WCFC Badges

[kentenigmawcfc]

Hi There,
I am making arrangements to have a series of WCFC enamel pin badges made up for the club for the coming season to help raise funds for the Supporters Trust and thereby ultimately the Club.

I am just curious as to how many of you actually collect club badges, so I can see if I will sell them all to home fans or if I will have any surplus available to sell to any badge collecting visiting fans too.
As this is a project I am funding myself and my first try at anything like this I am being cautious and I am limiting most editions to 100 badges though there will be a few editions of 150.
If demand were great enough I am sure more could be made up later but only if there are a sufficient number of people wanting the badges.
It is my intention to sell all badges for £3.00 with ALL profits to the WCFC Supporters Trust.
Could those who are club badge collectors or maybe interested in collecting some or all of the badges let me know so I can gauge the level of interest amongst fans.
Many thanks

[Tony is not to despondent now.]

I would be interested in purchasing a club badge.

[The Verner]

Kenty im impressed !!

Will take one and no doubt my folks will take one also.

[kentenigmawcfc]

Well I have at least 25 different badges planned so hopefully you may buy more than just one.

[oxford]

Good idea Simon.I'm sure I will see my way clear to purchase some. Will be something to keep for sentimental value when the inevitable happens!

[Deleted]

I wouldn't mind one!

[Deleted]

Its a great idea, but 25 different badges? 100 of each? thats 2500 badges that you'll be paying for upfront (even at 50p a badge you'd be shelling out £1,250 of your own money up front). Thats a lot to shift at £3 a piece. ebay has over 1000 football badges listed and most have no bids, even though they've been listed for 10 days.
Why not start with just one, or two designs? As can be seen above, most people will only buy one, unless they are badge collectors. Lets say 2 visiting supporters of each club in the league buy badges at the club shop. That will shift 50, and a further 100 are sold to City fans, you've still got a away to go to find a market for the other 2300 badges!
Sorry to add a dose of reality. Its a good idea but be careful you don't do like Boddy did with the Centenary book, and order up far too manay, and never cover the cost!

[The Verner]

Jun 13, 2012 7:39:35 GMT Down The Pan said:

Its a great idea, but 25 different badges? 100 of each? thats 2500 badges that you'll be paying for upfront (even at 50p a badge you'd be shelling out £1,250 of your own money up front). Thats a lot to shift at £3 a piece. ebay has over 1000 football badges listed and most have no bids, even though they've been listed for 10 days.
Why not start with just one, or two designs? As can be seen above, most people will only buy one, unless they are badge collectors. Lets say 2 visiting supporters of each club in the league buy badges at the club shop. That will shift 50, and a further 100 are sold to City fans, you've still got a away to go to find a market for the other 2300 badges!
Sorry to add a dose of reality. Its a good idea but be careful you don't do like Boddy did with the Centenary book, and order up far too manay, and never cover the cost!

I agree and disagree with this Brooky......well you know me !!!! Very much depends on the design (s), if theres a St Georges Lane 1905 -2013 badge them im likely to buy a few plus a normal one.

Then weve got things like the Beer Festival and dont forget the amount of kids we have down now usually accompanied by their parents they may purchase some.

Then weve got to think of these MASSIVE crowds we will get this season and not forgetting any left over will cover us for a few seasons away groundsharing.

Like with the Fantasy Football and other things we are doing this season every little helps, the way I look at it would be every badge sold would be £3 more in the Trust account than what we had last year.

Theres also the easyfundraising site which has raised £53.45 so far which is good when you see the percentage we get from each purchase.

The Fantasy Footy is looking like a profit of £50 at the moment but interest may be higher when I put the word out during Pre-Season.

As I say every little helps, so no reason why Kenty's idea wont pay off.

[Deleted]

Jem's right. It's a good idea, but 25 varieties are too many. Start with a club and a Trust one and see how it goes. Otherwise you'll be left with unsold stock.

[kentenigmawcfc]

Thanks for your concern lads and yes I am aware I am taking a financial risk. Why so many well 21 of them will feature our club crest on the left and our opponents (Altrincham, Boston etc, etc,) crest on the right and the legend 'Blue Square North 2012 - 2013'.
Hopefully avid collectors will buy them and having the joint badges on them may well appeal to the away fans.
I don't care whose money I take, be they home or away fans, badge collectors or just casual collectors as long as I shift them and raise money for the Trust and ultimately for the club that is my only aim.

[andy]

There are three different Club badges currently on ebay. I havent bought those, as traditionally I have limited myself to programmes.

I would certainly buy a commemorative SGL badge - 1906-2013 (or whatever it is) - and maybe that is where the 'mass' market is - and could be sold to visiting fans of any club. The tall floodlights/stand could make a distinctive image.

