The Magical "Drop Dead Date"

Drop dead dates. It’s a recurring call, so I thought I’d address it.

No matter the time of year, we receive calls like this, “If my soccer team’s first game is September 9th, what is the drop dead date that I have to order my soccer uniforms?”

We totally get it.

If you’re like every team we outfit, you’re trying to organize your team, figure out whether to buy jerseys, uniforms or home/away packages, determine whether you should go with custom colors, what team logo you want, make sure everyone has their favorite number, collect money, grab everyone’s sizes…and you want the very most amount of time to do all these things. Because, of course, your teammates just have only a smidge of respect for the time, energy and effort you’re putting in to get the team on the field.

Unfortunately, this is an impossible question for us to answer. It’s all crystal ball type thinking based around experience. You should plan on team jerseys taking 1-10 days in production and club orders normally take 1-5 weeks.

To ensure timely arrival of all our commitments, everything we do is based around production cycles: manufacturing  soccer jerseys, personalizing those jerseys and shipping all happens in the blink of an eye. With every inbound call, it’s always a moving target. But, by controlling every aspect of the process – from production to printing to shipping – no one can deliver soccer jerseys faster. We even offer a delivery guarantee. This is how confident we are in everything we do.

But, we never know what the next phone call will hold. This is what makes “drop dead dates” so difficult to answer.

Will the next call be a club ordering 600 purple Copa Jr. jerseys that were plentiful when you called in just five minutes before? It happens. And, it changes the production cycles in the blink of an eye.

Our best advice? Time is the enemy! Order as soon as you can. And, we promise to give you honest answers about when you can expect to receive your uniforms.

After all, you’re not going to move your season’s first game.

For information about buying soccer uniforms, please visit Totally Soccer.

Is Buying Local the "Right" Choice?

Buying soccer jerseys isn’t easy – even for experienced buyers who have successfully navigated the waters. Some buyers “wrestle” with buying jerseys locally versus buying online or through a catalog. I was on the phone yesterday with a customer and we were discussing the topic, so I thought I would share my thoughts.

I started in the soccer business at a local store, so I understand the challenges. As luck would have it, by being in the right place at the right time, I rose to Vice President of Operations for the largest chain of soccer stores. We had 35 stores. I’ve written training manuals, opened stores and been flown around to events by adidas and Nike. I’m really familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of these companies – where they shine and where they fail.

When I setup Totally Soccer, it was to solve the issues buyers faced. Successfully delivering team uniforms takes extreme concentration and attention to detail. Every order is different and every order is custom. A retail environment, where customers are walking in and out of your store, interrupts the necessary (and timely) work: orders are misplaced with vendors (or not placed at all), paperwork remains half-complete and printing errors occur due to the stop-start. Additionally, relying on third-party vendors like adidas and Nike takes control out of the local store’s hands. In speaking with buyers, this “perceived control” over the supplier is a driving force for buying locally. It doesn’t exist.

We work in an office environment by design. This is a huge advantage. We don’t have people walking into our location trying to buy retail items; we don’t sell retail product by design. The only “wonderful distraction” we have is the phone ringing to answer questions and take orders. This provides for laser focus on the task of delivering soccer uniforms exactly the way you ordered them. Layer on top the ability to ship your product direct from the factory and you have a dynamic 1-2 punch: a focused, team only supplier that provides all the benefits of buying direct from the factory.

Here’s how the comparison breaks down when buying direct from the factory with a Team only supplier:

• Better Pricing – We are able to keep the process simple and cost-effective. One area where teams benefit is through free personalization of a team logo and player number. You save $7 compared to what other vendors charge.
• Better Quality for the Price (Value) – Completely focusing on the team market means that you receive better quality for the price. You aren’t paying premiums for adidas and Nike for similar product. After all, we’re all using 100% performance polyester, so you’re getting great stuff.
• Easier – Never have to leave your desk or house and still have your jerseys by kickoff!
  
