@Biggie Smalls not hate just calling out "cheeky" marketing which makes "revolutionary" claims but delivers nothing.
@Jaffa , "generational"? HAHA. How about truthful and from rumors I hear, more truthful than some people I hear. 
Look folks, no need to get teary eyed or emotional. You will get better products from the vendors when you change your behavior and mindset. You guys act like these vendors are doing you a favor. You are used to "Sir, can I have some more porridge" mindset. And porridge you get. It IS your money and you are paying FULL retail prices most of the time. DEMAND better products and services. Enough of this "village" consumer mind set that shop-keeper will shoo you away if you ask for more. Sometimes I feel, this is like a "Doc Martin" episode.
Remember, ask for better products. Right now, we, cricket consumers have a pretty sub-standard market. Until, we consumers, demand better, we will get the same old "porridge". You are easy customers. If there were more than 12 of you, I'd get in this business myself.
Hi,
I do see where you are coming from - however, when you talk about "sub-standard market" then you also have to focus on the fact that sports industry is not overwhelmingly innovative, no sports, I repeat, no sports has evolution like from Henry Ford to Elon Musk.
Talking about better products in cricket, things have changed drastically. I recall that helmets in early 2000s were nothing less than like of plastic with no sweat guard and just few pieces of foam, now we have carbon fibre shell helmets, titanium grill, double layer of carbon fibre and so on.
Talking about the mindset, I really think that it is not truly. I have been part of this forum for past eight or so years with almost six years in administration. The "porridge" mindset is least applicable here, the consumers here are not saying "sir, can I have some more porridge" rather they are asking for different stuff. If they weren't getting better products, there would not be any exchange of gear, the people on this forum are perhaps the ones who change the gear the most and try/use most different vendors, they are perhaps most educated about the product technically and use different batmakers to all. Hence, the majority of the consumers on this forum don't use off shelf stuff rather custom and bespoke item because they want that "extra" thing in their item, that is certainly not porridge because they make the manufacturer do something that he doesn't usually do/
I began playing cricket in 2009, and since then to 2018, I notice drastic difference in all equipment's. Bats have evolved, not just in edge sizes or shapes, but handles are thinner which is good as not everyone can get along with thicker handle. Pads have become lighter, yet more protective. Pads straps have towel, foam and what not. You have gel knee role where pads in past from knee were very wider.
Box have had carbon fibre, D30, are unbreakable and all from a thin plastic which could cut your skin.
I can go for each and every equipment gear....products are better, but then it depends what your comparison point is. Every piece of equipment is better than before, but is it better than one or the other in the market? Absolutely, it is.
Again, as you said, it narrows down to consumers. When they don't ask for it, then no one gets anything. The industry needs consumer support, because that is where the money comes for manufacturers. With a lot of ranges, a lot of companies, the companies can not afford to invest thousands and thousands in Research and Opportunity when the return is little. They need to survive, so they keep on doing what they are doing and make it better, that is what the era is about. It is capitalist era, and sadly we don't have time machine to change it.
However, I am not advocating for George but your sentiments in regards to his innovation were genuinely upsetting and absurd, he has been most innovative to this industry with perhaps incredible research and opportunity given how it is just one person operating, from luxury to basic. Few highlights of his cricket career.....
1. Thigh pads which are malleable, more so which can be customized.
2. Protection for the umpires which would be worn beneath the shirt and is breathable.
3. Customized protection for individual.
4. Luxurious thigh pads, having the leather which is imported from Italy and is used on Hermes bags.
5. Making bat covers which again, are from leather imported from Italy.
6. Coffins, again, made in UK and from the best of the best in the business to keep the lightness and durability.
7. Leather grips, again the leather which is imported from Italy.
8. Helmet neck guards, again, this is a life saving invention.
Again, you have to think "out of the box" and that is exactly what George did. 20 years ago, if Elon Musk had told someone that he will make electric cars, everyone would probably have laughed at him, so ideas are always out of box rather than in the box.
Number three, it is person most important thing he does. I know people who have gotten specifically measured items which offer incredible protection, those are people who are not from a cricketing background like everyone here but his health conditions don't allow him to play, but someone like George has made something for him which can make him happy playing bowling once a year and cherish it for rest of the year! It is heartfelt moment.
And George is perhaps the LAST person who "shoo's" people away. So, you really have to be kidding when you talk about service when it comes to George, because he is best in the business. Period. A very ignorant claim, but I have worked with manufacturers, retailers and even professional cricketers to make this claim.
Oh, those few highlights of George which I listed, are from past five years (I believe) when he got into the cricket industry where he spends just 3-5 hours (4 being average) towards cricket every week, which comes to 1,040 hours over five years which averages to 2.38% of his time (on average) towards cricket over past five years. So, to achieve all that and have one of worlds best batsman wear your product is rather remarkable where he can get anything made from his sponsors for gratis, yet he chose to pay for the protection.
Oh, regarding your business opportunity, you can really do it and should go with it. The world have over seven billion individuals, I am sure you can find more than 12
.
Again, I can't change your mindset nor will I bother with that, but just thought I would say something on this fine night...
Alas, I will end with....
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink".
Sleep well!
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