Pos

WhatWuzThatBlue · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 06:28pm

Many things changed when Buck died.

Buck was a Schaumburg fireman who revolutionized the umpiring equipment market. He was able to bring some pretty nice products to the customer. His cost was reasonable and they took pride in backing up their gear. He and Sylvia ran that place like it was their home.

He really had a Mom & Pop shop - if you have ever been to his warehouse, you know it is not a SportsAuthority. He donated a ton of gear to everyone from the local LL to Minor League aspirants. He held an annual garage sale every year to unload returns, seconds and close out gear - but he also cut the prices on his first rate stuff. He always gave me boxes of gear to use as handouts at my umpire clinics.

+POS took their first hit when the IHSA switched shirt styles (the button down Elbeco to a pull over). They were left holding the bag witha ton of useless product. Then the wheel of approved shirts started spinning. After that we saw that pants were modified. Each time, they were left with product that was useless to the umpire customer. This and the increased competition took it's toll and we lost Buck a few years ago. His wife is trying to maintain the course, but it is really tragic. They used to be the pinnacle of quality - product and service.

I have bought gear from every one of those mentioned. I have never had a problem with any of them - mainly because I'm a persistent SOB. I don't share the same feelings about +POS as some of you because they have been so good to me for a very long time.

briancurtin · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 07:20pm

i love my BB2000 and my two +POS masks. ive thought about trying some of the wilson/WV products, but im sticking with +POS for those two pieces of equipment for now.

i just drive over and pick them up, so i am the only one that slows the process down. ill make a call in the morning, pick it up later in the day, and i have what i want. i did deal with shipping once when i was out in pennsylvania for school and needed a few things and they took about 2 weeks longer than expected.

Bainer · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 07:25pm

I'm a +POS brat.
As I've posted before, there aren't a lot of suppliers around where I live. Prior to the advent of the internet, your choices were limited to what few items they had at the 'mall', or whatever your association had to give you. At my first 'high-end' clinic, I remember the instructors coming in together decked out in full uniform, covered in +POS logos. I had never seen an umpire bramd before- this was revolutionary. Regardless of the quality, it was what you HAD to have- and my love affair was born!
True, the service may have gone downhill recently, but I have had no real problems with ordering.
I've tried everything they have to offer- including some of the horrible ideas like the plate jersey and the zipper shirt!- and have enjoyed it all.
I've never worn a better plate shoe (+POS high top), or a more protective chest protector (BB2000), or a more comfortable jacket (PLP1- with panels) in my career.
It may not be the cheapest gear, or the highest quality, but I think it's sturdy, well designed, and for my money, it's what I'll continue to wear- I still get the logo put on my pants pockets!

Bainer.

socalblue1 · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 08:21pm

It became very clear that Sylvia was way over her head and very stressed out trying to keep things going. We can only hope that a manager or two that understands customer service and how to run a business are hired before they fold or someone buys the brand name.

Clint Lawson · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 08:50pm

POS is the worst supply company I have ever dealt with!!! They never have anything and if it is on backorder the season will be over before you get it.

WhatWuzThatBlue · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 09:00pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Lawson

POS is the worst supply company I have ever dealt with!!! They never have anything and if it is on backorder the season will be over before you get it.

That's a shame...they are the official supplier to Minor League Baseball. One would think that the AMLU members would be more than grateful. Oops, what did I just write?

socalblue1 · #7 (**permalink**) Thu Jun 15, 2006, 02:20am

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

That's a shame...they are the official supplier to Minor League Baseball. One would think that the AMLU members would be more than grateful. Oops, what did I just write?

+Plus is the official supplier for one reason - price. The shirts and pants fall apart, the jacket zippers break. Most of the umpires end up buying pants from Honigs or Gerry Davis to get through the year.

This year +POS was unable to deliver enough pants to MiLB, forcing them to go to Honigs. At least one pair of pants will last the season.

ozzy6900 · #8 (**permalink**) Thu Jun 15, 2006, 05:00am

My first choice is Gerry Davis Sports.

My Second choice is Honig's.

I have no third choice!