You might sell 500-1,000 of those over the course of a season, and wouldnt the unit costs be lower given that they are all the same? Being unique could also push up the price. I would have thought there would be a good last day marketing opportunity, selling any unsold units at cost/at a premium, depending on your strategy.

[kentenigmawcfc]

Sorry if some think I sound a bit mercenary, but given my location it is hard for me to participate in the more local fund raising efforts bar the Beer Festival and helping out here and there as I can when required.
I therefore racked my brains trying to think of ways I could raise funds and towards the end of last season when I was chatting to Andy at the club shop about my ideas to make up a couple of badges up he suggested someone should set up a little stall as he is regularly asked for club badges from both home and away supporters.
On my various travels around the country, not only watching Worcester I hasten to add, I began to realise that selling badges could be a way to raise some money for the club and something I could take on from home.
Seeing as this is our last year for a while with a home ground of our own, I thought it logical to go out on a high with collectibles people might like to keep. For example I am planning to put a few badges aside to make up display boxes for the all the badges I manage to issue, so the serious collectors can have a full set if they wish.
I know a few others are working on other money raising schemes, so like them my only motivation is the help save this club and raise as much money as I can with your help or as I said before if there is little interest within the club then anyone who wants to buy badges from wherever they are in the country.
If my badges don't float your boat I hope and trust you will all try to support the money raising efforts of the other people and their projects.
Failing that try to think of your own ways of raising funds for the club as every penny helps to ensure our great club has a future and I, despite the large hurdles we have to negotiate in the next few years, still believe the club has a future so lets all make sure that happens!

[andy]

Please dont construe my comments as negative - any fund raising scheme is to be applauded, especially when there are upfront costs to be borne.

I hope the badges prove to be a success.

Was merely commenting on what I might buy myself, given the original question, as I am not a 'traditional' badge collector. I will though now commit to buying from you a limited edition 1906-2013 SGL badge, for somewhere in the 25-50 quid price bracket. Whatever you opt to sell the others for is down to your pricing strategy - in other words, I dont mind if you sell them for less.

[kentenigmawcfc]

Hi Andy,
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Well I was not thinking of selling the centenary ones for that price tempting though your offer might be, they will be the same price as all the others.
If you have surplus you want to spend however then please spend it on one of the other fund raising schemes or at the beer festival, although I due appreciate you already do your bit for the Club anyway as indeed do most of the people who take the time and trouble and interest to come on here.

[Deleted]

£25-50 quid bracket??? Agreed Kentenigma, I think you'd sell just the one at that price!! Maybe one will go at that price on Flog It! in 50 years time!! Stick to the £3 price, and you'll shift them. If you can find a place that will do them in smaller quantities then you'll minimise your personal risk. Get someone to do some free samples, and put them up on the Trust website, link to here, and start taking advanced orders if you can. It'll at least give you an idea of what is likely to sell.
Andy, do you want to buy my limited edition SGL floodlight bulb? Only one careful owner, never raced or rallied, and it might even carry the fingerprints of Dave Boddy! now if a pin badge is worth £50, I'll let you have it at the bargain price of £300 !!

[andy]

Jun 13, 2012 16:41:45 GMT kentenigmawcfc said:

Well I was not thinking of selling the centenary ones for that price tempting though your offer might be, they will be the same price as all the others.

I didnt suggest you sell them at that price. Like I said, you sell them for whatever price you want.

[andy]

Jun 13, 2012 22:10:02 GMT Down The Pan said:

£25-50 quid bracket???

Its an easy way to give 20+ quid to the Trust, isnt it?

Noone needs to invest tens of man hours shopping for little green bendy men and hang around a table trying to sell them to kids to raise the same amount of money.

Not as much fun though ;-)

[Deleted]

correct !!
How about, standard badges sell for £3, special limited editions sell for £5 - however, if people would like to gift an additional £10 to the Trust, then they are welcome to - if there is room on the back, maybe get Carl to sign the gift badges too, to add a little something special to them.

I realise now that my floodlight bulb only has the fingerprints of Colin Layland on it - thats seriously hit the value!! Its now "free to good home" !!

[The Verner]

What about some special edition mugs !! Could use a new one at home and work !!

Not changing the subject in anyway !!

[StopfordianWCFC]

Jun 14, 2012 11:19:33 GMT The Verner said:

What about some special edition mugs !! Could use a new one at home and work !!

Not changing the subject in anyway !!

I need a new mug. After many, many vists to the dishwasher my WCFC mug is rather pale.

A wcfc mug is always useful / amusing for confusing visiting mancunian trades people, when handing them their tea.

PS - I'd buy a badge. The one on my work bag is looking a bit ropey these days.

