Ziggy Stardust Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Long time lurker, first time poster with a question for jersey aficionados concerning lettering on an Reebok Premier jersey. Being a long time Kings fan, I purchased a Kopitar jersey from icejerseys.com and just recently received my jersey. Everything is fine about it, except for the lettering on the jersey being placed on a nameplate (or name bar as they call it on their FAQ). Being a stickler for authenticity (and with authentics being outrageously priced and hard to find right now), I asked if it was possible to have my jersey redone as it should be, after all, their website states the following: 100% Fabric (not twill) Name Bars (if applicable/available)There is no better indication that your jersey is not authentic than the use of a twill name bar. IceJerseys uses whatever is used by the team (which is either a fabric name bar, or none at all – depending on the team and availability). 100% Authentic Customization as Worn On-Ice by the Players All aspects of our customization are geared towards insuring that your jersey looks just like those worn on the ice by the pros. Others may take shortcuts to drop the price at the expense of quality and authenticity, but at IceJerseys, we know that real hockey fans would prefer quality and authenticity to a cheap imitation. Whether we are customizing a current NHL jersey, or a jersey from another league or era we will make sure our customization is done as it is (or was) worn by the players. Note: For some older jerseys, we may ask you to provide photos if we are unable to confirm the customization style. As you can see from these images, the Kings do not use nameplates and use individual lettering: So, I write back to their customer service and was notified that: ...this bodes well for the authentic jerseys as there is room for the name and no letters are sewn onto the seams. As for the replica jerseys we have learned from experience it is better to apply the name on a name bar otherwise the letters will fall onto seams and not look clean and proper. But I have been informed please feel free to send it back and we will sew name directly on jersey but will not be liable if letters fall on seam... Now this concerns me a bit. I am not sure if I should bother sending back the jersey to have individual lettering done to it or just retain it with the nameplate. As I stated earlier, my pet peeve for having jerseys look as close to the real thing as possible makes me want to send it back, but if the stitching is going to come off from individual lettering on a Reebok Premier jersey, is it worth it? I'm hoping some of you can speak from experience and help guide me in the right direction. EDIT: I'm such a dummy. Meant to say Reebok Premier since it's a replica. It's not an Edge jersey. Tried editing the title but I guess that option isn't enabled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAK74 Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 ...this bodes well for the authentic jerseys as there is room for the name and no letters are sewn onto the seams. As for the replica jerseys we have learned from experience it is better to apply the name on a name bar otherwise the letters will fall onto seams and not look clean and proper. But I have been informed please feel free to send it back and we will sew name directly on jersey but will not be liable if letters fall on seam... This quote, as it is written, makes little sense to me. Even on gameworn jerseys, letters are stitched over seam lines all the time. It shouldn't make a difference whether a jersey is authentic or replica; if the name is long enough it's going to overlap onto the seam no matter what, especially with the newer Kings jerseys, which have diagonal seam lines that only leave about 8 inches of room for the name before the letters start to overlap onto the seams. Even a relatively short name like Kopitar overlaps the seams, as you can see in the photos you posted. Just out of curiosity, which model/color Kings jersey did you get? Occasionally Kings players have worn jerseys with nameplates. Kopitar used a road jersey with a nameplate for a few games last year. Here is a Dwight King gamer with a nameplate: http://www.meigray.c...=4536&scId=4536 I don't think IJ's concern was about the stitching coming off the letters; I think they are just afraid that some people will complain if a letter is sewn across a seam because it might not look good to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Stardust Posted August 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Thanks for the response LAK74. I purchased a white road jersey, just as the one you provided the link to on meigray. I suspected that the nameplate worn by King was from when he was called up, and the notes on the jersey provided on the link support this. Is it going to look odd if I have the nameplate removed from the jersey and have individual lettering done on it? I've never had it done before so I'm wondering if it alters the appearance or if there is any visible wear/tear from having a nameplate removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAK74 Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 That isn't an easy question for me to answer; I suppose it all depends on how much adhesive was used to attach the nameplate to the jersey, although in most cases that can be cleaned up quite well. You should just ask IJ- hopefully they know how the plate was attached and should be able to tell you whether it can be removed cleanly or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Stardust Posted August 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 It's stitched on there, least that is what they