Tripwired Clothing

We have been asked to make some merchandise for COPE by various people. We got the artwork from a COPE official in Mpumalanga.

For a while we tried to get official sanction for the project but even after a lengthy debate on Facebook it became clear that due to many reasons COPE grassroots workers are left with no alternative than to source merchandise locally.

The unanimous feeling is that each transaction must carry a financial benefit for COPE. Due to uncertainty in how to do this it seems to be that the popular feeling is that the branch that deploys the merchandise must take the responsibility for the COPE share in the item. This is a logical conclusion and practical because now the revenue collection is within the COPE realm of control. This removes the responsibility from a "unknown" vendor to a COPE structure. This also allows the free market to operate properly because if the vendor is out of whack with his prices and or quality it will be of no benefit to him.

From the above it would seem good practice for the vendor to ensure that he identifies the buyer properly and have record of such identification.

Here are 4 items that we have on offer ...

It is 2 Golf shirts and two Pilot shirts. The Pilot shirts are done in a way that it does not scream out COPE but rather do it subtly. It is a cool cotton short sleeve shirt that is suitable for everyday wear.

The Golf shirts are a bit more pronounced but yet in good taste.

Al items are of high quality and embroidery is done to spec.

Comment please.

In the initial discussions with the COPE MP person it was made clear that we will not be interested in making really cheap stuff. There is no value in it for anybody and merely serves the purpose of a momentarily advertising item. However my experience with cheap handouts is that in the end the BRAND is blamed for being cheap and spreading bad quality.

With these items showed here we are aiming for the person that want to wear a COPE garment but does not want it to be screaming it out.

Obviously price was considered but the main aim was to provide good quality at an acceptable rate. In the discussions it was mentioned that good garments could be exchanged for "donation" in many instances where the donor might be reluctant to just give money.

I really need some input in this.

Colyn.

I like the general look of the clothing.

Is it possible to get darker colours in the buttoned shirts ?

I would imagine that other colours would be available in that style ... if not then we could find a similar styled and priced shirt.

nice quality look about the merchandise. That's sort of what most people  have spoken to would probably like to wear. Subtle hint at quality translates into COPE being classy and understated too.

Of course some fool will grumble about it being "Elitist" gear :)

EDIT: Fixed your smiley. ;)

Thank you Braddo ... that is what I tried to achieve here. I was looking at something that you would not mind to wear on casual Friday and nobody could scream that you are politicizing the workplace :)

I was looking at something that Leaders could wear when doing rounds and facing the press. Subtle but clear.

We have received some requests for Cricket Hats and normal Caps ... I will see what we can do.

That`s some good stuff and needs encouragement, more especially for a party in its infancy like COPE. I however wish to caution about this TM thing after the name COPE in all COPE branded stuff. I think you`d know that better.

Provide the whole spectrum so that members are spoilt for choice, also try to get samples of other designs so that yo cater for all tastes.

How do we get the goodies here in Limpopo as we don`t as yet have a vendor who can deliver quality and on time.

Ok ... the TM thinghy was done by my digitizer that took it too literal when I said ... Make sure you get this artwork exactly as per the file from COPE ;) ... we have removed the TM.

If you are interested in getting hold of some of the stuff please specify and PM me your contact details. One of my staff will then contact you and take it further. We usually send clothing by PostNet or the Post Office overnight service.

We deliberately set our things up in order to accommodate small orders because we know that the grassroots operations of COPE cannot afford big orders ... so we also do not distinguish in price when it comes to order size.

Please feel free to make suggestions about items that you would like to see. We have a cap and cricket hat in the works for a sample.

Thank you for your participation.