I went to Cal's store to buy a Cal hat and it was $40. I thought that was pretty expensive for a hat so I looked around and got an identical hat from a reputable site for 1/2 the price. I actually wouldn't have minded paying a bit more ..but that's pretty outrageous up sell there. Anyone got reasons why Cal is boning itself with their prices?

Cal probably gets 5% of that selling price with their licensing deal so that's $2 per hat versus $1 for a $20 hat. Gonna have to sell a lot of hats if we think that's gonna help with the financial issues.

To make up lost sales from alums like me. Five years ago I returned something in the manner they told me over the phone to do. It was a $50 shirt for my wife. They never sent the replacement and did not follow up with my requests related to this. ASUC was a place to always spend $100-$250 after each home game, esp if my kids were with me. I still buy Cal gear near campus, but haven't been back to ASUC in several years.

TheSouseFamily;842847660 said:

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Cal probably gets 5% of that selling price with their licensing deal so that's $2 per hat versus $1 for a $20 hat. Gonna have to sell a lot of hats if we think that's gonna help with the financial issues.

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I'd guess licensing fees do not scale with the actual sale price, but with either msrp or wholesale revenue (because there is no way either side is tracking sale prices). $1-2 per item sounds about right for the $20-$40 range. The extra cash the ASUC store chsrges does not find its way to Cal's pocket, but to the thr ASUC and to expenses in running a brick and mortar location. If one knows a brands sizing buying online makes sense. With stuff that has to be tried on - and i feel like hats are particualrly variable - i've learned its more of a headacne to buy online and i'll just bite the bullet and pay full retail.

When online stores like fanatics run their 25% off sales w/ free shippimg, its definitely hard for a brick and mortar stpre to compete.

I'd presume Cal Athletics doesnt care who sells an item, so selling the biggest quantity is the best way to make money.

For the last 15 years at least, Bancroft clothing across the street has always been 75% lower priced for Cal gear. I can't stomach the student store prices. It's for the tourists

CalBear04;842847691 said:

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For the last 15 years at least, Bancroft clothing across the street has always been 75% lower priced for Cal gear. I can't stomach the student store prices. It's for the tourists

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Really you can get a Cal under armour golf shirt for $15? Gotta check it out.But honestly, Bancroft sells off brands and a lot of cheap gear that doesn't last. And yes Nike and UA make a huge amount of money marking up goods that cost a few cents more and sell for tens of dollars more.

I'm not gonna tell anyone how to spend money, but obviously the notion that Bancroft is 75% cheaper is total hyperbole.

I am also not going to tell people to buy UA gear (some of their stuff is straight up ugly just like Nike), but they are giving Cal Athletics $3 million cash per year, and more in free product, so they are expecting to make that back somewhere from Cal fans buying gear. At the same time, they are making more on the top. Obviously, it would be better for the athletic department if one buys dirt cheap gear and gives the difference to athletics, but does that really happen like that? Outside of the maybe top 1000 donors, Cal doesn't get that much from the general masses.

TouchedTheAxeIn82;842847647 said:

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If Cal is actually hoping to make a dent in the deficit by charging double the price for items, we are in a lot of trouble. When you mark up prices that much, you end up making far fewer sales because people are smart enough to shop around.

High price is one thing, but there's still very little selection of the new Under Armour design apparel at the student store and the Cal Bears online shop run by Fanatics. I get that it's summer, but long sleeves are needed in San Francisco year round and there's still no long sleeve shirt or full zip jacket available. I'm not sure what the though process is behind a big ballyhooed launch and then leaving your customers hanging.

CaliforniaEternal;842847766 said:

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High price is one thing, but there's still very little selection of the new Under Armour design apparel at the student store and the Cal Bears online shop run by Fanatics. I get that it's summer, but long sleeves are needed in San Francisco year round and there's still no long sleeve shirt or full zip jacket available. I'm not sure what the though process is behind a big ballyhooed launch and then leaving your customers hanging.

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http://www.fanatics.com/COLLEGE_Cal_Bears_Under_Armour/Cal_Bears_Under_Armour_Alt_Logo_Quarter-Zip_Tech_Jacket_-_Navy

and sure for comparison, here is the UA/fanatics selection for Maryland:

http://www.fanatics.com/COLLEGE_Maryland_Terrapins_Under_Armour/pg/1/ps/72/so/no_sort

Some terrible ugly stuff there, but the Cal stuff (if it ever comes out) will probably be similar with obviously less freaking nasty red.

I have a radical idea to make a lot of money:

Get a former Cal athlete who's nationally famous, make a bobblehead of him doing something utterly crazy and iconic from his days at Cal.

Sell the bobblehead for $40 to $50 each, but make it available for sale the moment you unveil it.

You would have a lot of people all over the country buying this bobblehead.

Heck, I could see hundreds of thousands of people forking over money for this product.


So, what do you guys think of my Whaboom bobblehead idea?

Cal doesn't run the student store--it is run by an independent company, with a percentage of the profits going to ASUC. The university gets nothing (except rent).

1979bear;842847665 said:

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To make up lost sales from alums like me. Five years ago I returned something in the manner they told me over the phone to do. It was a $50 shirt for my wife. They never sent the replacement and did not follow up with my requests related to this. ASUC was a place to always spend $100-$250 after each home game, esp if my kids were with me. I still buy Cal gear near campus, but haven't been back to ASUC in several years.

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UrsaMajor;842847778 said:

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Cal doesn't run the student store--it is run by an independent company, with a percentage of the profits going to ASUC. The university gets nothing (except rent).

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I remember there being some sort of ASUC Store scandal in the late 90s, which resulted in Follett taking over.
http://www.dailycal.org/2014/07/31/cal-student-store-move-location-change-vendors/

OK, here's the story about why a private vendor took over 2 decades ago...

(I wish the Daily Cal's comprehensive coverage of this was still online.)

TouchedTheAxeIn82;842847647 said:

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The stadium has absolutely nothing to do with ASUC Store prices!The cost overuns for the new ASUC buildings may be a reason, however. You think the ASUC is giving money to athletics?:rollinglaugh: Other than a nominal licensing fee, athletics take from the ASUC store is nothing. They have always overcharged and I would pay more too, but their prices are ridiculous. They're forgetting what a 100% of zero equates to...Bueller? There are three other local options, within a block, that has as good or better stuff and the internet. I believe the Cal Alumni Association members get 10% off ASUC stuff; it used to be 20%. On Mondays, following football games, there are substantial discounts(ASUC Store and maybe Follet) related to the number of touchdowns Cal scores the previous Saturday. I remember getting 30-40% off on a Monday during the Fall.

Charging $40 for a hat available elsewhere for considerably less is just plain stupid.

Bear19;842847873 said:

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Charging $40 for a hat available elsewhere for considerably less is just plain stupid.

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You obviously aren't a Big Baller. A $40 hat is nothing for the BBB.

okaydo;842847779 said:

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I remember there being some sort of ASUC Store scandal in the late 90s, which resulted in Follett taking over.
http://www.dailycal.org/2014/07/31/cal-student-store-move-location-change-vendors/

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Follet had a falling out with the ASUC regarding the new ASUC and its location in 2014, I believe. Follet has its store across the street where it had the temporary ASUC store was located and the ASUC Store is in the new facility. Follet no longer is the ASUC vendor to the best of mt knowledge.