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As far as the quality is concerned, The Wal-Mart buyer I spoke with, was quite certain to show the Pluma T-shirt to the new Mfr. in order that he could be sure they would duplicate Pluma's quality. The only thing is, is that they may not be 100% cotton, but a cotton/polyester blend, matching the weight, thickness, and strength of the "original" Pluma T-shirt.
I believe the Pluma brand is no longer made. They were gobbled up by a larger company several years back, if memory serves me correctly. Their primary product line was fleece.
I posted the information below in Oct. of 2007.
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I Spoke to the buyer of Mens Apparel at Sam's Club today. Pluma has gone bankrupt bankrupt. He told me that his long term solution, will be to have another manufacturer start making a similar heavy cotton T-shirt for delivery in 2008. It appears that Pluma made some bad business decisions in aquiring 2 distributors which caused them to over extend themselves, and also, in effect, they appear to also have been competing with their customers as a result. It appears that is what caused their downfall.
Lets hope that the buyer at Sam's gets it right. He is aware of the many calls that have come in from customers looking for the Pluma T's, and I made him very aware that the heavy duty quality, was far superior to any other T's available out there currently.
hey this is great. This is why i love the net. I was going through my clothes and found my favorite shirt and googled it. Well imagine my suprise that you cant get them anymore, and that theres somebody out there talking about it. Thanks you all for the research and care for a quality shirt.
This will be great news for anyone who's been looking for the Pluma Brand T-Shirts because of their unbeatable quality.
I called the buyer at Wal-Mart several months ago, after I found out that Pluma went Bankrupt, and explained at that time that it would be great if Wal-Mart could find another supplier of T-shirts of equal quality. He said he'd look into it, and get back to me at some point if he had any good news for me.
He called me yesterday to let me know that Wal-Mart had worked out a deal with a Major Manufacturer who he couldn't name at this time, to begin manufacturing T's of equal quality to those made by Pluma, and he said I should begin looking for them at Wal-Mart around the middle of February.
He also said that they would be available in colors later if they sold well, and that it was possible they would be made in long sleeve versions and perhaps high quality fleece sweat shirts and pants as well.
How will you know what to look for if the Wal Mart guy won't name the brand?
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Rodney Blackwell - It's Member Appreciate Month - see how to get involved! PrinterListings.com: a place find, rate, and review custom t-shirt printing businesses
How will you know what to look for if the Wal Mart guy won't name the brand?
Hey Rodney,
You can tell just by feeling the weight and thickness of the shirt. Pluma T's were made of a very heavy 100% Cotton knit that was a whole lot thicker than any other t-shirts on the market. The new ones should be just as thick and heavy.
I am another sad Pluma lover with a worn and stained collection. Well it's the end of February, and I can't wait! Has anyone found the Son of Pluma versions promised by Walmart and/or Sam's?
I finally had a chance to get over to Sam's Club yesterday, and found a new line of "Spaulding" T shirts on display.
These T's appear to be somewhat heavier than most of the T's I have seen in the marketplace since Pluma went out of business. The material and workmanship seems quite good, enough so that I decided to purchase two of them.
The selection of colors was a bit drab, and lacking, not as bold as some of the colorful T's that Pluma used to offer, but perhaps Spaulding will offer brighter colors later, after they see how well this initial offering is received.
They were priced at $5.88 plus tax I think. The label does not indicate if they are all cotton, or a blend, but they feel to me like they are all cotton. All in all, though these T's did not feel quite as heavy as the Pluma's, they do appear to be above average in quality, and probably worth the price.
I hope that they will be received well by Pluma enthusiasts. If they are, perhaps we can all look forward to having "Spaulding" widen their line of similar colors and products to match the best of what we all so much appreciated in the Pluma line.
Try sahalie.com. They sell a 7 oz. long sleeve organic cotton tee. Pluma mfg. 5 1/2 oz. and 7 oz. jerseys, I think the weight we all want is 7 oz. I'm going try one of sahalie.com's 7 oz. tee's, and make up my mind.
They're $24.95/ea or $22.95 for 2 or more. Not cheap! Good luck.
Jeff
has anyone bought these shirts at walmart yet?
because i really love pluma's heavyweight zip up's! their warm as heck, ive had this for more then 5 years.
someone help me! i cant find pluma anymore, and want someone to bring something just as good into play.
OK, this should be the final answer to everyone who has been looking for T-shirts of equal quality to the Pluma brand. Pluma is out of business! Gone Bankrupt! Walmart is now selling a T-shirt of equal quality made by "Spaulding". They are in fact 100% cotton as were the Pluma T's, and the selling price is $5.24 each plus tax.
I have already purchased and worn 10 of these Spaulding T's and am thoroughly pleased with the quality. They are every bit as good as the old Pluma T's.
The only thing I don't like about them is that they sew the "material, care, and handling tag" into the bottom hem on the left side of the shirt. It's extremely annoying against the skin there, and I was even more annoyed when I cut one of my shirts trying to cut off the tags.
My suggestion would be to put it in along side of and the same way as the Spaulding name on the inside back of the neck.
Further, Pluma also made sweat pants and sweat shirts of the same high quality. I hope Walmart is able to convince Spaulding to manufacture those too, and the long sleeved T's that Pluma made for cooler weather.
Finally, I note that Spaulding is also offering some "Pocket" T's at the same $5.24 price. This is honestly terrific, and not an option that Pluma ever offered. Great idea Spaulding!!! Way to function!!!
Now, can you give us some of the fabulous bright colors that Pluma gave us. Real men DO wear magenta, pink, bright yellow, kelly green, brown, and burnt orange too, At least those of us who don't feel any doubts about their masculinity. Still, I can't yet quite see myself in pink or magenta sweatpants. But you could make them for our wives.
Thanks for all that you did Mark. Keep up the great work! (He's the "menswear" buyer at Walmart)
Hey rvcogan, Is the buyer you talked to from corporate? I have searched at 3 Wal Marts, One in glenwood Il. and 2 in Lockpot N.Y. Nobody knew what I was talking about. Where did you find them???