Craigie Originals

[Rivenraven]

Got my new sporran from Craigie (sporrans.com) and I am absolutely impressed. She knew I was a Campbell and added the boar tusks as a surprise. I'm floored. Couldn't wait to GMHG to show it off so look in my photo album to see.

Cruachan!

Tioraidh!

Daivi
Yahoo Photo Album

[Riverkilt]

Good to see she's back on track. My adventures with her a few months back were total disaster.


Ron

[GMan]

That is one nice looking sporran, congratulations!

[Freelander Sporrano]

I for one know what a lot of work goes into such a thing of beauty. Treat it well my friend.

[Doc Hudson]

[QUOTE=Rivenraven]Got my new sporran from Craigie (sporrans.com) and I am absolutely impressed. She knew I was a Campbell and added the boar tusks as a surprise. I'm floored. Couldn't wait to GMHG to show it off so look in my photo album to see.[QUOTE]


That looks so good that even a MacDonald can appreciate it.

[Rivenraven]

Just got home from GMHG and that was by far the best Scottish event I have attended. I also attended the Gaelic Song and Language School and all I have to say is Bha i glè mhath! You see at all at Grandfather.

My sporran was a huge hit with the Campbell Clan. Everyone liked the boar tusks. See picture link in my first post. In all I had over 20 compliments on the sporran. I use the sling and it does make the sporran hang lower than a belt. It's all about what you like. I happen to like the sling better. If it makes your belt sag you either 1. have to much crap in it or 2. have your belt loose. I had my belt tight and carried a Digital Camera, Mobile Phone, Wallet, and a Flask of Macallan 12 yr. It pulled a little on the belt, so I ditched the big arsed camera after the first of the day.

I am leary of negative comments that do not elaborate on the experience. I like to know the facts. Why was it a disaster? That's a harsh word. There must be a story there. I have come to appreciate and consider Craigie an artisit. My son will "inherit" these sporrans. Anyway, I'll tell you my experience.

I have purchased two sporrans from Craigie (Susan) and both have been an excellent experience. Highest quality and well constructed. Both times she delivered within two weeks. My formal sporran she made is the angora sporran, and it too receives many compliments. Now I look distinguished in formal or everyday wear. You can also fit a great deal more in a Craigie than most other sporans. I like the coin pocket also. Saves from "digging" into your sporran.

Made to order and requests accepted. These are not off the shelf products and each is a work of art. She has continued the excellence that she and her husband started. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A CRAIGIE ORIGINAL.

If you would like to see up close detail photos of a Craigie sporran, I would be happy to take pics and email to you. Just send me an email. There are plenty of good sporrans out there, however, I saw none for sale at GMHG that could top the two I own. Freelander Sporrans are excellent! I saw two at GMHG and they are vera nice!

[Riverkilt]

I am leary of negative comments that do not elaborate on the experience. I like to know the facts. Why was it a disaster? That's a harsh word. There must be a story there.


Aye laddie, there is a story there...

Was my intent on my post to be glad things were back to normal for her.

Now there's this void...questions....so here's the story.

I bought a Freelander Sporran last year before they were also making sporran straps (all leather, no chain). I also purchased my first hand made traditional tank from Kathy's Kilts. No way did I want a chain cutting up the wool on my expensive hand sewn.

So, I looked and looked for a source for all leather sporran straps. Craigie Originals were recommended to me. I called her on 11/9/04 and she said she would make me a black and a brown sporran strap (one for each of my Freelander sporrans). She said it would be shipped in a week or so. Nothing happened for weeks. Then she called me trying to figure out if I had ordered from her and what I had ordered. She was confused by the notes she'd taken when she finally got around to making my order. She again said she'd get them right out.

I was hoping to have them in time to wear the black sporran strap with my black Freelander Sporran and new Kathy's Kilt traditional hand sewn kilt for the coming holiday parties. Those were my expectations based on her assurances. When the parties came, and there was still no sporran straps from her I went to WalMart and improvised with a cheap belt worn backwards. I was angry and dissappointed and called her. I got the machine and left a message. I believe the message was polite but forceful feeling I was given too optimistic delivery promises.

She called me back and left a message on my machine to the affect that if I didn't like it she didn't want me for a customer and she was cancelling the order. Not a common attitude for a merchant. There's a thread, or was a thread under the old format, on the accessories forum here somewhere. Someone suggested I try Robert at RKilts.

Believing that my Craigie order was cancelled as she said it was I placed an order for the two sporran straps with Robert. He had them to me in about a week (and he included leather swatches that led to my first RKilt purchase - a saffron leather kilt).

After placing the order I was able to connect with Craigie - don't recall who called who. I made it clear that I wasn't "that" angry and only had been counting on what she promised and wondered what happened. She said she'd been in a bad mood and had overreacted and wanted to fill the order. I said what the hell, the money's already spent, can't hurt to have an extra set of sporran straps in case I break or lose one.

When the Craigie straps showed up the were the chain style that I'd repeatedly told her I did not want. So I had to pay the postage to ship them back to her to get the all leather straps shipped as I'd ordered.

Two months later, three and a half months after she said she'd get them right out, I received the leather sporran straps with a not saying "Sorry for the delay." I didn't even worry about what she charged me or if I got credit for postage to return her chains.

She seemed to be a very confused lady, easy to make promises, and too busy to keep them. I came away with a great reluctance to do further business for her and haven't since. But I wish her no ill will which is why I said I was glad to hear her service had improved.

End of story. Seemed a diversion and unfair to include it in the first post.
From other posts to the forum I'm not the only one who had problems with her service and delivery back then. I'm glad things are better and that you had a good experience.

Ron

[Riverkilt]

Okay, here's the old thread

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=10178

This was about getting the chains, far from what I'd ordered and that Sue and I'd talked about at length before.

There's some more farther down the thread under Mangus Sporrano...that was about having a difficult time getting calls returned to place the original order.

Hope that fills in any gaps.

Ron

[Rivenraven]

Sorry that happened. You know she lives in Punta Gorda FL which was ravaged by hurricane Charley August that year. I know it affected her orders for months.

Hurricane Charley

[billmcc]

Yes, Hurricane Charlie really kicked the heck out of Punta Gorda. I live on the other side of the state and still lost power for 5 days and phone service for 30 days.