What should we have to accept when buying a custom made kilt?

[GG]

Buying a kilt is a serious business for most of us here, I think. At least, I have in this, as well as in other forums, seen quite many members asking for advice about where to buy their kilt. And that’s what a forum is for, of course.

And no wonder. Whatever money we spend we like to have the best kilt possible delivered. Add to that that a kilt is often custom made, which is reflected in price as well as in delivery time.

And what would be more frustrating than after months of waiting to receive a kilt which is far from being satisfactory.

As consumers we know that some products are defective and therefore have to be replaced or repaired. We also know that in production they operate with tolerances and, that customers must be prepared to accept products deviating from a norm, settled by the company. So it must also be when we are talking kilts.

Looked upon from a manufacturer’s chair there are easy customers, being satisfied with almost whatever and there are difficult customers, who are never to satisfy and who shall always complain. Some kilt buyers belong to that category, of course.

Luckily, in most buying situations the offered quality equals the expected quality.

A recent example from this forum worries me a little bit, however. But perhaps I’m just one of these never-to-satisfy customers? At least, most of you seemed to me more positive than was I. Could it be that we just had a different focus?

Please look at the picture, which I have obtained permission to use and change my way.



My question to you as a consumer, a kilt buyer:

Should a custom made kilt looking like this be acceptable to you?

My questions to you as a kilt maker:

Supposing I ordered my next kilt from you,

1) How likely is it that you should deliver me a kilt looking like that?

2) If likely, do you think it to be within your tolerances, i.e. something with which I should have to live?

3) If not within your own tolerances, should you deliver me a new kilt without charge or should you pay me all my money back?

Barb, Lady Chrystel, Matt, (Nick, only if time permits, otherwise do take care of your family), Rocky, Scott, Steve ET others, what do you say?

I own several kilts from cheap Pakistani to pretty good wool kilts and I have a lot of pictures taken from behind in almost the same angle as this one, but I never saw something like this. Do I need to say, that I shouldn’t want to?

But again, I may just be one of these never-to-satisfy kilt buyers?

[rtc872]

I understand your point. I am not 100% on the origin of that kilt above but if I was paying $500 for a kilt I would not accept that kind of finish.

[GG]

The kilt was made by Tartanweb.

[OC Richard]

I guess I'm lucky, in that every kilt I've purchased has been wonderful.

My first few "real" kilts, dating back to the late 1970s, were all made by the same local woman. It's great to personally know the maker! Sadly she is no longer with us, and I treasure the one kilt I still have that she made for me.

My two latest kilts were made by makers I hadn't ever met. One maker was known by repuation, as I had seen several online photos of nice kilts she had made. My latest kilt was "a shot in the dark" with an Edinburgh maker I knew nothing about. Both kilts are lovely.

That kilt you posted is completely unacceptable. I've never, in 35 years of kiltwearing and kiltwatching, seen such a kilt. How on earth could such a kilt be made, or if made, sold?

[Jock Scot]

I suppose this is the inevitable risk of buying from afar via, post, telephone, or, these days, the internet. I personally would not even consider the idea of buying an expensive item without personal first hand contact with my kiltmaker at all stages of construction, from concecption to the final fitting. The fact that many don't surprises me and whilst I quite understand the problem of distance, I am not in the least bit surprised that disappointments occur and it must put severe pressure on the kilt maker who needs his/her product as a living and very public advertisment. Having said that, there is no excuse for sloppy work.

Added to which, there is also the inevitable problem of the customer who may not actually know what to really expect when his kilt actually arrives.Again a perfectly understandable situation for a novice, which in my book almost demands direct personal contact and consultation with the kilt maker.

[GG]

No doubt, Jock, the buying procedure you describe is the optimal one, but you know, when living far from the source it is difficult and compromises like the Internet are necessary.

[Jock Scot]

No doubt, Jock, the buying procedure you describe is the optimal one, but you know, when living far from the source it is difficult and compromises like the Internet are necessary.

I believe I have recognised the problem of distance and the inevitable consequences of that problem.

[denmcdough]

Hi Jock, you're correct to a point....proximity to the kilt maker, for a good fitting, is most desirable. The thread does NOT show one of an improper fit, it shows one of an improper build/construction.

Many Xmembers have had kilts made without a fitting, but still receive a quality product. I have two wonderfully made kilts, one from a well known US kilt maker, and I never had a fitting, but still ended up with a wonderful product.

Just my .02 cents.

[Jock Scot]

Hi Jock, you're correct to a point....proximity to the kilt maker, for a good fitting, is most desirable. The thread does NOT show one of an improper fit, it shows one of an improper build/construction.

Many Xmembers have had kilts made without a fitting, but still receive a quality product. I have two wonderfully made kilts, one from a well known US kilt maker, and I never had a fitting, but still ended up with a wonderful product.

Just my .02 cents.

Absolutely, I could not agree with you more! The fit, the quality of work etc are all parts of the end product and when all said and done some hard earned cash is going to change hands at the end.

It would be very wrong to mention names, but it is to the great credit of the skilled kilt makers who do make kilts from a distance who have extremely happy and satisfied customers and all credit should be given to them.

[RockyR]

I believe I have recognised the problem of distance and the inevitable consequences of that problem.

I would respectfully disagree... I have made many kilts for customers who I have never met in person. Many send me pictures and I look for fit and hang of the kilt (even if that's not their intent in sending the pic).

It comes down to measuring instructions and construction. One I handle... the construction. If I am not there to do the measuring, then the instructions must be VERY DETAILED. I am most surprised by the lack of instructions some online companies give their customers. Many just have a line drawing of a kilt with one arrow to the waist, one to the hips and one top to bottom (length). I can see in that instance how one could end up with an ill fitting kilt.

However... if the instructions are well written and detailed and the customer follows them to the letter and the kiltmaker makes a quality garment, then the kilt should fit as well or almost as well as if sized in person.