what do you think about the cost of the nationals "official" t-shirt

[incarman]

the title says it all, your thoughts?

[Peach]

Well, it's a T-shirt. The vendor brings a huge stock of shirts in many sizes, produces the stencils with the list of competitors, and makes them to order for you if you want. He has done a good job of providing consistent service to the USFA so that they are willing to let him provide the T-shirt, and though I do admit that when the LOC did it themselves you occasionally got a more interesting and unusual design for less money, that wasn't something you could count on.

I figure you get what you pay for. You can add an arm patch with "Athlete," "Finalist," or "Champion" on it if you like. I got an arm patch on mine, which was a black baby-doll style, and I got Joe to put competitors S-Z and team names on the back, and it cost about what I expected. I mean, it's one of those things I like to buy if I've done well at a tournament and I like the design, but it's not as if I have to buy it if I can't spare the money. If I'm doing Summer Nationals I've already shown I can't be trusted to do sane things with money.

Phil was also doing a nice business in embroidering things, and it's nice to have more than one vendor to choose from with embroidery and stenciling.

[swordsen]

Over priced.

While Peach has a point about the some of the benefits they bring it might also be nice to be able to buy a different shirt that says "Summer Nationals" on it.

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

I got an arm patch on mine, which was a black baby-doll style, and I got Joe to put competitors S-Z and team names on the back, and it cost about what I expected.

Peach decked out in black baby-doll clothing.

The mind boggles. What next? Korfanty and Donald Benge as the fencing Chippendales?


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[HDG]

Hi!




Peach decked out in black baby-doll clothing.

The mind boggles. What next? Korfanty and Donald Benge as the fencing Chippendales?


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

The term refers to the style and cut of the shirt.

[fatfencer]

I'm so offended that after paying the exorbitant fees for a nationals tournament that they couldn't throw in a tshirt on their own nickel.

Secondly, and more importantly, I believe EVERYONES name should be on EVERY tshirt.

I didn't just compete with letters M-R; I shared an event with everyone and would like EVERYONES NAME ON THE SHIRTS!!!! I have friends in every weapon and all over the alphabet.

Fatfencer HATES being ripped off. Fatfencer LOVES bargains. In this case I'll take a FAIR DEAL.

FF

[erooMynohtnA]

I'm so offended that after paying the exorbitant fees for a nationals tournament that they couldn't throw in a tshirt on their own nickel.

Secondly, and more importantly, I believe EVERYONES name should be on EVERY tshirt.

I didn't just compete with letters M-R; I shared an event with everyone and would like EVERYONES NAME ON THE SHIRTS!!!! I have friends in every weapon and all over the alphabet.

Fatfencer HATES being ripped off. Fatfencer LOVES bargains. In this case I'll take a FAIR DEAL.

FF

If you want them to throw in a t-shirt for "free," you'll just find that your entry fees have mysteriously raised exactly the price of one t-shirt.

[bigdawg2121]

I'm so offended that after paying the exorbitant fees for a nationals tournament that they couldn't throw in a tshirt on their own nickel.

Secondly, and more importantly, I believe EVERYONES name should be on EVERY tshirt.

I didn't just compete with letters M-R; I shared an event with everyone and would like EVERYONES NAME ON THE SHIRTS!!!! I have friends in every weapon and all over the alphabet.

Fatfencer HATES being ripped off. Fatfencer LOVES bargains. In this case I'll take a FAIR DEAL.

FF

Ummm, really? Did you pay attention to the number of names on the T-Shirts as they are currently presented? Congratulations; you just competed at the largest (and widely thought to be the mst spectacular) tournament of fencing in the WORLD. There were a LOT of people. To put all the names on one shirt you'd have to make the names even smaller and less legible and probably be "fat" enough to wear a 3 or 4X. Even then it would be a struggle. Secondly, you personally didn't compete against everyone there. If you really want a shirt to reflect the people you fenced against maybe ask for shirts organized by event. (You ptobably won't get them considering how hugely the competitions differ in size which would make it impractical for most events) If you want a shirt that's cheaper and reflective of your friends in other weapons and who you fenced perhaps suggest that Phil put together a shirt with a logo on the front and an autograph panel on the back and then go buy yourself a Sharpie. I suspect that this thread was partly started by those that were disappointed by the unavailability of a certain FNet TShirt due to certain wording. I agree; it sucks. I understand where Phil is coming from but I think there had to have been a better way especially when considering that a decent bit of the FNet Tee buying population is a niche group that's either going to buy both or just the FNet Tee anyway. As far as pricing goes they're about the same cost as a normal shirt plus the fee that the vendor to the USFA per shirt. If you want to pay a cheaper price then skip the short and pray he has some in Memphis or Richmond and buy it there.

[Peach]

And if you want all the names on it, you would have to give up the design on the front and just settle for names.

The "exorbitant fees," if you added a free T-shirt, would probably mean that Summer Nationals, like most of the NACs presently, would lose money.

[Craig]

There was an issue that cropped up with the Fencing.Net T-Shirt and rather than slowing down the tournament and bringing a bunch of lawyers into the mix, we came to an agreement with the USFA. All in all, there are gray areas that need to be better defined and communicated to all parties.

Those at nationals probably know most of the story (it's amazing how quickly word travels at these events). I'll share what's appropriate in the future once we have everything worked out.

Craig

[epeeisky]

I love my Fnet tee. It is really a shame that the USFA gives exclusive rights to one company. Craig's shirt was around $13, had a better design, and had a local flavor to it. The Proprintwear shirt was $23, had a weird design, and was rather bland. Companies should be free to compete with each other so the the fencer is allowed to choose. For everything else in fencing we get to choose, except for clothing. Is there a reason why this is that I don't know about?

[rac]

Better Yet:

How about this, sell the "rights" to a "official" shirt. Then leave the others alone to come up with their own designs. If the "official" design is good enought it will sell if not...better luck next time. Puts the onus on the vendor to deliver a quality product.

Being able to "customize" a shirt with the names is IMO more that enought for the "official" vendor--others will not have this access/option. Leave the rest to fight it out in the market! My guess after examining the receipts of my wife/daughters trip to Nats. is that all shirt vendors will do well


RAC

[KD5MDK]

There wasn't too much competition in picture taking, either.

[Craig]

There wasn't too much competition in picture taking, either.

Funny stories exist about that also.

[sleepyweasle]

Any chance of getting one of the f.net tees now? We were so swamped at Nat's that we just didn't get a chance to get over to the booth (actually we did try but it was at a very popular time so we left, figuring we'd come back later but then promptly forgot! ).

[KD5MDK]

Funny stories exist about that also.

Are you referring to an incident at the finals strip? I was right there, in my usual seat (for the beginning of the week) of immediately behind the replay screen. (outside the pod)

[Bayou Bum]

I didn't just compete with letters M-R

M-R ? I thought Fatfencer would be listed under F

[slowgraffiti515]

Secondly, and more importantly, I believe EVERYONES name should be on EVERY tshirt.

werent there like...3400+ fencers at the event?
i cant even imagine how tiny the names would turn out...or how big the tshirts might have to be

[swordsen]

As far as photos go, I tend to take my own rather than buy from someone else.

[mackillian]

Good lord, now I want to know what happened with the t-shirts and the photos.