Why would some coaches do this?

[coachjwb]

As a lot of you know, I do wristband systems for teams. It's really just a hobby more than anything for me. It will be 2 years ago in September when I started doing them after we started seeing such systems more and more in D1 softball. There's a couple of companies out there that sell systems/software to teams but by the time you'd pay for the wristbands and such, they could easily cost $300-500. I developed a way to do it on my own, and found a source where I could buy inexpensive wristbands pretty cheaply in bulk quantity. So I offered to start doing customized systems for teams, and have sold 140 such systems during this time, with most teams spending $100-125, making it affordable for most travel and school programs if they want to go this route. By the time I pay for the wristbands and shipping and printer ink, etc., I make about $35 a system not counting the time I spend on doing the systems, talking to coaches to make sure I can provide what they want, running to the post office, etc. But it's kind of fun for me ... keeping me involved talking to coaches, coming up with new ideas, and getting some nice feedback from time to time from the coaches. Plus I give a small % of my proceeds to Stay in Softball, which I think is a great organization which I really want to support as much as I can.

So anyhow, this is a low budget operation for me ... I didn't set up to do Paypal or anything, and 90% of the time the coaches/organizations send me a check, and I have their system ready to send out as soon as I get the check. So here's my rant, just more than anything a real disappointment. Sometimes if I talk to a coach on the phone and they're in real bind time-wise, I have shipped out the systems before receiving their checks. I did this several times here in late May when travel season was getting started, including to 3 teams here in Ohio who have yet to pay me ... two of them I shipped 6 weeks ago, and one 4 weeks ago, and I have got multiple "stories" from them that the check is in the mail, and I trust them and I wait, and no check. It's obvious at this point in time that at least 2 of the 3 have no intention to pay me, and the chances of me recovering anything once their seasons are over soon is close to nothing. Shame on me for trusting these coaches and organizations, and not setting up Paypal, trying to save a little hassle and cost. If I don't receive anything for the 3 of these, I will have to sell like the next 10 systems just to recover my cost. To be honest, I am thinking about quitting doing them altogether because I can't afford to take a loss on them, and I'm just so disappointed that Ohio coaches would do this to me.

Anyhow, just a rant ...

 

[SheThrowsHeat]

Extremely sorry to hear this coachjwb. I would say that you just need to explain to any new coaches calling in to order that you need to get their payment prior to starting on the order since some organizations have ripped you off. I think they will understand. And, many would have named names on here and I am impressed with you not doing so. I just hope the coaches that stiffed you appreciate it as well.

 

[okiedad1961]

As a lot of you know, I do wristband systems for teams. It's really just a hobby more than anything for me. It will be 2 years ago in September when I started doing them after we started seeing such systems more and more in D1 softball. There's a couple of companies out there that sell systems/software to teams but by the time you'd pay for the wristbands and such, they could easily cost $300-500. I developed a way to do it on my own, and found a source where I could buy inexpensive wristbands pretty cheaply in bulk quantity. So I offered to start doing customized systems for teams, and have sold 140 such systems during this time, with most teams spending $100-125, making it affordable for most travel and school programs if they want to go this route. By the time I pay for the wristbands and shipping and printer ink, etc., I make about $35 a system not counting the time I spend on doing the systems, talking to coaches to make sure I can provide what they want, running to the post office, etc. But it's kind of fun for me ... keeping me involved talking to coaches, coming up with new ideas, and getting some nice feedback from time to time from the coaches. Plus I give a small % of my proceeds to Stay in Softball, which I think is a great organization which I really want to support as much as I can.

So anyhow, this is a low budget operation for me ... I didn't set up to do Paypal or anything, and 90% of the time the coaches/organizations send me a check, and I have their system ready to send out as soon as I get the check. So here's my rant, just more than anything a real disappointment. Sometimes if I talk to a coach on the phone and they're in real bind time-wise, I have shipped out the systems before receiving their checks. I did this several times here in late May when travel season was getting started, including to 3 teams here in Ohio who have yet to pay me ... two of them I shipped 6 weeks ago, and one 4 weeks ago, and I have got multiple "stories" from them that the check is in the mail, and I trust them and I wait, and no check. It's obvious at this point in time that at least 2 of the 3 have no intention to pay me, and the chances of me recovering anything once their seasons are over soon is close to nothing. Shame on me for trusting these coaches and organizations, and not setting up Paypal, trying to save a little hassle and cost. If I don't receive anything for the 3 of these, I will have to sell like the next 10 systems just to recover my cost. To be honest, I am thinking about quitting doing them altogether because I can't afford to take a loss on them, and I'm just so disappointed that Ohio coaches would do this to me.

