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htrain88

RBK Availability

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LHS said that Reebok is out of 16" 8K shin pads and that there wouldn't be any more available because Reebok is changing models. They tried to sell me some cheaper model as they rarely carry top-of-line protective stuff anyway. Can't find them on the internet either. Anybody know where I can get these or do I really have to wait until the summer when the new products are released?

Same deal with CCM ZG 10.0's in 11E. They did say that they could get them "built specially." What's up with that?

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This is by far one of the worst seasons ive had in a long time as far as keeping my stock up. It seems like every company didnt prepare well this year and manufactor as much stuff as they should have. My shin pad selection is bare as well as shoulder pads. I guess thats what happens when every company decides to redesign their gear!

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This is by far one of the worst seasons ive had in a long time as far as keeping my stock up. It seems like every company didnt prepare well this year and manufactor as much stuff as they should have. My shin pad selection is bare as well as shoulder pads. I guess thats what happens when every company decides to redesign their gear!

We usually had good luck with Mission/Itech for re-orders. Other than selling all of the soon-to-be-discontinued S series skates to one online giant before x-mas a couple years ago. That cost me a couple grand in sales.

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Thanks, CT. Looks like some poor planning by some of the manufacturers. My LHS also said that the CCM rep thought that the problem was that I wanted such an "odd" shin pad size. Please...

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i find lower end shins and shoulder that i like and for the shoulders most that i like have mobillity equal to or a little less than high end stuff and i just use that.

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Thanks, CT. Looks like some poor planning by some of the manufacturers. My LHS also said that the CCM rep thought that the problem was that I wanted such an "odd" shin pad size. Please...

It is actually pretty great planning on the part of the manufacturers. Poor planning would be to have lots of old stock left on hand when their redesigned protective gets released!

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Hockeymom, what you said is very true as well. I guess the way they look at it is they made every penny they could because they have nothing left hanging over their heads in inventory. But another way you could look at it is they could have made X amount more dollars if they made just X more shin pads etc.

My conversations with all customer service reps for the past two months or so has gone exactly like this, "Hi, im looking for any 13,14, or 15 inch shin pad for my stock. They reply, "Sorry we have nothing" Theres definitely a happy median I must come to when doing my booking orders. But sometimes early on its hard to predict your going to sell X amount of shin pads, especially when some years ill sell a 100 more units then others.

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As long as you pick a product that isn't being discontinued, you have a shot at finding some. A lack of excess inventory does mean fewer blowouts and that is better for the industry overall, it's just not good for you.

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Consider: post lockout 2nd year of industry selling/buying, lower youth hockey registrations as a result of lockout equals less players in the game in the big picture, vendor product life cycles, and online hockey houses over buying hockey inventory are all factors in product availability for the LHS to fill-in. When the its the middle of the playing season for your customers, it is the end of the season for vendors. That is the way this game has always been played. CTHockey, how long have you been a buyer for the LHS?

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Ive been in hockey retail for 10 years now, and over the past 3-4 years ive been in charge of all booking orders for the year. This business is definitely a learning game, and i still havent found the perfect number when it comes to ordering. It seems like every year there is a rush for one protective item over another. This year it was definitely shin pads, the year before i sold more bauer helmets and shoulder pads then ever before. Next year who knows what it'll be.

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Thanks, CT. Looks like some poor planning by some of the manufacturers. My LHS also said that the CCM rep thought that the problem was that I wanted such an "odd" shin pad size. Please...

It is actually pretty great planning on the part of the manufacturers. Poor planning would be to have lots of old stock left on hand when their redesigned protective gets released!

I have to agree with hockeymom. Any business would love to manufacture just enough supply to cover the demand. Of course, this varies from industry to industry, but just-in-time re-supply would be very, very smart of any company to do. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case, and yes, the loser on the end of this is the source of unexpected demand that needs the product right then and there and cannot be catered to.

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A buyer will never be done learning in the hockey business. There will never be a perfect number for ordering product. The vendors have never come up with one so don't beat yourself up thinking you will find it someday. Every year is different. That is what makes it so much fun.

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Still looks like poor planning to me as the local hockey stores are without some popular products for almost half a year. How anyone could consider that "great" planning is beyond comprenhension.

