Thursday, February 02, 2012

Its Time To Ease Up On Our ITA Supplier

Well, about the time I think I have seen and heard everything and have seen people react in just about every way possible, I get surprised--and I'm surprised at how some of our officials around the country are treating the people at Bear Cotton. Bear Cotton is our ITA supplier in Waco and they do a fine job in supplying all our officials' needs but some of the rude treatment, emails, and phone calls need to STOP IMMEDIATELY. The quickest way to lose a good supplier is to offend them over a $28 shirt when they are nationwide company that does a ton of business annually.

The people at Bear Cotton have shared with me that they are receiving unreasonable requests (such as having them measure a shirt from the armpit to the waist and sending them the measurements and then demanding that a jacket be embroidered today and sent in the morning). This doesn't even include the rude and harassing phone calls and emails they have been receiving.

This is a terrible testimony to our officiating world and it needs to come to a stop today. The ITA officials in Texas are already supplied because we have been using the black shirt for two years but these new officials from around the country who are paranoid about not being able to wear the USTA shirt are giving us all a bad name. If you don't like Bear Cotton and their prices, then go contract with someone in your own state and see what they charge you... We have done all the legal work and gotten the ok from the ITA to work with Bear Cotton so if you aren't happy, then don't ruin a good thing for us here in Texas.

Here are things you need to remember when you order:

1. They do not do refunds or exchanges. Their apparel runs true to size so if you want to know if you wear a large, go to the mall and try on a large shirt and see if it fits.

2. They do not measure all their garments and email the facts to you. Honig's does not publish their measurements nor do they mail them out to people so please don't expect Bear Cotton to do this.

3. They are good people trying to make a living so don't yell and harass them when you call.

4. Their turnaround is 5-7 days so don't get mad when they can't ship your item the next day. They don't keep the tennis stuff in stock so it takes a couple of days to get the apparel in before they can embroider it.

5. BE NICE! These are fine folks and will work with us if we have the right attitudes.

6. Yes, they do charge for shipping as do all online clothing companies. They charge a flat $10 and that is for one order no matter how large it is. If you want to save on shipping, order a large order for you and your friends. I would recommend collecting from your friends before you place the order though.

7. They do not give discounts. Their prices are already quite low so please don't ask. The ITA officials in Texas placed a large order in the beginning and we did not get a discount since we asked them to give us their lowest price in the beginning--and they did.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why is it that some (if not most) tennis officials act like asses and have little or no courtesy.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Randy. I think Texas should tell the out-of-state officials to go find your own supplier. Now I'm beginning to understand why Honing's won't answer the phone when I try to call asking questions. They have had enough crap from officials.

Anonymous said...

Honigs is probably smart. I think Bear Cotton should only take care of us Texas officials.

Anonymous said...

While there is no reason for anyone to treat Bear Cotton rudely, I do understand the need to get other sizing information. While a large is a large is a large for men's wear, it doesn't work that way for women. I wear a medium in some styles, a large in others and even an XL in some tennis styles. The fact that BC won't exchange or do refunds is an issue. Nobody wants to order clothing that doesn't fit and then be stuck with it. It seems that with an up tick in orders from other officials across the country BC could initially bite the bullet and keep a small inventory on hand to handle any exchanges needed.

Wally said...

What else would you expect, that's what DIVERSITY gets you!!

You know, they are just special people.....

Bevo Boy said...

Bear Cotton could list the dimensions of each garment on the web page. They only have to do it once for each peice. Problem solved!!

Now, who do i send my consultation invoice too?

Anonymous said...

CONCERNING - Bear Cotton - You suggested we search for better prices - I found some... same quality shirts, can put the same logo on the shirt AND CAN ACCEPT RETURNS!!! Maybe we need to RETHINK this vendor - they are WAY out of line... SOUNDS LIKE this a brother-in law deal OR someone is making a little on the side...

RM said...

Noone is making anything on the side and especially since we had to sign an agreement with the ITA saying noone would make a profit.

If you can beat Bear Cotton's quality and price then go for it. I'll be waiting for your announcement.