Hobie WORLDS T-shirt

This is for someone directly connected with the Hobie Company, I guess.

There is available some cool stuff from the 2007 Hobie Worlds in Fiji, featuring the terrific logo. I contacted the Worlds organization, and eventually got sent a pdf with items like T-shirts, towels, etc. I thought I'd get a shirt for my son for Christmas. The only problem is a $20 T-shirt costs about sixty bucks to ship from Fiji to Michigan! How many are they going to sell that way?

It seems that Hobie USA (& Hobie Europe?) could sell quite a few of these things if they were to buy a few cases, and then ship within their own country. I would think this is something Hobie and its dealers would be eager to make available to their customers.

I'll buy one if they are available. Then I can tell all my friends I sailed in the Hobie 16 Worlds in Fiji!

_________________
Tiger 947/2364

The bottom line is that these are "leftover" items from the event. They were made in Fiji so they have to come from Fiji.

Hobie Cat USA really doesn't have anything to do with them - it's the producer in Fiji that's selling them.

Think about it this way - if it's a fabulous business opportunity, then buy a few cases yourself and resell them. This is as good a place as any to market them.

With your money on the line, it's not such a great idea, is it?

Jeez . . . kind of snarky, Matt. Having a bad day?

Sorry I have no idea how these events relate to the larger corporate structure.

-Pat

Sorry - I didn't mean to be snarky.

It's hard to accept that the market for things like this (even if they were reasonably priced) is very small.

The time to jump on stuff like this is while the event is happening. I had someone bring me back a shirt (a nice collared one at that) and it only cost me $40. I would have asked them for you if you didn't know anybody there.

Major events / Hobie Company

How do we relate to these events?

The IHCA - International Hobie Class Association is the organizer of World events. Hobie Cat USA, Australasia or Europe are boat providers under contract with the events.

Each event has a local organization that bids to run the event. They contract with the Class Association.

So, we (Hobie Cat) are not directly related to the distribution of event goods, shirts etc.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Melanie Siau was selling some team U.S.A worlds gear. I picked up a nice polo shirt from her.She even put a Canadian flag on it for me.