Adidas unveiled its new All Blacks' jersey with a hefty price tag attached of $220. Adidas has refused to lower the wholesale price, while at the same time asked some websites to remove New Zealand as a delivery option – stopping New Zealanders buying the jersey from overseas at a lower price.
In response, New Zealand retailer Rebel Sport has knocked $50 off the price of the Rugby World Cup replica All Blacks jersey, taking it to $170.
SunLive went to the streets to find out what people thought of the price tag and asked what was a fair price to pay for the jersey.
Basically what they are doing on the net, that is a fair price. Pretty shocking what adidas are doing, but they are a big company and so will survive anyway regardless of anything.
Andrew Donnely, Rotorua.
I am not really into rugby, but I think that if the shops want to lower their price then it is up to them.
Lehandra Wade, Brookfield.
I think they are too expensive and I think somewhere around the $120-$130 mark I would pay.
Raewyn Kirkman, Hamilton.
I think the prices are pretty much of a rip off – mainly because you can buy it overseas on that website.
Adidas are in its right to charge what they want, but to shut down the ability to be able to buy it overseas cheaper for those who wanted to – was the rub in the nose.
Gary Payne, Tauranga.
It is absolutely ridiculous. About $140.
Ken Bird, Te Puna.
I do not know the price of the rugby jerseys, but it depends on how good they are, but around $100.
Mac Chubb, Cambridge.
I think they are too high. If they bought them down to about $120 they would sell twice as many.
Erin Robson, Tauranga.
They should be cheaper than that. They should be the same price as the imitation ones. About $40.
Raquel Parkinson, Tauranga.
It's pathetic. It should be $20.
Shaun Duncan, Tauranga.
13 comments
rip off
Posted on 13-08-2011 15:33 | By grahamwood
There are so many items that we get ripped off for in NZ and this is a prime example. Monopolies, whether real or created by blocking the opposition are always going to result in rip-offs. Look how much toll calls were until the market was opened up beyond Telecom.... so where is the Commerce Commission on this?
Who's actually creaming it
Posted on 13-08-2011 16:05 | By Murray.Guy
I've a gut feeling that Adidas are likely bound by a confidentiality agreement with the RWC, with the RWC having a stranglehold over them. I wonder what % the RWC gets off every NZ sold garment. I think Adidas just might give Rugby NZ the big heave ho once the contract runs out!
1980s
Posted on 13-08-2011 16:43 | By crazysteed
new Adidas All Black jerseys, are we back in 80's or what come on, the numbers on the back of the jerseys are so back in the 1980's
addidas how a parade of yourbosses
Posted on 13-08-2011 16:57 | By waitandwatch
addidas, i am talking to you, you behave like a nazi. just what they did, no different in the treatment. out with you!!!!!!
Reality bites!
Posted on 13-08-2011 22:05 | By Gary gc
Adida$ are in their right to charge that. Keep in mind retail like rebel etc have massive overheads compared to a guy working online from home and a garage hence the price gaps on all goods not just jersey! Adidas support nz rugby in a huge way which we kiwis forget and take for granted like most things in the world. Rebel have taken a hit as all retailers should and will get the volume they need on lower margin. Move on nz and get behind the jersey and love the game do t hate the player!
Action needed
Posted on 14-08-2011 10:14 | By Writerman
We shouldn't take this sort of stuff from companies like Adidas lightly. Phil Ossifer has an interesting take on it all at http://philossifer.hubpages.com/ and there is further comment at http://writerman.blog.co.nz
@waitandwatch
Posted on 14-08-2011 16:26 | By morepork
Are you nuts!? Adidas haven't killed, burned or shot anybody. Your stupid comment just trivializes what the Nazis actually did. Take another look at history, then do a web search on "Godwin's Law"... As you have violated it, you automatically lose the argument.
Is it fair?
Posted on 14-08-2011 16:41 | By morepork
No, there's no way it can be. The point that seems to have been missed is that these garments are mass produced for the same cost price. (HOW they are produced is a subject for a different debate...). Given that they (Adidas) must pay a royalty to the NZRU (presumably) and must offer bulk discounts to large suppliers overseas, we could reasonably expect some variance in the price, depending on location. But not $220 here and around $100 elsewhere, for a garment that costs Adidas around $10 to produce and ship. Furthermore, to try and stifle an international market by preventing shipment to NZ by overseas sellers is just a cynical act of protection. Adidas are very happy to use the world when they are sourcing these garments. These shirts should be made in New Zealand by NZers for a fair price, and anyone on earth should be able to buy them for that price (plus shipping), from NZ. It is only the exploitation of sweat shop and child labour that has led to this debacle and exposed Adidas for the greedy pigs they are. Boycott ALL their products, not just the Rugby shirts. The All Blacks can get other sponsorship without too much trouble. (Besides, Adidas have been so discomfited by this they'll probably drop support for the ABs first chance they get. Good riddance!) Wear black and support our national team, but don't wear Adidas, for ANYTHING!
@Sun Live
Posted on 14-08-2011 16:44 | By morepork
Excellent photos! Well done to the photographer for catching a slice of Kiwi life with normal people going about their usual business.
$$
Posted on 14-08-2011 16:48 | By earlybird
Just don't buy them. If nobody buys them the message will get thru. They can of course charge whatever they like - there's no law against that, but from a commercial point of view if you charge too much and you don't sell any then you've shot yourself in the foot.
wake up
Posted on 15-08-2011 02:08 | By Gary gc
Morepork wake up to the world of retail and mark ups. In the eyes of rrp 220 before discount is normal. Those sites running $100 upwards run on low if any markup don't have taxes to worry about not to mention overheads carpark spaces staff sick days to mention only a couple. Rebel have done the right thing and discount anyway like on most lines. Yes it would have been nice Iif adida$ took a hit but they need their margin to pay the nzru etc as adidas nz is separate entity. Adidas must be thinking they can't win and without their massive support neither can the ab's. Sad but true just like the world of retail.
Wear NZ
Posted on 15-08-2011 11:21 | By claypole
How about AB's wearing Canterbury (CCC) shirts instead of a huge german corporation who are only interested in world domination and the prestige of having the world no1 team in their palms!. Money is not the be all, but we will have to wait until 2019 when the sponsorship runs out. As for the 2 idiots that fronted for Addidas on close up last week, maybe they use the same PR company as TCAL!
remember
Posted on 15-08-2011 20:03 | By Gary gc
Claypole, cast your mind back to when Canterbury pulled pin on all blacks and went to wallabies etc. Welcome adidas and the big budgets and strength in support for nz rugby. Do you not think for every jersey sold dollars makes it way back quietly to nzru. Go easy nz on adidas. We love to dig the knife in so see the glass half full and get behind the team
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