Club Merchandise - Yea or Nay?

Mark Vitacco · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:12 pm

Greetings:

The merchandise program is part of an effort to improve the apperance of the club, to appear professional, and meet the high standards we set for ourselves. I'm happy that we perhaps make a professional appearance but it's not moving the goods!

I have supplied merchandise for the bus but from what I hear
either the stuff is not displayed or the vast majority of the membership is
not aware that it is displayed. Other than a few hats, there is
little interest in the merchandise at the Track Events either.

Displite initial repeated requests that THSCC make avaliable club
shirts, jackets and other items besided stickers, very, few have
actually ordered anything. We sold one shirt and a few stickers
at the Christmas party. Not much more the year before when
the display was mostly ignored.

The web site has not generated more than a handfull of sales while indended to process the majority of sales. I can only assume either interest is not there or people will not pay for the items at the prices I can obtain. It is not possible for the club to buy items in the bulk necessary to compete with stores like Target or Walmart withouth having to tie up lots and lots of money for EACH item! Even the unit costs of stickers are very close to what we are selling them.

The only item that generated any interest were the hats sold
at near cost. I'm about ready to turn the stickers over to the
event registers and just supply the new member kits for Bowie.
Unless we can get a better handle on just what our members expect
from the club in terms of club merchandise, it's going to continue to be unsuccessful.

I am open to ideas or suggestions. If anyone has connections in retail or
wholesale textile industry by all means let me know.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:20 pm

Well, I felt compelled to order a t-shirt and some stickers, but lo and behold there are no normal t-shirts available for sale. As for jackets and other stuff, well, if there ain't interest then there ain't interest, I guess. :-(

Anyway, I will be picking up some stickers at the next event assuming they remain available that way, but it ain't worth ordering them by themselves.

--Donnie

Mark Vitacco · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:24 pm

Donnie:

That the sort of feedback I need. Perhaps it would be better
to give all the stickers to the event registration staff.

Both Track Events and AX programs did t-shirts last year.
We gave away 400 shirts on the Track Event Program alone.
I know Mike did a similar program for some of the AX events
that were sponsored.

In order to get the cost down to $10 or under we need to purchase in lots
of 400 costing $3000. Otherwise a small lot of 80-100 shirts cost about $18. Given the amount of t-shirts given away fee (with sponsor support)
I would have though investing another $3000 in un-suported t-shirt
to be redundant-but I could be wrong-you guys tell me?

There are nearly 300 people in the club now, if everyone paid
$10-$12 for a t-shirt that would cover $3000

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:31 pm

Mark, I've worked the merchandise table most of this year. Most of the time when people were wanting items we didn't have them available. The biggest ones being the hats and the small round stickers.

There was also comments on the price of the stickers. I'm not sure how you could get them cheaper. Maybe if you reduce the number of different type of stickers, we could get a better price on them?

At the christmas party, I think there's just too much already going on. Are there any requests for merchandise at the regular meetings? Might be an easier sell at those.

T-shirts seem to sell really well when we have those out at a low price ($10-15).

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:52 pm

Mark Vitacco wrote:

In order to get the cost down to $10 or under we need to purchase in lots
of 400 costing $3000. Otherwise a small lot of 80-100 shirts cost about $18. Given the amount of t-shirts given away fee (with sponsor support)
I would have though investing another $3000 in un-suported t-shirt
to be redundant-but I could be wrong-you guys tell me?

There are nearly 300 people in the club now, if everyone paid
$10-$12 for a t-shirt that would cover $3000

Well then I would say you need to deal with another place.

I have had, and get T-shirts made, in very small runs like 12-36 units. The last batch was 2 color front and full back, the BFI shirts given away at the party last night. Even with set up fee's included those still cost me right at $15 each. Now that the places has the screens future shirts will be less than $10 each. The place I deal with is both local and quick.

Let me know if you want their contact info

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

I have had reservations (meaning that the wallet cries) when a sticker costs $5 each.

I don't mind paying up to $15 a short sleeve t shirt and $20 for a ls t shirt, but those seem to be in short supply.

Personally, I love fricking love long sleeve t shirts, but those only appear to go to track guys (for the long sleeve to race mandate). I would buy one if they ever became available.

Rick Butters · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:53 pm

Quote:

It is not possible for the club to buy items in the bulk necessary to compete with stores like Target or Walmart withouth having to tie up lots and lots of money for EACH item!

Perhaps we should consider ordering the more special items only on a "group buy" basis. Have a sample at an event, use the forum to test the interest level by getting actual commitments, order only if we get a large enough quantity to bring theprice down.

Rick

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Why not go the http://www.cafepress.com route?

They do the printing, and the club gets a percent of the profits.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:30 am

I am guilty of not buying, but always intend to do so. My reason for not laying down the cash...

1. At events, In the morning I am focused on trying to get registered and walking the course not looking over the table with stuff for sale. It is later in the day that I might consider spending time shopping and I think the "shop" is closed at that point. Maybe you can work a deal with Christine Allen (and whoever helps her run the lunch stand) to sell this stuff as well? My wallet is open at that point. One stop shopping is a good idea!

2. I am nearly always sure there is never going to be a T-shirt that will fit me (XL at a minimum). But I am guilty of not asking.

3. I have not bought online because I just keep forgetting that you CAN buy online. This needs to be promoted more!

4. I also think that the prices for the stickers seem a bit high.

I think we should continue to do this, but in a way that works for the club. Hope my feedback helps!

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Ann bought/ordered one of the Jerzees Racing Golf Pique at the party. I think she was the only one. I also think she bought it more because she felt bad for Penny standing there and no one buying anything. She will wear it more so than the the t-shirts we get. She is not the person to wear "Equipments changed but we're still Derranged" to work. But would wear the Golf Pique to work.

I would order one but that material annoys me so I'd never wear it. I can live with the $35 for the shirt since they do look pretty good. But if the club only makes $2-3 on the shirt then it is more about promoting the club than making money.

I did buy a sticker last year and have it on my car. Again, I did it more about promoting the club.

Graham

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