Does the on campus Spirit Shop have a bigger selection of products than the online store?
yes, at least twice as much gear.
Quote from: passion of da coach on March 27, 2009, 10:16:25 AM
yes, at least twice as much gear.
That is what i thought. The online cap selection seems limited.
I don't even bother with the online store. Practically nothing compared to what's in the actual store.
Quote from: Robyrd5 on March 27, 2009, 04:36:23 PM
I don't even bother with the online store. Practically nothing compared to what's in the actual store.
Easy for you to say because you live in the area.
Us out-of-staters have to use the Spirit Shop or other sites (eastbay, etc.).
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on March 28, 2009, 12:31:04 AM
Easy for you to say because you live in the area.
Us out-of-staters have to use the Spirit Shop or other sites (eastbay, etc.).
Very true. My mom has complained about trying to get MU Christmas gifts for the family (I'm from GA). She ends up telling me what she's looking for, and I'll bring it home with me. I just took a look at the online store now, though, and it has improved since I last checked a year ago. Looks like they're making an effort to expand the selection.
Check out Lids.com. You can sort by your favorite NCAA team.
About five years ago I needed a jersey as a gift, I called them on the phone, they told me what they had, and they sent it to me no problem. I realize that doesn't always work if you need to see the different shirts, but I was very happy.
Frankly, if I have one major beef with my alma mater its their pathetic efforts when it comes to merchandising. First, as I have lived outside of Wisconsin since graduation (California and now Georgia) I don't have occasion to get back to Milwaukee very often. Second, major on line retailers rarely carry MU branded gear. Finally, I'm a fairly big guy and the sizes offered are very limited.
MU needs to step it up and offer a greater variety of merchandise (particularly clothing) and better access through outside vendors.
Atlanta Warrior: Where in GA/Atlanta? My family's in Fayetteville. I'd be more than willing to find whatever item/size you're looking for and bring it down.
Quote from: Atlanta Warrior on March 28, 2009, 08:07:50 PM
Frankly, if I have one major beef with my alma mater its their pathetic efforts when it comes to merchandising. First, as I have lived outside of Wisconsin since graduation (California and now Georgia) I don't have occasion to get back to Milwaukee very often. Second, major on line retailers rarely carry MU branded gear. Finally, I'm a fairly big guy and the sizes offered are very limited.
MU needs to step it up and offer a greater variety of merchandise (particularly clothing) and better access through outside vendors.
Merchandising means pennies on the dollar. If they control the inventory at one spot, they can mark up the items at an outrageous level which is what they do. They've done it for decades.
I have found the Spirit Shop very helpful.
I could not find online the golf shirt that Buzz wore on the Doc Rivers commercials.
I sent them a link to the youtube and within 5 hours I got an email with how to pick up the shirt...
They were very professional and courteous...
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 29, 2009, 01:19:46 AM
Merchandising means pennies on the dollar. If they control the inventory at one spot, they can mark up the items at an outrageous level which is what they do. They've done it for decades.
Chicos I think I agree if what you are saying is that they would rather control distribution from their location (such as the Spirit Shop) and charge high prices maximizing their margin. I do think this is a little myopic on many levels the first is that it basically assumes that most of their alums are in the I-94 corridor and have physical access to locations where MU merchandiese is sold.
Second, the greater the distribution the greater the PR the greater the benefits such as increased exposure which can lead to increased enrollment which can lead to increased $.
I honestly thought, after the final four run in 2003, that MU would take advantage and expand their distribution channels they have not and I am at a losss as to why. I can go into national chain stores here in Georgia and see merchandise from any number of universities that do not have a large following in this region much less this state. An example would be Purdue where all three of my wife's siblings attended.
Also they need to improve upon the selection of items particularly clothing!
Quote from: Robyrd5 on March 29, 2009, 12:11:00 AM
Atlanta Warrior: Where in GA/Atlanta? My family's in Fayetteville. I'd be more than willing to find whatever item/size you're looking for and bring it down.
I live in Suwanee. Where did you go to high school and how did you end up at MU?
Football Fanatics and Campus Colors usually have a ton of MU gear. Granted you have to order it online, but it's way up from when I was in undergrad 5 years ago.
Quote from: Atlanta Warrior on March 29, 2009, 02:27:26 PM
I live in Suwanee. Where did you go to high school and how did you end up at MU?
Went to high school at Our Lady of Mercy in Fairburn. My parents were born and raised in Milwaukee, and most of my relatives still live up here. I hadn't really heard much about Marquette until the Final Four run in '03 when my dad (UW-Whitewater grad) ran around the house chanting "We Are Marquette." That peaked my interest, so after some research I convinced him to take me for a campus tour. Naturally, I saw campus during a blizzard, but I was sold.