Kilt order snafu--your advice please

[Detroitpete]

I ordered a 4 yard 'casual' wool kilt as a step up in quality from my traditional choices for competing in heavy athletics. Inexpensive kilts aren't so inexpensive when you keep having to replace them. I purchased the kilt from a reputable merchant who did an excellent job on a 16oz tank for me previously.

Here's the rub. I was measured, confirmed the tartan and that I wanted it in 13oz because I wanted the lighter weight due to it being used primarily for tossing cabers etc in.

I was told that it would be the usual 8-10 weeks turn around time, which I was fine with. Next week will be week 10. I contacted the merchant to ensure that I would get a notification email when the kilt shipped, so I could track its delivery and not worry about the box sitting on my front porch without me knowing it.

I was told that the order needed to be checked, then was told that the supplier had run out of the 13 oz. tartan I selected and was waiting for another run of it--ergo, they haven't even started the kilt.

The merchant appologized and said that the supplier could provide the 16 oz. tartan for the same price, but since this is the holiday season, the process won't begin until after the new year. Expected delivery of the 16 oz. kilt will be mid-March.

So here are some questions for your advice:

Do I wait until March for a 16 oz. kilt that I originally wanted as a 13 oz., delivered by Christmas?

Do I tell the merchant to hold off until the 13 oz. material is ready, then expect it later than mid-March?

Do I cancel the order, ask for my full refund, call another merchant to see if they have a supplier for the tartan in 13oz. and pay a few extra dollars for a rush?

What say you?

[Tobus]

I know it's a throwing kilt, but if I were offered a 16-ounce kilt at a 13-ounce price, with the original delivery time, I'd hop on that in a heartbeat.

[Detroitpete]

I know it's a throwing kilt, but if I were offered a 16-ounce kilt at a 13-ounce price, with the original delivery time, I'd hop on that in a heartbeat.

it's twice the original delivery time, and throwing in a 16 oz tank in July and August is not something I really want to do.

[Pleater]

Only you can make the call here I think - the merchant has made an error in not keeping themselves and you up to date on the situation, but they seem keen to try to make ammends.

I would have thought that when the tartan did arrive that it would be put at the top of the pile to be made, but you would need to check that with the merchant, if you decide that you can wait that long.

It could well be that if this one merchant can't get the 13 oz version, neither can anyone else, and you'd have to be lucky and find someone with a piece of it to hand in order to get the kilt made any faster..

Anne the Pleater:ootd:

[Tartan Tess]

I would wait/search for the 13 oz. but be a squeeky wheel.
Often, the Mills keep us waiting and waiting and won't let you know it isn't even available until the customer starts asking about it (after they have been patience already)
What tartan are you after? Is the kiltmaker in the states?

[Detroitpete]

I would wait/search for the 13 oz. but be a squeeky wheel.
Often, the Mills keep us waiting and waiting and won't let you know it isn't even available until the customer starts asking about it (after they have been patience already)
What tartan are you after? Is the kiltmaker in the states?

Bruce Modern. Merchant is in the US, supplier Scotland

[Chas]

I would ring round or email all the other suppliers that you can. It is no good getting in a huff and saying you will go somewhere else, if there is nowhere else to go.

Once you have availability information, you can make a decision, but there are other considerations.

If you decide to go with the 16oz, it should be bumped up to first place in line. You should not have to wait an extra three months for their mistake. If it is a UK supplier, then the first working day is the 3rd of January. Your kilt should be ready for dispatch on Monday the 9th, with no further excuses.

or

You want a sizeable discount. I would think 25% would be reasonable. If they are unwilling to do that, then send them a link to this thread. You haven't named names yet, but I am sure that we would all want to know for future reference.

or

If you really want 13oz - go somewhere else.

Regards

Chas

[flyrod6057]

I was told that it would be the usual 8-10 weeks turn around time, which I was fine with. Next week will be week 10. I contacted the merchant to ensure that I would get a notification email when the kilt shipped, so I could track its delivery and not worry about the box sitting on my front porch without me knowing it.

I was told that the order needed to be checked, then was told that the supplier had run out of the 13 oz. tartan I selected and was waiting for another run of it--ergo, they haven't even started the kilt.

The merchant appologized and said that the supplier could provide the 16 oz. tartan for the same price, but since this is the holiday season, the process won't begin until after the new year. Expected delivery of the 16 oz. kilt will be mid-March.

I had a nearly identical situation buying my last kilt. How frustrating!

Of course only you can decide which path to choose here. You've identified a couple options, both of which are less than ideal. The way I see it, you have a couple more:

-- You could do the tartan search yourself, then buy direct from the mill. With fabric in hand, search out a kiltmaker.

-- You could procure your tartan, then try your hand at kiltmaking. It's a daunting task, but very do-able.

[FatherWilliam57]

Since you wanted the lighter weight for a very specific reason, you should hold out for that. The real question is "How much later than March" will you have to wait for the lighter material to be available. Actually, forget the 16-oz offer altogether; March is simply a timetable for something you don't want. Comparing availability to the March offer is a red herring in this case.

I assume you had a reason for selecting this particular kilt supplier. You will have to decide for yourself if it is worth waiting on him/her to "come through with the goods." Like Anne said above, it could be that no one has the material you want in stock right now.

[Tobus]

it's twice the original delivery time, and throwing in a 16 oz tank in July and August is not something I really want to do.

Ah, I misread that part.

Sounds like you've answered that question, then. You don't want 16 ounce, and you don't want to wait for March.

Honestly, though, I don't think there will be much difference between 13 and 16 ounce in the heat of summer. If you're wearing a wool kilt in the heat of summer, doing heavy athletics, you're going to be hot. The very small difference in wool weight is not going to mean the difference between comfortable and uncomfortable. But it's your call, obviously.