say, but knowing their quality of service, I trust them. But I shall follow your advice and ask them to be sure. Hopefully it is a request that they have fulfilled in the past without any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Stardust Posted August 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 Just to follow up on this issue, I've contacted customer support at icejerseys and they let me know that I bear responsibility for shipping costs. And this is when their website explicitly states that they do custom stitching just as they are worn on authentic uniforms. I also had contacted the store requesting individual lettering as opposed to a namebar but they seem to have forgotten. Shouldn't the store assume responsibility for messing up a customer's request? Perhaps I should call in and request to speak with an individual as opposed to exchanging emails back and forth. Anyone who has dealt with experience who can chime in with their experience in dealing with returns/exchanges with icejerseys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAK74 Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 Although I personally have never had anything to complain about regarding IJ's customer service, I think you have a perfectly valid point here about the nameplate issue. You are not asking for anything unreasonable, just accurate customization as described in the quote you provided. If I were you I would call and ask to speak directly to a manager. If you still feel you are being treated unfairly or are given the runaround (which I hope would not happen), then as a last resort I would send a PM to CryWolf, the administrator of the site. You can read this post (a bit old, but still valid I'm sure) in the "Go See the GM" subforum: http://forums.icejerseys.com/index.php?showtopic=1557 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Stardust Posted August 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 Thanks again for the helpful info. Seems that they'll accept responsibility for the error and reimburse me for any shipping costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAK74 Posted September 1, 2012 Report Share Posted September 1, 2012 You're quite welcome. I'm sure everything will turn out just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzo269 Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 The Kings used nameplates only in preseason and not during regular season I thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifehatesjerseys Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 This quote, as it is written, makes little sense to me. Even on gameworn jerseys, letters are stitched over seam lines all the time. It shouldn't make a difference whether a jersey is authentic or replica; if the name is long enough it's going to overlap onto the seam no matter what, especially with the newer Kings jerseys, which have diagonal seam lines that only leave about 8 inches of room for the name before the letters start to overlap onto the seams. Even a relatively short name like Kopitar overlaps the seams, as you can see in the photos you posted. Just out of curiosity, which model/color Kings jersey did you get? Occasionally Kings players have worn jerseys with nameplates. Kopitar used a road jersey with a nameplate for a few games last year. Here is a Dwight King gamer with a nameplate: http://www.meigray.c...=4536&scId=4536 I don't think IJ's concern was about the stitching coming off the letters; I think they are just afraid that some people will complain if a letter is sewn across a seam because it might not look good to them. Oh man, I wish I read this thread earlier. Icejerseys gave me the same explanation about the nameplate issues on my Kings jerseys. I believed them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifehatesjerseys Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 So, I write back to their customer service and was notified that: Now this concerns me a bit. I am not sure if I should bother sending back the jersey to have individual lettering done to it or just retain it with the nameplate. As I stated earlier, my pet peeve for having jerseys look as close to the real thing as possible makes me want to send it back, but if the stitching is going to come off from individual lettering on a Reebok Premier jersey, is it worth it? I'm hoping some of you can speak from experience and help guide me in the right direction. EDIT: I'm such a dummy. Meant to say Reebok Premier since it's a replica. It's not an Edge jersey. Tried editing the title but I guess that option isn't enabled. Oh man, I wish I read this thread earlier. Icejerseys gave me the same explanation about the nameplate issues on my Kings jerseys. I believed them! I wish I hadn't. I noticed in the reviews of their road Kings jerseys, someone posted a jersey of theirs with no nameplates. Are they starting to do the jerseys without nameplates now for accuracy's sake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAK74 Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 I noticed in the reviews of their road Kings jerseys, someone posted a jersey of theirs with no nameplates. Are they starting to do the jerseys without nameplates now for accuracy's sake? I suppose only IJ would really know the answer to that, but I would hope that if a customer specifically asks for no nameplate, they would do it that way. Out of curiosity, did you specify that you didn't want a nameplate and they gave you one anyway (along with the explanation), or did you not specify either way when you placed the order? Love your username, btw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifehatesjerseys Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 