New FIRST store in the works!
 

I headed over to the official FRC store today to look at some awesome FIRST swag only to find that the store is undergoing a complete overhaul!

The links at the top of the page look promising- customizable team and event merchandise anyone? Hopefully the partner fundraising link will also provide details on the new eco-friendly programs.

On a side note, the FIRST store (with FTC/FLL gear as well as FRC gear) seems to be down.

Any guesses as to what sorts of new merchandise we can expect?

I'm thinking the usual hats, mugs, lanyards, and other assorted products with team names and numbers on them. Hoping for something truly spectacular though.

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

I think it is to sell kit of parts componnents that are unique to FIRST

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

They should make a deal with AndyMark to sell that stuff for them. That way we keep the legendary AndyMark service. (Like the phone being answered way late on a Sunday night during build season and parts arriving Tuesday morning)

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

I think they already do have somewhat of a deal with AM--field rentals and much of the KOP robot go through AM. Why? Because if FIRST uses it, maybe FIRSTers doing other projects (BattleBots, home-built pitching machines, etc) of that nature decide they want to go with FIRST product X for aspect Y of a project. Right now, they just go to AM--and AM can advertise FIRST to people who just sort of "wander in" looking for something else. Win-win. Why change that?

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

AndyMark is private store. FIRSt should have their own store.The prices in andymark are very high maybe FIRST store will be cheaper

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

I think that may be the first time I've seen FIRST pitched as a potentially cheaper option... :rolleyes:

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

I'm fairly certain from the new site and from the associated FIRST store that this will be primarily merchandise, not KOP items or other items related to building a robot.

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

The FIRST merchandise store is run by LogoLoc (www.logoloc.com), not by HQ. They're a local marketing materials company in Manchester two buildings up the road from Deka. They have many accounts for apparel and branded merch and do their printing in house - thus they get great deals and are able to provide reasonable pricing.

If you've volunteered in CT your t-shirt & badge were picked up at LogoLoc and driven to the event - I see no need for HQ to spend money to ship something to me when I'm across town. I've met many members of the team over there and I can not say enough about how great they are and how much they love what we're doing. I'm looking forward to what they come up with!

Besides, I would rather see Andy & Mark focus on what they're great at, and let someone else print the t-shirts.

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

The last time FIRST lowered a fee, the controller and some other stuff wasn't in the KOP. You won't get them in your KOP next year, as you will no longer be rookies.

If FIRST were to sell FIRST-specific parts, say by making them themselves or buying from a vendor, and they were the only store selling those parts, they could really have high prices. They quite probably would. As a matter of fact, here's what happens when they sell old game pieces...
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=67665
As I recall, the tubes the year before were even worse.

AM tries to keep their costs down. However, you guys being in Israel kind of makes shipping expensive, and that's not exactly under AM's control.

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

The links on the top of the page strongly suggest that this will be a merchandise vendor, NOT a supplier of robot components.

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

Just to be clear - and just in case the word "mechandise" shows up in an SAT question - Andy Mark (and Woot, and WalMart, and...) definitely sells merchandise, in the sense that they offer "goods to be bought and sold".

Narrowing the definition of "merchandise", when used as a noun, to only refer to promotional items is a relatively new mangling of the word that probably should be avoided if you want to avoid confusing people.

When I first read the quoted post I had to sit and think for a minute before I could guess what the heck Tanis meant.

Blake

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

I should have specified what I meant better, my apologies. To me, the word "merchandise" used in this context (while discussing an organization or event) connotes items such as hats, mugs, and t-shirts. I realize that it may not mean the same to others.

As for the SAT- Sorry, won't help anymore! Just a year too late for that one.

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

Add in Customs and the Israeli teams pay almost twice what US teams pay for the KOP and AM shipments.

But they are the greatest group of kids & mentors! And as Chris O'Dowd will tell you, the humous is the best!

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

Well, at the bototm it says the site is sponsored by Logo Loc, which sells FIRST clothing, bag and aparell...so it might not for parts...but I wish it was!

Re: New FIRST store in the works!
 

Looks like the general FIRST store's redesign is done. The FRC-specific store is still under construction though.

I like some of the "Creative Concept" tees, especially the Create, Inspire, Engineer tee.

It appears that First/LogoLoc has also now teamed up with other vendors to produce CustomInk-style apparel. Maybe we will be getting nice discounts if we order through this?

The