Mumsnet calls for an end to Premiership kit rip-off

[KatieMumsnet]

As you might have seen we're writing to Premiership clubs, asking them to stop ripping off young fans with their replica kits. When we did our Family Friendly survey back in February 80% of you who responded said they thought football club merchandise ripped off families. We've now done the maths and the average Premiership kit for an eight year old retails at almost £60, rising to £80+ if you include getting the latest logos and player names. We know a similar (non-branded) kit at M&S costs £27, so are asking (very nicely of course) if the Premiership clubs couldn't produce a more affordable kit for their junior fans as they do for their toddlers.

As JustineMumsnet said in our press release "it's really hard to be the parent who says 'no' to the requests for the latest kits but these days you need a small fortune to buy a complete replica."

We'll keep you updated as the clubs respond to our letter, but let us know your thoughts, and of course if you want to tweet your club in support, that would be fine and lovely.

Support grassroots/non-premiership football and you won't have to fork out for expensive kits?
Makes me mad when I know there is a Prem game on & I see a kid in full kid/shirt in the shopping centre etc.

Signed,
Slightly biased, Championship team supporting, Horse x

Firstly As a Football fan myself i have no problem paying for the shirt
I personally think that its not hard to say "NO" to your kids ... grow a pair and stand up to them... there children if you say "NO" then it means "NO" dont let them get to you and then start complaning about the costs...
im sorry but you moan about "rip off" kits and yet kids want all the latest tech such as PS3 (£300) Xbox360 (£200 not including xbox live at £44 a year)
as well as this games are £40-£50 new and any were up to £40 pre-owned so to say that "football kits are rip offs" is clearly wrong and in all honesty you should say "NO" ... its one rule for the mums who pay £50 on make up and £60 on shoes ... thats extortionat prices .. but for a shirt,shorts,sock for £62 thats good value and if your kids want names and badges then tell them to "WAIT"
the name and number at manchester city is £12 and the prem badges is £5 if you get a FREE accses card from the club you get a 5% discount on the shirt any way... i recently purchased the new away kit for my boyfreind which was £45 for the shirt
£12 for toure yaya (city player)
£5 for the badges

because he was a member he got 10% meaning it cost £59 not £62
stop being moany old biddys and look after your kids grow a set and stand up to them and say "NO" dont be harrasing the PL clubs there bigger then you and wont listen to the minority

this is making mn look daft,and bit tub thumpy about sweet fa

agreed its making these people looks stuipd so far its all over a group im part off on facebook saying you need to stop moaning and look after your children lke i said you give into them when they want £200-£300 games consoles but moan about a £63 kit...

:O i also forgot to mention .... manchester city Offical site sells the adult kit for £45 ... littelwoods sell the kit for £62 and very.co.uk sell it for £50 no including P&P ... geting it from the shop is cheaper

Amazon are selling the "apparant" new 2011/12 manchester city home shirt for £66.59

although it that is the "new" kit manchester city will sell it for £45

I'm disappointed Mumsnet are backing this campaign as there's a very simple rule on this - If you cannot afford it you cannot buy it whether it's for you, your child or anybody else. There will always be somebody who cannot afford something and to back this when so many mums clearly find it spurious is disappointing,

OTOH maybe we could have a campaign to ask Mulberry to reduce the cost of their handbags for those of us who fancy one, don't have the spare money lying around but don't feel capable of saying no to ourselves! :)

There is a huge difference in asking a survey question "is X a rip off" and the question "do you want us to campaign to reduce the price of X". I think 95% of MNetters would say caviar, Louis Roederer Crystal Champagne and Hermes handbags were rip offs. On the other hand they would also feel that people have a right to be ripped off on a totally discretionary item. It seems from the above posts that about 80-90% of the comments are against the campaign, yet you are still persisting.

That makes it more of a Justine and Katie campaign rather than a "MN" campaign if you believe that MN is the community that supports it rather than just the board of MN. I sense a certain arrogance here. Maybe you should have a rethink and stop this one?

And where exactly is all the marketing to the children - its not as if every corner shop they go in they sell the kit. Its just not in the same league as your other more thought out and relevant campaigns.

There is a huge difference in asking a survey question "is X a rip off" and the question "do you want us to campaign to reduce the price of X".

I agree completely larrygrylls.

X is a rip off therefore I either don't buy X or I choose to spend a lot of money on X knowing that I am buying into some kind of myth rather than buying it because it is good value for money. I don't complain that people charge too much for X because they are not in business to provide me with all my desires, they are in business to make a profit and clearly someone is happy to pay that much.

Completely agree Larry.

You worded what I've been trying to say (and failing) brilliantly.

How about a campaign to reduce the price of nappies? I'm sure they cost hardly anything to produce, vs what Pampers charge for them. Or (dare I say it) formula? A complete rip-off.

IPhones? Designer perfumes? Nike trainers? The list goes on and on.

I do think the shirts are pricey to buy BUT my 9 y o ds wears it all the time (I have to sneak it off him to wash lol).

Manchester City now charge £35 for just the junior shirt, the shorts are £25 now and socks are £10 . My ds will be allowed the shirt for Christmas or his birthday!

Just because it isn't as worthy as other causes doesn't mean it's a waste of time. Surely it's worth the price of one of Mumsnet's stamps?

justabout.

I think your post sounds a bit pompous tbh.

not pompous.spot on.mn way off mark on this

I think the campaign is already dead in the water. One quick Google will show that it has very little support from the people it supposedly comes from.

Agree wholeheartedly with Larry & Justabout.

this ill conceived campaign is best abandoned now
before any one remembers about it

I've always found that pomposity is something to be avoided at all cost, whatever your profession. The fury that this issue has created has been weird. It's like people are loving throwing punches at mnhq

Restrained yes, but still weird

oh dont exaggerate"throwing punches at mn" shocking chest puffing
look if you want to do what mnhq instructs,then by all means do
but face it plenty dont share this indignant misplaced ire

Me. Exaggerate. Never...