CLYW today announced some interesting news; beginning soon they will be handling sales of their upcoming models themselves, while only shipping “legacy models” to retailers. This means if you want the new Arctic Circle 2: Second Expedition you’ll need to buy it direct from CLYW, but you’ll be able to continue purchasing older models like the Cliff from stores like YoYoExpert.

Personally, I think it’s a great idea and it allows Chris the opportunity to do what he does best: custom-build an amazing brand experience for his collectors. Here’s his full letter…feel free to sound off in the comments section below with your opinions on this new move for CLYW.

Hello all,

Over the next month we’re going to be making some changes with how we are selling our return tops.  Currently we offer most of our throws to a select group of stores that are listed on our stocklist.  These stores have been instrumental with growing CLYW around the world.  For that I am truly thankful!! 

Last year we did really well considering the amount of CLYW return tops that got into hands of yoyoers around the world, but after all the dust settled, we really didn’t have much to show for it financially.  We have a large team, employees, artwork contractors, rental space, relatively high production costs, plus we funded a very expensive plastic project … the costs all add up … and something just isn’t quite working with how we’re doing things, so we need to step back and make some changes.  

One of these changes is switching to more of a direct sales approach. In November/December we’re going to be releasing 4 brand new models: the Gnarwhal 2, Arctic Circle 2, Bonfire and Puffin 2.  Initially the first few runs will be sold direct in order to help get CLYW pointed in the right direction.  We’re also going to be selling the first run of coloured Yetis direct too.  Stores on our stocklist will still be offered runs of our legacy throws (BvM2’s, Sasquatch, Avalanche, Chiefs, Black Yetis), and then we’ll see how things go from there.

I know this comes as a bit of a shock to most of you as it doesn’t quite follow the current formula we are all used to in this industry, but I hope that you understand where we’re coming from with this.  It is not my goal to make CLYW into a massive company that sells ‘products’ to every single toy store / retailer in the world.  I just want to have fun.  Take care of my family and team.  AND make some cool stuff along the way.  At the end of the day CLYW is still just a small business run by people who love yoyoing and love this community.

The CLYW store will have free shipping to the US and Canada for orders above $100 and free shipping to the UK and Japan for orders above $150.

Thank you for your continued support and if you have any questions/comments please feel free to contact us.

Regards,

Chris
CLYW