Checkmate goodies.... Bad news

[karzrus]

Man do I wish I had good news,

My Daughter-in-law tried to buy me a couple of Checkmate hats for my birthday. She tried to do it last year but ran out of time, so this year she started trying to do it two months ago. Called the factory, got a second phone # to call, the lady she talked to was not much help, either last year with too little time or this year with tons of it? Hats and shirts should be available, right? I'm a bit bummed out. Happy my family wants to get me cool gifts, but can't figure out how Checkmate could let this slip, especially under the new ownership.

I know a few of you here custom make Checkmate stuff as a side business. We wanted to support the factory, but not incompetence. If you have CM logo goodies post your contact info or PM me, I'll pass it on to my family and maybe get a great surprise next year.

Hope someone in charge at Checkmate looks into this a little, I'd want all the business sales I could get, if I owned the brand.

 

[jazzy]

I know if you want hustler stuff, you have to call the factory and tell them what you want and they have it made for you, nothing really stocked and last I looked they ditched that portion of the website. Maybe they're headed that way with cm?

 

[82 Predictor]

I had the same problem with hustler stuff it is all custom order. They used to have kick ass merchandise but jazzy is right it is gone now.

 

[keith4216]

Thats not good.
I got a bunch of swag 2 yrs ago from them. The wife called and talked to I beleive a lady that was very helpful and got the stuff out on short notice for Christmas.
They must not be stocking as much anymore.

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Fountain was the King of marketing! Not only did he advertise like crazy, promote racing and aggressively protect his branding of the name "Fountain", he also had a full line of clothing that each dealer had to carry. Hats, mens, ladies, shirts, shorts, jewelery, etc. I still have some old Fountain clothing from years past. Even Active Thunder had embroided Polo style shirts. (I still have those also!). The only thing I have by Checkmate is a baseball cap. (Which I cherish and wear proudly when I'm on the boat!)

 

[karzrus]

Ball caps, Polo and Tee Shirts, Towels. Between my Brithday and Christmas I'd likely have a combination of that stuff, if it were available. I am so bummed out.

They looked into having them made locally after CM couldn't supply them, template fees are $50 on top. So two hats were a little pricey at that point.

When I get a little less busy, I may check and see if I can get a few different items embroidered for one template fee? At least then I'd have exactly what I want.

 

[sim]

I'm betting that Spence has a few nonofficial Checkmate shirts still around from Chesapeake weekends.
I've probably got nearly a dozen in assorted sizes.
Used.
Very pricey and collectible.
Knarloid's got one with bird poop. Priceless.

 

[ezstriper]

we have been doing shirts for several years now, never got into the hat deal, takes a special press...

 

[MissBehavin]

My wife got me a Checkmate jacket for Christmas. She used http://www.companycasuals.com/checkmatepowerboats (Sport Gear link from www.checkmatepowerboats.net) She even ordered a jacket style not available on the website and they custom embroidered. Whole order took about 2 weeks. She said the contact person Sue took a day or two to get back to her with info initially, but they were very busy processing orders for Christmas. Package shipped from Bucyrus, I'm assuming from the factory?

 

[SCT]

I always thought companies should give their t-shirts/coozies/towels/etc away at cost or free. The little they make on merchandising is nothing compared to a happy/future customer advertising around the lake for free!