Chinese kilt buckles on eBay

[orangehaggis]

I saw some really interesting flag kilt buckles on eBay last night ... so, I decided to e-mail the seller to ask where they were made, and if I could purchase the buckle only (assuming they were not of UK manufacture).

The message I sent:

"Where are the buckles AND belts made? Can I buy the buckle only if I wanted a UK made belt? Do you offer UK made belts?"

The reply I received:

"sorry we cant be racist in this country most of the stuff in the world is now made in china
nenita"

How about that?? She didn't seem too interested in my custom.

Mark - Ohio

[cavscout]

It sounds like someone jumped to a conclusion...boioioing

[switchblade5984]

wow.....

ummmm whos the seller?

[Dirk Skene]

The heck with them. They could have at least answered your question in a professional way.

[Panache]

OH,

It wasn't a very professional answer.

However looking at your question:

"Where are the buckles AND belts made? Can I buy the buckle only if I wanted a UK made belt? Do you offer UK made belts?"

It seems very apparent that you are only interested in something made in the UK with the inference being that anything not made there is inferior.

Perhaps a gentler inquiry would have been:

Hello there, I am interested in the buckle and belt sets and would like more information on them. Where are each manufactured? Is it possible to order either the belt or buckle separately? Thanks in advance."

This would have gotten you all the information you needed without informing the seller that you aren't interested in imported goods from the East.

Based on the response you received, I suspect that English is not the writer's first language. Perhaps as not a native of the UK they didn't think too much of you basing what was quality or not, solely on country of origin. Perhaps they didn't see your question as an honest inquiry, but rather a dig at the quality of their merchandise.

I repeat, it wasn't a professional answer.

But was it a polite question?

In terms of people giving or taking offense, it sometimes valuable to look hard and see who got the ball rolling in the first place.

Just my thoughts

Respectfully

[McClef]

The seller was clearly confused about the difference between racism and preferred country of manufacture and almost insulting in the way they phrased their reply.

[orangehaggis]

The seller's ID is bestofscotlandshop.

In answer to Panache, I didn't intend to insult the seller ... I certainly didn't word my question in a way that is overtly inflamatory. I think she read more into what I typed than what was actually typed!

I was still interested in the buckle, and gave the seller opportunity to sell me a better belt to go with the buckle. I left everything wide open for the seller...

Anyway, most non-UK or Canadian made belts I've seen weren't of the best quality. I'd rather have something that might cost a little more, but would look better and last longer.

Cheers,
Mark O

[KiltedKnight]

I don't see where Orangehaggis said anything wrong. If I want something of quality and I ask the seller if their advertised kilts are Scottish made and not 'junk' from Pakistan or I want an accessory but I don't want any 'junk' from China, where is the racism in that? Is asking for a better quality item now to be considered racist?

If it's racist to know that better steel buckles will come from Pittsburg, PA. than comes from Shanghai, China then racism sure is the more intelligent way of thinking but I honestly think that those who believe it to be racist have the problem.

In the future I will make it a habit of asking where it's made.

Chris. :confused:

[Panache]

If I want something of quality and I ask the seller if their advertised kilts are Scottish made and not 'junk' from Pakistan or I want an accessory but I don't want any 'junk' from China, where is the racism in that? ...

KiltedKnight,

As I said before, the response OrangeHaggis got wasn't professional. But looking at his question I saw a small slight. Maybe it's simply the medium of sending emails rather than letters that lead to a little too much directness.
I was asking him to simply think about the perspective on the other side of the email.

If it is important to you that something is made in a certain place, that is absolutely fine. There certainly are a lot of poor quality ready made kilts and accessories out there to be avoided. It's your hard earned money and you should spend it on things that please you. What I was trying to suggest was that one can politely ask for information without burdening a vendor with our personal preferences or prejudices. I try to imagine sending an email to Jerry over at Stillwater along the lines of:

I want to know where your kilts and accessories are made. I don't want junk that is made in Pakistan or China. I'm only interested in real Scottish made goods.

Now Jerry takes pride in the goods he sells. His kilts are made in Pakistan and he tries to keep a selection of accessories that are good values that are made in a variety of places. The question is insulting to him, his wares, and his company. How is he going to feel? How is he going to answer?

I had 11 years of experience in retail and retail management. I don't think you realize how rude and unpleasant people can be in their search for "The Right" item. Being polite can get you the same information, and often a lot more and better information than being rude. Life is short, we might as well try our best to make it pleasant. Putting ourselves in the other person's shoes is a good way to start.

That was all I was trying to suggest.

Respectfully

[KiltedKnight]

Panache,

Please don't think that my reply was directed at you, it wasn't. I was just stating my opinion in general.

Everyone is so into political correctness these days that it is really beginning to get sickening and this was just the latest that passed my way.

Chris.