Unfortunately, the digital age has hit Belgium, and terms of trading now include VAT at 22% and a 25% surcharge for any garment runs less than 6 – and of course the euro was 1.4 to the pound but is now all but at parity – as a result and cost advantages have been eroded. What was cheap has now become expensive and it seems appropriate to explore cheaper alternatives especially given the hassles Mick Ayliffe had manfully shouldered for so long in co-ordinating orders. At the same time, there is a modicum of dissent in the ranks that the kit design is perhaps a tad outdated and a redesign is needed.
I’ve taken on the task of coordinating Kit supply and am looking to address both of the above in the coming months. I intend the process to be as democratic as possible and will seek members’ views before any proposals are put to the committee for decisions.
Supplier
A brief market review tells me that there are many firms offering Club Kit services – but most have large minimum order numbers.
However, one supplier (Impsport) does seem to offer significant advantages:
- UK based
- A wide range of kit available in club designs
- Bulk discount based on total number of items not on individual garment types
- Direct order facility allowing members to order individual items on the Web using a dedicated part of the Impsport web site
http://www.impsport.com
An example of the ordering system from the VC Godalming and Haslemere web site is here:
http://www.d2-workshop.co.uk/vcgh_phase1/shop/buyClubKit
I have e-mailed the guy at VC G&H who looks after their kit and he gives a very good report of their dealings with Impsport.
Design
The above was the easy bit... now on to the minefield of Kit Design. Here the options are wide indeed and there are no preconceptions as to what we should have, key criteria will be:
- Colours to be the same as current kit – club colours are the club identity
- Members ideas and suggestions are not only welcome but actively invited
- The objective is broad consensus on a design that everyone is happy with
- Next steps
E-mail pgk2@hotmail.co.uk or call me on 0208 540 4186 if you have views, comments or suggestions.
Over to you and happy riding
Paul Kelly
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