Spartan Sports

On 01/22/ [redacted] had called the office regarding on the status of the printing of the Rio Lindo High School T-shirts and regarding a t-shirt she was expecting to come in the mail to see her ad purchasedI explained the T-shirts should be back from the printers this week; they were expected back from the printer anytime and her shirt would be mailed at that dateShe was very ***et at the amount of time for the project to be completedI was unable to calm [redacted] downShe said that we were a scam; that we were doing fraudulent work, that we were not working with the school as well as profoundly bad language from ***I explained that it would be best if we discussed this at a later date when she was not so ***et, that I would be happy to talk to her without the bad languageShe then said I am going to call the school, the Revdex.com and and my printerI explained that was fine and gave her contact info for each partyShe then called the school, Rio Linda High School, spoke to the Athletic Director, [redacted] ***Mr [redacted] then contacted me regarding this situationI explained who we worked with at the school, [redacted] , the wrestling coach for yearsI explained the reason the project took so long to work was because the area is economically challengedMr [redacted] agreed that yes, he understood why it took us so long to find the sponsors and get the shirts printedThe shirts were for winter sports and there was no specific deadline needed due to the fact that Mr [redacted] knows how long it takes us to work a project in his area [redacted] agreed to call Ms [redacted] a return phone call to explain that we are a legitimate company and had fulfilled our contractI received a call from our printer, he explained Ms [redacted] had called him as well and he did reassure her that our company is legitimate, follow through with what we are contracted to do and one of the best companies he prints for; he also explained that the shirts were being delivered that day, January 22nd by [redacted] and that she would receive her shirt soon as wellThe printer said that she was very pleasant and not abusive as she had spoken to usHe was surprised to see that she had filed a report with the Revdex.comWe thought the problem had been taken care of, then received this noticeMs [redacted] received her free large t-shirt on 1-25-

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me Thank you,***

We apologize for any miss understanding that has accrued and any inconvenience this has causedYour ad has been canceled in our system

*** *** called Spartan Sports on January 22, at 10am in the morningNo one from our office contacted him on this date*** *** my sale rep contacted him on January 18th, and explained what we do for University High School, that we are legally contracted with the schoolWe have
a signed endorsement from the school giving us authorization to print the shirt on behalf of the high schoolOn January 22, he called the line my sales rep *** *** took the phone call as *** *** was out sick on January 22nd, He spoke with *** *** letting her know he spoke with *** a few days ago and was interested in moving forward with advertising on the back of the *** *** *** Shirt*** *** never pitched him to do the advertising, because she does not work the same projects as *** ***He asked *** *** what he would have to do to move forward, because *** *** was not in the office and he really wanted to take the biggest spot on the shirtsHe originally wanted to take the Banner ad on the shirts, but couldn’t afford the cost of the banner adWe settled on doing the dumper sticker ad because it was more in his budgetHe also asked *** *** how to pay for the advertisement and if he could send in a check, she then explained to him that she would need to transfer him to verification because she was not authorized to go over billing or graphics for his advertisementDuring this conversation he also explained to her that was very involved in different Veteran related organizationsOnce *** was done speaking with ***, she transferred the phone over to myself, *** ***We do not allow anything to go to invoicing in our office without being verified by managementI went over all the information to make sure we had his information correct for billing and graphics, at the end of our conversation I reiterated that you are authorized and committed to doing this advertisementHe responded back and said yes. He requested us to get his logo off of his website, which he gave me ***He asked for my graphic artist to put the ad together for himWe only have graphic artist, we are a very small businessWe also gave him a free medium shirtI, *** *** proceeded to go over billing with himI asked him if he would like to pay today and save $or if he needed us to mail him out an invoice so he could mail out a checkHe requested that we invoice him so he could mail back a check right awayMy graphics artist started on his artwork right away, normally it will take him two weeks to get a customer there proof, but I had him start on it right away because he choose to do one of the biggest spots on the back of the shirtsMy Graphics Artist emailed him his ad proof on 1/25/I, *** *** called back on 2/5/to make sure he received his ad proof and invoice for his adHe was extremely disrespectful to me and proceeded to tell me, “I didn’t sign anything, so I’m not paying for anything, and that I would have to prove he ever spoke with anyone.” He proceeded to yell at me and argue with me, so I ended the call I can forward you the email from our graphics and myself, as wellI can attached the signed endorsement I have with the school giving us authorization to work the projectIf you need me to I will pull up the phone log from our phone bill showing he called usThank you