• More Control – By controlling production, we have the ability we aren’t depending on third-party sources to fulfill our uniform needs. Let’s face it, if adidas or Nike is out of stock, you and your local vendor are out of luck.
• More Flexibility – We can offer unique opportunities for soccer uniforms: custom colors and sizes from Youth Extra Small to above 2XL when needed. This provides solutions for every team and club out there.
• Speed of Delivery – placing your order locally takes you on this journey: your local store calls the vendor (maybe not as soon as you place your order), vendor processes order, issues pick, pack and ship orders, product is shipped to local store (delay), local store checks-in product (along with all their other deliveries), in-between phone calls, other orders, managing staff takes the product to a silkscreen printer to print your soccer jerseys (markup on printing drives additional cost), silkscreen printer works the jerseys into their production and prints the jerseys, local vendor makes arrangements to come and pickup jerseys. From there, they heat press the numbers and names on the back of the jerseys. Sometime in the distant future, you pickup your jerseys. Need 1 more? Good luck!

For information about buying soccer uniforms, please visit Totally Soccer.

Q1. How long does it take to receive my uniforms?

A. Totally Soccer leads the industry with 89.8% of orders shipping within ten days – including free team logo and number. Teams can expect their uniforms to ship within 3-10 days; clubs normally ship within 1-5 weeks. Depending on your location, ground shipping is an additional 1-7 days. Expedited UPS shipping is available. Call 888-660-8326 for exact time lines. Make us say “No” before you go anywhere else!

Q2. How do I order?

A. To place your order, please call us at 888-660-8326. You can also download our team or volume order worksheets and email them to us. Here is more details on ordering soccer gear

Q3. What does “Free Personalization” mean?

A. Your soccer jerseys include free standard personalization of your custom logo printed on the left or center chest and an 8″ number on the back. We can print your team logo that you submit via email or you can choose to customize one of our stock logos with your team name. Players can select numbers between 1-24. Light jerseys are printed in black ink. Dark jerseys are printed in white ink. The art/screen setup required to print your pocket-sized team logo is also free…saving you an additional $25! Free means Free!  Learn to personalize your soccer jerseys.

Q4. Standard Personalization is Free. What if I require additional customization for sponsors or want to print in other colors?

A. We have a full print shop to meet your needs.Reasonable additional printing costs will be charged and will slightly lengthen your delivery timeline. Visit our Print Shop for complete details.

Q5. Can I select my numbers for the jerseys?

A. Yes. Your free numbers must be between 1-24. The numbers do not have to be sequential, so you can specify the numbers to go on jerseys. We have specialized machines that assist us in creating quality jerseys, which is why numbers between 1-24 are free. We can print numbers over 34 and 0, 00, but due to re-setting the customized machinery, there is a charge of $3.00/jersey.

Q6. Tell me about designing the logo for my jerseys.

A. You can submit your own custom team logo for printing on the jerseys. We do require a high-resolution format to ensure a quality print. If you are unsure about your logo, we can review it for you and provide feedback. Send it to Sales@TotallySoccer.com.
Or, if you don’t have a logo, you can visit our Stock Logos to create your own team logo. You simply tell us your team name and we’ll create a personalized logo – just for your team!

Q7. How much does it cost to ship?

A. Shipping is based around order value up to $2000. After $2000, the cost is calculated by UPS weight. A normal team order typically ranges from $15.95 to $29.95 to ship via ground service. See the shipping rates…

Q8. Can I get more if players join later or outgrow their uniforms?

A. Absolutely. You’ll be delighted to know that your investment in your uniforms is always protected. With in-house production, you can always get more. If you are a repeat customer, we will have your previous orders on file including logo and numbers used.

Q9. What sizes should we order?

A. Our uniforms follow standard North American sizing. Our products are an athletic, medium cut – not too big, not too small. All jerseys and shorts are available from youth small to adult xx-large. Check out our sizing guide based around thousands purchased before you. Sizing samples are available by request.

Q10. Can I add player names to our soccer jerseys?

A. Yes. Player names are a great way to jazz up any jersey. Add $4.00/player name

Q11. Can I get samples or color swatches?

A. Yes, samples and color swatches are available. Please request samples using this online form

For information about buying soccer uniforms, please visit Totally Soccer.

Frustrated Buying Soccer Jerseys?