LOL, thanks for the quick response, LAK74, I am trying to warm her up to collecting jerseys, but its not working. I had her wearing one at Disneyland one time in the wintertime, but she said the jerseys are too hot. I guess... When I ordered my Mike Richards jersey from IJ, I didn't specify that I wanted a nameplate or didn't want one. I ordered from IJ in the past, and they have been spot on about accuracy when it came to jerseys with nameplates and jerseys with no nameplates, you know. So I assumed they would be accurate this time around when I ordered my Kings jersey. I ended up getting a Mike Richards jersey with a nameplate attached on to it. However I didnt' think anything of it, I thought the Kings used nameplates. I guess I need new glasses. I wrote to IJ and asked them about whether or not the Kings jerseys came with nameplates, and they told me the same thing, that the nameplate is needed, because of the seams and blah blah, and they said if I didn't like it, I could return it back for a full refund. Made sense, I thought the authentic jerseys had more space for the names, compared to the replicas. So I believed them. I ended sending it back to IJ, not to return it, but to fix one of the numbers. Got the jersey back. Then I see pictures on the internet that the Kings didn't use nameplates this year. I was like, ######, I need new glasses this time! On a black jersey, the nameplate is not really a big deal. I like my accuracy, but I just want to enjoy my jersey. It's not like they botched up and used a twill nameplate like some jerseys I've seen. I mean, if they were afraid of customers getting mad about sewing the letter on the seam, IJ should have also thought that people would be upset about the accuracy when it comes to the customers jersey and nameplate. The way I see it is, if the customer gets upset about the letters getting sewn on to the seams of the jersey, IJ should show the customer pictures that is the proper way to attach the names to jerseys, and stick to their guns about how they conform to the team jersey specifications accuracy and so forth, etc. But, by attaching a nameplate on a jersey that doesn't even use nameplates, I see that there is a legitimate grievance, and could be easily won by the customer. I bought a white LA Kings Carter jersey for a buddy of mine, and it came with a nameplate. He could care less though about the nameplate issue, he says that its not a big deal. Sorry about the double posting on top, I just signed up today. I got some jerseys that need fixing. Got a Deadmarsh one that has correct numbers, but the font is somewhat skinny and attached to a nameplate. I would love to share my jersey collection here. With that said, I still love you IceJerseys, even though I found about this nameplate issue that sort of breaks my heart. You guys have sold me great LA Kings customized jerseys in the past. Just stick to what you guys have been doing when it comes to accuracy when it comes to customized jerseys. Use photos and stuff just in case the customers complain. Don't put nameplates on jerseys that don't use them in the first place. [end drunken rant] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAK74 Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 I mean, if they were afraid of customers getting mad about sewing the letter on the seam, IJ should have also thought that people would be upset about the accuracy when it comes to the customers jersey and nameplate. The way I see it is, if the customer gets upset about the letters getting sewn on to the seams of the jersey, IJ should show the customer pictures that is the proper way to attach the names to jerseys, and stick to their guns about how they conform to the team jersey specifications accuracy and so forth, etc. I'll agree with you 100% there. We really don't know though, if IJ may really have received lots of complaints from people who didn't like the letter/seam overlap from an aesthetic standpoint, forcing IJ to deliberately do the jerseys over again (inaccurately) using a nameplate, in order to satisfy those customers who were more concerned with aesthetics than accuracy. Maybe there are more people who complain about the overlap than the nameplates, especially if most people don't even know there aren't supposed to be nameplates. There's gotta be a reason they're doing this. But you're right, if they're going to advertise accuracy they should just do what the teams do from the get-go. Just FYI, since the 1991-92 season, the Kings have not used nameplates on a regular basis, except during the first 2 years of the Edge jersey, 2007/08 and 2008/09. So if you're trying to accurately replicate a jersey from those years, you actually do want a nameplate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifehatesjerseys Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Just FYI, since the 1991-92 season, the Kings have not used nameplates on a regular basis, except during the first 2 years of the Edge jersey, 2007/08 and 2008/09. So if you're trying to accurately replicate a jersey from those years, you actually do want a nameplate. I agree with you with the past nameplate information, that is good to know. Yeah, if I ever get tired of the nameplate, I'll probably just pull it off or something, or have someone else sew on the letters on the jersey. Or have my wife do it with her sewing machine. Next thing you know I'll have more than just nameplate issues <a href=" title="carterlakingsjerseyroad by wifehatesjerseys, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8133957047_1f6977dc21.jpg" width="500" height="389" alt="carterlakingsjerseyroad"></a> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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