BUYING UNIFORMS IS A LOT LIKE BUYING A CAR

Could you imagine buying a car if there was no guarantee that you could get replacement parts?

"No way", you yell out loud? "That's crazy! I would never do that." Of course you wouldn't.

Guess again. If you buy uniforms from internationally renown companies like adidas, Nike, Puma and diadora to name a few, you've committed the error you just called crazy. You're right; no sensible individual would buy a car if there was no guarantee of replacement parts.  I mean one breakdown - one blowout -  and - poof - the car is in the garage. Why am I making such an analogy? Here's why:

These brands import their products from the far east - just look at any tag anymore - it is as diverse as the United Nations. They import from lower cost nations to save money - not save you money, but to line their own pockets. When was the last time you saw adidas or Nike uniforms go down in price? I haven't seen it.

When brands import product, it takes between 6-18 months for an order to arrive in the United States after being placed with a factory in the Far East. This means when they run out of product, they are out of product for a significant period. There is no ability - nor do they care that you've just spent thousands of dollars - for them to get you more product quickly. But as a buyer, you care. What do you tell the club when you can't get more uniforms as teams change, new players are added and kids grow - all the normal progressions of a soccer club? Just think about it: you only need one more uniform to complete the team, but you can't get it. Are you going to have kids run on and off the field switching jerseys? What can you do to get another one? Absolutely nothing. It is a joke. So, what do you have to do: buy something else. Not so bad for those supplying the uniforms, huh?

Willing to take the risk and still want to buy into the marketing message? Here's the catch: order the "hot" product where brands tell you they have "deep" inventory levels and everyone around the country follows suit and is ordering that product too. It goes the fastest because it is the most popular. A bad situation. Or - order a lesser desired style that is supported by less inventory. You run the risk of them not having enough or an accountant deciding that the sales aren't there to profitably support the uniform, so he discontinues it. It means you can never get more - there are no more boats coming from overseas. An even worse situation.

Just like everyone knows a car will require replacement parts, a soccer club will require replacement jerseys, shorts and socks. Given what you now know, are you still going to buy the car with a great veneer finish and no engine to drive it? 

I know you wouldn't buy that car. Neither would I. It is ridiculous once you know, but watch how many people commit the same mistake again and again and again. Imagine if our soccer players acted that way on the field - how would you react?

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Disclaimer: adidas, Nike, Puma and diadora are thankfully not affiliated with TotallySoccer, LLC. All of their trademarks and rights are retained by them.