FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about Don Stripes referee gear? You’re in the right place. Our FAQ covers everything officials ask about our jerseys, accessories, timers, and scorecards — all designed by working officials who understand the job. Whether you’re wondering about durability, sizing, care, or bulk orders, find your answer below.
For Refs, By Refs™.
FAQ – Table of Contents
◆ Jerseys
◆ Referee Equipment
◆ Timer & Scorecards
◆ Bean Bags (Throw Down Bags)
◆ Ordering & Shipping
◆ Returns & Warranty
◆ About Don Stripes
◆ Getting in Touch
Jerseys
General Jersey Questions
Q: Why are Don Stripes jerseys better than other referee gear?
A: We design everything ourselves — working officials who’ve lived the same frustrations you have. Every jersey is dye-sublimated (no fading after 100+ cold-water washes), built from 100% polyester at proper weights (130 GSM short sleeve, 220 GSM long sleeve), and tested on the field before it hits our store. We price fairly because we know what it costs to crew a game.
Q: What sports do you make jerseys for?
A: Football, basketball, lacrosse, hockey (long-sleeve), wrestling, and field hockey. If it’s a sport you officiate, we’ve likely got you covered.
Q: Do you make custom logo jerseys for associations?
A: Absolutely. We work with officiating associations to create custom-branded jerseys. Lead time is typically 3–4 weeks. Reach out to [contact info] to discuss your association’s needs.
Sizing & Fit
Q: What size should I order?
A: Most officials order their normal shirt size. Our jerseys are cut athletic-fit (not over-sized), so if you’re between sizes, go up. Common sizing: officials typically wear M, L, or XL depending on build. We recommend checking our size chart before ordering.
Q: Do Don Stripes jerseys shrink?
A: No. Our jerseys are 100% polyester, dye-sublimated for durability, so they won’t shrink under normal washing. Wash in cold water, gentle cycle; line-dry or tumble dry on low heat to extend life.
Q: I ordered the wrong size. May I exchange it?
A: We don’t offer exchanges — just return and reorder in the correct size. Most returns are fit-related, so taking time to measure helps. Fit issues are the most common reason officials send gear back, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need sizing advice before ordering. Each of our jerseys and caps has a size chart on its product page to help you get the right size the first time.
Care & Durability
Q: How do I wash my Don Stripes jersey so it lasts?
A: Wash in cold water, gentle cycle; air dry or tumble dry on low heat. Skip bleach and iron. The dye-sublimated print is permanent — won’t fade after 100+ washings. Treat it right and it’ll last 3+ seasons.
Q: Will the dye-sublimated design fade?
A: No. Dye-sublimation bonds the color directly into the polyester fiber, so the design won’t fade. This is why our jerseys outlast screen-printed gear by years.
Q: How long do Don Stripes jerseys typically last?
A: 3+ seasons with proper care. Officials report wearing the same jersey for 100+ games without visible wear — that’s durability built in.
Q: Can I get a replacement if my jersey is defective?
A: Yes. We stand behind every jersey. If you receive a defective item, contact us with photos and we’ll replace it. Mandatory return required (we’ll cover return shipping). No defects reported to date — we do visual QC on every batch before shipping.
Styles & Options faq
Q: What’s the difference between short-sleeve and long-sleeve jerseys?
A: Short-sleeve is lighter-weight fabric (130 GSM) and ideal for football, lacrosse, and basketball. Long-sleeve (220 GSM) is heavier, better for cold weather, and a great option for hockey and winter sports. Both are dye-sublimated and built to last.
Q: Do you make women’s cut jerseys?
A: Yes, we offer women’s cuts for short-sleeve jerseys. Female officials deserve gear designed for their fit — we take that seriously.
Q: What colors do you offer?
A: Black and white, the standard for most sports. Some products (like bean bags and whistles) come in multiple colors (black, blue, pink).
Referee Equipment FAQ
Caps & Headwear faq
Q: How does the Don Stripes referee cap differ from others on the market?
