Knicker recommendations

[Susan Otcenas]

OK, I'm blatantly asking for some feedback for market research.

So, when I was in New Zealand last year, I stopped by the offices of Ground Effect. The people we were staying with are riding buddies of the Ground Effect guys, so it was a natural fit to go talk cycling and cycling clothing.

Ground Effect does not currently have a US distributor (or didn't as of last year, anyway) so at the moment the only way to get their product is to order it directly from them.

What I'd like to know from those of you who've tried their apparel is this: is it good enough, and distinctive enough, that it would be worth my time to talk with one or two of the distributors that WE buy from about setting up relations with the Ground Effect guys. That is, do you think the pieces are nice enough that they would sell well?

Of course, all of this assumes these guys even WANT to sell in the US. I have no idea about that - haven't asked them. But I would if I thought it would be worth their time and mine.

Ladies?

Susan

[crazycanuck]

Hey susan,

I swear by ground effect and if it's good enough for us Kiwis and ozzies, it's good for anyone...! I like the gear because it's sold by word of mouth, doesn't have huge logos all over & the company is just cool. THey may not have a huge selection but it doesn't matter..it's ground effect. Everyone i biked with in nz wore ground effect & my coach thinks they're cool.

I'm sitting here thinking about your question of selling it on TE. I think it would ruin the feeling of Ground effect in a way. As i said it's by word of mouth & I don't want everyone to wear it just because. I guess i'm being territorial, boitchy.

I'm sitting here at work so i might have a diff view after i get home.

Thanks
C

[kiwi girl]

I guess I'm kind of with CrazyCanuk on this one. There is a vibe about Ground Effect and the buying direct from them is part of the vibe. They don't have any other distributors even here in NZ - it is solely by mail order (drives me crazy when I have ordered something I really want because my office is only two blcoks from theirs and although it always arrives the next day I sometimes wish I could just go and get it). I wouldn't want to deny a great kiwi company an expansion opportunity - but this is from the ground effect website on their views on mail orderhttp://www.groundeffect.co.nz/about-us.htm

[yellow]

Since my first century is about 2 wks away, I figured I'd better get on the ball and get my century knickers ordered.

I called TE today and they tried hard to help me get the Sugoi ones ("Convertible Knicker") since I know and love the Ricaro 2 chamois but it appeared that Sugoi was out, thus they were not available.

Not ready to give up, I did end up finding a pair in my size on "closeout" elsewhere. So I bit the bullet and ordered. Sounds like with the shipping they are about the same price as the witches britches. I ultimately decided to go with Sugoi since I know that the chamois is a good one for me.

Who knows if Sugoi will make them again for Fall 06??

[Susan Otcenas]

Hi yellow,

I have the Fall 2006 catalog in my hot little hands. The Convertible Knicker with the Ricaro2 chamois IS in the Fall '06 catalog. You aren't the first person to ask for it, so I think we will be adding it to our selection in the Fall (we haven't carried it before).

Hope this helps!

Susan

[yellow]

The Convertible Knicker with the Ricaro2 chamois IS in the Fall '06 catalog. You aren't the first person to ask for it, so I think we will be adding it to our selection in the Fall (we haven't carried it before).

Thank you, Susan. I converted from PI to Sugoi and was so disappointed that those durn knickers are so hard to come by.

[yellow]

I called TE today and they tried hard to help me get the Sugoi ones ("Convertible Knicker") since I know and love the Ricaro 2 chamois but it appeared that Sugoi was out, thus they were not available.

Not ready to give up, I did end up finding a pair in my size on "closeout" elsewhere. So I bit the bullet and ordered. Sounds like with the shipping they are about the same price as the witches britches. I ultimately decided to go with Sugoi since I know that the chamois is a good one for me.

Wouldn't cha know it...the place with them on "closeout" just informed me that they are also out... so I'm off to order my WBs. Hope they get here by 2/25!

I'll get a pair of the Sugoi ones in the fall too (assuming I have a job by then)!