Topic: 2016 Phantom Softs (Read 43913 times)

cricketbadger · « **Reply #150 on:** March 04, 2016, 03:57:36 PM »

Admins you can Lock this one down

brokenbat · « **Reply #151 on:** March 04, 2016, 03:57:42 PM »

Now that is an epic BURRRN if I ever saw one. Hopefully we can now move back to discussing "storm damage bargains" now

Uzi Sports · « **Reply #152 on:** March 04, 2016, 04:13:19 PM »

Quote from: EaglesCC on March 04, 2016, 02:56:36 PM

Perhaps it's worth starting off by explaining why the "Custom" label has come about. It's no secret I don't make my own bats because I am very open about this. It doesn't take a genius to work out who does (but by all means give yourselves a pat on the back).

As a small set up, 99% of the bats offered are in regular short handle (it's the most common ask) � however EVERY single bat ever sold under the Phantom brand has been made to order to my exact shapes, weights, etc � not a single bat has been picked from pre-mades. This means I can (and do) make tweaks or complete changes to the shapes.

I often get requests for bats that are longer blades or handles, with higher/ lower middles � changes to existing shapes or a copy of a much loved old faithful. All of these are accommodated but it's never really been marketed, until now.

So under the Custom option, the customer gets to choose from something straightforward as the size of handle right across to sending in a bat for an exact copy and therefore their bat will be 'made to order' (too long to fit on a label as a name), 'modified from an existing shape' (doesn't sounds right that) or custom-made � ah! that�s the one! It sums up exactly what the bat is about. The other name considered was bespoke but that�s more suited to garments and tailoring - also is somewhat misleading.

What's unique (or not commonly done) about the Phantom service is that two bats can be bought together to the same specs � first in a higher grade for matches and the second a lower grade which is much cheaper for practice.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It seems everyone thinks they know the inside leg measurement of the said bat maker � but as someone who spends a fair amount of time with him on a regular basis, I can confirm much of the loose talk about him on this forum has no basis.

So is this a custom service � damn right it is! Why don't others who use the same bat maker offer it? I couldn't tell you � perhaps in their wisdom they just don't want the hassle.

Re: Softs, it seems my previous post has fallen on deaf ears. These are not H4L designs � end of!

I have never forced anyone to buy a Phantom bat however anyone who has felt particularly obliged to buy one for threat to their sheer existence, I am happy for you to return the bat for a full refund.

That includes you Simon � for when you met me and bought three bats, with the same current branding and labels you were fine with it. To this end you recently said to me on email that the Shadow Players you have is a gun. If it's just the labels you are unhappy about you're welcome to remove them from the bat � and return the set you bought only as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

Correction on your statement regarding others are not offering bespoke service who use the same bat maker. I believe Blank bats offer as well as we have done quite a few for our customers

EaglesCC · « **Reply #153 on:** March 04, 2016, 04:32:25 PM »

Quote from: Uzi Sports on March 04, 2016, 04:13:19 PM

Correction on your statement regarding others are not offering bespoke service who use the same bat maker. I believe Blank bats offer as well as we have done quite a few for our customers

I don't doubt that you do.

How anyone else markets it (or doesnt) is entirely down to them however for me the logic of making it plainly obvious that the latest offering is not an off the shelf product should require no explanation - but I have given one anyway because seemingly it's inconceivable to some that Phantom can offer this service. Which in fact is the other reason for launching the label.

Gurujames · « **Reply #154 on:** March 04, 2016, 04:40:16 PM »

You may accuse me of being a bit slow but, who does make Phantom bats?

smilley792 · « **Reply #155 on:** March 04, 2016, 04:42:57 PM »

Quote from: Gurujames on March 04, 2016, 04:40:16 PM

You may accuse me of being a bit slow but, who does make Phantom bats?

