Topic: Your worst ever retail experience (Read 3452 times)

golders · « **on:** October 11, 2023, 02:14:37 PM »

A bit of fun off the back a comment I made

Please share your very best :)and very worst ever retail experience.

It doesn�t have to be cricket, but I�d prefer it to be. You don�t have to name actual bat-makers/shapers or retailers!
Just say what what you were buying, what happened, and the end result.

Yorkershire · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2023, 03:18:34 PM »

Not exactly terrible but ... ages ago I once had handmade bat and had a bit of OCD where I felt one of the edges was thicker than the other...

Went back and explained that it could just be me, but I'd be grateful if I could have them looking the same... the bat maker wasn't impressed and rolled his eyes and begrudgingly took some wood off...

He told me that back in the day batsman liked to have a thicker inside edge.. he gave some reason but I've forgotten.. his wise words.

After which I honestly didn't know whether I had just overreacted and wasted the guys time, or he had fobbed me off. I sheepishly said thanks and left with my now 'fixed' bat not sure if I was right or wrong... I mean if pros preferred a thicker inside edge who was I to argue?

Jimbo · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2023, 03:24:47 PM »

I had one custom batmaker (happily not through the forum) tell me that it wasn't an issue he'd made a SH instead of a SBLH I'd asked for because "it's more bat to use, what's the problem". Asked him to sort it out, he shaved 1/4 inch off the shoulder and said that was the best he could do.

golders · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2023, 06:37:51 PM »

Quote from: Yorkershire on October 11, 2023, 03:18:34 PM

Not exactly terrible but ... ages ago I once had handmade bat and had a bit of OCD where I felt one of the edges was thicker than the other...

Went back and explained that it could just be me, but I'd be grateful if I could have them looking the same... the bat maker wasn't impressed and rolled his eyes and begrudgingly took some wood off...

He told me that back in the day batsman liked to have a thicker inside edge.. he gave some reason but I've forgotten.. his wise words.

After which I honestly didn't know whether I had just overreacted and wasted the guys time, or he had fobbed me off. I sheepishly said thanks and left with my now 'fixed' bat not sure if I was right or wrong... I mean if pros preferred a thicker inside edge who was I to argue?

So basically you walked out with a pro bat- amazing!

Yorkershire · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2023, 07:44:40 PM »

Quote from: golders on October 11, 2023, 06:37:51 PM

So basically you walked out with a pro bat- amazing!

You mean I had a pro bat but un-pro 'd it... is that even a phrase

jonny77 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2023, 08:11:23 PM »

Will this thread prompt a thread in response from a batmaker on the worst customer? Most ridiculous request? 😂

golders · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2023, 08:19:30 PM »

Quote from: jonny77 on October 11, 2023, 08:11:23 PM

Will this thread prompt a thread in response from a batmaker on the worst customer? Most ridiculous request? 😂

Great shout 😂

golders · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2023, 08:25:59 PM »

Quote from: Yorkershire on October 11, 2023, 07:44:40 PM

You mean I had a pro bat but un-pro 'd it... is that even a phrase

Oh yeah, doh! Imagine what buy it now price you could set for that pro bat today (now sadly unpro�d)

�Genuine pro bat mistakenly made by well renowned batmaker. Rather than giving me the �off the shelf� equal-edged blade, this batmaker mis-took me for a pro player.

This English willow bat, with a thicker inside edge, is a genuine pro bat. None of this over-dried, gauge-filling nonsense that you hear about or see on the tv.

No returns accepted.

Yours for �750 ONO

roco · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2023, 06:30:59 AM »

Had a couple

Designed one bat with maker and agreed all specs, went to factory to pick up and bat not same shape on back or bow I�d asked for as bullet straight. Told it was me and they don�t make mistakes and nothing they could do and I�d paid for it. Friends agreed nothing like what I had asked for

It played very well but sold it and never went back to that company and advised others not to

Another asked for copy of bat they had made before as loved it and I liked but sent me a different one claiming best they could do with willow they had again never went back and told others not too

jjelricksmith · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2023, 07:37:09 AM »

My personal favourite is a quote I had from our favourite 3lb but feels 2lb 8oz bat maker. I got a bat from him in 2022 and the handle was enormous, absolute tree trunk that I couldn't get my hands around. Pinged him a message to say id happily cover postage both ways but could he take a good chunk out of the handle. The reply:

'You can buddy, so you want it thinner than the girls have them...' GOLDEN

Jimbo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2023, 08:00:28 AM »

Quote from: jjelricksmith on October 12, 2023, 07:37:09 AM

'You can buddy, so you want it thinner than the girls have them...' GOLDEN

He loves that particular line, comes across more like the inappropriate uncle at family Christmas than an industry professional...

golders · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2023, 09:55:30 AM »

Quote from: jjelricksmith on October 12, 2023, 07:37:09 AM

My personal favourite is a quote I had from our favourite 3lb but feels 2lb 8oz bat maker. I got a bat from him in 2022 and the handle was enormous, absolute tree trunk that I couldn't get my hands around. Pinged him a message to say id happily cover postage both ways but could he take a good chunk out of the handle. The reply:

'You can buddy, so you want it thinner than the girls have them...' GOLDEN

What a 🛎️ end!

KettonJake · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2023, 10:00:13 AM »

More than one retail shop I've been into over the years was pretty uncomfortable letting you even touch the bats to feel the pickup etc. They wouldn't allow them to come out of the plastic wrappings, and absolutely no chance of bouncing a ball or tapping them with a mallet...........................

Cpatel93 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2023, 09:24:42 PM »

I personally know at least 2 dozen people who have had a bad experience at a retailer not too far from me, it was so bad that I built a relationship with a bat maker so I could pop down and buy from them personally. I've never looked back!

I've not been back to the retailer or purchased from their website. It was easily my worst experience in a retail environment, ever... To the point that I went out of my way to work in "cricket retail" to ensure I could provide a better service (and prove how easy it was not to be a terrible human)

I left a Google review that got 5 likes and no response, I have seen them reply to a few reviews but I guess mine wasn't worthy

billyb · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2023, 02:13:03 PM »

Newbery Mjolnir SPS ordered in by a local sports retailer. Literal lumpy knot in the middle of the bat, and way too heavy. The knot stuck out of the surface.

Author Topic: Your worst ever retail experience (Read 3452 times)

golders

Your worst ever retail experience

Yorkershire

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

Jimbo

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

golders

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

Yorkershire

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

jonny77

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

golders

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

golders

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

roco

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

jjelricksmith

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

Jimbo

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

golders

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

KettonJake

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

Cpatel93

Re: Your worst ever retail experience

billyb

Re: Your worst ever retail experience