This needs a whole new thread or a completely different forum.

The modern way is style over substance in almost all walks of life.
Why else would folk with barely any cash "need" the most up to date mobile or pair of trainers ?

RL as a sport has to explore new ways of generating cash. However this generally means that existing fans parting with a larger share of their hard earned wonga.

As others have said, just because something is available doesn't mean that you have to buy it but, in an ideal world we would increase income by attracting new fans and not by leaning more heavily on the ones that we have.

My kids waited for birthdays/ Christmas to get a new shirt etc. Just like a fan isn't forced into buying club merchandise, a parent still has the right to tell their child 'no'. They don't HAVE to have everything and won't die for the lack of the latest socks. It's no wonder kids these days have no understanding of the value of anything. We are doing our kids a massive disservice for their futures.

I know what you mean but I don't think it's a bad thing that RL is trying to get more money from its existing fan base. I think it's been woefully poor at doing that. Of course though, ultimately we have to grow our fan/supporter/customer base, something that RL has also been very poor at. The well run clubs will be trying to do both.

exactly!
it's easier now to just give in to kids rather than say no to them, after all nagging kids interfere with facebook and all the other stuff people do these days.

agreed, and unfortunately i think it's too late, today's children are the next generation and what will happen when they reach adulthood and demand to have everything because they want it?