Darn Indian Knock Offs!

[ian]

Scottish Kilt makers up in arms over "cheap" imports from India.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/51825.html

The Indian owner says his 39 pound Kilts are:

Ray Hamilton, who runs mytartan.com together with eight other websites from an industrial estate in Galashiels, insisted all his products were made locally in Scotland and that any complaints about his business were founded on the fact that it was primarily internet-based, and was competing with companies which went down the more traditional route of selling in shops and stores.

"They have had it too good for too long," he said.
Asked about the claim made in the Commons, Mr Hamilton said: "That's ridiculous. My goods are made in Scotland. I don't know anyone in India. I support Scotland 100%."
He added that his three-year-old company sold hundreds of kilts a month on the internet, from £39 to £250.


So, most Kilt makers are not on the web? Who in Scotland is selling these kilts to Mr. Hamilton, who doesn't know anyone in India?

I'm for inexpensive Kilts, but not cheap ones that threaten quality makers who've been in the business for years (generations maybe).

Thoughts?

Ian

[Blu (Ontario)]

Unless these cheap kilts are of comparible quality, I seriously doubt that they will threaten the livelyhood of quality kiltmakers. Unless a manufacturing miracle happens, I don't see how "cheap" and "traditional quality" can ever be bedfellows. Anyone who owns or has worn a genuine traditionally made kilt will appreciate/understand the differences. You get what you pay for.

[David Thornton]

For those of you who did not read in full, 8 yard trad should run from 150-200 GBP, that's approx $260-$350. Sounds cheap enought to me.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

It's all pretty biased if you ask me! Who says that just because a kilt is made in Scotland that it's not cr_p?!!! There are cowboy boot companies in the good old USA that create rubbish. It has NOTHING to do with where they're produced, and EVERYTHING to do with how the craftspeople are educated and skilled.

The whole flippin' issue is flaming me. I can understand Scotland wanting to protect their cultural attire, and assist their makers and merchants. Doing it by degrading the competition is weak and cowardly. You want to protect your industry? Price the things according to the market, make them of a standard that's respectable, and market them to promote YOUR advantages over the competition.

If Scotland is truly serious about all this, they will begin by giving government support to NEW mills. Considering the majority of the materials for kilts are made OUTSIDE OF SCOTLAND, they're leaving themselves no room for complaints. In other words, it's time for the Nancy-boys to "Put up or shut up".

[minimalistix]

Honestly I think I'm going to start up a blog or something that keeps track of where the kilts are made and which internet shops/sales people are not where they advertise to be.

I ordered a cheap sporran (so that I wouldn't have to worry about tearing it up) from ebay that was supposed to be from Canada. It never even came through Canada. It was shipped from the middle east.

[James]

I cannot comment on the quality: but the more available inexpensive kilts-the more people who will at least try them, hopefully that will in turn increase the overall population of kilt wearers.

This means that if the traditional makers are on top of their game, they will be competing in a bigger market: so have a better chance of making more sales.

For just as there is always a demand for cheap Tshirts and jeans-so there is always a market for good suits-and the good tailors do well.

James

[Kilted Stuart]

Any idea where Stillwaters are made.
There priced very low and come off the rack in basic non-custom sizes.
Until I find out there is a chance there mass produced in India or Pakistan. If they are, you can say anyone is allowed to take a import product and sell it as there own. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but a lot of buying is about knowing where things are from. Some of the knock- offs just don't mention a word. If nobody cares the'll sell there wares as is. If you buy then you can't be mad at the person selling that may be misleading you. You bought it.