Vanguard?

[Rocketguy]

Ok about to show my ignorance once more! I have seen several times on this forum and in other places where people are laughing when someone mentions ordering from Vanguard. While I have never personally had a problem with them (actually had several really good experiences) they are kind of pricey. Can someone give me an alternate CAP gear provider? I used to use the Hock Shop, but they're gone now! Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

[SarDragon]

Basically, if it says CAP on it, or is a CAP specific item, like rank insignia, wing patches, etc., it is only available from Vanguard.

[Sapper168]

Basically, if it says CAP on it, or is a CAP specific item, like rank insignia, wing patches, etc., it is only officially available from Vanguard.

There you go fixed it for you....

[abdsp51]

So CAP ribbons by Ultrathin are not allowed???

[ol'fido]

Basically, if it says CAP on it, or is a CAP specific item, like rank insignia, wing patches, etc., it is only officially available from Vanguard.

There you go fixed it for you....

Are you working for the "Scamguard" marketing department?

[SarDragon]

So CAP ribbons by Ultrathin are not allowed???

My guess is that the Ultrathin folks get the raw ribbon material from Vanguard.

YMMV.

[Extremepredjudice]

So CAP ribbons by Ultrathin are not allowed???

My guess is that the Ultrathin folks get the raw ribbon material from Vanguard.

YMMV.

What ultrathins? 

Joking, not asking

[SarDragon]

http://ultrathin.com/

Search button broken?

[Sgt. Fischer]

My only problem with vanguard, is that they take FOREVER to ship! i live in AZ and it takes probably 2-3 months! (at least!)

[Thrashed]

Never had a problem with Vanguard. Their prices are fine too, higher than Hock, but twice the quality. Plus, part of the money Vanguard gets is donated right back to the CAP. That's a good thing. I do wonder why Vanguard doesn't sell certain things (service jacket, etc).

Never heard of Ultrathins, but their prices are more than double that of Vanguard. No thanks.

[GTCommando]

Never heard of Ultrathins, but their prices are more than double that of Vanguard. No thanks.

UltraThins are custom ribbon sets. If I didn't add ribbons to my rack so often, I'd use them myself. They have several things going for them:

1.  They look good. They're only 1/3 the thickness of a normal rack (hence the name), and they look super sharp.

2.  They're good to your uniform. They use magnetic backings instead of pins to stay on your shirt, which decreases the long-term wear and tear on your uniform.

Like I said, if it weren't for the fact that I add to my chest candy rather often, I'd have a custom rack built tomorrow. Might get one in the fall, when NCSAs and my Earhart are out of the way.

[MIKE]

2.  They're good to your uniform. They use magnetic backings instead of pins to stay on your shirt, which decreases the long-term wear and tear on your uniform.

Much cheaper option:  Don't wear ribbons on the shirt, you don't have to.

[abdsp51]

I always wore mine and actually I need to ship mine back to them to be updated.  Expensive yes but the pros outweigh that con.  Once I can get back in I'll hit them up for CAP items as well. 

[Abby.L]

The company also sells name tapes for CAP, pin or magnetic. Not sure if they're to standards, but when it says "Blue CAP nametape," I kinda hope they know what they're talking about. So for the shirt, that would be something good to order. 

[Eclipse]

Pin and magnetic tapes?

[Abby.L]

Pin and magnetic tapes?

Pins(Stabby things, leave holes in the shirt) or magnetic(No stabby things). And yea, they have both grey and blue CAP nameplates, so I'd assume you just put your name in, and select which one you want.  :angel:

[Sapper168]

Im sure they meant pin and magnetic namePLATES instead of nametape.... 

[brenaud]

Never heard of Ultrathins, but their prices are more than double that of Vanguard. No thanks.

Actually, I compared the cost for my ribbon set (11 ribbons, 5 triangle clasps, 2 stars, 1 "V") and UltraThin is less than $2 more than Vanguard ($24.95 vs $23 something).  Ribbons cost $.75 more, but attachments are cheaper (and no mounting bar to buy).  Vanguard has free shipping, but for nothing more than what I've listed above it doesn't apply (must be $25 or more).  I can justify that price difference to myself.

[FlyTiger77]

I can justify that price difference to myself.

:clap: And that, friends and neighbors, is really all that matters.

I use Ultrathin for my Army ribbons. They also have outstanding customer service.

I have no idea what CAP ribbons I am authorized, so I haven't investigated the cost there.

