NHL's Reply to Asian Knockoff Jerseys

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bmoy88

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I just noticed on the back page of the front section of today's Montreal Gazette, an ad by the NHL, encouraging people not to buy Asian knockoff jerseys from the internet.

There is a proliferation of these jerseys on Ebay, Craigslist and various websites that sell these fake jerseys for anywhere from $50 to $125! They are embroidery crested, twill names and numbers (on back and shoulders) as well as have the shoulder crests that some teams have and even have commemorative patches according to the season/year. You can get regular, playoff, vintage, Winter Classic, Olympics etc!

In the ad, they have a "fake" website where they display various Habs jersey with the "$239.99" crossed out and replaced with a "$89.99". The ad mentions about not supporting a system that encourages underground labor as well as organized crime.

Therein lies my problem with the ad! $240 plus taxes to get an authentic game jersey with professional names and numbers. I know, I know, there are licensing fees and such but I think the ticket price is outrageous!

I remember when the Habs first wore their retro jersey (the one with the blue center band) about 5-6 years ago. I went out and bought one for myself and one for my brother for Xmas - $139.00 each. They charged $80.00 per jersey to have the names and numbers applied! Luckily, I had our names put on it, or else I would have an original Koivu retro jersey hanging in my closet next to my knockoff Kovalev one.

A year later I went out and bought the Macgregor 72 Team Canada stitched jersey. Again, one for my brother and one for myself. I also wanted to have them put numbers on them (the 72 jersey did not have a nameplate on them - they had "CANADA" over the number). Guess how much they charged? $80 each!! My brother's number is "13" and I decided to go with Bobby Orr "4". $160 plus tax for 3 numbers, no numbers on the sleeves (there weren't any on the 72 jerseys). Only after I complained, did the owner give me a $20 combined store credit.

If the NHL and the teams would be more reasonably priced, I think there would be a more receptive attitude to buying the originals. Any opinions?
 
Good to see the NHL taking some form of action against the counterfitters. I don't agree with you when you say that if the prices were lower on the real jerseys then the public would be more receptive to them. Most people are just looking for the best bang for there buck so even if the jersey's were cheaper they would still by the counterfit stuff because it would still be much cheaper.

Also, keep your eyes open and you can find really good deals on 100% authentic jerseys. I just bought a red Capitals Edge jersey for $169.99 a few weeks ago.
 
As far as the cresting prices go - that $80-100 charge is mandated by the NHLPA for every kit sold to put a name and number on it - regardless if it's your own name, Sidney Crosby's or Glen Metropolit's. This is one of the PA's largest revenue generators - not licensing fees from hockey cards.

Cost on a jersey is going to be anywhere from $65-75 for a replica jersey (Edge Premier) and $150-175 for an authentic game jersey (Edge.) And that's for the retailers that deal directly with Reebok. In general, clothing will be sold at around a full 100% markup at most stores you walk into. So yeah, once everyone involved gets their cut - game jerseys will run you about $300-400.

I hardly have any replica jerseys in my collection, but you're also paying for a significant increase in costs and materials, and IMO quality - especially since the authentic jerseys are made in Quebec, compared to the replicas which are mass produced in Asia.

Expect sales on authentic jerseys to hit at some point once the Stanley Cup is presented - there are quite a few teams making changes for next season - and judging by the number of retailers I've seen putting jerseys on sale for the replicas - a change in design or material from Edge 2.0 to maybe 3.0. My understanding of the contract for Reebok to produce the jerseys and go to the Edge system - all teams were locked into the designs for at least 3 years. Given that this is year 5 of the deal - jersey looks were probably back on the table - although I'm guessing the basic Edge cut is here to stay
 
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Who in their right mind wants to spend $200 bucks on a jersey?

Ill take $85 over $200 all day. I have 4 jerseys, I actually dont think I have spent more than $75 on any of them.

"Counterfit" usually implies the item is cheaply/poorly made. Which in the case of jerseys, does not really apply. Except in the case of the Broduer Rangers jersey that was on Ebay a few years back.............
 
I have 3 "fake authentic" jerseys and paid $55 for each of them.

How many people paid $300 for an authentic Kessel or Kovalchuk jersey and now need a replacement?

My $55 jersey is disposable when the team changes styles or when the player gets traded.
 
These so called fake Asian knock-off jerseys are on par with the same jersey's sold at retail stores.

If you are buying from someone who sells these so called jerseys and they say they are the same one's they sell at retail stores they are not lying. I have seen some of the jerseys at retail outlets and at the major merchandise stores for NHL teams for $170 (PLUS TAX!!!) and they are just gross. I got a pretty Awesome Alexander Ovechkin Asian Style knock off jersey still in the bag for $90 (NO TAX) at EXPO from a dealer and couldn't ask for more. Sure it wasn't the same when I compared it too a game model $300 Ovechkin jersey but I can't complain. My jersey didn't repell water but the Asian's have caught on, the new knockoffs repell water now.

For the most part, I think that NON 100% Authentic NHL PRO STYLE what the players wear jerseys are still good just too wear, who know's the difference? The thing is, some of these Asian knock off jerseys even repell water like the jerseys the NHL players wear that you would have too pay $300 or more for.

