Selling before the release date?

[syinx 139]

So the local Sportchek here are selling the HTX Sticks and Protective gear well ahead of the June 20th release date. Is this allowed? I mean. It can't be.

[TeamHonda401 54]

Traditionally if a retailer sells product before the manufacturer release date, the manufacturer can pull all of their products from that retailer, and can also impose some legal ramifications. For example with adidas, when the new Messi edition soccer cleats were produced, stores received them about a week before the release date. Each store receives direction from the manufacturer as far as when they can be merchandised on the sales floor, and if the retailer chooses to ignore that direction, they are putting themselves in a bad situation.

[t6lock 24]

Interesting, I saw the same HTX sticks at Richmond Sport Chek on the weekend and thought to myself, "wow these are out already?"

Normally with the stick/gear releases I'd be getting spammed on Facebook and such about how it's released but haven't seen that yet.

[Stewie 721]

One LHS has consistently released gear ahead of time here. I'm not complaining, but it is a surprise to see some of this stuff well before release. They have had the new Easton stuff on their racks for at least two weeks now

[nickyb13 9]

According to our supply chain, the release date is for online only. We've had the protective out for a few weeks and the sticks have been out for a little under a week.

[mjpisat 36]

I've seen mako 2 and sticks at three shops now.

[bunnyman666 445]

I think who gets into trouble is if the store in question has an online presence. Let's face it- Norm's Hockey Shack (not a real shoppe) in Moose Piss, Nowawherruh who has no online retail presence is probably not going to poach from Hockey Bunny (not a real chain) or Partial Hockey. Now, if Norm's Hockey Shack had the new Air Jordan and released it two weeks before Chump's, there is hell to pay.

[Stewie 721]

I think who gets into trouble is if the store in question has an online presence. Let's face it- Norm's Hockey Shack (not a real shoppe) in Moose Piss, Nowawherruh who has no online retail presence is probably not going to poach from Hockey Bunny (not a real chain) or Partial Hockey. Now, if Norm's Hockey Shack had the new Air Jordan and released it two weeks before Chump's, there is hell to pay.

. The store talking about has a large online presence.

[bunnyman666 445]

. The store talking about has a large online presence.

Then apparently, the manufacturer really doesn't care. Dunno.

[Stewie 721]

As mentioned before, the manufacturers only really care to enforce it online in most cases, regardless of shop size

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

. The store talking about has a large online presence.

If you are referring to TH, no - we actually adhere to all of the rules. As nickyb13 said (he manages one of our Pittsburgh stores) the enforcement was for online sales, which is why I put 6/20 in the release date thread. And even though we have them in stock, no online orders have popped up because there's a freeze on it. There is no knowing how soon a store may get it over another, as well as received (which we do a great job of at my store in terms of processing booking orders.)

The Mako II skate has a hard date of 6/20.

[2minRoughin 0]

As per communication thru Sportchek H.O., the 6/20 launch date for the HTX sticks is a "marketing launch", the stores were given a go to put the product on the floor and sell.

[Stewie 721]

If you are referring to TH, no - we actually adhere to all of the rules. As nickyb13 said (he manages one of our Pittsburgh stores) the enforcement was for online sales, which is why I put 6/20 in the release date thread. And even though we have them in stock, no online orders have popped up because there's a freeze on it. There is no knowing how soon a store may get it over another, as well as received (which we do a great job of at my store in terms of processing booking orders.)

The Mako II skate has a hard date of 6/20.

No, not referring to TH. It's another hockey store with an online presence that happens to be really close to where I live :)

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Ok

[JonnyCanuck 0]

As per communication thru Sportchek H.O., the 6/20 launch date for the HTX sticks is a "marketing launch", the stores were given a go to put the product on the floor and sell.

+1 - as an employee of Richmond Sportchek we were told that 6/20 was a 'soft' launch date for the sticks/protective and were good to go.

Hard date for Mako II though like JR mentioned...

[IPv6Freely 2096]

Almost picked up an HTX today. Decided I don't really "need" it.