If you're selling football pads, stock a selection of brand-name pads that will appeal to players at all levels to meet the needs of your clients and avoid sending them to your competition.

Set yourself apart from the competition not only with your large inventory of football pads, but also with exemplary customer service. Train your employees regarding football pads information so they can ensure the right football pads are properly fitted to avoid injuries that take the fun out of the game.

1. Provide adults with a variety of football pads.

2. Stock children's football pads as a part of your inventory.

3. Choose a football pads provider that offers good sales terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Give your adult clients a choice in football pads

Stock a variety of sizes and styles of football pads to meet the needs of hardcore players as well as players who only participate in occasional pick-up games. Make sure your price points are diverse enough to satisfy anyone who enters your establishment.

I recommend: Aiya and Eric McCrite Company carry a full range of adult football pads, including shoulder pads, collars, and vests.

Provide football pads for your smallest clients

Take into account the smaller members of your clients' families and provide the kids with a good selection of sizes so they can find their own football pads. Keep the quality high and the prices reasonable, since kids outgrow their football pads and will need them replaced often. Keeping a high quality football pads selection at a reasonable price will ensure customer loyalty.

I recommend: Northeast Athletics has several youth-sized football pads for your inventory. We Play Sports offers protective padding to be worn under traditional football pads for extra protection for kids playing football.

Find football pads providers that offer good terms

Look for football pads providers who will work with you to make arrangements that are satisfactory to both parties. Ask about bulk rate shipping fees, return policies and preferred customer discounts to find out how you can save the most while stocking your retail location.

I recommend: Dowdle Sports offers bulk rates and team discounts on their equipment including football pads made by a variety of manufacturers. Click on "Contact Us" to get your best deal from CHAMPRO Sports, a maker of shoulder pads, hip pads, girdles, and inserts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Create a football pads list or a football pads directory for commercial customers like football leagues or high school and college teams. Make sure your list or directory includes all the football pads information they need to outfit their football team.