Many times the coaches in charge of managing a softball team have so many things running through their heads that they're not always aware of all of their options.  They may not consider placing an order as a team, not because it's a bad idea, but maybe because they are just juggling too many things at once and haven't had time to think about it.  Sometimes a coach could just use a friendly discussion to get the ideas flowing.

In my last post, I talked about why you'd want to get team cleats in the first place.  This post is centered around how to convince the decision makers that you need team cleats and how to benefit from ordering as a team.

You and your teammates want to get matching team cleats so that you can stand out from the crowd.  You know you have a great coach and they're a great instructor but they just don't understand why they should pursue the idea of ordering as a team.  Or maybe your coach just doesn't have the time to deal with it.

Maybe you're the parent of a player on the team that has had previous experience dealing with team orders and you would like to suggest the idea for this year's team.

Here's a few example scenarios to help you get your team into a sweet set of matching Ringors.

Getting Your Coach On Board

The Introduction

You: "Hey Coach, what do you think about ordering cleats as a team this year?  We'd like to order Ringors this year and wanted to know what you'd think."

Coach:  "Ringors?  Never heard of them.  Why Ringors?  What makes them better than other cleats?

Color Coordination

Coach:  "It's gonna be hard to find cleats that will go well with our team colors."

You:  "Coach, they offer 20 unique color options in their cleats and spikes!  Finding a color that works shouldn't be a problem.  They even offer white, purple and gold!"

Budget Concerns

Coach:  "We lost a sponsor this year so our budget is a little tight.  I don't know that we can afford it."

You:  "Several of us on the team were going to order Ringors anyway.  If we put together a team order then we can actually save some money.  They offer tiered team discounts based on the number of players ordering.  So the more players we get on board, the more we save.  We would also save money on the shipping cost.  And...if we place an order as a team, you and the assistant coaches get a special gift."

(If they're still unsure...)

Offer Other Possible Solutions

You:  "They also offer some fundraisers that can help us recoup some of the cost of the order.  Then we can get our cleats AND go to that big tournament we talked about two weeks ago."

Dealing With Time Constraints

Coach:  "I think that ordering as a team would be a great idea, I just don't have time to deal with it.  I'd have to gather all the sizes for the girls and collect the money from each player.  I've got a big project going on at work this month so I've been working long hours.  I just don't think I have the time."

You:  "Well, would it make it easier for you if we asked some of the parents to volunteer?  I'm sure one or two of the parents wouldn't mind helping out by gathering sizes from each player.  Then they can submit them to you or directly to our Ringor rep."
 

You:  "You could also submit a Quote Request through their new website and then you can get your questions answered through e-mail, at your convenience, rather than having to set aside time to make a phone call."
 

Handling Returns

Coach:  "Well, I don't really want to deal with returning the sizes that don't fit.  I'd rather just let everyone go get their own shoes and they can deal with the returns on their own."

You:  "Did you know you can request a Sizing Tool or a set of samples from the Ringor website?  This will help us be sure we've got the right sizes the first time and then we wouldn't need to send any back."

The Weight Factor

Coach:  "So, some people are saying that we could get a lighter shoe than the Ringor."

You:  "They've just released an ultralight model called the Diamond Gem.  According to their website, this model combines the Ringor comfort and durability with the lightweight features that customers have been asking for."

Multiple Choice

Coach:  "Some of the girls on the team are going to require wide widths, some need mid-high cleats and some will need pitching toes.  Can Ringor handle all of these options?"

You:  "Absolutely!  Ringor actually developed the first built-on pitching toe for softball cleats.  So each pair of pitching shoes you order will come with toes stitched and glued onto both shoes.  They were also the first to offer a women's wide shoe for softball.  They even carry mids."

New Recruits

Coach:  "What if we place an order, then in a few months we get a new player?  How do we deal with that?  Can I order just one pair and still get the discount?"

You:  "Yep.  Once we've placed our team order they'll honor the team pricing for the entire season.  Even if you add players to the roster."

Master Mixologist

Coach:  "Now that ASA approved metal spikes for 16U, 18U and 18 Gold, some girls will want metal and some will want non-metal.  Does Ringor offer both versions of the same model so that we can still match?"

You:  "They do.  Two of their non-metal cleat models (Diamond Star and Diamond Gem) offer a matching metal spike.  You can even mix and match metal and non-metal in your team order for no extra charge."

And the Award Goes to...

Coach:  "Their website claims that their footwear has received some kind of fancy award.  What's that all about?"

You:  "Oh you must be referring to the APMA Seal of Acceptance.  That means their footwear is built with us players in mind.  Their shoes are made with high quality craftsmanship that won't cause additional foot problems because their cleat design allows for normal foot function.  The shoes were approved by doctors!  Ringor has a passion for the game and it shows in their footwear."

Closing the Deal

Coach:  "Wow!  It sounds like you've really done your homework on this and you really want these shoes for the team.  I'll get in touch with them tomorrow.  Nice work!"

You:  "Thanks Coach!  I'm going to go tell the girls!"

Hopefully, I've been able to provide several ideas for you and your team to get started.  If you have any additional questions about the ordering process, pricing or just want someone to talk to please don't hesitate to contact our Team Sales Professionals or our wonderful Customer Care department.