St. KIlda USA?

[memphis dev]

please excuse the new thread on a topic that has been covered somewhat.

while searching for a new kilt this summer at the GMHG i ran across what seems to be the only place that offers the Stewart Hunting Weathered in medium weight...St. Kilda USA. as i've seen before it appears that some folks have had their troubles in the past. haven't seen any recent, 2013, updates so i was wondering if the snafus or service has improved?

no website, and seeing that Ralph may still run it, as i received an email from him, makes me hesitant to place an order.

thanks in advance.

[kimanger]

I bought a kilt from them at the Marysville, TN highland festival May of this year, before I read all the threads here. Unfortunately I don't think I'll ever see the kilt, the card I got from 'Ralph' has an email that doesn't work and the website isn't functional. I did a Whois search of the domain name and the owner is a business over in Scotland. I haven't bothered to try the phone numbers listed on the card. If you have an email that works maybe there is still hope.

[FatherWilliam57]

I don't know what to think anymore. I have also read many "horror stories" here. However, I saw him at the Ligoneer Games last September. I ordered a charcoal jacket and waistcoat. He told me it would be four to six weeks. He had it to me in two weeks, no problems, fits like a glove. I know Ralph gets slammed here a lot, but I have to give him props on my order.

[MacMillans son]

I don't know what to think anymore. I have also read many "horror stories" here. However, I saw him at the Ligoneer Games last September. I ordered a charcoal jacket and waistcoat. He told me it would be four to six weeks. He had it to me in two weeks, no problems, fits like a glove. I know Ralph gets slammed here a lot, but I have to give him props on my order.

Not just here WB, the web is full of horror stories about him and his practices.

There was a thread last year wherein Rocky, I think, contacted the St. Kilda parent organization and they vouched for Ralph's new and improved business practices. However, it will, and it should, take a long time to undo all that he has done (or more accurately, failed to do) to his customers. Now in all fairness, I waited in sweating anxiety (having read the reviews AFTER ordering) for a tartan shipment from him that ultimately arrived as promised. However, I would not want my one good experience to be considered an endorsement of him, or his horrific practices, just fortunate timing I suspect.

[FatherWilliam57]

I understand your point. However, I have noted that it seems to be a part of human nature for people to make their complaints known (sometimes loud and long) while not devoting the same effort when things go as they should. (I hasten to add that, counter to this human tendency, the members of the Rabble do go out of their way to lavish praise on those vendors who do right by them.) As for Ralph, I can only speak to my one experience with him, which ended with very satisfactory results. If he has "turned a new leaf" in the last six to twelve months, this should be documented along with any complaints. Fair is fair. And yet, as always, caveat emptor.

[kimanger]

As a follow-up to my previous post, I received my kilt today, it's very nice for the money. I did speak with someone from St. Kilda USA and they let me know that the kilts were running 8 weeks now (and there is a email address typo on the business card). I'm very satisfied with the service and will more than likely purchase another kilt from them.