[kentenigmawcfc]

Hi Guys,
Well I have already looked into mugs, made enqiries and got production prices.
I have not ruled out issing an edition in royal or navy blue with the clubs badge in full colour on both sides, which I am considering doing nearer Christmas time when people are looking for gifts and are more likely to buy things.
If I do proceed with this, what sort of price range would you consider reasonable, given the four colour printing on both sides of the mug, the artwork for which has to be set up costs and the fact it would probably be a limited run of maybe 150 mugs unless I have a firm commitment of interest/orders for more which would reduce the price.

[The Verner]

Jun 14, 2012 13:40:31 GMT kentenigmawcfc said:

Hi Guys,
Well I have already looked into mugs, made enqiries and got production prices.
I have not ruled out issing an edition in royal or navy blue with the clubs badge in full colour on both sides, which I am considering doing nearer Christmas time when people are looking for gifts and are more likely to buy things.
If I do proceed with this, what sort of price range would you consider reasonable, given the four colour printing on both sides of the mug, the artwork for which has to be set up costs and the fact it would probably be a limited run of maybe 150 mugs unless I have a firm commitment of interest/orders for more which would reduce the price.

Start with just 50 mugs, if you get close to selling them all then order a further 50, if you can do that of course.

WCFC Badge - St Georges Lane - 1905-2012. Or Even a picture of St Georges Lane.

Something that people can buy loved ones who support the club who will have something to help remember St Georges Lane.

I need 2 at least so youve only got 48 more to sell

[kentenigmawcfc]

Re the mugs,
It would have to be a minimum of 72 and then multiples of 36 there after It only begins to make economic sense when I order 144 but that is why I wanted to gauge peoples opinion of what they would be prepared and willing to pay for a limited edition mug. £5, £6, £7 etc, etc,
Re the St.George's lane badge will have the legend 'LAST SEASON AT St' GEORGES LANE 1905 - 2013' and it will come in two colour combinations choices white, blue & red or blue, white and kingfisher/turquoise blue.
I am also having a re-run of the 1902 - 2002 Centenary badge made up
plus the already available made 'WCFC AWAY SUPPORT' badge

[Deleted]

For merchandise stuff for the band, i often use this website: www.awesomemerchandise.com/

Its normally the cheapest around and their customer services are amazing.

Also, i cant believe there are no car stickers/bumper stickers. I would definitely have one of those!

[Deleted]

Also, i will happily set up a basic webstore for stuff to be sold from. Its dead easy to keep maintained and i'll offer help running it. Its also free. Just paypal charges, but thats about standard!
Also a good idea for a few extra pounds. SGL Memorial prints. Can be made up for super cheap. £40ish for 100. Sell them for £1/£2.

[kentenigmawcfc]

Hi Lee,
Many thanks for the suggestion of your merchandise supplier and indeed their mugs are a good price compared to most I have looked at however the one I am looking at actually works out cheaper per unit price, plus that is full colour printing onto a coloured mug not the white mugs like this firm offer, if you or indeed anyone else can find or think of any other mug suppliers that might work our cheaper all suggestions will be gratefully received.
I can remember the club having car stickers back in the 70's, so yes I like you am a little surprised no one has re-introduced them. Are there any volunteers who could take that on?
As for the webstore that is something I might like to look into especially if I have trouble shifting badges or the beer festival glasses I've had made up for this years bash.
Plus of course anyone else who has merchandise to sell to raise money for the Trust and/or Club.
It is essential though that anyone selling merchandise for the club makes them aware of your intentions in case they club has any objections or they have plans to issue their own versions. They usually though approve things if you are funding them yourself just remember to keep things tasteful i.e. nothing offensive or that might bring the Clubs good name into disrepute.

Please keep racking your brain though Lee, as you have had quite a few good suggestions over the last few months which I would like to think somebody from our club fan base could take on. The next few years while we are ground sharing are going to be tough for the club with reduced revenue so anything any of us can do to raise funds from here on in to plug that gap are going to be essential. I hope to chat to you at the beer festival when you can chat to me a bit more about how this webstore might operate. Thanks again though for your suggestions it is much appreciated.

[Deleted]

I had a load of car stickers once, they were given to me when the club did a stock clearance, they hardly sold many of the ones they had made up, although again, I think they overestimated the appetite of the market.

[oxford]

I remember those.I had one but never saw any other vehicle with one on.I know I don't see as many cars in the City as someone who is resident but you would have thought that, at the very least, a few would be visible around the area of the ground on match days but no!

[prestonwcfc]

lol i want a car sticker !!!

[prestonwcfc]

Simon - re the specialist buyers I know at least 2 clubs who have done this in the past. FC united did it for each game in their 1st season i think. Might be worth speaking to RW re doing a programme and badge deal. eg both for a fiver
Also I know Bamber Bridge did them for high profile games against teams like FC united and also for pre season games v league teams