In a press release sent out to the action sports industry yesterday, Burton Snowboards has announced that it has learned that Burton product is now appearing on Overstock.com and at your local Costco Warehouse. But of course, they are on top of it, according to a release posted on TransworldSnowboarding.com
Burton’s new policies were already put to the test this season when unauthorized products were uncovered in the U.S.-based Costco chain and at discount online retailer Overstock.com. In addition, unauthorized European dealers were found with product that originated in the U.S. Burton acted immediately to discover the sources of these sales and terminated two U.S. accounts.
We have no reason for our feelings of skepticism other than the fact that products show up in Costco and/or Overstock for two reasons: 1. Because manufacturers sold them the product because they like the distribution, or 2. Because the manufacturer has over-produced for the market. Either way, it’s the manufacturer who is responsible and no one else. “Terminating two U.S. accounts” just looks to us like a classic case of blame shifting.
[Link: Transworld Snowboarding]
