cheap West Vest

[lmathews19]

For any of you who are interested...Amazon has the original brand new "West Vest" on sale for $29.99. I know it's pretty bulky and lacks in protection in the under arm area, but you can't beat that price. You could even sell it on ebay for at least $80 or $90. Other websites are selling it for $100 plus. Click on the link below to see.

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-West-Ve...sporting-goods

By the way, has anybody tried out the Champion or Pro-nine chest protectors that resemble the honig's K1? I figured they are not as good quality as the K1, but I was thinking about getting one for when I do younger kids. Also, what's a good, cheap pair or leg guards? I already have the west vest gray shins, but was looking for something less bulky for when I do youth ball. Thanks alot

Luke

[DG]

I was thinking the original was by Douglas. But I guess it's still a good buy for what it is.

[kylejt]

I ordered a couple of them, and I'll report back when I get them. Delivery will be after Christmas.

[U of M Sam]

I use the Pro 9 CP and am happy with it overall. Much less $ than the Honig's K1.
Ordered the inexpensive WV tonight-should get by end of Dec. 06.
Curious how this will compare to my Pro 9 CP.
Sam

[lmathews19]

DG: I think the original is by Douglas...my mistake. It just seems when I see this model on other websites it is labeled as "original". But in reality, this one and the Douglas one are pretty much the exact same thing.

For those of you who are ordering them, let us how how they turn out. For some reason I want to be skeptical b/c how could they sell such a quality, expensive chest protector at such a cheap price? Also, it has the suggested retail at only $65, while other websites have it as at least $90 and many well over $100. I would order one, but I already have the west vest platinum and I love it (though for some reason I can't get the top to tighten anymore and need it to be a little tighter...I'm not small...about 6'0 190lbs.)

thanks for the advice on the pro-9. Surely there has to be some catch there as well. How can you sell a chest protector that resembles the K1 for about $100 cheaper? The quality surely isn't as good. Also, please give me some leg guard feedback, I don't want to pay $70 or $80 for a pair b/c I already have a good pair, but I'm looking for a pair to wear for youth ball and am willing to spend about $40 (does anybody have an opinion on the itech umpire shins...I believe they are discontinued now). Thanks alot, keep us updated on the west vest on amazon.

Luke

[DG]

Originally Posted by lmathews19

For those of you who are ordering them, let us how how they turn out. For some reason I want to be skeptical b/c how could they sell such a quality, expensive chest protector at such a cheap price?

I have ordered a bunch of stuff from Amazon and I have never had a problem.

[DG]

I ordered one last night. It is supposed to arrive by Friday. I am happy with the one I have but my oldest son could use a new one, and if it arrives by Friday it will be good timing. We will see.

[SanDiegoSteve]

The one on Amazon is the exact same one that sells for $109.00 on Baseball Plus, so it is probably a really good deal.

[ozzy6900]

Guys, ask yourselves why the price is so low? These are the original WV markings, probably made by Wilson. If they are, they are discontinued. This means no support! If something breaks or fails, you are on your own!

[kylejt]

Hey, for thirty bones delivered, I'll take that chance. My old WV hasn't needed much service in the last five years. I'm keeping one as a backup, and donating the other to my local LL youth umpire program.

Let's see, if I report a $109 donation to the IRS, I'm just about even......

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Guys, ask yourselves why the price is so low? These are the original WV markings, probably made by Wilson. If they are, they are discontinued. This means no support! If something breaks or fails, you are on your own!

You could buy one to wear and two for parts and still come out ahead.

[DG]

Many day to day decisions are about risk. I was on a conference call today discussing a million dollar decision. Someone said "what if all our information is wrong and we select the wrong product". My response was "throw 'em in the ocean and start over". You use the best information you have and sometimes evaluate risk. And $30 is not a lot of risk. I ordered one for my son. If it is crap I lose about the same amount as a bet on a football game.

[ozzy6900]

I simply have a problem donning a $29 piece of equipment that is supposed to protect me from a 90 MPH fast ball!

[DG]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I simply have a problem donning a $29 piece of equipment that is supposed to protect me from a 90 MPH fast ball!

I would be too if the $29 item was a long sleeve turtleneck. But this is supposed to be a quality product, ON SALE. My chest protector cost $85, regular price, and I have no problems with it and have taken some 90 MPH fast balls off it. So if this one is equal to the one I have it should be fine. If not I throw it in the ocean and start over.

[kylejt]

I was just looking at my WV Platinum and wondering. What if it wasn't one of the best around, didn't a have a pro endorsement and such a small market. I mean it's just some plates of plastic, foam, cheap rivets, velcro and woven straps. If WalMart sold the thing, what would it cost? $20-30, probably.

And how about the +POS plate coat in my closet. Three bills for that thing?! Pa-leeze. I mean it's a quality garment, but JC Penny would sell it $79.

Look, we're a very small, niche market that is forced to overpay for our specialized gear. I just thank my lucky electrons that Al Gore invented the internet so I can get my stuff waaaay cheap.

The picture of the protector looks exactly like the Douglas I sold on eBay for $175. Some umpires will by anything.