All-Star Manufacturing Question About Cheer Uniforms

njallday said:

oh, i completely agree with you, but there's just no easy fix.

i really hate that everyone is at the mercy of the uniform companies. if the gym owners choose this battle, they screw themselves, the families, and kids.. but yet the company is sitting pretty with their profit regardless of what they deliver. if you're a uniform company and you're confident in your product, you don't need to make people sign into binding contracts to use your services. just saying.

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The gym owner has the responsibility to choose this battle on behalf of themselves, the families, and especially the kids.

If they take that $100,000 order to another company next year for better csutomer service from a responsible company, I'd say their customers will appreciate them more and the message to the uniform company would be loud and clear. Business owners willing to make good decisions on behalf of their customers leads to MORE customers, not less.

I'd like top chime in on uniform prices. I was reading a few people were talking about price and uniform companies. Let me walk you through my process working with my GK Clients. They contact me that they want GK and my first words I ask are "What is your budget?" that way I know what all be realistic and what restrictions I have when helping ten design. Do we go over sometimes? Yes. I can't tell you how many times customers have the mentality of "I want the F5 uniform with tons of bling and our budget is $150" Well that is a little unrealistic, but have done BEAUTIFUL $150 Uniforms, they might not just be 'just like F5.' People need to be creative. Work with your rep and be upfront about the budget and ask your rep who has been doing this for years to assist you in a fabulous uniform to meet your needs and your budget.

Also - No one has brought this up, but I know many gym owners (not my GK clients, I have no idea what they do, I am speaking as a coach) up charge the HELL out of their uniforms to turn a profit. Many gyms use this as way to pay their own salaries. Don't get me wrong, I ALWAYS encourage my GK Customs to upcharge a little but to cover any unexpected fees (Example, they have a girl walk in their door and need a uniform QUICK, I tell them to up charge to plan a head to pay a rush fee and overnight shipping, etc). I am talking about gym owners who get uniforms for $250 and charge their parents $400.00. There are several ways to make money in your gym that making your primary source of income off uniform up-charges.

I can tell you my gym changed uniform vendors this year, and we noticed a difference in our kids confidence. Their comments were "Wow! These feel so light" "Wow, these move with our body" "Wow! We feel like F5" and "Wow! People are telling us our uniforms are pretty" If your not happy, make a change.

Rebel Athletic has amazing quality, very competitive prices, and they GUARANTEE delivery dates. They provide free artwork and a free prototype with no obligation to order. Rebel Athletic's Photos | Facebook

Angela Florida Accounts said:

Rebel Athletic has amazing quality, very competitive prices, and they GUARANTEE delivery dates. They provide free artwork and a free prototype with no obligation to order. Rebel Athletic's Photos | Facebook

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DISCLAIMER: looks like you work for them (please correct me if that's not true)

Thanks for posting!


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Angela Florida Accounts said:

Rebel Athletic has amazing quality, very competitive prices, and they GUARANTEE delivery dates. They provide free artwork and a free prototype with no obligation to order. Rebel Athletic's Photos | Facebook

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My gyms uniform is from rebel athletic and it's so pretty


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OneIntenseMama said:

Be very very careful when ordering anything custom made from China especially the first time. My CP was on Power Xtreme when Kelly did the first round of lace in 2010-2011 they came in a min. of 5 sizes to big. I had the honor of altering 24 of them 4 days before American Grand. It was just a little stressful. But it looks like Kelly has gotten in the swing of things and has had beautiful uniforms done since then. If you are looking for beautiful custom sublimated uniforms there are several companies that do it. Personally I found Cheerleading Shoes, Apparel, and Accessories for Team and School - Explosion Spiritwear to be the most affordable with a quick turn around.

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kelly bought her first round of lace directly from a supplier in china. since then she has been buying her uniforms and practice wear from us... i believe we have the lowest prices and quickest turnaround times..

it is interesting reading the comments posted up here on how hard it is to get uniforms done correctly. as a uniform manufacturer we struggle with trying to get the product just the way the buyers want it. buyers do have the right to get things on time as scheduled, but the problem is everyone waits until the last moment. from our side of the table it just seems like all of these owners live such busy lives it is hard for them to keep track of everything. we are constantly waiting to hear back from people on whether they want to move forward or not. the amount of detail that you receive on the order is in direct proportion to how much detail you put into the order. making uniforms isn't an easy process. there are so many things that can go wrong. the uniform market is very crowded and competitive and filled with companies who put a lot of pressure on sales reps to make sales. these reps will occasionally oversell and tell the buyers everything they want to hear just to get the order in. i am also not so sure that the owners who place the orders are 100% honest with the parents either. i have seen owners make mistakes on orders and then do what they can to make the supplier look bad. but making uniforms is tough and requires the full attention of everyone involved to make sure you are going to get what you want. it is important for everyone in the process to do their part.

njallday said:

yes, as a customer, you need to advocate and demand change or it will never happen but you'd essentially have to sacrifice your own child to get that change.

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This times a million! This is the problem facing so many of us parents with kids who love cheer! We are basically told to "shut up and pay" or take our children elsewhere. Well in many areas, there is no "elsewhere". So you are forced to look the other way and stay quiet. If we could truly exert any market control without risking our kids, certain companies would face the market pressures that most other companies in the World face. But as long as they're kicking back big $ to the ones with the "voice", they get away with shoddy merchandise and poor customer service.

SharkDad said:

DISCLAIMER: looks like you work for them (please correct me if that's not true)

Thanks for posting!


The Shark version of the Fierce Board app

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yes I do work for Rebel. I'm very proud to be affiliated with this company.

Angela Florida Accounts said:

yes I do work for Rebel. I'm very proud to be affiliated with this company.

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That's great and I have heard nothing but positive things about your company and their service.

I just wanted it to be out there. There are many that lurk on here and post positive comments trying to pass themselves off as regular customers.

I recommend you put your affiliation with Rebel in your profile so people can find you easier. Good luck with your season.

njallday said:

I know FAME also uses sew factory. again - not sure of their logistics and who actually makes the uniforms, though.

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Not anymore. Out of business. Which worries me because any lack of variety of vendors in a marketplace drives up the cost and typically creates a poor customer service environment, and we, as consumers, can't do a single thing about it.
You either go with GK, "not GK," or Rebel. Sort of like mega programs eating small gyms...

SharkDad said:

That's great and I have heard nothing but positive things about your company and their service.

I just wanted it to be out there. There are many that lurk on here and post positive comments trying to pass themselves off as regular customers.

I recommend you put your affiliation with Rebel in your profile so people can find you easier. Good luck with your season.

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Yes I put my affiliation with Rebel in my profile. The Rebel website and twitter is listed.

Angela Florida Accounts said:

Yes I put my affiliation with Rebel in my profile. The Rebel website and twitter is listed.

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Great, I look forward to any inputs you have. There have been a few uniform threads and I personally hate the terribly low standards some of the big companies force parents to accept.

I've hear nothing but good things about Rebel.

Bringing this back just to throw these out there.... None of these made by a company, all done by the same person. Designs aside, I'd say they're comparable to what a big company can do, and Cost about $200-$250
Please excuse my awkward middle school years in the bottom one


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