Terrible merchandise management at SMU bookstore

[ponyinNC]

Being in NC, I have ordered from the bookstore many times, and I have always had a problem. Either they send the wrong thing, or the item is no longer available/back ordered. I continue to order b/c I like to support SMU and like to buy stuff for friends/family when we attend away games, but it is a JOKE.

Top 25, we are certainly not. I like gameday cloth, and plan to buy some items for the gf for the Navy and ECU games we will be attending.

[MustangStealth]

On a related note, perhaps the next time we want to have a "red out" the campus bookstore should actually carry some red shirts. I went in first thing Friday morning and they were sold out of red t-shirts (it looked like they only had about 2 styles to begin with).

[Diamond Girl]

On a related note, perhaps the next time we want to have a "red out" the campus bookstore should actually carry some red shirts. I went in first thing Friday morning and they were sold out of red t-shirts (it looked like they only had about 2 styles to begin with).

The athletic department informed the bookstore about the 'red out' 4 days before the game. Maybe they need to give the store a little more notice than that.

[Longtime]

The SMU Bookstore is a disaster and always has been. Unfriendly or indifferent service. High prices. And for all the "selection" they have, they just have a lot of junk. Few items that really look cool or stand out, or are even just the classic collegiate look. Anything that's remotely appealing is overpriced. And they NEVER have anything larger than a 2XL. As SMU's primary merchandiser, they should have a wider range of sizes.

I do see fewer instances of the "phony pony" at the Bookstore, but I believe this is due to SMU's diligence and not anything the Bookstore has tried to enforce. You walk into the place and it feels like a Barnes and Noble that just happens to sell some SMU stuff, rather than that feeling of "this is OUR place" like at most campus bookstores. You just feel a disconnect. For a lot of SMU visitors, the Bookstore makes as much an impression as anything on the actual campus, and SMU should demand more from them.

If you're in a pinch for an SMU item: Try the CVS down the way from the SMU bookstore. They have a tidy little section of SMU fan gear at reasonable prices, and even a nice selection of T-shirts at $9.99 - that's where I got my red one for the TCU game. They even have SMU folding tailgate chairs - which I haven't found anywhere else. That's the kind of item the Bookstore should be seeking out.

As for Gameday Cloth, glad to see SMU alums doing something positive for the school. Great to see SMU stuff alongside their other selections. But when $38 is your cheapest T-shirt? I'll probably shop there for special gifts. Good luck to Gameday Cloth because there is a market for this stuff, it's just not my market (and get rid of those phony ponies! Ha-ha!).

I have shopped online at footballfanatics.com and they have a large selection of SMU stuff with cheap shipping costs. They have a wide variety of SMU T-shirts in sizes up to 5XL, and they've added more since the season started. Football Fanatics is attempting to be the one-stop online retailer for all sports fans, college or pro, and so far I am impressed with their selection and service.

[NavyCrimson]

What's a "phony pony"?

[PoconoPony]

I was in Dallas for the UAB and WSU games and had occasion to stop in the B & N book store and look for some SMU shirts....etc. Prices were outrageous. As much as $70 for a simple Under Armor stripped polo shirt with a very small SMU and mustang logo. Out of desperation I bought one item then walked out.

[Pony_Fan]

I've always wondered why SMU has to go through Barnes & Noble for their bookstore.

Has anyone complained to their management? They SHOULD have the best selection of SMU gear around.

[NavyCrimson]

Pony_Fan: "Has anyone complained to their management? They SHOULD have the best selection of SMU gear around."

Rice did the same thing by going over to Barnes & Noble several years back & their alums & fans are complaining, as well. They really had a great selection online & once B&N took over, the selection (online) dropped by over 50% or more. We purchased their baseball stuff. What a great program!

Follett out here does a great job. Too bad we don't look at them or hold B&N to a higher standard.

[Rebel_Pony]

I will be going to the SMU v Tulane game at the end of October with my significant other. Even though she went to Auburn, she wants to show her SMU support and has been looking for cute SMU shirts for her to wear. She ordered one shirt from the bookstore website. She received order confirmation immediately, but after a few days no shipment confirmation had been sent. She called to check on the order status and was told the item was back ordered for at least 6 weeks, which defeated the point and would cause the item to ship after the game was played. She told them no problem and had them void the order.

Two days later, she found another shirt from the bookstore that she liked and placed an order for it. After not receiving shipping confirmation she called to confirm again. As before, they were out of stock. She asked why the website showed the item in stock when it was not. Th answer she got said that the bookstore had been busy all week and had not had the opportunity to update the site. She was also told they would not place another order until late November at the earliest.

To me this is absurd. If there is enough demand for the items that they are sold out, common sense says order more. When the program is generating a buzz, we need to be able to meet the demand. Also, how difficult is it to keep the damn online ordering site up to date? I am frustrated with our inability to provide simple things like offer those who want to purchase a shirt from out of state an option to do so.

On another note, does anyone know of any stores/sites that sell Columbia fishing shirts with the SMU logo on them?

I can confirm that McCartney's University Spirit on Hillcrest across the street from campus has SMU logo Columbia fishing shirts--in white and possibly another color. Unfortunately, they do not have a website--but may ship. I recently bought an SMU Football hat from them and they have a decent selection of SMU merchandise (much of their wares appear catered towards Greek-affiliated females).

On a sidenote, I too am attending the Tulane game with my significant other. She happens to be an LSU fan, but you've inspired me to look into getting her some Pony gear. Look for us on the 50 yard line, visitor side.

[Longtime]

What's a "phony pony"?

It's the mustang logo that's crossed out in my avatar (profile pic). It's a bastardized version of the official Mustang logo. The tail and hindquarters are different. The official logo is much sleeker - it's the version of the Mustangs that's been on our helmets for decades. Somewhere along the way the phony pony got into the catalog of logos that college merchandisers use and it's appeared on licensed products. SMU is getting better about enforcing the official logo, although the phony pony still pops up - even on SMU-generated materials.

And SMU doesn't "have" to use Barnes and Noble, it's just an easier deal for them to license out the bookstore rather than have to staff and run it themselves, like in the old days. I'm guessing Barnes and Noble pays SMU a fee to be the "official" bookstore and gives SMU a cut of the profits. When the independent Varsity Bookstore went away, so did any competition or motivation for the official bookstore.

[NavyCrimson]

Thx, Longtime.

Found this as for 'official' logos: http://smu.edu/brand/logos/peruna.asp

As for the seal: http://smu.edu/brand/logos/peruna.asp
Too bad we retired the original. It was a masterpiece.

And of course the big dispute: COLORS!!! http://smu.edu/brand/colors/
But then again, it'll change in 2 to 3 years - & again in another 2 to 3 years!

[ponyfan84]

www.shopncaasports.com has some decent shirts but nothing really for women. The SMU bookstore site is 10x worse than the store. You're best bet is to go to the store if you can wait! I plan on raiding it over homecoming.

[Mestengo]

I'm gong to fall back a sleep now.

[NavyCrimson]

Here's a good one for you after all this discussion - where can we purchase a red football jersey?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Here's a good one for you after all this discussion - where can we purchase a red football jersey?

The bookstore had them a couple of weeks ago.