Does anyone know the details of what sort of licensing agreement we have with Vanguard for selling CG Auxiliary uniform items?

I never saw any details - it is probably considered opsec or orgsec or some 'sec' but Vanguard does make most of the stuff that is sold in the CGEXs and the District stores.

Is there any particular reason you are asking?

Just curious. A few years ago CAP did away with the store that the org ran itself and now all CAP gear comes from Vanguard. Since the Aux runs all sorts of District stores Vanguard is actually competing with them for these sales, which would seem to go against the interests of those Aux districts.

The difference between the vendor and retail prices are usually pretty substantial, and the AUX probably buys alot of stuff from Vangaurd at vendor pricing then resells at retail. Vanguard makes money no matter what so they probably aren't too concerned.

I don't suppose I'm worried about Vanguard making money, but Vanguard perhaps preventing the District stores from making money. Now, if Vanguard is actually returning a good percentage of profits back to the Aux, maybe it isn't a big deal (never really thought it made much sense to have a bunch of district stores anyway). However, CAP members can relate tons of horror stories about dealing with Vanguard since they made the switch. My personal experience has been mixed.

Vangaurd isn't too bad, but there a number of other places I would use besides them if I had a choice. I've been using Spur Nametapes for over 10 years for sewons and nametapes and never had any problems, but they'd probably just subcontract out the pin-on stuff.

the Aux runs all sorts of District stores Vanguard is actually competing with them for these sales, which would seem to go against the interests of those Aux districts.

That has been true for more then 10 years. Vanguard was selling direct and thru the district stores when I joined in 1999. You could make the same agruement that the UDC and Lighthouse Uniform (for whatever Aux stuff they still sell) also competes with the District stores.

Even better, at one time anyone from any district could shop in another district's store. I don't know if they stopped that or not but when it was allowed D7 had some of the cheapest prices and lowest (to free) shipping of anyone. I know that ticked off some districts who relied on high prices and rip-off S&H charges to stay in the black.

Vanguard is only one of several suppliers of CG and other military insignia.

By the OP's logic, the CG Exchange system is a competitor to the CG Aux stores, and should stop selling CGAUX items.

Well, I suppose the CG Exchange is a competitor, but they don't really carry much in the way of Aux specific items.

I've always shopped around the various district stores. The problem now is that I think 11SR is about the only store left without the same cookie-cutter layout and prices as the others.

The problem now is that I think 11SR is about the only store left without the same cookie-cutter layout and prices as the others.

That is because most of the districts abandoned their own stores and have the Nat warehouse run their 'stores' for them. They are district stores in name only. The stuff is all kept at the Nat warehouse and shipped from their. I think each district can set its own prices but the web site and everything else is also run by the Nat warehouse.

Another exception is the 7th District Store. The 7th District still runs its own physical store and web site. I don't know how much D7 prices differ from the others but its price list is available for comparison shopping.

quote:

Another exception is the 7th District Store.

I really like the D7 store and I'm a very long way away on the west coast. They are fast, efficient and inexpensive... and nice to deal with. What a concept!

I get a lot of flack for not supporting my district's store (which is now a joint venture of several district's stores) but unless they force me back, I'm not changing.