A: It’s different because it solves a real problem. The piping reflects sunlight and stadium lights, making it visible even when your hat needs cleaning. Simple, practical, built For Refs, By Refs™.
Q: What’s the material of the Don Stripes cap?
A: Structured moisture-wicking polyester, with a flexible fitted look. Designed to stay in place during active officiating and hold its shape after repeated wear.
Q: How do I care for my cap?
A: Hand wash or gentle machine wash with a cap washer, air dry. Skip bleach and iron. The Don Stripes logo design is embroidered (not screen-printed), so it’ll hold up through many washes.
Penalty Flags faq
Q: What’s the difference between Don Stripes penalty flags and others?
A: Ours are built from premium nylon for durability and visibility. The weight and balance are tested by working officials to ensure they throw smoothly and stay visible in any weather. We price them fairly because we know crews replace flags regularly.
Q: How long do premium nylon flags last?
A: 2+ seasons with normal use. Nylon doesn’t fray like cheaper materials, and the color stays vibrant even after extended sun exposure.
Q: Can I order penalty flags in bulk for my association?
A: Yes. We offer bulk pricing for associations. Reach out with your order size and we’ll provide a quote.
Whistles
Q: Do you carry Fox 40 whistles?
A: Yes, we stock Fox 40 whistles — the standard for officiating. Sound projection and reliability matter on the field, court, or rink, and Fox 40 delivers both.
Q: What about a whistle lanyard?
A: We carry lanyard options that pair with Fox 40 whistles. Keeps your whistle secure during games and easy to grab.
Timer & Scorecards FAQ
20-Second Lacrosse Timer
Q: What is the 20-second lacrosse timer and why do I need it?
A: It’s a compact, dependable timer designed specifically for lacrosse officials. The 20-second count is critical in lacrosse (clearing the ball, returning to the field after timeouts, etc.), and our timer is engineered to be accurate, durable, and loud enough to hear in the noisiest games. Designed and assembled in-house by officials who understand the sport.
Q: How accurate is the Don Stripes lacrosse timer?
A: Highly accurate. We design and assemble each timer in-house using quality PCB components. We test every timer for accuracy before shipping. Consistency matters when you’re making calls.
Q: Can I reset the timer mid-count?
A: Yes. The timer is designed for quick resets and reliable operation during live play.
Q: What’s the battery life?
A: A single A23 (12-volt) battery can last a full season (or more) of regular use. Your first battery is pre-installed for your convenience..
Q: How do I care for my timer to make it last?
A: Keep it dry and avoid dropping (like any electronic device). Store out of direct sunlight. A well-maintained timer will last many seasons.
Scorecards and Pencils
Q: What are the lacrosse and football scorecards?
A: Rewriteable plastic scorecards for tracking game data on the field. Lacrosse: pre-game info, score, timeouts, unsportsmanlike fouls; football: captains, scores, timeouts. Durable, easy to erase, and weather-resistant — you can even write on them in the rain.
Q: Are the scorecards waterproof?
A: Yes. The plastic material is weather-resistant, so rain or sideline spray won’t damage them. You can even write on them when wet.
Q: What pencil should I use?
A: Any #2 or HB pencil will work with our scorecards. We recommend keeping spare pencils in your bag – which is why we sell them in a multi-pack.
Q: What’s the best way to erase my scorecard?
A: For small corrections a standard pencil eraser works great. To clear your entire card, a large format rubber eraser, or even a foam eraser (“magic”-style) is easier.
Bean Bags (Throw Down Bags)
Q: What are the Don Stripes bean bags used for?
A: Throw down bags for marking spots on the field — used in football to mark fumbles, end of kicks, first down locations while waiting for the chains, or other key spots during a game.
Q: What colors do you offer?
A: Blue, black, and pink (released for October cancer awareness support).
Q: How durable are they?
A: Built tough for repeated tosses and outdoor use. The nylon covering holds up through multiple seasons.
Q: Are they filled with standard pellets?
A: Yes, premium pellet fill for weight and longevity.
Ordering & Shipping FAQ
General Ordering
Q: How long does it take to ship my order?
