OT: Why is M gear so hard to find online?
After our big win last weekend I am, like many of you, looking to buy some new Michigan swag. The problem is that (in my opinion) the number of choices available at the usual places like MDen, Fanatics, Lids, etc. is pretty low. On top of that, nearly all sizes in standard shirts and hats are sold out, and have been that way since at least the start of Covid.
Does anyone know what is going on and if there is any resolution in the near future? If I look for similar items on Lids, for example, of OSU/MSU gear, they do not seem to be having the same supply issues. And again, because of how long this has been going on, I don’t think it’s related to our recent basketball and football success.
Thanks in advance and Go Blue!
December 11th, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^
Supply chain?
December 11th, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^
Supply chain.
December 11th, 2021 at 6:11 PM ^
Gas leak? Yeah, gas leak
December 11th, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^
i'm guessing it takes a while to produce. i've been looking to grab a big ten champ hat. the best i could find was a big ten east champ. who gives a crap about that?
December 11th, 2021 at 2:12 PM ^
Well, championship gear aside, I am trying to find a very basic Nike thick block M hat (like Moore and Macdonald were wearing last weekend) and as far as I can tell, that’s impossible. I can’t understand why a team like Michigan would have these supply chain issues while other teams don’t.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^
I take it that this isn't what you're looking for?
December 11th, 2021 at 2:27 PM ^
That’s exactly what I’m looking for but notice the sizes sold out (8 out of 10).
December 11th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
D'oh... I didn't take a close enough look at the page.
I know you've said that the availability issues have been around for a while, but I wouldn't be surprised if sales rate started increasing sharply after the Washington game and has been steadily rising with each new victory.
Coupled with the general supply chain issues that have been plaguing most industries, I'm not shocked that certain lines are essentially sold out.
December 11th, 2021 at 4:15 PM ^
I think that has a lot to do with it. Suppliers didn’t have any reason to suspect they’d see a big bump in demand for UM stuff this year. That, on top of the systemic supply chain issues lately, means it is going to be really hard to meet a surge in demand, even if it’s been building for a couple months. Can’t turn on the spigot that easily.
December 11th, 2021 at 4:44 PM ^
We were in town for the OSU game and M Den and other stores were looking pretty picked through. A hoodie we liked for our son was available only in small or super jumbo. I guess this is what happens when good times return to Ann Arbor.
December 11th, 2021 at 6:19 PM ^
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nike-Michigan-Wolverines-True-Vapor-Fitted-Sz-7-1-2-BRAND-NEW-hat-cap-U-of-M-/255261916908?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
December 11th, 2021 at 2:00 PM ^
Someone send the bat signal for WD!
December 11th, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
I picked up a couple of these from Maize N Brew.
https://twitter.com/MaizenBrew/status/1469424273207046147?t=9CUbSTkvB0-MS1Rg2avHLQ&s=19
December 11th, 2021 at 2:09 PM ^
Thanks, Biden.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:16 PM ^
vlady, you need to accept some responsibility. if you would stop saber-rattling in the ukraine he could concentrate on that issue.
December 11th, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
The Ukraine? I hear our Buckeye slappy neighbors got the idea for The Ohio State University from the Soviets.
December 11th, 2021 at 4:31 PM ^
The country, of course, is called Ukraine, and Ukrainians detest the usage of "The Ukraine."
Yet more proof that Ukraine is better than Ohio.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:25 PM ^
All the buckeyes that lost bets had to buy something to where to work the last couple weeks.
December 11th, 2021 at 9:46 PM ^
You just nailed it...well done.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:29 PM ^
I know! It’s crazy. I just googled
michigan big 10 champions long sleeve t
for example, clicked shopping tab, and after the first 100 it’s like there wasn’t anything!!
(sorry the snide; couldn’t resist; just playing with you, but it’s true: just Google it, man)
December 11th, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
While I appreciate some good sarcasm, reading comprehension is very poor in this thread today ?
December 11th, 2021 at 2:29 PM ^
Try the new online NIL store at www.valiantuofm.com (affiliated with M Den), they have decent stock of many of their items (and as a bonus you will be putting $$ in pockets of Michigan student athletes), including most of the players' jersey tees.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:30 PM ^
Fanatics.com
December 11th, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^
*sigh*
December 11th, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
Yeah I basically agree with you. If you are in Detroit area, I was near downtown this week and stopped by a really nice new (?) Mden near Fox theater. Good selection and that had an item I stock that was sold out online. They also have victors collection stuff.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:47 PM ^
I tried to buy my son a Jake Butt Jersey since he was my son's favorite player and it was sold out. Everything is sold out when I try to find jerseys.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:47 PM ^
I think Ira said on the radio earlier this week that the selection was better in the store than on-line.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
It's not really a Michigan thing. I've been trying to buy Red Wings gear and given with them it really all boils down to Fanatics and their various disguises (Lids, NHL Shop, Walmart etc.) it's been difficult and the selection has gotten progressively smaller.
December 11th, 2021 at 2:55 PM ^
I ordered a Corum jersey for my son for Xmas. No issues unless it doesn’t get here on time. Shit, I hope he doesn’t read this blog.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:03 PM ^
I got an XL kids O ja bo jersey delivered today for my son. Ordered it right after the OSU win.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:07 PM ^
It might have something to do with the fact that the team is going to the playoff for the first time ever and thus demand for gear is very high.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:07 PM ^
47 Brand has some good hats available. Check out their website.
December 11th, 2021 at 3:47 PM ^
I also needed to pick up some ASU gear this week, and If you don’t know anything about them, they’re just as big as UM. Anyway, on Amazon and eBay, I was surprised how little ASU gear I could find. I know it’s becoming a little overdone to blame everything on the supply chain, but maybe?
December 11th, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^
They have the Top of the World and Zephyr hats on Amazon. Block M both fitted and unfitted. Not the same quality as the official stuff but also costs less.
December 11th, 2021 at 6:03 PM ^
I have a white TOW hat with blue block M that's so old it's got the split M logo on the rear and it looks brand new still( I have had washed it twice) Wish I could find another just like it
December 11th, 2021 at 4:08 PM ^
Combination of us being good and supply chain issues
December 11th, 2021 at 4:38 PM ^
I don't think it should be a mystery. Michigan has beaten OSU, won the Big Ten Championship, and is in the CFP. Plus, it's the Christmas season, so lots of gift buying. Plus, Michigan fans are starved for this kind of success and their buying has a lot of pent up demand. Plus, the aforementioned supply chain and labor shortage issues. It will eventually catch up with demand.
December 11th, 2021 at 5:48 PM ^
I think he is looking for this: https://www.mden.com/product/Jordan_University_of_Michigan_Football_Head_Coachs_Fitted_Hat?NIC1633+1503
December 11th, 2021 at 10:03 PM ^
If you waiting this goddam long to buy Michigan gear than its your fault. What was available a week ago is now long gone. Better to buy gift cards at this point and wait til February.
December 12th, 2021 at 8:38 AM ^
I live in Texas and when my size has been sold out online, I’ve called the MDen, and they ended up having it in stock.
December 12th, 2021 at 1:54 PM ^
December 12th, 2021 at 6:22 PM ^
Great season
big ten champs
beat osu
bandwagon is full and everyone wants gear
after the last few seasons the retailers likely cut back on their M gear and amount stocked, plus most of it comes from Asia and that supply chain is extremely taxed due to a lot of bad policies by past and current admin.
December 13th, 2021 at 3:12 PM ^
Sadly, no one in the chinese communist party predicted Michigan's success this year, so factory production never increased. Now, if you want some university of texas stuff...this is your year.