Buying soccer jerseys can be a fairly straightforward experience or it may require more research depending on the type and quantity you are buying.
For a replica jersey you may either go to your local sporting goods store or soccer specialty store to make the purchase, or find the website of the club whose jersey you want to buy and go to the shop or their online store to place your order.
The advantages of purchasing the jersey at the local store include a lower cost for the item plus the fact that you will receive the jersey on the spot and won’t have to wait for it to be shipped to you.
The primary disadvantage is, you will likely find a much smaller selection of the jersey you want because local stores generally don’t have their jerseys customized with a particular number or name. They may be able to order a customized jersey but if that is the case you’re better off ordering it yourself from the club website.
If you are buying jerseys in bulk for your local team the local soccer specialty store is probably the best way to go. Most stores can order from almost all manufacturers, they can give you the information on any new styles and can find any good deals on discontinued lines that will save you money if you are on a tight budget.
Dealing with the local merchant for bulk orders is often better because of the face-to-face aspect of the relationship. You’re not just an order number to the local storeowner, you’re his livelihood.
Geographic location and the time of the year your team plays will determine the type of jersey you want to buy for your team. For example, if you live in colder climates and play in the fall and winter you may want to buy long-sleeved jerseys. If you play year-round, a combination of short- and long-sleeved jerseys may be required because it can get really hot and humid in the summer even up north. If you live in warmer areas, generally short sleeves will do year-round because even in the winter months the temperatures are mostly moderate.
Another factor may be the choice of jersey color. Various shades of red and blue are the most common, but if your team is in a league that has a large number of teams it may be cost effective to go with a neutral color like orange to avoid buying a second set of jerseys when it turns out a neighboring team has purchased the same set.