[fearedskill]

I would look around for local Army, Navy surplus stores.

[Woodsy]

Never had a problem with Vanguard. Their prices are fine too, higher than Hock, but twice the quality. Plus, part of the money Vanguard gets is donated right back to the CAP. That's a good thing. I do wonder why Vanguard doesn't sell certain things (service jacket, etc).

Never heard of Ultrathins, but their prices are more than double that of Vanguard. No thanks.

They charge over $40 for a short sleeve blues shirt that sells for about $15 at the exchange.  That's ok?

I don't care how much of it they donate back to CAP.  I donate enough money to CAP already. 

[a2capt]

No, they charge over $40 for a shirt that sells for .... *over $40* at the exchange.

It's not the same item.

The AAFES/MCSS sells the ploy wool ver$ion and the DSCP "issue" version.

Guess which one Vanguard doesn't have

[Woodsy]

No, they charge over $40 for a shirt that sells for .... *over $40* at the exchange.

It's not the same item.

The AAFES/MCSS sells the ploy wool ver$ion and the DSCP "issue" version.

Guess which one Vanguard doesn't have

Sir, that is incorrect.  It may have been true once upon a time (I don't know) but no longer.  I have purchased the $40 Vanguard shirt and the $15 exchange shirt, and they are identical in every way, down to the numbers on the tag sewn inside. 

[lordmonar]

No, they charge over $40 for a shirt that sells for .... *over $40* at the exchange.

It's not the same item.

The AAFES/MCSS sells the ploy wool ver$ion and the DSCP "issue" version.

Guess which one Vanguard doesn't have

Sir, that is incorrect.  It may have been true once upon a time (I don't know) but no longer.  I have purchased the $40 Vanguard shirt and the $15 exchange shirt, and they are identical in every way, down to the numbers on the tag sewn inside.

Have you found the secret yet?

Vanguard is not a UNIFORM CLOTHING SALES office.
They make and sell insigina.
They sell the uniform items that you are supposed to be buying from AAFES as a service.....a for profit service.
If you want cheap...call AAFES and order it.

[a2capt]

..and then their web site is grossly wrong, because the photo is by eyeball to me, the poly-wool variety, the stitch count is slightly different, and the tone of the blue is slightly more vivid when they're new. But the best part is the text in the description says exactly "This item is made from a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton." and that is NOT the AAFES issue shirt. I'm not denying they mark up stuff either, but if they were into that gross of a markup, buying the $15 item and piling $30 onto it, then why is the white Aviator shirt only $25/$27 total, in line with other vendors that sell the same thing online. Though the brand has changed from Propper, I do not recall the brand anymore, as even Propper seemed to have them on closeout on their own site. We'll see..

EDIT: .... after years of taking the "the poly wool one" for granted, in practically every conversation it comes up on, and that the labels on the ones I have are fairly obscured, I never paid attention - the DSCP issue one is made of 65/35. But the photo online is definitely the Propper one.. Which begs the question, if they are both 1550, one is obviously more vivid, and on a color meter that would not be the same color, and in a lineup, the 'premium' one sticks out, they are slightly thinner, thus a bit more translucent, and a tad more gloss/shine comes off it. They also, according to the label, do NOT like dry cleaning and hot water tends to turn them dull.

Having been on a few conversations where "why doesn't mine look like theirs", with cadets, "we got this from Vanguard" .. from the era of free cadet uniform major backlog, and having seen the Propper brand ones on the table at every Conference that I've gone to, at the Vanguard 'store'.

Alas, I'd submitted the question when I posted originally, to them directly. Hence the, "we'll see".

[abdsp51]

Just placed an order with them and omg the cost  , but for some items I'm stuck with them.  And coming from VA as well when I'm on the west coast  .

[PHall]

Just placed an order with them and omg the cost  , but for some items I'm stuck with them.  And coming from VA as well when I'm on the west coast  .

All CAP orders are filled by the East Coast store. Per the website.

[a2capt]

Though if you are in the area, you can pick up at Carlsbad, as they will do inter-location shipping for a different fee. It goes twice a week and you'll get notified that it's ready for will call. Sometimes it's quicker, too.

[spacecommand]

My silver V was shipped from their west coast office.  Must be one of those generic items.

[PA Guy]

I just looked at the AAFES website.  The "issue" blue short sleeve shirt sells for $13.05.  It is advertised as 80% polyester and 20% cotton broadcloth.