I could pay $170 plus tax the Toronto Maple Leafs merchandise store for a more legit replica jersey and get ripped off when I could pay $90 or less elsewhere for an Asian knock-off that is just as good. It`s a funny thing, these Asian knock-off jerseys say `Made In Canada` on the tag.
 
For those of you who buy the knockoff jerseys - would you buy packs/boxes/cases of cards that ripped off Upper Deck or ITG because of the cost? Because that box cost you $40 vs. $90 for the real McCoy? Or a near-copy of NHL2010 because it comes pretty darn close to the game you get at the store? I doubt that most of you would say yes to it.

It's easy to justify sticking it to the man when it's some faceless corporation that makes millions and millions of dollars, but at the end of the day someone ends up paying for it one way or another.
 
slckrsx said:
Good to see the NHL taking some form of action against the counterfitters. I don't agree with you when you say that if the prices were lower on the real jerseys then the public would be more receptive to them. Most people are just looking for the best bang for there buck so even if the jersey's were cheaper they would still by the counterfit stuff because it would still be much cheaper.

Also, keep your eyes open and you can find really good deals on 100% authentic jerseys. I just bought a red Capitals Edge jersey for $169.99 a few weeks ago.
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I could not disagree more. $80 for a lettering kit is absurd. $150+ for a replica jersey is ridiculous. Somewhere around $80 for the entire thing is a much more reasonable price. IF I could get a decent replica for about $80-100, or a knockoff for about $40, I would go with the legitimate replica. However, when its $150+ for that replica, or $40 for a knockoff, guess what? I Will order the knockoff every time and will sleep good at night knowing I saved $100 that I can use elsewhere.
 
Hama said:
For those of you who buy the knockoff jerseys - would you buy packs/boxes/cases of cards that ripped off Upper Deck or ITG because of the cost? Because that box cost you $40 vs. $90 for the real McCoy? Or a near-copy of NHL2010 because it comes pretty darn close to the game you get at the store? I doubt that most of you would say yes to it.

It's easy to justify sticking it to the man when it's some faceless corporation that makes millions and millions of dollars, but at the end of the day someone ends up paying for it one way or another.
Click to expand...

cards are not the same. But if I could pay $20 for a copy of NHL 2010 with some imperfections, versus $60, and know that it will work, ABSOLUTELY I Would. Its the theory of an imperfect substitution.
 
Hama said:
For those of you who buy the knockoff jerseys - would you buy packs/boxes/cases of cards that ripped off Upper Deck or ITG because of the cost? Because that box cost you $40 vs. $90 for the real McCoy? Or a near-copy of NHL2010 because it comes pretty darn close to the game you get at the store? I doubt that most of you would say yes to it.

It's easy to justify sticking it to the man when it's some faceless corporation that makes millions and millions of dollars, but at the end of the day someone ends up paying for it one way or another.
Click to expand...

for anyone buying hockey cards, all the cards are authentic as printed from the manufacturer. for anyone buying jerseys, unless you're getting the one the player wore off their back, you're getting a copy of what the player is wearing. that's the difference. if quality is there or comparable, a copy is a copy.
 
Hama said:
For those of you who buy the knockoff jerseys - would you buy packs/boxes/cases of cards that ripped off Upper Deck or ITG because of the cost? Because that box cost you $40 vs. $90 for the real McCoy? Or a near-copy of NHL2010 because it comes pretty darn close to the game you get at the store? I doubt that most of you would say yes to it.

It's easy to justify sticking it to the man when it's some faceless corporation that makes millions and millions of dollars, but at the end of the day someone ends up paying for it one way or another.
Click to expand...

Honestly? Damn right I would. I'd rather the $200 bucks difference from an authentic vs a knockoff in my pocket than the pockets of the NHLPA.

The card analogy is an unfair comparison, because card values are directly related to the authenticity of said card. We all buy cards with the value in mind, whether we intend to flip it or keep it for our collection. I don't buy a jersey hoping to flip it for a profit, or think that someday I might sell it. I buy it to wear it, abuse it, play hockey in it, fight in it, spill beer on it, puke on it, pass out in it, and when I'm done, throw it out. And if the kockoffs can be made from the same materials, with the same features, and darn near the same quality, and sold for 1/4 of the cost of the "real" thing, then where is the justification of the cost of the "real" thing? The only justification is that it's to line the pockets of the NHL Brass and NHLPA, neither of which I give two hoots about.
 
With the changeover of jerseys from the old CCM/Koho in 2007(?) to Reebok, I went out and looked for some nice jerseys for my 3 nephews. The Reeboks for kids were $90ish. Adding the numbers and names would have doubled the price. A lot of places were clearing out the CCM replicas for $50ish. So I picked up 3 for the boys (no names, no numbers). Man they were excited!

The year after, I happened upon an internet site that had the Reeboks for $35 a piece. Free shipping if you ordered $200+. So I loaded up for the family. 8 jerseys (they sent me one wrong size!). If you think that the kids were pumped up the year before, you should have seen them with these!!