I am rejecting this response because:I am not going to go back and forth with thisYes I did say at one point that I was interested and yes I said that I was interested in one of their less expensive purchases,but that was itI was simply interested and we had a conversation about their productsIt was at this point that I told them that I needed to review this with my partner and was not committing to anythingThere was NEVER A POINT THAT I SAID YES, I WANT THIS PRODUCTThey became very pushy and "sneaking salesman" by asking to get it started right awayAsking telling me that they would pull the logo from my website to get the shirt startedI became weary and uncomfortable at this point since I felt like I was being pushed into a saleOf course looking back my intuition was rightAt this point, I told them, "Ok, but you understand I am not saying yesYou guys can do what you want, but I'm not ready to buyThis is how scammers workThey continued on..."Oh don't worry about itWe'll have it ready to go for you should you need itI said ok, but again, "I'm not committing to this I need to review with my partnerNow looking back I should have gone with my intuition and told them that I don't feel comfortable with what they are doing and to not send me any invoice or do anythingBut I gave them the benefit of the doubt since I told them I was not committing to anythingIt just all felt wrongWe all know this feelingWe've all been through one of these situationsWell let me tell you, this is what Spartan Sports is doing and it's not right. A few weeks went by and then I get a call back from them asking if I received their invoice via emailOh and mind you the number was blockedI never pick those up, but I did that dayYet another slimy sales tactic to get a hold of people.The women on the phone asked if I had received their invoiceI said yes, but that I was not moving forward with it anythingI seriously don't understand how hard this is for anyone to comprehendI DON'T WANT THEIR PRODUCTI WAS SHOPPING AND ENDED UP NOT WANTING ANYTHINGThis is very straight forwardAt no point in time did I say that yes, I was moving forward and that I wanted their productEND OF STORYI'm an honest man I would have no problem paying for something that I committed to buying over the phone with some sort of written agreement/contract, but this is not the caseNever in my life have I paid for something over the phone without signing an agreementI am done with this conversation and I will not pay a dimeThis company should not print out any graphics or assume that somebody will pay for something from just an "interest" over the phoneThey need to stop racketeering, and instead begin to run a legitimate business that sends people an agreement, a contract or even a simple credit card authorization form that they have to signThey did none of the above and instead are trying to get money from people who never committed to buyingThis is a complete racket and I'm done

On 01/22/16 [redacted] had called the office regarding on the status of the printing of the Rio Lindo High School T-shirts and regarding a t-shirt she was expecting to come in the mail to see her ad purchased. I explained the T-shirts should be back from the printers this week; they were expected back...

from the printer anytime and her shirt would be mailed at that date. She was very [redacted]et at the amount of time for the project to be completed. I was unable to calm [redacted] down. She said that we were a scam; that we were doing fraudulent work, that we were not working with the school as well as profoundly bad language from [redacted]. I explained that it would be best if we discussed this at a later date when she was not so [redacted]et, that I would be happy to talk to her without the bad language. She then said I am going to call the school, the Revdex.com and and my printer. I explained that was fine and gave her contact info for each party. She then called the school, Rio Linda High School, spoke to the Athletic Director, [redacted]. Mr. [redacted] then contacted me regarding this situation. I explained who we worked with at the school, [redacted], the wrestling coach for 5 years. I explained the reason the project took so long to work was because the area is economically challenged. Mr. [redacted] agreed that yes, he understood why it took us so long to find the sponsors and get the shirts printed. The shirts were for winter sports and there was no specific deadline needed due to the fact that Mr. [redacted] knows how long it takes us to work a project in his area. [redacted] agreed to call Ms. [redacted] a return phone call to explain that we are a legitimate company and had fulfilled our contract. I received a call from our printer, he explained Ms. [redacted] had called him as well and he did reassure her that our company is legitimate, follow through with what we are contracted to do and one of the best companies he prints for; he also explained that the shirts were being delivered that day, January 22nd by [redacted] and that she would receive her shirt soon as well. The printer said that she was very pleasant and not abusive as she had spoken to us. He was surprised to see that she had filed a report with the Revdex.com. We thought the problem had been taken care of, then received this notice. Ms. [redacted] received her free large t-shirt on 1-25-16.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Thank you,[redacted]