Are you TKing the mick?

simonmay5 · « **Reply #156 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:00:07 PM »

That includes you Simon � for when you met me and bought three bats, with the same current branding and labels you were fine with it. To this end you recently said to me on email that the Shadow Players you have is a gun. If it's just the labels you are unhappy about you're welcome to remove them from the bat � and return the set you bought only as recently as a couple of weeks ago

I never said the bats was not good I think you're find I was one of the first people on this forum to buy them I just said I thought your softs was very similar and names like custom just says the same as other brand I just thought you would come up with something different as to me custom is a bespoke service and I sure that a thing that can't be done

smilley792 · « **Reply #157 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:04:03 PM »

@simonmay5 read his replies. He's said this is a custom option.

Something tk offers via them, Uzi and BB.

Ams4287 · « **Reply #158 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:16:44 PM »

Whilst I'm sure various people are passionate about the designs / colour schemes of the protection they use from a cricket ball (majority of us playing in local leagues) or a bat made by specific batmakers or sold by certain 3rd parties. There is only so much you can do and only so many factories out there in the case of softs and shapes in the case of bats - which is why there's presumably no IP out there as was mentioned earlier.

Quite frankly pop the teddys back in the pram, if you like a certain brand / design buy them if you don't then don't. Appreciate it's peoples businesses but really is it the end of the world.......

It's great to have access to brands and insights into decisions taken, it would be a shame if this kind of thread put people off.

hanif · « **Reply #159 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:18:13 PM »

I think it is great that two of the smaller brands are producing such great kit and offering so many excellent options. I have said previously the H4L softs are the best quality softs I have seen in person and I feel the phantom softs offer some of the best looking softs and I am sure the quality is excellent as well. Compare these products to other leading brands and they are miles ahead. So well done to both companies and keep up the great work.

liscon12 · « **Reply #160 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:33:48 PM »

Do you have plans to stock Phantom @hanif ?

iand123 · « **Reply #161 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:52:05 PM »

Interesting thread this one, not had one of these for a while.

Price is an interesting one and the market seems to be pushing upwards. For me it's too much particularly for a new(ish) brand but hey everyone has to start somewhere in this industry and as has been said by many it's good to see the guys behind phantom putting their money where their mouth is and giving it all they've got.

Personally not a fan of the stickers but the phantom brand is evolving and it's clear to see (for me anyway) that as they evolve they are clearly learning what works and what doesn't and aren't afraid to try new things. Great to hear the insight into decisions too, would be a shame if that was to stop.

JB · « **Reply #162 on:** March 05, 2016, 05:32:11 PM »

Put these sorts against the NC654 gloves @ �95/pair! these are far better

Last years gloves and pads are on sale on the Phantom website, �85 for the set is good value!

hanif · « **Reply #163 on:** March 05, 2016, 05:49:55 PM »

@liscon12 we wont be stocking phantom cricket equipment and before anyone asks Aftab is not related to me and I do not know him on a personal level. I am sure if Aftab was a forum sponsor you would be singing his praises. Matt is one of the nicest guys you are ever likely to meet he is producing some of the best bats and his softs are amazing, the best I have seen. I will always recommend people to deal with Matt. But I do feel that Phantom are getting treated unfairly they have taken inspiration from a few different brands and created there own identity. This is what majority of companies do. It is innovation. Designs will always be similar. The only similarities with the H4L and phantom softs is the colour schemes and the quality other than that I can see no other similarities the glove designs are different, the pad designs are different. As for the use of custom Aftab has explained this and makes perfect sense. I think both these companies deserve to be praised as they are setting the bench mark very high and have surpassed a lot of the big companies. Matt is making bats people dream about and is quickly becoming one of the big names in bat making. Aftab in a short space of time has created a brand that people love. The only thing I can see here is a lot of positives. So I think it is time we stopped being so negative.

brokenbat · « **Reply #164 on:** March 05, 2016, 07:56:16 PM »

The "copy cat" arguments here are kinda silly.. If a new brand decides to start selling cricket balls, will we all jump on them as well for "copying" Dukes or Readers??

Author Topic: 2016 Phantom Softs (Read 43913 times)

cricketbadger

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

brokenbat

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Uzi Sports

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

EaglesCC

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Gurujames

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

smilley792

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

simonmay5

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

smilley792

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

Ams4287

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

hanif

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

liscon12

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

iand123

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

JB

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

hanif

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs

brokenbat

Re: 2016 Phantom Softs