A: We process and ship within 1–2 business days. Standard shipping via USPS takes 3–7 days depending on location. Expedited options available on request.
Q: Do you offer free shipping?
A: Yes. Free shipping on orders over $75. Orders under $75 are $9.95 flat rate.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: Credit and debit cards online. Bulk/association orders can be invoiced and paid by check. Reach out for bulk payment options.
Q: Can I order from outside the US?
A: Currently, US and territories only. International shipping logistics are complex, and we have yet to master that rulebook.
Bulk & Association Orders
Q: How do I place a bulk order for my association?
A: Contact us with your association name, the products you want, quantities, and sizing breakdown. We’ll provide a custom coupon code with bulk pricing. Minimum order: typically 50 units to qualify for bulk pricing.
Q: What’s the lead time for a bulk order?
A: Stock items (jerseys, caps, flags) typically ship within 2–3 weeks. Custom logo jerseys or caps add 1–2 weeks for design. Timers may have a longer lead time (check availability). We’ll confirm exact dates before finalizing your order.
Q: Do you offer samples before committing to a bulk order?
A: We don’t send samples, but we’re happy to discuss the product specs and show you photos/videos. Since we stand behind our gear, we’re confident in quality. If an association wants to try one jersey first, individual orders are an option.
Q: Can I use a bulk coupon code more than once?
A: Bulk coupon codes are for a single order only and expire after the agreed upon commitment date.
Returns & Warranty FAQ
Returns
Q: What’s your return policy?
A: Return within 30 days for a refund — most returns are fit-related. We cover return shipping for defective items. Measure before ordering to avoid the trip back.
Q: Do you offer exchanges?
A: No exchanges — just return and reorder in the correct size/option. It’s simple and keeps costs fair.
Q: How do I initiate a return?
A: Contact us at https://DonStripes.com/contact/ with your order number and reason for return. We’ll provide return shipping instructions.
Warranty & Defects
Q: Do you warranty your products?
A: We stand behind every item. If you receive a defective product, contact us with photos. We’ll replace it at no cost (mandatory return required). No defects reported to date — we do visual QC on all inventory.
Q: What’s considered a defect?
A: Stitching failures, material defects, design flaws, or functionality issues discovered upon receipt. However, normal wear and tear from use isn’t covered — we build these to last, and proper care extends life significantly.
About Don Stripes
Our Mission & Story
Q: Who is Don Stripes and what’s the story?
A: Don Stripes LLC is built by David Elkes, a 10+ year officiating veteran (football, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball) and President of the Tampa Bay Lacrosse Officials’ Association. Every product is designed and tested by working officials who understand worn-out gear and unfair pricing. For Refs, By Refs™.
Q: Why did you start Don Stripes?
A: Because officials deserve gear that works as hard as they do. Too much referee apparel is either cheap and disposable or overpriced and unavailable. We wanted to build durability, comfort, and fair pricing into every product — no marketing fluff, just honest gear designed by people who understand the job.
Q: How do you decide what products to make?
A: Real feedback from working officials. We listen to repeated suggestions from multiple officials (not one-off asks), test prototypes on the field, and only release products we’d use ourselves. Durability, comfort, and fair pricing are non-negotiable.
Q: Do you work with officiating associations?
A: Yes. We’ve partnered with several associations on custom gear orders. If your association has interest in bulk jerseys, caps, timers, or custom branding, reach out and let’s talk.
Getting in Touch
Q: How do I contact Don Stripes?
A: Use the Contact Us form on our website. We respond within 12 hours during business days.
Q: Do you have a physical location I can visit?
A: We’re home-based in Wesley Chapel, FL. All orders are fulfilled online, but we’re happy to chat via email, phone, or video call about bulk/association orders.
Q: Can I suggest a new product?
A: Absolutely. We take suggestions from the officiating community seriously. If you’ve got an idea for gear that solves a real problem, let us know. We can’t promise we’ll build it, but we’ll listen.
For Refs, By Refs™
Don Stripes LLC | Wesley Chapel, FL | https://DonStripes.com