Review: Purchased ad space on a tee shirt to support the Rio Linda high school wrestling team .I was solicited April 30, 2015 by Spartan sports out of Redding California. I purchased ad space for my local business for the fee of $299.50. I have contacted spartan sports several times over the last 10 months And have been told repeatedly that the T-shirts are still at the printers. I contacted spartan sports today January 22, 2016 And asked for a refund of my $299.50. Once again I was told that the shirts are at the printers. My hope is to resolve this problem immediately and I am requesting that spartan sports return/refund my $299.50. It is my belief that they have had more than ample time to complete their end of the contract. Thank you for your help in this matter. Sincerely [redacted] supplyDesired Settlement: Total refund of $299.50

Business

Response:

On 01/22/16 [redacted] had called the office regarding on the status of the printing of the Rio Lindo High School T-shirts and regarding a t-shirt she was expecting to come in the mail to see her ad purchased. I explained the T-shirts should be back from the printers this week; they were expected back from the printer anytime and her shirt would be mailed at that date. She was very [redacted]et at the amount of time for the project to be completed. I was unable to calm [redacted] down. She said that we were a scam; that we were doing fraudulent work, that we were not working with the school as well as profoundly bad language from [redacted]. I explained that it would be best if we discussed this at a later date when she was not so [redacted]et, that I would be happy to talk to her without the bad language. She then said I am going to call the school, the Revdex.com and and my printer. I explained that was fine and gave her contact info for each party. She then called the school, Rio Linda High School, spoke to the Athletic Director, [redacted]. Mr. [redacted] then contacted me regarding this situation. I explained who we worked with at the school, [redacted], the wrestling coach for 5 years. I explained the reason the project took so long to work was because the area is economically challenged. Mr. [redacted] agreed that yes, he understood why it took us so long to find the sponsors and get the shirts printed. The shirts were for winter sports and there was no specific deadline needed due to the fact that Mr. [redacted] knows how long it takes us to work a project in his area. [redacted] agreed to call Ms. [redacted] a return phone call to explain that we are a legitimate company and had fulfilled our contract. I received a call from our printer, he explained Ms. [redacted] had called him as well and he did reassure her that our company is legitimate, follow through with what we are contracted to do and one of the best companies he prints for; he also explained that the shirts were being delivered that day, January 22nd by [redacted] and that she would receive her shirt soon as well. The printer said that she was very pleasant and not abusive as she had spoken to us. He was surprised to see that she had filed a report with the Revdex.com. We thought the problem had been taken care of, then received this notice. Ms. [redacted] received her free large t-shirt on 1-25-16.

Review: To Whom It May Concern,

I received a sales call from Spartan Sports about 3 weeks ago (around the week of January 18th, 2016). They gave me their pitch, told me their pricing and I told them I was interested, but had to speak to my business partner. She then went on to tell me that she would send me an invoice. I said sure, you can send, but I'm not committing to anything. I was weary of them already at this point. Then today I get a call asking for payment. I told them I was not moving forward. They then told me that I made a verbal agreement over the phone and that in CA it's just as good as a signed contract. I then received an email from them today with a threat to pay them for this service. I'm appalled. I did not sign any contract, nor did I ever tell them that I was moving forward with anything. This is complete and total fraud and this business needs to be dealt with according to the law. If I wanted their service I would have given them my credit card number or cash. This is beyond me how they think they can send me an invoice and think I'd have to just pay or go to collections and pay late penalties on top of that. Please help. Thank youDesired Settlement: Please call this business and let them know that what they are doing is wrong. If I spoke with my customers over the phone about my products that they liked and then sent every single one of them an invoice after each call expecting them to pay for the product we discussed, I'd be a very rich man. I would greatly appreciate an email confirmation from the Revdex.com letting me know that this issue is resolved and that I am not responsible to pay them a single cent.

Thank you

Business

Response:

