Used rental PC.. Whats a Good Price?

[Billleigj3]

I rented a PC and Vest (BARATHEA - a medium weight and made by Lochcarron of Scotland) for the American Heart Association Heart Ball this weekend....And I was offer to purchase it ....New they run approx. $380-ish....

What say ye..What would be a fair price.....Ill tell you what he offered it to me for $200 ( not including my rental fee of $50)....... Its in good shape and it fits...

Thoughts?

[creagdhubh]

$200 (plus the initial rental fee) sounds reasonable to me. Lochcarron makes good stuff.

[MacLowlife]

Was it new when you wore it? The depreciation on ( non-rental) clothing is usually very steep. Merely buying it reduces its value by 25% or more in many cases- even if you still have the tags sewn on. Consider what a new suit costs and what people are paying on eBay or at thrift shops for a comparable suit. Not a 20 year old suit, but a recently made suit that is in good shape. Usually, it is less than half the new cost. But you have to consider the relatively small market for Kiltwear. While our numbers here on X Marks may seem vast, they are pretty small compared to the trouser wearing world.

Loccharron represents the "old order" before such influences as the internet and worldwide sourcing ( read: Pakistani tailoring) transformed the process of buying and wearing a kilt. If you wanted a kilt in 1976, think how you would have acquired it. If you lived in North America, you had few choices. Most people made a pilgrimage to Scotland and paid dearly for a garment that was made to a higher standard than almost anything else they owned. Or they cobbled something together. Today, we have available lesser quality goods, but we also have available quality goods from vendors who recognize they no longer have a captive market. And we have a thriving "secondary market" with worldwide shopping ans hipping available. Those are the waters today's highland outfitter swims in.

Before you jump on that PC, you may want to think a while. I am not disputing the value or the price, but many people who post on X Marks come to a point where they question the utility of a PC, as opposed to some other jacket or doublet or what-have-ye. If you don't expect to have another PC occasion for several months, why not study the market and your own needs.

[Billleigj3]

Was it new when you wore it? The depreciation on ( non-rental) clothing is usually very steep. Merely buying it reduces its value by 25% or more in many cases- even if you still have the tags sewn on. Consider what a new suit costs and what people are paying on eBay or at thrift shops for a comparable suit. Not a 20 year old suit, but a recently made suit that is in good shape. Usually, it is less than half the new cost. But you have to consider the relatively small market for Kiltwear. While our numbers here on X Marks may seem vast, they are pretty small compared to the trouser wearing world.

Loccharron represents the "old order" before such influences as the internet and worldwide sourcing ( read: Pakistani tailoring) transformed the process of buying and wearing a kilt. If you wanted a kilt in 1976, think how you would have acquired it. If you lived in North America, you had few choices. Most people made a pilgrimage to Scotland and paid dearly for a garment that was made to a higher standard than almost anything else they owned. Or they cobbled something together. Today, we have available lesser quality goods, but we also have available quality goods from vendors who recognize they no longer have a captive market. And we have a thriving "secondary market" with worldwide shopping ans hipping available. Those are the waters today's highland outfitter swims in.

Before you jump on that PC, you may want to think a while. I am not disputing the value or the price, but many people who post on X Marks come to a point where they question the utility of a PC, as opposed to some other jacket or doublet or what-have-ye. If you don't expect to have another PC occasion for several months, why not study the market and your own needs.

I do have a Argyll Jacket and Vest and going to add a Tweed very soon as well.....But if this is a good deal..do I want to past it up? If I rent a PC twice a year does it make sense to purchase?

[Chas]

I would try negotiating - how about half the cost of the rental off?

[BCAC]

I do have a Argyll Jacket and Vest and going to add a Tweed very soon as well.....But if this is a good deal..do I want to past it up? If I rent a PC twice a year does it make sense to purchase?

I bought a jacket that I wear perhaps two or three times a year. It's a wonderful bespoke jacket and I have to say that it is not only about the pride that I have when wearing it, but also the pride that I have in owning it.

Like John (English Bloke) often says it's not only the wearing, it's the having as well.

Obviously that will not be the case when buying an ex hire PC, but if it's a good jacket, it's in good nick and fits well, buy it. You'll probably not regret it. If you have a drop of scots blood (however far away in the distant past) then you probably like a bargain. Only you can say if this is a bargain or not because only you have seen the cut, feel and state of the PC being offered.

[MacLowlife]

The world divides neatly into the people who will pay twice what an item is worth when they need it and people who will buy almost anything so long as it is half price. Having been the latter for too long, I recommend that you save your money- or spend it on expanding your closet. At this rate, you will need the room.

The more times I go to PC- heavy events, the more I appreciate the subtle difference of a Regulation Doublet. $200 for the jacket you rented may well be a good deal and it may be a source of comfort and pride, but $200 in your pocket can do that, too. And it's easier to convert into other things. And, at the risk of belaboring my point, $200 will go a long way towards something that didn't come from the rental shop. For $1000 ( or maybe less) you can have a doublet or jacket or coatee that has actually been made just for you, in almost any fabric you want, cut to your measurements. If $200 is not a concern, then you may be able to step up into that market. Believe me, it is worth the additional expense, especially if you intend to dress up a lot. If $1000 scares you, then maybe you should reconsider the $200 as well.

[Nathan]

If you like the cut, quality and fit of the PC, I say go for it. I'm very lucky because I'm a very standard size. Jackets of all varieties are available in my size (38 to 40) on ebay regularly. You mentioned that you are a larger gent than I, so finding the proper size on ebay may be a challenge. If you want a good quality Scottish tailored PC, this is far less expensive than you'd pay new. MacLowlife is right that the PC is a bit generic but if we show collective enthusiasm for the Regulation doublet online here, the outfitters in Pakistan will just start churning them out cheaply next week so my advise is to decide what you like. You're not likely to find an ex-hire regulation doublet since i don't know of anyone who rents them. So, if you don't want to pay retail and like the look of a PC, this is pretty good value for money.

[Billleigj3]

Well if I had a $1000..I wouldn't have posted this thread....LOL

I don't disagree with that mindset, however for something I wear 2-3 times a year....I'm leaning towards the Ex-Hire...I'm a 52L so those don't come up often on eBay. I was able to negotiate $180 so....if I wear it 3 more times... its paid for its self.. If you can find me a better deal other than a Pakistani one...I am all ears.

thanks
Bill

[creagdhubh]

Well if I had a $1000..I wouldn't have posted this thread....LOL

I don't disagree with that mindset, however for something I wear 2-3 times a year....I'm leaning towards the Ex-Hire...I'm a 52L so those don't come up often on eBay. I was able to negotiate $180 so....if I wear it 3 more times... its paid for its self.. If you can find me a better deal other than a Pakistani one...I am all ears.

thanks
Bill

Well done! $180? I'd say DO IT!!! You like it. It fits well. It's made by a reputable company in Scotland. It's made of Barathea wool. Go for it, mate!

Cheers,