Fanatics - Barnsley FC

Gonna be an uncomfortable meeting with the fans I reckon. As this will be at the top of the agenda in a lot of fans minds. As part of the fan engagement. (Why I didn't apply for tickets to give others the opportunity to attend) I'd have made that my main point and demanded answers. I reckon a lot may demand a refund. And consider not buying in future. I ordered the away shirt and it's still in process. Appears it might be on it's way to being shipped. What is the position with home shirts anyone. ?

 

Depends on how you measure it. If it makes
/saves the club more money they could argue yeah.

 

The challenge is, most ppl will still order regardless of experience. It's a captive market and they know it.

 

What status is it showing?

Currently the estimated arrival date for the home shirt is 21st Aug.

 

Agree.

So far the process has been straight forward. And I’m not overly concerned about delays - it’s industry wide.

The only gripe is really the comms - even a generic email out apologising and updating fans on expected order times would help.

 

There has to be some form of goodwill gesture on this. If fans get their shirt in September, that's only 8 months of wear before it's 'old' which is a lot for the price tag.

Hopefully there's some clause in the contract that whoever is to blame recompenses the club and both the fans and BFC aren't out of pocket.

 

I would like to know more about the reasons for the delay. I understood it during Covid and lockdowns but not seen anything to suggest what’s causing the delays now. The only other factor that would be interesting to hear was when our design and order was submitted as it would appear that if you miss the cut off in Oct it makes it difficult to be manufactured by April and I would imagine our late announcement of the shirt sponsor was probably another knock on with it being towards the end of the season. Again it’s something that should be raised to ensure that we aren’t put in this position again. It should be an exception not the rule.

Personally if not able to guarantee a shirt being avail on time for a season starting they should give them a shelf life of 2 seasons.

 

About a fifth of the way between process and shipping. But I guess that's an error and still in process.

 

Mines as follows. The GK shirt was meant to be delivered on the 7th Aug, but no updates on its delay and when expected now.

 

10th August ours, duly changed to 24th when i checked on the 10th. Brexit benefits again maybe?

 

We had the same delays last year and we weren’t the only club last year or this either. Suggests to me the issue is with Puma with it happening 2 years on the bounce. Hope we don’t renew with them next season.

 

It’s not a Fanatics fault, is it? If they don’t receive them, they can’t ship them. Absolutely ridiculous that there’s no communication from the club again though.

 

Exactly what mine shows in the process for the white shirt. I guess it's on a tuk tuk. To the ship. Might ask the club to make it like England. A 2yr shirt.

 

No, but it's Fanatics whose Comms are to be blamed for not making update statements, especially since they must have a fair number of clubs in the same situation.

 

So don’t read anything into it. I’m fully expecting the 21st to come and go now for the home shirt.

 

Wasn't that one supposed to be ready week before Port vale game. ?
Not sure but thought this week was mentioned for away shirt. At purchase.

 

Home shirt was meant to be the 5th august. I don’t have any faith in the process now. Once again poor from Barnsley but it’s becoming quite the norm now.

 

I suspect it’s our late confirmation of shirt design and the more apparent lack of flexibility of the industry’s supply chain. They run at such a tight capacity, that you miss a timeframe, and you’re punished. Chelsea having the same issue as us, due to sponsor delay.

Wednesday shared a similar frustration a few years ago over times and costs, so did their own, but that didn’t work either.

I suspect we’ll move away from Puma for next season, in the hope of flexibility. But I’m not sure how that will work.

I understand delays and the situation teams face globally, but it’s the lack of comms over it.

 

It is - it’s outsourced to them. The kit goes direct to them too. The club aren’t involved in the process directly.

Whilst the club should maybe offer an update, that actually lies with Fanatics - that’s what they get paid for (from the profit).

Just a simple automated email would suffice, giving a brief reason, and a realistic delivery.

Also, whilst the base shirt maybe made abroad, sometimes badges and sponsors are done over here. So perhaps the 2nd phase of manufacturer is delayed over here.