Author Topic: Why are altar boy cassocks always sold out? (Read 6232 times)

Matthew · « **on:** July 24, 2015, 11:39:01 AM »

Apparently, whatever online or offline store you go to, you can expect to wait a number of weeks to actually TAKE POSSESSION of an altar boy surplice or cassock.

Why is this?

You'd think that the factories would get the message and crank up production.

I ordered 2 altar boy surplices on Easter Monday, and they took 5 weeks to get here.

Recently I ordered two altar boy cassocks, and they are expected to take 4-6 weeks. Scratch the "4 weeks" -- it's already been that long.

And this isn't unusual -- before I decided on this particular online store, I went to many others. Some were more expensive, some charged more for shipping, etc. And many admitted on their websites that everything was backordered. The place I ended up going with did not admit that everything was out of stock -- but it's still backordered just the same. You get a nice "bad news" e-mail right after you place your order.

Meanwhile, someone local (in Houston) tried to go to an OFFLINE store, and they didn't have any altar boy cassocks of any size in stock.

What's going on? A resurgence of the Tridentine Mass? More Novus Ordo parishes using traditional garb for their altar servers?

It certainly has me wondering. I hadn't heard of any cotton shortages. It's just not usual for Capitalism to fail us like this. I mean, there is money to be made here, obviously! And no one wants that money? What?

JezusDeKoning · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2015, 12:17:19 PM »

Probably Novus Ordo parishes. From what I remember of my time there, they AT LEAST used traditional altar boy garb. I can give them that.

ihsv · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2015, 12:19:40 PM »

Looks like the monk/alb/white sheet things are available

Ladislaus · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2015, 03:08:10 PM »

Quote from: ihsv

Looks like the monk/alb/white sheet things are available

Does it come with the different-colored rope cinctures to match the liturgical season?

If so, then I think I might just order myself one.

1st Mansion Tenant · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2015, 03:55:57 PM »

Time to dust off those sewing machines, ladies.

Meg · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2015, 04:12:10 PM »

Quote from: 1st Mansion Tenant

Time to dust off those sewing machines, ladies.

Do you know if there are patterns available somewhere for boy's cassocks?

TKGS · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2015, 04:56:46 PM »

Have you checked with Mother of Our Savior Company?

http://www.traditionalcatholicpublishing.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1

When I ordered a cassock and surplice a couple of years ago it arrived in a week. Don't know if they have them in stock now, but it's another source.

Marlelar · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2015, 05:24:18 PM »

I suspect the demand is so low that the retailer just orders from their supplier once they get an order. Six weeks sounds about right to go from manufacturer to distributor to retailer.

poche · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2015, 01:25:51 AM »

Quote from: Matthew

Apparently, whatever online or offline store you go to, you can expect to wait a number of weeks to actually TAKE POSSESSION of an altar boy surplice or cassock.

Why is this?

You'd think that the factories would get the message and crank up production.

I ordered 2 altar boy surplices on Easter Monday, and they took 5 weeks to get here.

Recently I ordered two altar boy cassocks, and they are expected to take 4-6 weeks. Scratch the "4 weeks" -- it's already been that long.

And this isn't unusual -- before I decided on this particular online store, I went to many others. Some were more expensive, some charged more for shipping, etc. And many admitted on their websites that everything was backordered. The place I ended up going with did not admit that everything was out of stock -- but it's still backordered just the same. You get a nice "bad news" e-mail right after you place your order.

Meanwhile, someone local (in Houston) tried to go to an OFFLINE store, and they didn't have any altar boy cassocks of any size in stock.

What's going on? A resurgence of the Tridentine Mass? More Novus Ordo parishes using traditional garb for their altar servers?

It certainly has me wondering. I hadn't heard of any cotton shortages. It's just not usual for Capitalism to fail us like this. I mean, there is money to be made here, obviously! And no one wants that money? What?

Maybe there is a movement towards tradition.

poche · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2015, 01:27:24 AM »

Quote from: Marlelar

I suspect the demand is so low that the retailer just orders from their supplier once they get an order. Six weeks sounds about right to go from manufacturer to distributor to retailer.

It could also be that the demand is so high that they are unable to keep up with the demand.

Nadir · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2015, 03:30:06 AM »

As far as I am aware, and in places that I have been, the Novus Ordo has always had cassocks for altar servers, though they have been red, whereas SSPX tend to go with black.

Nadir · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2015, 03:35:46 AM »

Quote from: Meg

Quote from: 1st Mansion Tenant
Time to dust off those sewing machines, ladies.

Do you know if there are patterns available somewhere for boy's cassocks?

If you do a websearch you can come up with an adult size.

It should not be too difficult to adapt another pattern. After all a cassock is a long sleeved cuff-less shirt which goes all the way down to the ankles and has a stand-up collar.

hollingsworth · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2015, 11:33:06 AM »

What do altar boy cassocks have to do with "The Resistance?" Why was this topic introduced here? But like so many other topics on Cathinfo, it gets a lot of attention, where other, more important topics, go begging. Go figure.

TKGS · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2015, 11:57:52 AM »

Quote from: hollingsworth

What do altar boy cassocks have to do with "The Resistance?" Why was this topic introduced here? But like so many other topics on Cathinfo, it gets a lot of attention, where other, more important topics, go begging. Go figure.

Perhaps because people setting up "Resistance Chapels" are looking for them?

1st Mansion Tenant · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2015, 11:06:04 AM »

Maybe you should set up a thread to help each other find chapel components?

I was looking for patterns, but I came across this auction for bells that someone may need--

link