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Ask your LHS for a job as the hockey equipment buyer. Then let us know a year from now how it went. The buying cycle that the vendors and LHSs work on does not match up to the hockey playing season as you know it. That is why the best time to buy gear is in the spring when it all is in stock at your LHS.

Also, not all LHSs have as much open-to-buy dollars for inventory and product as you would like. The LHS still has to pay salaries, rent, and tons of other things to stay in business before they have all that money to burn buying product that may or may not sell. Oh and then they have to factor in the competition from online shoppers. It's a vicious circle.

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H-Train, I would also try looking online, like was just said. You might also consider the vector 10.0 shin pads, which I have found to be great. Not sure if you have your heart set on 8ks, but Ive tried them both and found the 10.0 to be better.

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I´ve had the same problem finding 5k shin pads. My local LHS was out and RBK was out of stock. Looked online and 15" was sold out. Then i called a guy i know in another city and he had some in stock. Lucky me.

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This is the hardest time of the year to find gear. Vendors are sold out and taking booking orders for new product for late spring delivery. They cleaned out their warehouses months ago. Most LHSs should also have sold a lot of gear by now so they have the open-to-buy $$ ready to book new product for late spring delivery. It doesn't make much sense that when you may need it most, this is the most difficult time to try and find new gear. It is also difficult for the LHS that wants to grow their business and yet cannot get inventory to sell. Welcome to my world. It has been like this forever. One company is trying to change it. They may be onto something.

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Welcome to my world. It has been like this forever. One company is trying to change it. They may be onto something.

Which company is that?

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I believe he may be talking about Bauer if i remember correctly. The rep told me that they would be creating a "core" list of products that they will continuely try to always have in stock. A good example of this was the Bauer 5500 helmet this year. By far their most popular selling helmet, yet for a long time you couldnt find a Black Medium and a few other sizes and colors to save your life. So now they'll keep that item always in stock along with many of their other popular items so theyll always be in stock for their customers. I think it one of the best ideas yet, hope they dont end up getting burned by it.

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I believe he may be talking about Bauer if i remember correctly. The rep told me that they would be creating a "core" list of products that they will continuely try to always have in stock. A good example of this was the Bauer 5500 helmet this year. By far their most popular selling helmet, yet for a long time you couldnt find a Black Medium and a few other sizes and colors to save your life. So now they'll keep that item always in stock along with many of their other popular items so theyll always be in stock for their customers. I think it one of the best ideas yet, hope they dont end up getting burned by it.

This is actually great news for retailers, no need to book so much when items will be avail year round.

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Ask your LHS for a job as the hockey equipment buyer. Then let us know a year from now how it went. The buying cycle that the vendors and LHSs work on does not match up to the hockey playing season as you know it. That is why the best time to buy gear is in the spring when it all is in stock at your LHS.

Also, not all LHSs have as much open-to-buy dollars for inventory and product as you would like. The LHS still has to pay salaries, rent, and tons of other things to stay in business before they have all that money to burn buying product that may or may not sell. Oh and then they have to factor in the competition from online shoppers. It's a vicious circle.

While I am not in the hockey industry working for a LHS, I do have existing businesses and the monthly overhead needed as operating expenses is mind-boggling sometimes. All the end customer sees is the price on shelf (or in my case the price quotation). They never see moreso factor in the costs involved to run the business in the first place. Everyone wants the best possible product for the cheapest price at the time that they feel like it.

DS, now I have a clearer picture why so many shops (LSH and online) are running low or out of stock of products at this time of year. If I were in your/their shoes, I too would be utilizing cash on hand (made from this years sales) to book for up and coming new products. The cycle that you have to deal with amazes me. That must be both difficult and excrutiatingly painful at times. Cheers to all the LHS owners and buyers!

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I wound up buying the Vector 10.0's from Great Skate. I have no idea whether they'll fit my clydesdale-like legs but there was nothing else (size wise) available.

Darkstar50: I have no desire to switch professions to discover the challenges that may confront you as a buyer. I'd rather take your word for it. However, I don't expect sarcasm from the members of this board just because I expressed frustration on the lack of availability of hockey equipment. Such ridiculous suggestions on your part only serve to reduce your credibility.

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