Equipment Frustrations!

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Register Log in
Dave619

Dave619

Jan 8, 2013
334
18
South Carolina
I have to admit, I am not the best shopper out there and I do prefer shopping online vs going to a store. With a lot of DDs equipment we buy I would like for her to try it on or get a feel for it.

The problem is all of the sporting goods stores around (big chain stores) us are absolutely terrible and NONE of them carry any softball equipment beyond what a 8 year old rec. league girl would use. We basically stick to the same brands in cleats, gloves, pants, etc. because I know how that brand fits her.

I hate to go through the process of buying, not fitting or what she wants, and shipping it back to the vendor. What is the best places you have found to buy your DDs softball equipment either online or in a store?
 
Orange Socks

Orange Socks

Dec 2, 2013
3,419
113
Texas
I agree, the big box stores suck in a major way. Unless you are looking for crappy pleather balls in a crappy bucket, pink gloves, pink bats, eye black, score books and yoga pants that is the place to go. Depending on where you live, you need to find a local "mom and pop" dealer to find decent high quality softball equipment. The issue I have found, is that you might pay more to buy at the mom and pop stores, but they have it right there. If you are watching your dollars, you can always touch, try on, swing the product that you are interested and then go online to price compare. There are many reputable online sources.
 
RubberBiscuit

RubberBiscuit

Dec 7, 2011
2,368
38
This always amazed me too. Do the big box stores make more $ on the pleather balls and gloves and the top-of-the-line $65 bat than a profile that might carry a small amount of high-end stuff for the TB player EVEN if they place a larger margin on them?

Over the many many years of TB there have been so many times when I came back from a weekend tourney deperate to find a replacement shoe/glove/bat that self-destructed that I would have maybe paid double if I could get my hands physically on the item right away.

I am sure I am missing something with the business case.....
 
Eric F

Eric F

May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
The larger sporting goods chains in my area carry a small amount of moderate-decent gear in their stores (including good-quality balls), but 90% of my shopping is done online unless it's something I need immediately.
 
sbmom19

sbmom19

Mar 20, 2014
918
28
Northwest
We have the same problem so I am all about free return shipping. We have a Dick's Sporting Goods about 60 miles away that carries some softball stuff but the nice thing is that if you buy it online (which has a much better selection) and it doesn't work then you can return it to the store. The only online store that I have found that does free return shipping is Softball Rampage Fastpitch & Slowpitch Softball Bats, Softball Gloves, Batting Gloves & More - SoftballRampage.com - great selection and prices plus their customer service department is super nice to work with. I had to order 8 different catchers helmets before we found one that fit the DD's melon just right...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

LEsoftballdad
Bat advice
2 3 4
Replies
32
Views
7K
ronaldos
R
H
Use of equipment
2
Replies
15
Views
3K
uncdrew
U
Westwind
Travelpro Crew on sale
Replies
0
Views
568
Westwind
Westwind
F
Ghost models - please explain!
2
Replies
10
Views
4K
CoreSoftball20
CoreSoftball20
S
Small hand glove help.
2 3
Replies
23
Views
5K
Snoman333
S

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 333 (members: 3, guests: 330)

Forum statistics

Threads
42,869
Messages
680,170
Members
21,491
Latest member
coach101

Share this page

Top