I know that the NHLPA and the NHL are in there to make sure the players are covered in their retirement years, but who can afford to buy $250-$400 official jerseys for their kids? And a year later, that player has moved on to another team! The reality of the matter is that ordinary folk cannot afford this luxury! I would love to support the NHL/NHLPA but not at the heavy cost of my wallet!
 
Gretzky and Orr replica/fake/reprint RC are still sold at "Old Timer" Hockey Games accross Canada. Throw a $1 replica in a frame with some matting and it is $75?!


I have no problem OWNING a fake jersey - all the more absorbant for the nacho sauce I will spill on it. I do have a problem with people SELLING fake jerseys as if they were real. I owned Rob's Hockey Cards in Red Deer, Alberta and have had the oppourtunity to make literally THOUSANDS of dollars selling fake jerseys (with Jersey City right down the mall hallway)... but I didn't... because it isn't right. It also isn't right to charge so much for jerseys....


... I used to look for store close outs or dumps (CCM jerseys for example)... in my shop an Edmonton Oilers / Calgary Flames Jersey was $75... and it was real.

Hama said:
For those of you who buy the knockoff jerseys - would you buy packs/boxes/cases of cards that ripped off Upper Deck or ITG because of the cost? Because that box cost you $40 vs. $90 for the real McCoy? Or a near-copy of NHL2010 because it comes pretty darn close to the game you get at the store? I doubt that most of you would say yes to it.

It's easy to justify sticking it to the man when it's some faceless corporation that makes millions and millions of dollars, but at the end of the day someone ends up paying for it one way or another.
Click to expand...
 
GrimUSMC said:
I could not disagree more. $80 for a lettering kit is absurd. $150+ for a replica jersey is ridiculous. Somewhere around $80 for the entire thing is a much more reasonable price. IF I could get a decent replica for about $80-100, or a knockoff for about $40, I would go with the legitimate replica. However, when its $150+ for that replica, or $40 for a knockoff, guess what? I Will order the knockoff every time and will sleep good at night knowing I saved $100 that I can use elsewhere.
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Check around where you live for places that customize jerseys and I'm sure you'll find a place that will letter your jersey for around $50-$60 not $80. There are a couple places close to me that are NHL/NHLPA certified that does the work exactly to NHL specs for $59, sometimes even $49 if they are running a sale. Also, I just did a quick search on Ebay and found tons of premier jerseys for all teams for around $50-$60.

I know what everybody else thinks but I would take the replica for $100-$120 over any cheap asian knock-off any day of the week.
 
SkyFire47 said:
for anyone buying hockey cards, all the cards are authentic as printed from the manufacturer. for anyone buying jerseys, unless you're getting the one the player wore off their back, you're getting a copy of what the player is wearing. that's the difference. if quality is there or comparable, a copy is a copy.
Click to expand...

Agreed, when you puchase a licensed authentic RBK Edge jersey you are getting a copy of what is worn on the ice, when you buy a fake you are not. I've seen a ton of fakes and even the best ones still look nothing like what is worn on the ice.
 
slckrsx said:
Check around where you live for places that customize jerseys and I'm sure you'll find a place that will letter your jersey for around $50-$60 not $80. There are a couple places close to me that are NHL/NHLPA certified that does the work exactly to NHL specs for $59, sometimes even $49 if they are running a sale. Also, I just did a quick search on Ebay and found tons of premier jerseys for all teams for around $50-$60.

I know what everybody else thinks but I would take the replica for $100-$120 over any cheap asian knock-off any day of the week.
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Not to sound funny, but please send me a link because I cant find them.
 
I wholeheartedly agree with you that the price of licensed jerseys is too high, but here's my choice as a retailer:

1) Pay the $65-70 per replica plus shipping and charge $99.99-$109.99 per (which is a ridiculously low mark-up for apparel) plus the lettering cost (generally $35-40 per jerseys plus my time and gas money to drive them to the letterer and back -- I charge $69.99 per or cheaper for multiples)
2) Stop carrying jerseys altogether.

I'm choosing Option 2, it appears -- we're just going to carry a few in-stock and take pre-orders on the rest when people want them. That's fine with me.

But for people to say these jerseys are the same as the licensed jerseys is laughable at best. The quality of the jerseys themselves seems to be good, and I suspect they are being backdoored out of the actual RBK factory.

However, the cresting and the lettering is clownish at best. You can have a look at the second page of this thread:

http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=212484&page=2

where I show the difference between the crest on a licensed Blackhawks jersey and the fake available from those sites. It's not even close. Generally, the lettering is also done in the wrong font or the wrong material -- it's vinyl, it's puffy and it's eventually cracks in the wash.

There's more info in that thread about how to tell the fakes via YouTube videos, confiscated NHL knockoffs and the like, if you care to read it. It's also good to see the NHL doing something about it, although my understanding is RBK wasn't doing jack **** until recently. Thanks, RBK.

In closing, I understand the reasoning, but don't show me a dog turd and tell me you got gold.

You got a dog turd.
 

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