As you can see, +POS doesn't even enter my list! Past experiences proved to me that +POS is one of the worst business's to deal with. I have a couple of +POS lineup sheets left and when they are gone, I will be +POS FREE!

UMP25 · #9 (**permalink**) Fri Jun 16, 2006, 12:08am

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalblue1

+Plus is the official supplier for one reason - price. The shirts and pants fall apart, the jacket zippers break. Most of the umpires end up buying pants from Honigs or Gerry Davis to get through the year.

This year +POS was unable to deliver enough pants to MiLB, forcing them to go to Honigs. At least one pair of pants will last the season.

Except that the guys have the red/white +POS embroidered onto the pants, as their supervisors do not allow them to wear anything but +POS unies. In fact, one of our Association members who's an MiLB umpire explained that if you're seen with non+POS pants, you're downgraded in your evaluation.

ctblu40 · #10 (**permalink**) Thu Jun 15, 2006, 08:49am

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

That's a shame...they are the official supplier to Minor League Baseball. One would think that the AMLU members would be more than grateful. Oops, what did I just write?

WWTB-
Its funny you mentioned that... In the middle of last season a MiLB Umpire I know was promoted mid-season to the MWL. He contact +POS to get 2 extra hats, and he recieved both in November. I have had very poor experiences with +POS service (delays, backorder, wrong merchandise) but I must admit, their pants are awesome! The athletic cut pants seem to fit my big a$$ better than any other.

lawump · #11 (**permalink**) Thu Jun 15, 2006, 08:59am

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

That's a shame...they are the official supplier to Minor League Baseball. One would think that the AMLU members would be more than grateful. Oops, what did I just write?

That's because they (+POS) made a deal with MiLB/PBUC, and not the umpires. We (umpires) were never contacted about our preferences and/or desires. Most of my colleagues at the time were not happy to very displeased with +POS's products/service.

Of course, since I'm no longer a minor league umpire, I cannot speak for current minor league umpires. I can only say that when I was umpiring we felt no need to be "grateful" since we had nothing to do with them becoming the official supplier to MiLB, and most of us did not hide our dislike of their product as compared to other products.

gsf23 · #12 (**permalink**) Thu Jun 15, 2006, 11:37am

I don't know, but I would have a hard time ordering anything from a company called POS.

GarthB · #13 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 08:50pm

I was able to overlook wrong merchandise being delivered.

I was able to overlook delay after delay.

I was able to overlook no reponse to my emails and phone calls.

I was not able to overlook being lied to.

The only equipment I have purchased from Plus POS in the last three years is a Zero Gravity mask which was sent to me, unsolicited, for a trial. I liked it and since it was in hand, I sent them a check. I will never order anything from them again.

BlueLawyer · #14 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 11:00pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarthB

I was able to overlook wrong merchandise being delivered.

I was able to overlook delay after delay.

I was able to overlook no reponse to my emails and phone calls.

I was not able to overlook being lied to.

The only equipment I have purchased from Plus POS in the last three years is a Zero Gravity mask which was sent to me, unsolicited, for a trial. I liked it and since it was in hand, I sent them a check. I will never order anything from them again.

Interesting. Amongst the other things I ordered in February was a ZG mask with tan pads. The tan pads were backordered, so I told them to send me the frame.

In May (!) they sent me the frame- a steel single bar. I immediately recognized it and tested it with a magnet. Sure enough- steel. The ZG is $20 more than the steel. This was after three phone calls assuring me that the black ZG frame was in stock. I thought it was a simple error, but then I called and they said the black ZG was out of stock again. That means either (a) the CS rep lied to me when he/she told me my aluminum ZG was in stock or (b) they took my ZG and gave it to somebody else, then sent me a steel frame, hoping I wouldn't notice. In either event, it's "bad wrong" as we say here in the south.

Strikes and outs!

BigUmp56 · #15 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 14, 2006, 11:07pm

Good luck getting the pads this Summer. I talked to Jason in their customer service department about getting a spare set. He told me that not only were they back ordered, they were now in the wrong country. The back order had been filled by the manufacturer, but the pads were all sent to Europe. Now, instead of getting them sent back to the States via air, the pads are waiting on a dock to be shipped back on a damn boat.

Tim.