of whom offer great value for money in my opinion. To compare their bats i agree could be a little challenging, but most of my customers won't.

An equivalent (in terms of attention to detail, stickers, presentation etc, performance should be a given) 'luxury' product from a big brand will set you back a lot more than a the cost of a Carbine Sport, or even a Carbine Pro for that matter.

I totally understand where people are coming from when i ask for �245 for a bat with fewer grains than most would desire. But ultimately these bats are a labour of love, they hit the ball as far as possible and for most of my locals, it allows them to join a pretty exclusive club that few are aware of in Team Affinity. People love being different after all!

I'll offer a small softener to the blow with free delivery (as always) and also free knocking in for anyone interested.

Author Topic: Affinity Cricket Carbine Sport - Vitas Cricket Exclusive (Read 13626 times)

Number4

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Neon Cricket

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farnham_quins_2

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tushar sehgal

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fasteddie

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Neon Cricket

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simonmay5

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JB

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Neon Cricket

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Northern monkey

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Shortpitch

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ItsJustCricket

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Vitas Cricket

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fasteddie

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Vitas Cricket

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