The cost of Asian made kit....Worth it??

[NorCalPiper]

Hey Y'all-
On August 14th, I'm piping a wedding for a couple who are Army Air Cav. Its going to be in the NorCal Mountains, and I decided to amend my highland kit somewhat to honor the event. Instead of my Pipers Doublet, I picked up a "Union Calvary Shell Jacket" off ebay for 30$. With its short drop, I figured it look great as a substitute, and kinda' be a tribute to the couple. The jacket fit perfectly and really worked out well with everything else.....The tag in it said "MADE IN PAKISTAN"....So that got me wondering as to how much I've paid so far with gear, which at this point has almost all pretty much come from Asian vendors......Here's a breakdown-

1.)Black Berathea wool piper's doublet-----164.00-(30.00 to ship) Incredible quality BTW!!
2.)Union Cav Shell Jacket------30.00-(12.00 to ship)
3.)2 X Horsehair sporrans Black watch replicas-----120.00
4.)Waist Belt & Shoulder belt-----20.00-(20.00 to ship)
5.)Diced Hose & Spats from Jhiggins 110.00$ -(10.00 to ship)
6.)Bonnet,Glengarry and Featherbonnet(With velvet carrying box!!!!)-----260.00 (20.00 to ship)
7.)8 yard wool/acrylic blend Black Watch Kilt---30.00
8.)Pipers Plaid with alteration------------70.00


The grand total is 896.00$$


I did a comparative estimate using average costs from US/CAN/UK suppliers, and the total was 2400.00$ WOW!! But you get what you pay for....right? So far, I'm pleased with everything and I'll be posting pics for the rabble to weigh in on. I think thats what will ultimately let me know if it was worth it. I've been so critical of the high price of these goods by local makers, that I may be jaded and I look like junk with the cheap knock offs. so when the pics come, don't be shy, no feelings will be hurt at all, and that wway I can start to slowly amend my kit.....-Josh

[macdoc451]

Doesn't sound like a bad bill, for the merchandise..... I am surprised that you chose BlackWatch tartan, instead of U.S.Army, considering the Union Cav Shell........
Ahh, each to his own!!

[Carolina Kiltman]

As I said in another post, the third world countries which in the past have flooded our markets with cheap trash, are, at least in some cases, starting to turn out quality merchandise. For instance, one of my sons gave me a replica 16th century dirk, complete with a British Proof Test Certificate. (If you want details as to just what that entails, PM me). It was made in India, and appears to be the equal if not the superior of anything I have seen of UK origin! Maybe if we continue to demand quality, we will get it. As an aside, I imagine that the workers in those establishments are better treated than many of their counterparts who work for companies who only turn out cheap trash.