[redacted] called Spartan Sports on January 22, 2016 at 10am in the morning. No one from our office contacted him on this date. [redacted] my sale rep contacted him on January 18th, 2016 and explained what we do for University High School, that we are legally contracted with the school. We have a signed endorsement from the school giving us authorization to print the shirt on behalf of the high school. On January 22, 2016 he called the 800 line my sales rep [redacted] took the phone call as [redacted] was out sick on January 22nd, 2016. He spoke with [redacted] letting her know he spoke with [redacted] a few days ago and was interested in moving forward with advertising on the back of the [redacted] Shirt. [redacted] never pitched him to do the advertising, because she does not work the same projects as [redacted]. He asked [redacted] what he would have to do to move forward, because [redacted] was not in the office and he really wanted to take the biggest spot on the shirts. He originally wanted to take the Banner ad on the shirts, but couldn’t afford the cost of the banner ad. We settled on doing the dumper sticker ad because it was more in his budget. He also asked [redacted] how to pay for the advertisement and if he could send in a check, she then explained to him that she would need to transfer him to verification because she was not authorized to go over billing or graphics for his advertisement. During this conversation he also explained to her that was very involved in different Veteran related organizations. Once [redacted] was done speaking with [redacted], she transferred the phone over to myself, [redacted]. We do not allow anything to go to invoicing in our office without being verified by management. I went over all the information to make sure we had his information correct for billing and graphics, at the end of our conversation I reiterated that you are authorized and committed to doing this advertisement. He responded back and said yes. He requested us to get his logo off of his website, which he gave me [redacted]. He asked for my graphic artist to put the ad together for him. We only have 1 graphic artist, we are a very small business. We also gave him a free medium shirt. I, [redacted] proceeded to go over billing with him. I asked him if he would like to pay today and save $20.00 or if he needed us to mail him out an invoice so he could mail out a check. He requested that we invoice him so he could mail back a check right away. My graphics artist started on his artwork right away, normally it will take him two weeks to get a customer there proof, but I had him start on it right away because he choose to do one of the biggest spots on the back of the shirts. My Graphics Artist emailed him his ad proof on 1/25/2016. I, [redacted] called back on 2/5/2016 to make sure he received his ad proof and invoice for his ad. He was extremely disrespectful to me and proceeded to tell me, “I didn’t sign anything, so I’m not paying for anything, and that I would have to prove he ever spoke with anyone.” He proceeded to yell at me and argue with me, so I ended the call. I can forward you the email from our graphics and myself, as well. I can attached the signed endorsement I have with the school giving us authorization to work the project. If you need me to I will pull up the phone log from our phone bill showing he called us. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:I am not going to go back and forth with this. Yes I did say at one point that I was interested and yes I said that I was interested in one of their less expensive purchases,but that was it. I was simply interested and we had a conversation about their products. It was at this point that I told them that I needed to review this with my partner and was not committing to anything. There was NEVER A POINT THAT I SAID YES, I WANT THIS PRODUCT. They became very pushy and "sneaking salesman" by asking to get it started right away. Asking telling me that they would pull the logo from my website to get the shirt started. I became weary and uncomfortable at this point since I felt like I was being pushed into a sale. Of course looking back my intuition was right. At this point, I told them, "Ok, but you understand I am not saying yes. You guys can do what you want, but I'm not ready to buy. This is how scammers work. They continued on..."Oh don't worry about it. We'll have it ready to go for you should you need it. I said ok, but again, "I'm not committing to this I need to review with my partner. Now looking back I should have gone with my intuition and told them that I don't feel comfortable with what they are doing and to not send me any invoice or do anything. But I gave them the benefit of the doubt since I told them I was not committing to anything. It just all felt wrong. We all know this feeling. We've all been through one of these situations. Well let me tell you, this is what Spartan Sports is doing and it's not right. A few weeks went by and then I get a call back from them asking if I received their invoice via email. Oh and mind you the number was blocked. I never pick those up, but I did that day. Yet another slimy sales tactic to get a hold of people.The women on the phone asked if I had received their invoice. I said yes, but that I was not moving forward with it anything. I seriously don't understand how hard this is for anyone to comprehend. I DON'T WANT THEIR PRODUCT. I WAS SHOPPING AND ENDED UP NOT WANTING ANYTHING. This is very straight forward. At no point in time did I say that yes, I was moving forward and that I wanted their product. END OF STORY. I'm an honest man I would have no problem paying for something that I committed to buying over the phone with some sort of written agreement/contract, but this is not the case. Never in my life have I paid for something over the phone without signing an agreement. I am done with this conversation and I will not pay a dime. This company should not print out any graphics or assume that somebody will pay for something from just an "interest" over the phone. They need to stop racketeering, and instead begin to run a legitimate business that sends people an agreement, a contract or even a simple credit card authorization form that they have to sign. They did none of the above and instead are trying to get money from people who never committed to buying. This is a complete racket and I'm done.

