Christian Hockey is back

[epstud74 24]

I didnt know they were back. I remember I had Christian sticks as a kid. My dad had the old Northland Crackshots..

Looks as if they were bought out and now have resumed production. Nice to see an American manufacturer back in business. What did you hockey shop guys think of Christian sticks?

http://www.harrowsports.com/hockey.asp

[whbd18 0]

We are way on top of Christian.Try searching them in the Search bar at the top.

[Chadd 916]

I'm a little disappointed to see them doing direct sales and circumventing dealers.

[epstud74 24]

Why are they doing that? Direct sales? As in internet sales? I used to see Christian sticks all the time at the sports shops, but the last couple years I havent seen any at all.

[Gongshow11 1]

chrsitian has been back fro minimum 2 years, get on track bud

[epstud74 24]

Didnt see any Christian sticks downstairs at Westwood though.. Sooner or later Im sure they will.

[opus22 0]

isnt christian harrow now? never mind, i actually read the first post.

[hockeyherb 1]

I'm a little disappointed to see them doing direct sales and circumventing dealers.

Why makes you say that?

If I click on their retailer locator I can find some hockey product stores in certain states. None in Texas of course!

[Go Pio's 0]

I apologize for the novel, but I suppose this is an appropriate time for me to chime in.

On January 1st, Christian and Harrow married their web sites. With that marriage, we elected to make Christian products available for purchase to the public. This decision was made with the primary intention of servicing people in areas that do not currently have a retailer present. Since this time, we have had three online Christian transactions. Direct selling has not been, nor will it ever be, a large part of our business.

Please let me note a couple of things:

1. Christian will never discount our online pricing. For example...if you live in Minnesota and want to purchase a wood replacement blade, you can order one from our web site and pay $26.50, plus $11 for shipping. You now have a blade that costs $37.50. Our blades are great, but that is a lot of money for a wood blade. Would you do that or drive over to Westwood Sports and pick one up for a fraction of the cost? This is a no-brainer.

2. We have some areas in the US and Canada where retailers are not interested in carrying the line, however we have customers who want to purchase. Should we "honor" the retailer and have one less person using Christian, or sell our product direct? Additionally, many retailers have said "there is no demand for Christian in our area." This is our effort to create demand so the retailers will join us down the road.

At one time, Christian was one of the most recognizable hockey companies in the industry. Our products could be purchased in just about every hockey store in the world. In the interest of getting back to that point, we must take a grassroots approach. It only takes a few players to spark widespread interest in our sticks. Little Johnny who is playing Squirt hockey in San Francisco is just as valuable in our marketing efforts as Mike Dunham who is playing in the NHL. Because there is no retailer presence, Johnny would never have had a chance to use our sticks if we did not sell it to him online. Now all of his teammates are going to the LHS asking for our sticks.

[Jason Harris 31]

I apologize for the novel, but I suppose this is an appropriate time for me to chime in.

What's wrong with a novel? Everybody knows some of us can't say something in three words when ten would be better.... :D

[epstud74 24]

I apologize for the novel, but I suppose this is an appropriate time for me to chime in.

On January 1st, Christian and Harrow married their web sites. With that marriage, we elected to make Christian products available for purchase to the public. This decision was made with the primary intention of servicing people in areas that do not currently have a retailer present. Since this time, we have had three online Christian transactions. Direct selling has not been, nor will it ever be, a large part of our business.

Please let me note a couple of things:

1. Christian will never discount our online pricing. For example...if you live in Minnesota and want to purchase a wood replacement blade, you can order one from our web site and pay $26.50, plus $11 for shipping. You now have a blade that costs $37.50. Our blades are great, but that is a lot of money for a wood blade. Would you do that or drive over to Westwood Sports and pick one up for a fraction of the cost? This is a no-brainer.

2. We have some areas in the US and Canada where retailers are not interested in carrying the line, however we have customers who want to purchase. Should we "honor" the retailer and have one less person using Christian, or sell our product direct? Additionally, many retailers have said "there is no demand for Christian in our area." This is our effort to create demand so the retailers will join us down the road.

At one time, Christian was one of the most recognizable hockey companies in the industry. Our products could be purchased in just about every hockey store in the world. In the interest of getting back to that point, we must take a grassroots approach. It only takes a few players to spark widespread interest in our sticks. Little Johnny who is playing Squirt hockey in San Francisco is just as valuable in our marketing efforts as Mike Dunham who is playing in the NHL. Because there is no retailer presence, Johnny would never have had a chance to use our sticks if we did not sell it to him online. Now all of his teammates are going to the LHS asking for our sticks.

I can understand that approach. Some hockey shops may not like it, but that comes with the territory. Sounds like you are not undercutting them with your internet/direct sales approach. Does Westwood carry Christian sticks right now? Go Pios? Are you a Denver U grad or Hill-Murray (Maplewood MN) grad?

[Go Pio's 0]

I apologize for the novel, but I suppose this is an appropriate time for me to chime in. 

On January 1st, Christian and Harrow married their web sites.  With that marriage, we elected to make Christian products available for purchase to the public.  This decision was made with the primary intention of servicing people in areas that do not currently have a retailer present.  Since this time, we have had three online Christian transactions.  Direct selling has not been, nor will it ever be, a large part of our business. 

Please let me note a couple of things:

1.  Christian will never discount our online pricing.  For example...if you live in Minnesota and want to purchase a wood replacement blade, you can order one from our web site and pay $26.50, plus $11 for shipping.  You now have a blade that costs $37.50.  Our blades are great, but that is a lot of money for a wood blade.  Would you do that or drive over to Westwood Sports and pick one up for a fraction of the cost?  This is a no-brainer.

2.  We have some areas in the US and Canada where retailers are not interested in carrying the line, however we have customers who want to purchase.  Should we "honor" the retailer and have one less person using Christian, or sell our product direct?  Additionally, many retailers have said "there is no demand for Christian in our area."  This is our effort to create demand so the retailers will join us down the road. 

At one time, Christian was one of the most recognizable hockey companies in the industry.  Our products could be purchased in just about every hockey store in the world.  In the interest of getting back to that point, we must take a grassroots approach.  It only takes a few players to spark widespread interest in our sticks.  Little Johnny who is playing Squirt hockey in San Francisco is just as valuable in our marketing efforts as Mike Dunham who is playing in the NHL.  Because there is no retailer presence, Johnny would never have had a chance to use our sticks if we did not sell it to him online.  Now all of his teammates are going to the LHS asking for our sticks.

I can understand that approach. Some hockey shops may not like it, but that comes with the territory. Sounds like you are not undercutting them with your internet/direct sales approach. Does Westwood carry Christian sticks right now? Go Pios? Are you a Denver U grad or Hill-Murray (Maplewood MN) grad?

I'm a DU and Holy Angels grad.

As for Westwood, they are carrying our blades and some of our shafts. If you need something in particular, Andy (at Westwood) would be happy to order something for you.

[epstud74 24]

Man Trebil has done a pretty bang up job at Holy Angels. I see they were upset by Apple Valley though. Was it played at Braemar? Barribal may just Mr Hockey.