PC and other kilt related items made in Pakistan

[Billleigj3]

Will Id like to buy a PC for the just incase purpose. I don't want to spend $300+ that's might get worn once a year. I have an Argyll and Vest that covers most situations that was made in Scotland.

So my question is....are the Ebay PC From Pakistan worth $140? ( I know you get what you pay for......but lets face it we all know a lot of these are getting shipped to Scotland then sent to the US....Thought?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prince-Charl...item5af57d5c28


Ok let it fly!

Cheers
Bill

[Chas]

The question is - Is it value for money?

How often are you going to wear it? For most it is 6 hours max, once a year.

Are you going to stay the same shape for 20+ years? For most men the answer is NO.

Maybe the best value for money is to hire one each year. Then you know you will be getting one that fits and doesn't make you look like the Pilsbury Dough Boy or some such.

Just a thought.

[artificer]

Will Id like to buy a PC for the just incase purpose. I don't want to spend $300+ that's might get worn once a year. I have an Argyll and Vest that covers most situations that was made in Scotland.

So my question is....are the Ebay PC From Pakistan worth $140? ( I know you get what you pay for......but lets face it we all know a lot of these are getting shipped to Scotland then sent to the US....Thought?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prince-Charl...item5af57d5c28


Ok let it fly!

Cheers
Bill

For starters-

You've sort of put your thumb right on the nub of this issue (Pakistani Makers)-
It's one thing to deal with a reliable US/UK vendor who sells goods made in Pakistan (Stillwater Kilts, a vendor here)
but buying from Pakistan directly is a complete and utter crapshoot. You don't know if a given maker's pictures
are even of their own product, much less what the quality will be when your item arrives (or in some cases, if it EVER arrives).

Looking at their feedback they seem to have a pretty good, if short, track record.

The other issue you might wish to enquire with them about is shipping. IF they ship FedEx or UPS you might get hit with upwards
of $50 in 'brokerage fees'.

ith:

[Billleigj3]

For starters-

You've sort of put your thumb right on the nub of this issue (Pakistani Makers)-
It's one thing to deal with a reliable US/UK vendor who sells goods made in Pakistan (Stillwater Kilts, a vendor here)
but buying from Pakistan directly is a complete and utter crapshoot. You don't know if a given maker's pictures
are even of their own product, much less what the quality will be when your item arrives (or in some cases, if it EVER arrives).

Looking at their feedback they seem to have a pretty good, if short, track record.

The other issue you might wish to enquire with them about is shipping. IF they ship FedEx or UPS you might get hit with upwards
of $50 in 'brokerage fees'.

ith:

Well that's the type of input I'm looking for.... I have a black tie next weekend and have hired a PC for that event but.....That's $70 incl shipping so.....I'm just trying to get the best bang for my buck.

2 of my kilts- one is PV and the other a 60/40 wool blend, most likely were made in some 3rd world country.... and are perfect to pub crawl and wear about town. And the 2 cost me $150 total!
As I said...looking to get the best bang for my hard earned money....
I'm also a little suspect on dealing with Pakistan directly....
Thanks for your advice!

[Nathan]

I know someone who purchased his PC and waistcoat from a Pakistani vendor on ebay. The jacket looks decent although the sheen on it when the light hits it hit betrays it as somewhat inferior to the standard UK barathea. Not all Pakistani makers are the same and I know his was not from this particular vendor. He took it to a tailor to have it altered slightly and apparently the tailor told him it was the worst quality garment he had ever worked on.

Was it worth it? I guess so. I cost about the same as two and a half rentals so from that perspective, sure. That said, there are other factors to consider here.

It's a question not just of price but of a) risk - as Scott pointed out and b) whether you want to support a company that uses dishonest marketing practices (publishing stolen photos that don't reflect the actual product for sale) and who are taking advantage of poor labour conditions to undercut the Scottish Highland attire industry.

We all have bills to pay and it's hard to turn down a lower price, but you should know what the implications of your choices are.

Is your Argyll a black barathea with silver buttons? If so, I would think that a high quality dress Argyll would suit your needs rather better than a lower quality, ill fitting, Pakistani PC. If you're into saving money, and you have a dress Argyll perhaps the best option is to keep your money in your pocket.

Another consideration is that, depending on your size, you can often get a high quality vintage PC on ebay from online stores like Glasgow vintage Co. or on gumtree for around the same price as the Asian import - sometimes less. After a trip to the dry-cleaner, you've got a top notch garment. If you're not in a hurry, this might be the best option.

Another option: Rather than renting, an xmarks member approached a Highland outfitter about buying an ex-hire PC and waistcoat. The vendor let him take the garment and pay it off in installments. If you can convince a vendor of your trustworthiness, and/or good credit, you might be able to put the price of a rental toward an ex hire purchase.

[O'Callaghan]

Well that's the type of input I'm looking for.... I have a black tie next weekend and have hired a PC for that event but.....That's $70 incl shipping so.....I'm just trying to get the best bang for my buck.

2 of my kilts- one is PV and the other a 60/40 wool blend, most likely were made in some 3rd world country.... and are perfect to pub crawl and wear about town. And the 2 cost me $150 total!
As I said...looking to get the best bang for my hard earned money....
I'm also a little suspect on dealing with Pakistan directly....
Thanks for your advice!

Most likely your kilts were not just made in a random third world country, but very specifically in the town of Sialkot in Pakistan, right on the Indian border. AFAIK 90% (or more) of cheap highland wear and even cheap bagpipes are made there, by one of about 200 different vendors. Whoever sold you those kilts most likely can sell you a cheap PC of at least similar quality, obtained from probably the same one of those 200 vendors they get their kilts from.

OTOH, one of my best kilts is one I got directly from Pakistan (via eBay). It was also amazingly cheap, until you added the cost of the shipping, which was the same as the cost of the kilt, LOL!

Sadly, it's also quite true that many Pakistani vendors have websites put together by third parties that freely use stock photos that don't depict the actual products on sale atall!

[Fedgunner]

My grandmother Strachan once said to me, "We're too damn poor to buy cheap. "

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

As has been mentioned on here before, you may find a Spencer Waistcoat online and replace the satin buttons with pewter ones for about what your hire cost.

[Billleigj3]

What's a spencer waistcoat???

[Tobus]

It's a question not just of price but of a) risk - as Scott pointed out and b) whether you want to support a company that uses dishonest marketing practices (publishing stolen photos that don't reflect the actual product for sale) and who are taking advantage of poor labour conditions to undercut the Scottish Highland attire industry.

Is that really what the Pakistani companies are doing? "Taking advantage of poor labour conditions"? I think they might view it as creating jobs and opportunity for their local communities by tapping into a global market. The quality of life there is pretty poor compared to the West, and the cost of living is very low. Labour is cheap there due to many factors such as high population density and a low standard of living. Unless they're running sweat-shops with forced labour, I would imagine that their factories are very good for the community, and people are grateful for the stability that comes with the work, including a regular paycheck. If they can offer fabrics and garments to the world at a competitive price and still improve their way of life, are their motivations any different than anyone else in the world? Including the Scottish Highland attire industry?

Don't get me wrong; I agree that shady business ethics are an absolute no-go. And the quality of Highland wear from Pakistan is very questionable. Personally, I don't waste my money on junk/knockoffs when I can find better-made, higher-quality, authentic items from the UK. But I wouldn't go so far as to assume some sort of nefarious conspiracy behind Pakistani manufacturers. I highly doubt their intent is to exploit their own people for the sake of destroying the Scottish industry. My guess is that they are viewed in their communities as smart businessmen and local leaders who are trying to bring Pakistan out of third-world status.