All-Star Varsity Uniforms, And Gyms The Copy Them

[Emma'sCheerMom]

this seems to be the new trend here with a local gym, ordering uniforms from Varsity, then having a seamstress copy the design for their smaller youth and half year teams to cut costs down. I'm assuming that because it's a small fish in a huge ocean that they just don't get caught, but I'm wondering if this is a trend nation wide, or one just really stupid (smart?) gym owner?

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

It doesn't surprise me.

Unrelated, but when I went shopping for a bridesmaids dress with one of my girlfriends, we were told that we could not take pics of styles we tried on. (You know, like most people would typically do. Try it on, take pics, decide later.) The reason the sales consultant gave was that people have been taking pictures of this designer's work to have them made for cheaper via those "made in China" Etsy shops.

I don't understand people.

 

[AScheer]

It doesn't surprise me.

Unrelated, but when I went shopping for a bridesmaids dress with one of my girlfriends, we were told that we could not take pics of styles we tried on. (You know, like most people would typically do. Try it on, take pics, decide later.) The reason the sales consultant gave was that people have been taking pictures of this designer's work to have them made for cheaper via those "made in China" Etsy shops.

I don't understand people.

I've gone wedding dress shopping 3 times this year with friends. Pictures not allowed. I tried to sneak a few, but they are on top of it. You can only take a picture in the dress you choose, after paying for it. I get the reasoning, but most people can't remember and would like to have some time to think about a purchase that big. Those are expensive dresses. If I were paying that much for a dress, I would want to see what it photographed like one me. That could be a deciding factor.

**Edited a grammar mistake.

 

[Alexx]

The place I got my prom dresses from also had the same no pictures policy, yet in the dressing rooms there were mirrors so people did anyway.

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

I've gone wedding dress shopping 3 times this year with friends. Pictures not allowed. I tried to sneak a few, but they are on top of it. You can only take a picture in the dress you choose, after paying for it. I get the reasoning, but most people can't remember and would like to have some time to think about a purchase that big. Those are expensive dresses. If I were paying that much for a dress, I would want to see what I it photographed like one me. That could be a deciding factor.

Right?

My best friend visited 3 stores and tried on at least 30 gowns. It was impossible for her to remember style numbers and designers of dresses to pull them up online 2 weeks after trying it on (to compare to another gown.) Pictures would have been helpful for that.

That, and the more you try on, the less you remember what it looked like on your body.

 

[SL&AM]

Does Varsity actually have a copyright on the designs they put out? I would assume that as long as they didn't add a fake Varsity logo on it, there wouldn't be much that could be done.

 

[Official OWECheer]

Does Varsity actually have a copyright on the designs they put out? I would assume that as long as they didn't add a fake Varsity logo on it, there wouldn't be much that could be done.

They tried, and failed, because the designs did not actually contribute to the functionality of their uniforms. They legit tried to sue another uniform vendor (the name is escaping me right now) for having some of the same designs as them.

 

[Eyes On The Prize]

What if a gym wants a uniform that looks like varsity's but can't pay their prices? Are they to go without because they can't afford varsity? Why can't they shop around? If a gym wants a uniform, who cares who it's through?

Like I get it but I don't think it's a big deal. It's a uniform. Varsity doesn't have "rights" to a certain uniform design. Anyone can make their own uniform, it doesn't need to go through a uniform company.

I don't know, maybe I'm alone with this thinking.

 

[Cheerfun2]

Why couldn't someone copy a wedding dress from an ad or a catalogue? I mean, why the ban on cellphone photos? I would think you could get the details much better from an ad if you were choosing to copy a dress? I mean, good Gawd, it's been 20 years since I was a blushing bride but I remember those gigantic bridal magazines I used to read religiously and they were picture after picture of dresses....a Chinese workroom would have a field day. Do they not put ads for dresses in those mags any longer?
(Sorry off topic, but this ban on photos makes no sense to me...)

 

[Doctorcheer]

I must've been lucky. The place I found my dress let me take pictures. I had it narrowed down to 3 so we took pictures and then I came back in and retried those three on.

 

[5-6-7-8]

Why couldn't someone copy a wedding dress from an ad or a catalogue? I mean, why the ban on cellphone photos? I would think you could get the details much better from an ad if you were choosing to copy a dress? I mean, good Gawd, it's been 20 years since I was a blushing bride but I remember those gigantic bridal magazines I used to read religiously and they were picture after picture of dresses....a Chinese workroom would have a field day. Do they not put ads for dresses in those mags any longer?
(Sorry off topic, but this ban on photos makes no sense to me...)

I was thinking the same thing. I remember some places also used to cut out the tags so you wouldn't know the designer.

 

[WinstonsGirl]

Yeah, most, if not all Chinese knockoffs aren't going to be great. You may only pay $200, but you get what you pay for.

Knock Off Nightmares - When It Seems Too Good To Be True... It Usually Is!

 

[King]

Most likely do not have a design patent on individual uniforms unless they have a feature that Varsity created or patented.

When discussing uniforms there are so many pieces to the business that have created a barrier to entry for so many years. You need a sales force to handle and acquire new accounts, a design specialist to create the uniform for the customer and the back catalog, you need the manufacturing plant that can build the uniforms in a timely manner, and you need an office to issue and collect payments. Out of all of these the sales force and the manufacturing have made getting into uniform sales very hard. Now the internet makes it so you can sell to anyone anywhere at any time easily. Manufacturing is getting a LOT easier. You can do it here, there, rent out a part of a factory and they just do it for you and drop ship to a customer like it is your own.

The good news out of this is that companies are going to have to get better at customer service! If a uniform is well produced, on time, and the right price and you are kept informed by the vendor you will go with them again!

 

[SL&AM]

Yeah, most, if not all Chinese knockoffs aren't going to be great. You may only pay $200, but you get what you pay for.

Knock Off Nightmares - When It Seems Too Good To Be True... It Usually Is!

I do knock off boutique clothes for my girl's from time to time---I'm super picky about what and who I go through though---however, some of the adult knock off's I've seen are just downright scary! No way would I trust a knock off wedding dress! That is just asking for trouble.

 

[AScheer]

Right?

My best friend visited 3 stores and tried on at least 30 gowns. It was impossible for her to remember style numbers and designers of dresses to pull them up online 2 weeks after trying it on (to compare to another gown.) Pictures would have been helpful for that.

That, and the more you try on, the less you remember what it looked like on your body.

The place I got my prom dresses from also had the same no pictures policy, yet in the dressing rooms there were mirrors so people did anyway.

No mirrors at our store in the dressing rooms. Just the main one out in the family suite area. On top of that the sales person goes in the dressing room with the bride to help her dress. The prom dress section may be different though!

While waiting for my friend to change, I thought of an idea that they should have a moniter or tv screen mounted in each friends/family try on section. The woman that pulls dresses and helps the bride should take a photo of each dress herself with a store camera. That camera could tie into the screen, that way the bride, friends and family can flip through the dresses shes already tried on. The store could delete the pictures after the session is over. When I tried to tell the store this idea, they weren't even remotely interested! My whole group thought it was a great compromise though!