Anyhow, just a rant ...

Sorry to hear that coach,were's the Sam Kinisen Name them poster when you need them.Sad state of our sport w these bots rip you off.

 

[Shane]

Extremely disappointing to hear such a story. What a great service you provide and at a cost many travel teams can afford. I tend to agree with "SheThrowsHeat", it seems payment must come first and future coaches will just have to understand your position as the product provider.

 

[JoeA1010]

Wow. I wonder if some have just forgotten? Speaking of that, did I pay? I sure hope so. When we need to pay by check, that can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of things since I'm used to paying nearly everything with a credit card.

 

[daboss]

What's the old saying "No good deed goes unpunished." It only takes 1 to ruin it for everyone. Here's a good soul trying to contribute in their own way to the game and see how this ends up. Man up and pay your bills!!! Nonpayment is the same as theft.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

I would attempt to contact organization's president - so giving every opportunity to settle.......And if still no Dough - THEN
NAME THEM!!!

Everyone should know the weasels out there!

 

[Hilliarddad3]

How about just learn signs and save money??? If the other team figures it out, change them.......

 

[coachjwb]

Thanks for the notes all ... in one case, I have reached for the organization president, and am hoping that will help resolve things, but I believe it's a matter of the coach having knowingly gone over their budget and being responsible for these expenses. In another case, I just found out that it was an assistant coach who arranged everything with me, and the head coach said he thought they had been paid for and will take care of it. In the third case that's not as old, I am still waiting to hear back on a recent note I sent them, but I will be reaching to the head of the organization soon. At least two of the organizations are fairly good sized and well thought of ones.

Joe ... yes, Hillsdale paid promptly!

Hilliarddad ... there are many reasons why teams use wristbands but I won't hijack my own thread to promote that. I know quite a few coaches though have told me though that they would never go back.

 

[HITTER23]

DO WE LIKE NONPAYERS????? NOOOOOOOO... NAME THEM,NAME THEM !!!! OOHH, OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

[okiedad1961]

DO WE LIKE NONPAYERS????? NOOOOOOOO... NAME THEM,NAME THEM !!!! OOHH, OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Thanks Hitter ,Just what we needed

 

[Jw04coach]

Hopefully you received my payment! I do appreciate the quick shipment of the bands but unfortunately not everyone is true to their word when it comes to take now and pay later.

 

[Bill S]

Kudos to you for trusting your fellow coaches. Personally, I would not ship before receipt of payment, which could be a few minutes using PayPal.

Time bind = lack of planning = not my problem.

 

[coachjwb]

Bill ... that was my firm policy originally but I guess I got soft when I got paid 100% of the time with the first 130 orders I did, of which maybe only 10-20 were shipped in advance of payment.

Rest assured that those who haven't paid know who they are and I've reached for them at least a half dozen times each. So if you haven't heard from me, you are good and thank you!

 

[Bill S]

As they say...No good deed goes unpunished.

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

Why would it be such an emergency that they would need to have them shipped urgently before receipt of payment?? Not diminishing the system by any means Im just saying the sport survived 100 years without it, what is another week of using an indicator and touching your nose?

People who breech trust ruin it for everybody. Don't be a d$%&, pay your bills!

 

[The3dm]

Jeff,

Nice guys finish last.....

I have gotten burned so many times I can not count, but to stop doing what makes you feel good just gives the bums a bigger win. If you don't know them, cash upfront (at least enough to cover your cost) has to be the way.

Doug

 

[FastBat]

This is terrible. Sorry to hear, but glad you shared, we all need a reminder from time to time not all softball people are "good" people. Most are wonderful, some not so much.

 

[DynastyFastpitch]

Coachjwb,

If you set up a paypal account, I will donate 10 dollars to you. If all the users here will follow, hopefully we can take care of your losses. It's a shame that happened but hopefully this softball community can help you. Keep doing great things!

 

[coachjwb]

Oh, gosh ... thanks so much, Dynasty, but I have to decline. I am fine financially ... there are so many great causes out there including Stay in Softball ... it's really more just a matter of disappointment. Again, that was very kind of you to offer though.