Is this Jacket any good?

[TV Cameraman]

Hi everyone

I have been looking to buy an Argyle Jacket and I came across this company selling the jacket and the vest for $187.00 USD. That sound like a good deal but how is the quality? Has any one here bought from Avance highland?
The jacket is listed as being 13oz all wool. I remmember reading that 15oz is suppose to be much better and that 13 oz will not hang right. Can anyone give me some guidance here? Or if someone can recommend a good dealer to buy from. Most of my stuff is from Geoffrey's in scotland and I love the quality. However for an argyle Jacket from them it is almost $500 with no vest. Im just trying to get some good quality at an affordable price


http://www.avancehighland.com/?init=viewproduct&pid=231&scid=152

[Cawdorian]

Welcome,

This vendor is not familiar to me but the Argyle jacket they are showing for $ 235.00 looks like my Argyle that I purchased from another vendor for $ 275.00. A 13 oz kilt does not hang or swish as well as a 16 oz kilt, but 13oz should be OK for the jacket, (I can't imagine what a 16 oz jacket might feel like).

Maybe some else will be along who has actually has some experience with this vendor. When buying highland wear it is best to buy from a reputable vendor who will stand behind their merchandise even if it costs a few more bucks.

[The Wizard of BC]

This retailer sells product from the St. Kilda Group of companies of which Gaelic Themes is the primary wholesaler. I also purchase many items in my shop from this group.

My Charcoal Tweed Argyle Jacket w/ 5 Button Waistcoat is from them.

Quality is very good. Fit is exactly to the measurements you send them. If you order a made to order jacket it will ship directly from the manufacturer.

I know of no problems with the St. Kilda Group of companies.

However, be warned that there is currently a Postal Strike in the UK. If you need this jacket soon you may have to find a N. American source.

[Keith A]

The company you are talking about in in scottland, and when you get textiles shipped you get slamed by customs and fed ex. $100.00 or more. Try to find someone here in the us.

[Joe Gondek]

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The company you are talking about in in scottland, and when you get textiles shipped you get slamed by customs and fed ex. $100.00 or more. Try to find someone here in the us.

Been there, Done that

[The Wizard of BC]

A reply to "a word of warning".

I have dealt with many of the companies in this group and many others in Scotland.

I have no worries or concerns when ordering, however, I always specify that the order is to be shipped via the Postal System and never via the courier services such as FedEx, & UPS.

The courier services are authorized to act as their own import broker and collect a percentage of the duties they charge on behalf of the Govt. Therefore, the more duty they charge, the more profit they make.

If you want a Scottish made product of quality and you order it from a N. American distributor you may still end up paying whatever duty they got hit with. It will just be hidden in the final cost to you.

I, along with Rocky at USA Kilts, and Matt Newsome at the Scottish Tartans Museum, order from the UK on a regular basis. Tartan fabric, Jackets, hose, jewelry and anything else you can name all come for three or four sources. Most of them in the UK.

Unless you can find an independent tailor offering the same styling and quality, in the long run you will be ordering from the same place we do.

Shipping costs, duties and taxes cannot be avoided, just minimized. So stay with the Postal Service.

Or heck, call Rocky, Matt or myself and we will be happy to sell the exact same jacket to you.

[Chef]

The company you are talking about in in scottland, and when you get textiles shipped you get slamed by customs and fed ex. $100.00 or more. Try to find someone here in the us.

Most retailers in Scotland will send a package like that Royal Mail. You won't have any problems with customs. I receive goods from companies in Scotland regularly via Royal Mail and have never had any problems.

If they come in Fedex or UPS you can have a problem though. I think the shippers make sure you pay customs because they charge you a fee to handle the transaction.

Other than the strike I find things get here as fast through the mail as they do via Fedex anyway.

[Howard Clark]

I also have done a bit of business with folks in the UK, and have a similar tale. Royal mail has never been problematic. Couriers are, either direction. If shipping to the UK, I always us the USPS for all the same reasons. Postal services are an example of something I think the national government 'should' be doing in our lives.

[Wompet]

I've ordered from Avance Highland twice, and their products are good, their prices are good, they ship by Royal Mail, but their service is ... well, if you have a deadline, order from someone else. If you can wait one to two months, consider Avance.

Or check out our fellow members, the sponsors, and their goods.

[Arlen]

I have a jacket from Avance Highlandwear and it is great. It hangs just fine and they delivered it really fast.