Despite our improved fortunes on the pitch there are still some negatives off the pitch - not least the club shop.
I went last night with the intention of purchasing something from the club shop only to find it locked up. I then discovered that was also the case at the Tonbridge game.
Now the commercial side of things has often been discussed on here but to have the club shop (however limited it may be) shut for two consecutive first team home games is simply not good enough.
The thing is there isnt even the option of buying the items online. A shopping cart is simplicity to install and admin and virtually cost free. Its a no brainer.
I asked for a high res image to get 20-30 On Tour shirts made, that i would have donated to the club shop to sell. Which in turn would provide a cash sum for the club shop for more stock to sell.
To be told there isnt an image knocking about and basically rejecting free stock ,suggests our shop and commercial arm are buzzing.
Dark ages.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Yesterday was actually the first time I've seen the club shop shut. Personally i think that unless they start selling Welling tops and lots of other new stock, they might as well keep it closed.
The Club have confirmed to my parents that my disappointment in not getting my usual Welling shirt for my birthday will turn into festive cheer when I unwrap my Xmas presents. I wonder if there's any chance of them getting some kids ones so I can get my 6 year old out of a Chelsea shop.
Please accept my sincere apologies for not being available for the last couple of matches. First and foremost I am a supporter and to miss two games in a season is not something I like to happen. I can assure you the shop will be open for the Chelmsford game (M25 traffic permitting).
To be fair to the Club, they didn't get much notice of my unavailability, and probably were unable to put any contingency plans in place.
I share the views that we need more stock, to the extent that Barrie probably has a sore ear from the many requests. What we do have are two great offers - Football Manager 2010 at £15 (which is cheaper than anywhere else I know), and the Non League Directory, all of 1000 plus pages, also at £15.
We need a sponsor, a commercial manager and a club shop that is stocked. No fault of Peter at all. So what is the club going to do about it? Surely we are missing out on essential revenue? Other clubs that I have been too ( limited amount I know ) have had club shops full of things to buy. We need answers from the club.
-- Edited by Cynical on Wednesday 2nd of December 2009 11:24:21 PM
The club must surely be looking into a new sponsor and getting lots of new stuff for the club shop etc. , so i guess they won't say anything until everything is sorted out.
With everyday that passes we are losing more and more money. I went to Dover away this season, and obviously they have a lot more through the gate at home games, but the little extra's they do to squeeze every last penny is amazing. We cant even organise a replica shirt in the club shop, a joke.
Do not require sponsors logos and in anycase WE HAVENT GOT A SPONSOR. Get the shirts in there blank for sale along with the other stuff.
I presume Peter hasnt been given the funds to buy the stock. Are we really up sh1t creek or not organised. We either dont have the money to buy stock or there is no excuse.
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
Well JgFc, from that list you came up with, I'd buy a mousemat, a mug, a flag, a TShirt, stickers, a fridge magnet, a cup, signed photos depending on who they are and a poster. Now times that by several hundred and the club could make a lot of money. Then there's all the things i won't buy but other people want, and that's a lot more money still. Oh and i still want a f****** Welling football top!!!!! Been waiting for ages for them to make some! I wear my Welling hat and scarf to every game, but that's still not enough red for me, so i need a Football top :D
-- Edited by Dogme on Thursday 3rd of December 2009 09:25:53 PM
Couldnt make saturdays game as i was stuck at work but would someone be able to tell me if they have got the new shirts in the clubshop yet ? I did make the Croydon game but the shop didnt open that night i was looking for one for a xmas present for my son.
Very disappointed - I went in on Saturday with £60 of my hard earned money ready to buy a new fleece and polo shirt, and there were about three in there in the wrong sizes.
I think we only bought 4 of each size in each garment. If theres not many left thats one good thing that they sold. But we should be stocked up. I wonder if the WSU will dig deep again from the profits and restock.
It does seem a complete **** up that xmas arrived, no shirts little stock and customers with money they cant spend. We have a leaking financial bucket, who is going to plug the holes?
Not a lot more can be said really. Its unacceptable but what can you do if thats how things are run commercially or fund raising wise.
Well done to the WSU for at least getting some stock in when the club didnt have the dosh to buy any stock.
-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 14th of December 2009 11:07:07 PM
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Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
The club shop, sadly, is run as ineptly as the other areas of the club, and until its solved we will always feel the pinch on the pitch itself.
A club shop with no club shirts in it ... and if they do eventually arrive they arrive so far into the season that more games have been gone than are left to play. Ridiculous. Even the players themselves didnt get into the new shirt until 15 or so games in.
Then theres the fact the club programme still has Ford's name in it ...
How about, who ever runs the shop, put a list up of things wish could go on shop i/e Home shirts also away, fleece top..etcthen how much per item, then we can put names down & a deposit, then that should start the ball rolling, with the extra going on sell in the shop...... Has anyone e,mailed David Gold .he looking to buy a club in London ????????
For those who don't know, I help with the Club Shop. It is open from about 1:30pm on saturdays and about 7pm on weekday matches, at half time and as long as needed after the match. My apologies to all for being unavailable for the Tonbridge and Hampton matches due to personal commitments. It was in fact open before the Croydon match and for a few minutes at half time, but took exactly "zip", so I closed early and got myself a warm drink.
My views are well known on what needs to be stocked, but bear with me if I repeat them - the first priority is replica shirts, then 100 scarves, followed by 200 badges, then ski hats and pens. Why? - because these sell on a continuous basis and make a reasonable profit for the Club. For the scarves and badges this would have been an outlay of £526.13 at the start of the season. We did not get this investment, and I doubt now whether it would be worthwhile to go ahead part way through the season when there are a limited number of home games remaining before the end of the season. Barrie (Hobbins) has to balance a number of demands on funds and I can understand as a season ticket holder (though not necessarily agree as the Club Shop Manager) the wish to prioritise the players budget.
With the exception of the initial rush for replica shirts, clothing (other than scarves and ski hats) do not sell in great quantities, nor do mouse mats, fridge magnets, etc. Reference was made above to the Dover shop being well stocked (which it is), and I could give several other examples. What I do know, from the conversations I have with the people who run these shops, is that there is a high level of investment held up in that stock and that (frankly) sales and profits are low unless the team is doing well. Inevitably the order that is placed has to cover all the sizes and possibly several different colours, and I can assure you that there is a limited profit margin due to the small quantities involved. I cannot justify taking that kind of risk.
Like it or not, what brings the money in within the Club Shop are programmes. This has always has been the case, and might explain why I am seen at away grounds exchanging them!
I can understand those who advocate that we need to "speculate to accumulate" and therefore need to stock up the shop with Fleeces, Polo Shirts, Jumpers in all colours/sizes. It would certainly be nice to have such a wide variety to sell, but to do that would necessitate a considerable outlay. However, please, the priority should be (after replica shirts) scarves and badges.
Nearly the end of the rant, so one last plea - if anyone would like to help or even take over the running of the shop, please let Barrie or myself know.
Many thanks for your explanations. The frustrations are not aimed at you and I am sure many including myself fully appreciate the great job that you do
hear hear, no personal abuse aimed at you Peter, just pure frustration that not more sense is used and actions made to take our greatnon-league club as far as we all know it can go.
