Besides being Man Utd fan, I'm also a REVS season ticket holder. I guess this thread could be a subtopic for "where have all the fans gone". The shop has NOTHING. I'd love to wear a REVs kit to a game with the PEPSI sponser etc...How bout some training gear? Sideline coat? nothing! All that seems to be in the shop are taylor twellmen tshirts aimed at screaming 12 year old girls. online shopping is not much better, its overstuffed with LAST years eastern conf closeouts. I have a closet full of items from MAN UTDS MEGASTORE. I've heard some of this problem stems from the contract with UMBRO..but after every game this season i walk into the pro shop and roll my eyes and leave with NOTHING.
You make it seem that this has never happened before... This has been the case ever since we got rid of Reebok after 1999. Atletica never supplied us with enough kits and the problems with Umbro are well chronicled. Fans keep complaining and very little changes. We had to wait until this April for Eastern Conf. Champion gear. The dearth of Revs gear should come as no suprise anymore.
Hopefully Reebok will do a much better job - can't remember the last time I purchased Revs merchandise. The Magpie
Come to think of it...I've never been in the new Pro Shop because I heard there was nothing to buy. It was better in the old Reebok days so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. In addition to a more up to date jersey, I'd go for a Revs pullover windbreaker if I could get one. amy
Year after year it's "blame the supplier". We've been through several different companies, that excuse is wearing thin. Could it be that the team is just not willing to invest in ordering the merchandise, or aren't getting orders in early enough to get stock on the shelves? IF the Revs had ordered stuff on time and it didn't reach the Pro shop by opening day, I'd think a law suit would be happening, instead of "Oh well, even though we've got a bright new store that's open for all the games, we're not selling any game-related merchandise. Maybe next year we can make a little money on this merchandising thing".
Could it be that the team is just not willing to invest in ordering the merchandise, or aren't getting orders in early enough to get stock on the shelves? Every Revolution official I've spoken (both current and some former) with has said the problem's with Umbro, the difficulty coming from the company's closure of their U.S. base of operations a number of years ago and the fact the club is tied to a contract, at least for the remainder of this season. Hell, I recall when the Revolution actually had to take existing Atletica jerseys off the racks of the old Pro Shop when an order didn't arrive from Mexico a few years ago... ... but I will say this: of any Revolution jersey the club has worn I never had a problem finding a Reebok top, so if the Revs really are going back to them for next season I'm all for it. The Magpie
I don't doubt that there have been serious problems with Umbro USA. But didn't they declare banckruptcy last season? And couldn't the team have gotten a new supplier this season? At the very least, they could have gotten out of any deal for breach of contract, since Umbro USA couldn't come up with the goods. But getting a new supplier would have taken some thought, initiative and incentive, all things in very short order in the streamlined oblong/soccer management. The solution to their problem? Another year with nothing to sell, then go back to their old supplier, who weren't any good but weren't quite as bad. There is a supplier out there called Adidas that seems to have done well with its MLS teams. Maybe no thought was given to getting them. After all, it is so much easier when you don't have anything to sell. If they're not pushing tickets, what makes anyone think they have any interest in pushing merchandise? The shelves are empty and management is barren of ideas.