Business

Response:

We apologize for any miss understanding that has accrued and any inconvenience this has caused. Your ad has been canceled in our system.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Thank you,[redacted]

Review: Spartan Sports uses misleading strategies to solicit advertisers on behalf of a 3rd party. In this case they contacted local businesses in Bradenton, FL to advertise on spirit T-shirts for Manatee High School. The school has no contract authorizing this solicitation and receives no benefit other than t-shirts from the company in question. The businesses were led to believe funds were helping the school. District attorneys sent a cease and desist in January to which they claim to have stopped soliciting but instead of returning funds to the businesses they still sent t-shirts to the school in April which also featured an unauthorized use of the schools trademarked logo.Desired Settlement: Funds should be returned to the businesses as the school will not distribute the shirts as they feature an inaccurate and unauthorized use of a trademark logo.

Business

Response:

Spartan Sports has had a long association with Manatee High School, providing fundraising t-shirts free of charge due to the sponsoring businesses that purchase advertising on the back of the shirts. Please find below a chronological order of Spartan Sports’ association with the school, as well as attachments which will prove that we contacted the school prior to working the project, did not work the project without verbal approval; and that the artwork has always provided by a Coach of Manatee High and/or approved before printing the shirts.

1) May 15, 2006, the owner of Spartan Sports contacted Cheer Coach [redacted] at Manatee High School by telephone. Coach [redacted] signed an Endorsement to receive the free mascot shirts. See Endorsement signed by Coach [redacted] with the Manatee High fax - name/date from fax machine on top - attached. Further, Coach [redacted] faxed hand-drawn artwork for Spartan Sports’ graphic department as an example for the front of the shirts (copy of this drawing attached with the Manatee High school fax date on the top). Coach [redacted] agreed to give shirts to the sponsoring businesses; hence, the next attachment is a copy of the letter to Coach [redacted] with the attachment of the sponsors.

2) April 11, 2007, Spartan Sports again contacted Coach [redacted] about working a t-shirt fundraising project for Manatee High School. See attached email from Coach [redacted] agreeing to the project, as well as the t-shirt delivery confirmation from UPS, dated November 14, 2007.

Revdex.com – Manatee High #[redacted]

Page 2

3) When we called for years 2008 & 2009, we were informed that Manatee was doing different types of fundraising projects and they chose not to print shirts for those years, thus we did not work a project during those years.

4) October 10, 2010, Spartan Sports contacted Coach [redacted] to ask if we could work a project for her. Coach [redacted] informed Spartan Sports that there was a new cheer coach by the name of [redacted]. Coach [redacted] advised we could call the new cheer coach about getting more free shirts. We then spoke to Coach [redacted] about receiving more shirts and she said, “Yes, she want more shirts; use the logo online.” T-shirt Delivery confirmation is attached from UPS delivered on September 2011.

5) September 5, 2012, Spartan Sports again contacted [redacted] by phone and asked if she wanted more shirts. She advised “Yes, we will take more free shirts if you guys want to send us some.” Please see the delivery confirmation (June 7, 2013) attached and email from our graphics department, asking if Spartan Sports needed to make any changes to the artwork.

6) November 8, 2013, Employee [redacted] of Spartan Sports spoke with Coach [redacted] on her line in her classroom at Manatee High School. [redacted] asked Coach [redacted] about doing the shirts again. Coach [redacted] advised, “Yes.” [redacted] then transferred the phone to Spartan Sports’ General Manager, [redacted], to verify that Coach [redacted] did, in fact, agree for Spartan Sports to move forward with working a project for printing free shirts for Manatee High School. Coach [redacted] reiterated to [redacted], “Yes she would like to get the free shirts again.” [redacted] told Coach [redacted], that Spartan Sports couldn’t have the Manatee High T-shirts printed until late spring of 2014, because Spartan Sports already had so many other schools in the production line. Please see Spartan Sports’ attached email dated November 8, 2013, where we reiterated that Coach [redacted] had spoken to [redacted], and we would appreciate an updated signed Endorsement.

7) On January 10th, 2014, we received a Cease and Desist letter to stop working the Manatee High School project. Spartan Sports immediately discontinued working the project and the project was put into the production line for printing. See attached delivery confirmation dated April 29, 2014, as well as the emails dated April 15, 2014 & April 30th, 2013, from our graphic department asking if Coach [redacted] needed any changes to the artwork. Make note at the bottom of the Ad Proof for the front of the shirt that it states, “Please respond within 10 business days or project will be ran as is!”

Revdex.com – Manatee High #[redacted]

Page 2

8) As a final attachment, we have a flyer that is put in the top of each box of shirts shipped to all schools. This identifies Spartan Sports as having provided the shirts. This flyer allows any school to immediately notify Spartan Sports if the shirts were printed in error. Why is it that in all the years we have been printing shirts for Manatee High School that we have never been called (copies of the delivery notifications from UPS) with an indication that we were not working with the school properly?

