• The "Life Span" of a uniform refers to how long a brand projects keeping a particular style in its line. This is only a projection. Life spans are ultimately decided upon by the company's own accountants. They make decisions based upon what is (and isn't) selling and will discontinue a uniform despite what you've been promised. In one fell decision by an accountant, a club's significant uniform investment may need to be made again far before you budgeted that money! If you expect to keep a uniform for more than one season (read: almost every travel club in the country), ask the vendor about the "Life Span" of your jerseys. If they don't know what you mean, RUN AWAY - RUN AWAY!

Solution #2: Check-in, None or Order Vertical

• Check-in: Call your vendor to see if there has been a change in the status of your uniform (November and April as this coincides with the unveiling of future new products). A great vendor will know the client's uniform expectations and will call you first. At that point, the only solution you can seek is to project out your needs and to immediately order the uniforms that the company has available. If you do, you may be able to salvage another season out of the uniforms; if you don’t, other clubs (with their good vendors) are going to buy the remaining inventory so that there will be no more “available.” Forever and ever and ever…

• None: When a brand is importing product and makes this decision, typically there is no begging or pleading or yelling that can help you. I’ve only seen this decision reversed twice in my lifetime. You are the last person to know: The Sales Manager has yelled, the Sales Reps have yelled and jumped up and down and the vendor has yelled and screamed and threatened to cancel orders. It doesn’t help. Just be aware that if you are buying from an importer, you club's investment is always at risk. For what? An image? A check mark emblazoned on a jersey - a few stripes?

• Order Vertical: A vertical company actually produces the product they are selling you (whereas brands outsource the manufacturing to far east factories). This means the company owns the raw materials (fabric, neck trims, collars, etc.) and the factory itself. These companies can always make you more. This is a direct contrast from brands who are at the mercy of the next shipment from overseas.

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