Guest bennytwohats Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 I was at the ground before and tempted to buy one. Sadly I didn't have a ticket so it felt somewhat disingenuous and I didn't bother. But anyone complaining they were at the game and couldn't get one... Have a bit of perspective - I'm sure there are plenty that would happily forego the program to have a chance of being inside the stadium!
BigMicky Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 Honestly, the most amazing day in our history and folk are moaning about not getting merchandise. Have a long hard look in the mirror.
DJ Barry Hammond Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 Might be unfair putting complete blame on the club. A lot of decisions need to be made in advance and production issues can prevent ordering larger quantities. For example - the programme, the club need to produce the content by a certain deadline, submit / sign off and get a print run done with their usual supplier. That limits the number that could be reasonably printed ahead of Saturday, so maybe 14,000 was the maximum they could agree with the printer? Same with the shirts - the order for 80,000 initial stock would have gone in ages ago, where there was no firm understanding of exactly where we were going to be. There may also be a capacity issue, because all back fills of stock have to be stored somewhere - maybe the number ordered was the most they could hold? They are also dealing with a massive unknown - there is no experience to understanding what to expect. It is easy in hindsight to say the club should have done better and I'm sure there's things they will reflect on and change as things go on, but it's worth acknowledging there are more factors to these decisions and they are never easy.
possiblygeorge Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 Saw loads of People were walking away from the ground at 12pm carrying 5-6 programmes each, it's a wonder they lasted till 4pm. They must have printed thousands more than normal and it still wasn't enough. I see they are doing a reprint though Can't wait to see those up on Ebay for a ridiculous amount of coin, just like all those c**ts doing it with next seasons shirts. They don't deserve to get considered supporters.
LanguedocFox Posted 8 May 2016 Author Posted 8 May 2016 Might be unfair putting complete blame on the club. A lot of decisions need to be made in advance and production issues can prevent ordering larger quantities. For example - the programme, the club need to produce the content by a certain deadline, submit / sign off and get a print run done with their usual supplier. That limits the number that could be reasonably printed ahead of Saturday, so maybe 14,000 was the maximum they could agree with the printer? Same with the shirts - the order for 80,000 initial stock would have gone in ages ago, where there was no firm understanding of exactly where we were going to be. There may also be a capacity issue, because all back fills of stock have to be stored somewhere - maybe the number ordered was the most they could hold? They are also dealing with a massive unknown - there is no experience to understanding what to expect. It is easy in hindsight to say the club should have done better and I'm sure there's things they will reflect on and change as things go on, but it's worth acknowledging there are more factors to these decisions and they are never easy. Like I say, I've worked in marketing all my adult life, and issues like these can be sorted: it just takes planning and a bit of foresight. Demand for merchandise has been high for a while now, and ramping up production should not have been an issue. For most decent-sized printers, a print-run of 14,000 copies would not have been a problem, and if it came to it, the run could have been shared among two or three printers and finishers. It's not rocket surgery.
DJ Barry Hammond Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 It depends on the printers other commitments / size and the clubs deadline for submission. I would expect the print is run on a Thrusday / Friday, with cut, binding, packaging and delivery all part of the consideration in terms of time scales. Any issues can only be sorted if you have a supplier that has the capacity and willigness to accommodate it - with the programmes, I expect it's a local printing firm that may have struggled to do more (it's got to have the raw supplies in itself to complete the printing). As for the shirts / associated merchandise, the club is locked into an agreement, so will be restricted somewhat by what Puma would be willing to supply within time frames - and with other kit launches and an international tournament on the horizon, we're not their sole interest.
Jattdogg Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 People will make coin any way they can. Thats the reality of the world we live in. If you are stupid enough to then pay silly money for it then i guess thats your right/choice. To each their own I suppose. The new kit launch was a disaster if you ask me. Perhaps it was the sell them while we are "hot" marketing strategy. Fans Should be able to go online and preorder tops without hassle. Perhaps limit how many you can buy at once?
AoWW Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 Like I say, I've worked in marketing all my adult life, and issues like these can be sorted: it just takes planning and a bit of foresight. Demand for merchandise has been high for a while now, and ramping up production should not have been an issue. For most decent-sized printers, a print-run of 14,000 copies would not have been a problem, and if it came to it, the run could have been shared among two or three printers and finishers. It's not rocket surgery. Chopping up rockets?
Merging Cultures Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 If the printing company can only do 14,000 and you need thirty thousand plus, you ask another printing company to produce the remainder. Or does that seem too logical?
Larry_LCFC Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 If the printing company can only do 14,000 and you need thirty thousand plus, you ask another printing company to produce the remainder. Or does that seem too logical?Yes. Please leave and take your sensible ideas with you.
cityfanlee23 Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 A tiny bit of faith put back into humanity. A fan on one of the facebook groups admitting buying 7 match day mags, originally wanted one for him, one for his little cousin, but saw so many people buying loads (presumably for ebay) he decided to buy 5 more, and has sent them to 5 members of the group who could not get them on the day, by post, free of charge.
Livid Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 I got there early at 2.30 and saw what was going on. Got one for myself and a spare, gave it to the girl who sits next to me who always buys one but couldn't get one yesterday.
AjcW Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 From a professional point of view is say you're aiming your complaint at completely the wrong department. I think this season the Social/marketing team has been absolutely exceptional and I'm jealous I'm not a part of it, I really do hope they're city fans themselves! Your gripe is definitely valid though and should be aimed at our none existent commercial department. The sooner the owners get someone from Duty Free in to run things the better!
Alf Bentley Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 Saw a guy with about 10 pies (might be an exaggeration ) just before half time. Did you enquire who ate them all? Did you further comment on his lack of svelteness and his parents' marital status?
Alf Bentley Posted 8 May 2016 Posted 8 May 2016 Ummm. Irony by-pass? I thought most by-passes tended to be tarmacky - or coronary?
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