Each time we spoke with a Coach or any agent of Manatee High School, as we counsel any school we work with, we always advise that it is best to sign a new Endorsement for each project, so we could show the sponsors that we are, in fact, working with the school. Many times, the Coach or Athletic Director says they are busy and just keep using the old Endorsement or they do not return the emailed Endorsement request as in this case.

Spartan Sports, due to the above, has started a program where the sales department now travels all over the country attending Athletic Director conferences where Spartan Sports’ representatives can meet in person with each school representative; at that time, an Endorsement is signed by the Athletic Director. This is very expensive for the company, to try to meet in person each and every representative of a school, however, a project will never be worked with just a verbal agreement with an agent of any school; a person of authority signs an endorsement before Spartan Sports begins any project.

In summary, Spartan Sports is proud of the current A+ rating with the Revdex.com. That rating has been earned while working diligently in an honest and forthright manner using personal integrity to produce a product for our schools where they can resell the 300 shirts if they wish, (or use them for spirit gifts) at school games to realize 100% revenue. They do not have to purchase and resell articles such as Christmas trees, candy or candles. Spartan Sports feels this provides each school the opportunity to realize sizable revenue with which the school can augment their sports programs, thus keeping sports in the schools during revenue downturns and budget deficits.

Spartan Sports is a family owned, 9-year old, small business with 15 employees. It is run by a niece, aunt & grandmother who were all single moms and never had enough money to pay for sports uniforms, sports clinics, etc. for the sports endeavors of their children. Thus, the start of the company.

Revdex.com – Manatee High #[redacted]

Page 4

Spartan Sports has kept an A or A+ rating with the Revdex.com since joining. That record should be a good indicator that there must have been a misunderstanding or mistake that led to this accusation that Spartan Sports worked without permission and pulled the mascot logo from some unknown source, without permission.

Further, the fact that we have been delivering shirts almost yearly since 2006 to the school and providing contact information in each box; if Spartan Sports was working without permission, would not Spartan Sports have been contacted after an earlier delivery?

In the spirit of every Revdex.com business, Spartan Sports sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this incident may have caused the school or school district. We appreciate the school’s position; we appreciate the Revdex.com’s consideration of this matter, and pledge to work diligently to settle this matter.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:

As a public entity we require contracts for any type of

agreement of this nature and as you can see from the response there was no such

contract – see paragraphs 2 and 3 below. In spite of the claim not to work on a verbal

agreement they clearly have in this case.

8) As a final

attachment, we have a flyer that is put in the top of each box of shirts

shipped to all schools. This identifies Spartan Sports as having provided the

shirts. This flyer allows any school to immediately notify Spartan Sports if

the shirts were printed in error. Why is it that in all the years we have been

printing shirts for Manatee High School that we have never been called (copies of the delivery

notifications from UPS) with an indication that we were not

working with the school properly?

Each time

we spoke with a Coach or any agent of Manatee High School, as we counsel any

school we work with, we always advise that it is best to sign a new Endorsement

for each project, so we could show the sponsors that we are, in fact, working

with the school. Many times, the Coach or Athletic Director says they are busy

and just keep using the old Endorsement or they do not return the emailed

Endorsement request as in this case.

Spartan

Sports, due to the above, has started a program where the sales department now

travels all over the country attending Athletic Director conferences where

Spartan Sports’ representatives can meet in person with each school

representative; at that time, an Endorsement is signed by the Athletic

Director. This is very expensive for the company, to try to meet in person each

and every representative of a school, however, a project will never be worked

with just a verbal agreement with an agent of any school; a person of authority

signs an endorsement before Spartan Sports begins any project. Not the case here!

The implication that the shirts were “free” and the fact

they represented to the businesses that it benefited Manatee High School are

misleading at best. This now places the

school in a position where these businesses will not donate to them. I personally spoke to several of the businesses

and they were under the impression that the funds they were paying would benefit

the school.

Additionally, they acknowledge receiving the cease and

desist letter but still printed shirts. The shirts in question feature a poor

representation of a trademarked logo they did not have permission to use. As our image and brand is valuable to us

these shirts will not be distributed and therefore the persons to who they sold

adds will see no benefit. The proper

thing for Spartan to have done in this case was to have not proceeded to print

shirts but to rather return the funds to the businesses in question.

v

Business

Response:

"The implication that the shirts er "free" and the fact they represented to the businesses that it benefited Manatee High School are misleading at best"