What's Happened to BearKilts?

[Mark Z.]

In January 2005 I ordered an 8yd BearKilt ($300 USD). The approximate turn around time according to the BearKilt website was two months. A year has gone by, and I still don't have my kilt.

In April 2005 I requested an update and was told that there were 24 kilt orders before mine.

July, it was the busy graduation & wedding season.

I was told in September that it was down to 10 orders ahead of mine and it might be finished by the end of the month. The projected turn-around time was still two months.

In November, the turn-around time was updated to 6 months on the BearKilt website. I found it ironic since I had been waiting 10 months at this point. I sent an email requesting a clarification. Two weeks later when I still had not received a reply, I sent another email requesting that my order be canceled & money refunded if the order could not be filled by the end of the year.

It's now January 2006, and I have not received my kilt, a refund, or even a reply to my November emails. I've gone "public" with the hope that someone out there knows what's going on with BearKilts. Are they still in business?
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[Riverkilt]

Think if you do a search on this you'll find a thread about other board members with similar problems.

You can also check his posts and see if he's still active...think he has his own forum on the board too.

Thanks for risking bringing this to the board. Have always wanted a Bear Kilt, but not the ordeal. Almost got a used one, but the size wasn't quite right.

Ron

[Ugly Bear]

Think if you do a search on this you'll find a thread about other board members with similar problems.

Actually, not only is that thread (titled "Out of Patience with Bear") removed, then entire FORUM AREA, "Kilt Reviews," is gone. I assume the area was deleted because of that thread, but I could be wrong. That thread got really ugly.

My experience with Bear wasn't as bad as yours is turning out to be, but I can offer just two insights. First, the only thing Bear did with promptness and enthusiasm was to cash my check. (Well, that and to bash his detractors in this forum.) Second, having finally received a Bear Kilt, I say from the result that you're not missing much, except your $300 investment.

Sorry for your trouble. If the Reviews section and the "offending" thread were still available, it might have helped you to avoid an unpleasant experience.

[Riverkilt]

Just checked over on the Kilt Review board where there is a Bear Kilts forum.

Nothing posted there since last August. Did post asking if anyone knew...but think most members there are also members here.

Do hope he's okay and just working hard. His website is up and taking orders, but with a warning the wait is over six months...

Ron

[Avonlea22]

Have you tried calling him at all? Does he even post his number?

[flyv65]

Have you tried calling him at all? Does he even post his number?

The number was posted this past September when I ordered from him: I called Bear and he said that the wait was at about nine months, but that it could be as low as six months or up to 12, depending on order volume and rushes. I placed the order right then on the phone.

Bryan...we'll see how close we get-I'd really like one of his kilts...

[NancyMan]

Umm...the news is not good folks. After reading this thread I hopped on my bike and rode down to gastown. Bear's shop is vacant. When I saw his announcement of a birthday sale a while back, I got the feeling that all was not well. You don't offer big price reductions on all ready low priced kilts unless you're having cash flow problems. My guess is that the orders dried up after the thread that Ugly Bear refers to got around. You may also note that the replies to Bear's sale anouncement all asked about delivery time. Bear hasn't posted here since then.

Like I said, not good news. Maybe Raphael will have something to add here. He knows the Bear much better than I.

[Colin]

Umm...the news is not good folks. After reading this thread I hopped on my bike and rode down to gastown. Bear's shop is vacant. When I saw his announcement of a birthday sale a while back, I got the feeling that all was not well. You don't offer big price reductions on all ready low priced kilts unless you're having cash flow problems. My guess is that the orders dried up after the thread that Ugly Bear refers to got around. You may also note that the replies to Bear's sale anouncement all asked about delivery time. Bear hasn't posted here since then.

Like I said, not good news. Maybe Raphael will have something to add here. He knows the Bear much better than I.

I don't know much more than anyone else, but from what I know Bear was moving the operation back home. I assume the rent in Gastown would have been quite high so it only makes sense. I haven't spoken to him for a few months, but that is not uncommon in my case. As far as I know he is still making kilts and still kicking around. He may not have internet at the new den, so that may be why we haven't heard form him as of late.

[KMacT]

First, the only thing Bear did with promptness and enthusiasm was to cash my check.

He also promptly refunded my money when I requested that, so Mark, if you have asked for a refund I fully expect he will honour that.

With refund in hand I went with a USA Kilts casual kilt that I am pleased with - and it was completed ahead of schedule (in a matter of weeks, not months). I'm now trying to hand sew my own traditional kilt, but at the rate I'm progressing I might soon be envious of Bear's turnaround time!

Kevin

[KMacT]

Actually, not only is that thread...removed, then entire FORUM AREA, "Kilt Reviews," is gone. I assume the area was deleted because of that thread, but I could be wrong. That thread got really ugly.

The moderators removed the Kilt Reviews when another review started to get out of hand. It may very well have been a wise decision - the process of reviewing kilts and kiltmakers was prone to piling on. Kilts and kiltmakers can still be reviewed at XMarks, but there is no dedicated forum for doing so.

Kevin