I was visiting the TTC web site to check to see if there were any service disruptions and curiosity got the better of me when I noticed a prominent link to the "Official TTC Merchandise" shop. It's been a while since I shopped for TTC swag at their lovely Union Station Store, so I checked out what was new in TTC swag in 2008. Surely they've made improvements over previous shortcomings, right?

Not wanting to ever be caught dead at a TTC store, I continued my search online, at Legacy Sportswear. After some awkward side-scrolling and clicking, I quickly decided to forego the "trendy woodyard jacket." Then I noticed something I'd never seen before - framed prints. So I side-scrolled some more and clicked on one that caught my eye, hoping to get a closer look. Instead it got smaller, so I clicked "click to enlarge" and it got bigger, but no bigger than it was in the first place. Oh well.

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I brought my face closer to my LCD screen and after a brief, pixelated inspection, figured I'd take a leap of faith and just pick a size and buy one. But I quickly learned that there was only one size - Std. Std? I don't know what that means. Is this a 4x6 print? An 8x10? 11x14? The size of the print and frame were not stated anywhere on the site.

So I decided to look up the online store's contact info so I could pose the question, but it erroneously listed the address and contact info for a flower shop in Cabbagetown. How very bizarre.

I guess I won't be buying any framed TTC prints online today.

Although "Legacy Sportswear worked hard to win the contract and met certain conditions imposed by the City of Toronto and the TTC regarding quality of merchandise and Canadian content regulations" [source], the City of Toronto and the TTC clearly still aren't listening to the ridership, or ensuring that their official shop stocks cool swag (or doesn't send customer inquiries to a flower shop).

I don't expect that the gong show will end anytime soon. Legacy managed to have their exclusive licensing rights renewed until 2011.

Edit: I managed to find the email address for Legacy Sportswear (it's on the main page). I've asked for framed print size info and will update when I learn more.