You're looking at this all wrong...
 

I'm delighted to have another business expense for a tax write-off. The more I buy the more I save! :rolleyes:

With one of the big Cliff Keen resellers in the state, I've been wondering if this day is coming. So far, so good (for us).

Although, I'll be honest, it really wouldn't bother me. I buy new stuff regularly and one thing this kind of effort does is force people to replace stuff that should've been replaced years earlier. If it drives people out of officiating, it's probably driving the right people out. It's the kickback part and the exclusivity and the resulting inflated prices that bother me.

(I already pay those prices for NCAA football shirts because I like the sublimated placards and logos -- but that's my choice -- I can get the shirts from other vendors with traditional placards and flag/conference patches cheaper.)

IAABO state here, which means we have to have shirts with IAABO patches. That means (exclusively) Honig's for shirts. Due to that excusivity, I buy EVERYTHING else from ANYWHERE else.

In our area, we all have to have new jackets, for next season. And, you guessed it, there's only one supplier . . .