D.C. Dalgliesh - an update on changes

**seanachie** · 16th August 11, 09:05 PM

But I remain quite annoyed with what they did when my kilt maker tried to order Ulster Peat. They had it listed as a stock Tartan and then tried to charge the same price per meter for 29" as 54" wide. This despite several individuals indicating this was not how their order had been dealt with for the same tartan. While I would not rule out attempting to select one of their tartans again, this left a very bad taste in my mouth as I had to cancel the order with the exorbitant increase.

**English Bloke** · 16th August 11, 10:37 PM

I just priced up a 8yd 15oz custom weave through Scotweb. Unfortunately it's way out of my reach.

**Spartan Tartan** · 17th August 11, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

I just priced up a 8yd 15oz custom weave through Scotweb. Unfortunately it's way out of my reach.

I can't even seem to find the prices.

**English Bloke** · 17th August 11, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

I can't even seem to find the prices.

I priced it up as a finished 8yd 15oz Kilt in a custom woven tartan. Came to:
£583.13 = to $966.45
(£663.13 = to $1098.71 for all hand sewn)

I'm sure it's worth every penny and I know that Scotweb (Tartan Mill) produce Kilts of the highest quality but that is a bit too high-end of the market for me.

Sorry Nick, regrettably, I'm out.

**Nick Fiddes** · 17th August 11, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

I priced it up as a finished 8yd 15oz Kilt in a custom woven tartan. Came to:
£583.13 = to $966.45
(£663.13 = to $1098.71 for all hand sewn)

I'm sure it's worth every penny and I know that Scotweb (Tartan Mill) produce Kilts of the highest quality but that is a bit too high-end of the market for me.

Sorry Nick, regrettably, I'm out.

Sorry, but that sounds about right. I can only recommend that you take a look at the video I produced, available on the D.C. Dalgliesh web site, which shows in some detail some (not all) of the incredible amount of highly skilled and time-consuming work that goes into the production of each and every length of fabric. And I wonder how anyone could possibly expect such a product to be sold for less? I happen to think it's amazing value, for a product that should last at least one lifetime, and give such tremendous pleasure.

I'm also pretty certain you won't find a kilt of any quality in a custom woven fabric from any other supplier for less, since in the end everyone needs to cover their costs and make a bit extra on top in order to stay in business and supply the service. We are as competitive as it gets, because we're more efficient than anyone else. So I can say this with some confidence. (And note: if you wish to question this, please make sure any competitor's price takes account of the recent rise.)

**English Bloke** · 17th August 11, 10:08 AM

I don't deny it Nick. I appreciate everything you say and have nothing but the utmost respect for what you are doing with Dalgliesh. These are tough times and something needs to be done to maintain such vital indigenous craftsmanship. When it's gone, it's gone and you've stepped up just in the nick of time. It does appear to be canny management that has been lacking with the company in the past and I'm sure your efforts to turn it all around will work out. I suspect there is probably a legacy hurdle you'll have had to overcome too. I, and I would think most others are grateful that arguably the best fabric isn't going to go to the wall.

I don't for one minute suggest that a custom woven Kilt isn't worth those prices, it's just the prices are well beyond MY personal means. This is the only reason for my regret but if you want top of the range, invariably you will have to pay for top of the range.

**Nick Fiddes** · 17th August 11, 02:41 AM

Originally Posted by seanachie

But I remain quite annoyed with what they did when my kilt maker tried to order Ulster Peat. They had it listed as a stock Tartan and then tried to charge the same price per meter for 29" as 54" wide. This despite several individuals indicating this was not how their order had been dealt with for the same tartan. While I would not rule out attempting to select one of their tartans again, this left a very bad taste in my mouth as I had to cancel the order with the exorbitant increase.

Likewise, if you could pm me details I'd be glad to look into this. My understanding was that when stock double width fabric was unavailable they would sometimes offer to weave it as a single, but I thought that in those circumstances they'd do so at the same overall price. However, I could be wrong, so I'd like to know the facts.

In any event, I understand your disappointment. I hope you'll consider giving us another chance in the future.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 17th August 11, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by Nick Fiddes

Likewise, if you could pm me details I'd be glad to look into this. My understanding was that when stock double width fabric was unavailable they would sometimes offer to weave it as a single, but I thought that in those circumstances they'd do so at the same overall price. However, I could be wrong, so I'd like to know the facts.

In any event, I understand your disappointment. I hope you'll consider giving us another chance in the future.

That has happened to me a few times in the past when a tartan they normally stock in 54" was out of stock and would not be available for when I needed it. They wove a short length for my order, 29" wide, and only charged me the 54" price.

This does NOT mean that I paid for 54" and only got 29", which sounds like a rip-off. It means that I was charged for 2 yards of 54" stock tartan, whereas they delivered 4 yards of 29" custom tartan. I'm sure they took a loss when they did this, but I was grateful of the service.

Furthermore, they always offered - I never had to ask.

What your case sounds like to me is a failure somewhere in communication.

**RockyR** · 17th August 11, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

That has happened to me a few times in the past when a tartan they normally stock in 54" was out of stock and would not be available for when I needed it. They wove a short length for my order, 29" wide, and only charged me the 54" price.

This does NOT mean that I paid for 54" and only got 29", which sounds like a rip-off. It means that I was charged for 2 yards of 54" stock tartan, whereas they delivered 4 yards of 29" custom tartan. I'm sure they took a loss when they did this, but I was grateful of the service.

Furthermore, they always offered - I never had to ask.

What your case sounds like to me is a failure somewhere in communication.

Actually, the same thing happened to me that happened to Seanachie (more than once). I called to order something that was 'stock supported' and when they said it was out of stock, they offered to do a custom weave, but stated that it would be the standard custom weave price.

I'm not complaining or bashing, just relating an experience I had to confirm Seanachie's own experience. If that was a mistake and they will be offering it at the standard 54" wide price (divided by two since it's only 28" wide), then I would consider that fair and would be pleased with that outcome.

**Nick Fiddes** · 17th August 11, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Actually, the same thing happened to me that happened to Seanachie (more than once). I called to order something that was 'stock supported' and when they said it was out of stock, they offered to do a custom weave, but stated that it would be the standard custom weave price.

I'm not complaining or bashing, just relating an experience I had to confirm Seanachie's own experience. If that was a mistake and they will be offering it at the standard 54" wide price (divided by two since it's only 28" wide), then I would consider that fair and would be pleased with that outcome.

That's useful to know, and that the policy seems to have been inconsistent. This is all news to me. I'll be finding out more when I can.

To be honest, whilst it's certainly great customer service to offer a much costlier alternative at no charge, I'm not sure this is a promise we'd always want to make. It's almost certainly been loss-making, and I doubt if other mills would do so. In fact, apart from car hire companies who often upgrade if your model is unavailable, I can't think of many vendors who routinely foot the difference for a more expensive alternative if the item you want is out of stock. Normally as a customer I'd just think it's bad luck, and pay up if I want the alternative.

Anyway, it seems to me it would only occur in situations of real urgency, as we'd usually expect to re-weave stock tartans when they ran out anyway, so the other alternative is just to wait. But perhaps a middle ground may be possible, depending on the situation. I'll add it to my list to discuss next time I'm down there.