1. It seems the store simply emailed UDE right off the bat, as the customer service response they got was information necessary in order to become an official UDE store, not one qualified to run HL. If you can get in contact with William, I highly encourage you to do so.

2. A store does NOT have to be a UDE distro in order to run HL.

3. A store does need to have Vs. for display on the shelves, as far as I'm aware. However, my shop only has Heralds of Galactus, Legion of Superheroes, and some F4 starters on display, so you don't need elaborate displays.

4. Well, the store faxed the application, and I believe the photos were just sent out yesterday. I'll post in this very thread when I know more, which might hopefully be later tonight (if they faxed the photos).

We were told we had to be UDE disributors to have a hobby league thats what is taking so long

Well our store in St. Louis can't get a Hobby League from UDE. Can anyone help?

See, that's the exact opposite of what I was told. I suggest you personally contacting UDE through [email protected] or get ahold of the HL organizers yourself. It was made clear to me that a store does NOT have to be a UDE approved distributor in order to run a hobby league.

Thorne, now that this thread is stickied, is it possible to have the first post edited in an ongoing fashion with the correct information?
I'm not implying that it's misleading in any way, but the discussion of whether or not a store needs to be sanctioned is an example of the discrepancies and misinformation which contributes to fewer HL's being held. Just like stickying the thread, the process should be as easy as possible.
Thank you again for all your attention to this matter Thorne, and for taking it upon yourself to lead the march.

No need to thank me, I'm sure someone smarter and better at this than I would've come along sooner or later.

Anywho, I'm sending out an email right now so I can have the word from the horse's mouth, as it were. As soon as I get a response, I'll post it here.

Call to Edit: These are the questions I sent to William, so that when I post the answers no one gets confused:
1) Who is the proper person to talk to at UDE about ordering HL? Anyone have a number?
2) Does a store have to be a UDE distributor to order HL?
3) Does a store have to currently have VS for sale on the shelves? How much VS do they need to have for sale on the shelf?
3) How does one get a Hobby League application?
4) How long can people expect to wait on a reply about Hobby League appliactions? How long will it be after a store is approved for hobby league that it can order HL product?

I believe that you have to have a direct account with UDE in order to get a HL location. That doesn't mean you are a UDE distributor, only that you buy UDE product direct from UDE and not a seperate distributor.

This is pretty much correct. You do need to be set up in our system as a Tournament Store. You can order product direct from us once you are set up but you don't have to. You can continue to order from your regular distributor or a little of both. Whatever works best for your shop.

I hope that helps.

By the way Thorne, this thread is awesome. Thanks for taking the time to help out.

Scott

William Estela is one of the main people to talk to about HL. YOu can email [email protected] or try calling their Customer Service number at 800-873-7332. They have a dealer number but that's only if you've established yourself as a UDE Direct Account.
You do have to be setup as a UDE Tournament store. This means setting up an account with them so you can order UDE product, taking pictures of the store, sending them a copy of your business license and seller's permit and having a qualified TO (usually the owner).

You don't have to order non-HL product from them, but it's the best way to get UDE product quickly.
There are no requirements that I know of but if you are planning on supporting Hobby League, you should have VS for sale.
Email.
The turnaround is pretty quick. I think I was able to establish an account within a week. HL product is ordered on monthly cycles with deadlines and then ships to all stores at the same time.

Most of these horror stories you hear on Realms about HL need to be taken with a grain of salt. There were some shipping delays with HL but if your store ordered and paid for it... your store will get it. Especially now since they've changed the logistics of HL delivery. I've challenged anyone who says their store never got HL even though they ordered it and I have yet to hear back that they paid for it and didn't receive it (LIES... ALL LIES!).

I just got an email today about what will be in the March kit:
That website link isn't active yet but this shows that UDE is following through on their announcements.

Ack... missed Scott's post that answered most of those questions.

I have a feeling that UDE might get quite a bit of Hobby League apps in the following weeks.

Erick and Scott answered a lot of these, but I just got the response from William so here they are!

1) Who is the proper person to talk to at UDE about ordering HL? Anyone
have a number? The best way to reach me is emailing [email protected] w/ subject “Wanting to start a HL”.
2) Does a store have to be a UDE distributor to order HL? A Hobby Store has to apply for a UDE Direct Account to be able to order any of our products or prize support.
3) Does a store have to currently have VS for sale on the shelves? How
much VS do they need to have for sale on the shelf? I’m assuming if a store is taking the time to order a HL Kit for VS. odds are they have some VS. product on the shelf. There is no specific amount needed for sale on the shelf.
3) How does one get a Hobby League application? The application for being a UDE Direct Accounts will allow you to order Hobby League Kits as well (prize support). There is no separate application for just HL Kits. Remember you must have a store in order to complete the application.

4) How long can people expect to wait on a reply about Hobby League
appliactions? How long will it be after a store is approved for hobby
league that it can order HL product? We try our best to get approvals done within a week or so, depending on how many new stores we have applying at the time. If a new account started today, I would attempt to help him with the newest kit (March) or attempt to help him out with a past one to get things started right away.



I hope this answered all your questions – if anyone needs more details I can be reached at [email protected] “Attn: William”.

There you go! Hopefully I can soon update you all on how the HL stuff is going for me.

And hey Scott, I think the best way you can help me out is once William gets the Universe of Superheroes application is getting it approved ASAP, so that I can make the thread, "Running a Hobby League." ;)

I am trying to get a local store to start up a hobby league and was wondering if anyone knows answers to these questions.

How much does the kit cost?
What is the cost for players?
Do stores do any extra prize support over the stuff in the kit?

1. It usually runs at 20.00 (offering to cover this cost goes a long way toward convincing the store..either yourself or through a small entrance fee)

2. No cost unless it's put toward the above fee. It's supposed to be free, but ultimately it's up to the store.

3. Not usually, but it's not unheard of. They can even ask for an entrance fee in exchange for added prize support. There are many options available to make it worth the stores while, and all should be explored before anyone gives up.

The biggest roadblock?

That is has to be a brick and mortar store. I am a lev 1 TO, lev 1 Rules and a Demo team member... and i can't buy a kit and host it across multiple local shops. They require the store itself to be registered, and my local 2 stores wont do it.

We have about 20 people interested, and i woudl pay for the kit out of pocket to keep the support up. But UDE wont allow people to be proactive and get the kits. If i hosted at 2 differrent spots, that 1 kit could go a long way, but they don't set it up for this to be possible.

Many stores wont let you run events in them unless you are an employee, so even with Judge and To rankings, nothing will budge the stores without some direct backing/push form UDE.

This has always been the real problem. The program does not allow those how are really motivated to run these programs to order the kits and ... well... run these programs.

This killed VS in my area over a year and a half ago, and nothing in the current structure, or in the current announcements, seems to change that.

David, your anger is clouding your vision. The February 22 announcement includes the opportunity to do just that. With a little patience, your dreams may come true after all. Hold on, I'll get you the link.