You raised your hand and offered to figure out what soccer jerseys to buy this season. Congratulations! Now, you’ve done a little research and are overwhelmed by the choices of suppliers, uniforms, colors, sizes and brands. Not to mention personalizing your soccer jerseys, turnaround times and other scary words you’ve never heard before…don’t worry anymore. Take five minutes and let us show you the easy way. Buying soccer jerseys doesn’t have to be this hard!

1. Availability – just because you see a soccer jersey on website or in a catalog doesn’t mean you can buy it! Huh? Yes, for companies that bring their product in from China or anywhere overseas, they can’t guarantee to always have it available for sale on their shelves in every style in every color and size. This could come at the most inconvenient times – like when you need just one more for a player who lost his jersey at the tournament.
2. Life Span – Most soccer teams want to wear their soccer jerseys for more than one season. If this applies to your team, ask your potential vendor, “What is the life span of this uniform?” Really, what you are asking is how long the company is going to make your particular jerseys. Beware! Even if you select a uniform that has a “life span” that meets your needs, it could change. Why? Because if that style isn’t profitable the company will discontinue that style and burn your budget.
3. Colors – Find a style you like? Check the colors. Companies limit the number of color in each style to only the best-selling colors. Why do you think there are so many red, royal and gold teams? And, why do you think colors like orange, purple and kelly are difficult to find? (Hint: If you want to design your own custom color jerseys, you should check out our Customizer.)
4. Sizes –Approximately 65% of jerseys are produced in youth and adult sizes. Companies limit the number of styles available in youth sizes due to “product sku management.” If you have a U9 – U14 team, pay attention as teams in these age groups normally require both youth and adult sizes.
5. Turnaround Times – Ok, so you’re comfortable with the answers above. Now, how fast can you get them? And, perhaps more importantly, what about when you need just one more? And, what are the extra costs to buy a single jersey?

Four times now I have purchased jerseys for my various soccer teams using TotallySoccer.com. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the turnaround on the orders has always been quick and accurate. The quality of the jerseys are good especially given the low prices. I would strongly recommend TotallySoccer.com to anyone looking to outfit their team.
Scott F, Alexandria, Virginia

How We Solve Buying Headaches

When I built Totally Soccer, I set out to change the way buyers purchase soccer jerseys. Our single driving focus was to make the process easier, cheaper and faster. In doing so, I leveraged my twenty-years in the soccer business and analyzed all the issues created by companies like adidas, Nike and diadora. To me, we built a better model to remove the headaches buyer face. Here how TotallySoccer makes buying soccer jerseys simple:

• Made in North America – Our soccer uniforms are made in North America (Toronto, specifically). This provides flexibility  in manufacturing and personalization of custom soccer uniforms. Quick response combined with core inventory results in  lightning fast delivery times.
• Guaranteed by Game Day – We’re soccer people too and understand just how important getting your jerseys by game day is – which is why we guarantee your jerseys by kickoff
• Never Discontinued – Fabric and patterns are always available, so we can make you just one more…even years later
• Always Available – “Out of Stock” does not mean anything to us. We can make more – and fast!
• Sixteen Colors – We have sixteen core team colors, which means you’ll find your color combinations. And, if you want to design your own soccer jerseys, we can do that too.
• All Sizes – We manufacture all uniforms from Youth Small to Adult 2XL. We’ve even expanded into YXS for the pee-wees and our manufacturing capbilities allow us to make some of the largest soccer jerseys
• Fast Turnaround Times – Almost 90% of our soccer jerseys ship within ten days fully customized (the other 10% are club orders and teams who plan ahead and allow us to rest on Sundays)

Personally, I think we’ve built a better mouse trap (and there’s more reasons why you should buy from us), but we’ll leave that decision up to the soccer community. For nearly a decade, we’ve been online selling direct from the factory – so we know the process works from the tons of testimonials teams send us. But, no matter your soccer vendor this season, I have one final tip:

Invest in a great relationship with your vendor. It will go a long, long way to ensuring a smooth process and protecting the investment you’ve made in buying soccer jerseys.

If you have any questions we can help with, please reach out and give us a call at 888-660-8326.

For information about buying soccer uniforms, please visit Totally Soccer.