Got the King Kilt

[elijah]

First, of all, let me apologize to Bubba. When he first e-mailed me about his concern, I didn't quite get it. I'd never heard that the direction of the pleats mattered, so it was simply not something that we worried about. My wife (the actual seamtress) examined the issued and summarized it by saying the pleats were going the wrong way.

I've been having computer problems this week, so I didn't get back to him as I intended to, so I apologize for that.

As to a remedy for your kilt, what I was going to offer is the same thing Jimmy Carbomb did. We could redo it just for the cost of shipping.

Our design focused on maintaining the look of what makes a kilt a kilt by pleating to the stripe and also using traditional pleats as opposed to other types of pleats used by other manufacturers.

Future kilts will have the pleats going the "right" direction. It's the first time we've heard this concern, but we'll certainly avoid any future misunderstandings. So, we do thank Bubba for bringing this to our attention, and we will change our design on future kilts.

As to the "irate customer" policy, this was set as the outset of our selling kilts and has nothing to do with any specific customer. My wife and I both have worked in a Customer service background and been on the receiving end of verbal abuse from customers who used methods of intimidation, bullying, and threats to get their way. We always work with our customers whenever possible. Whenever there's a flaw in workmanship, you can contact us and we'll repair your kilt for free and reimburse you for the shipping from your location. We've done exchanges for customers who bought kilts off of ebay when they underestimated their size. We upgraded the shipping to express mail at no cost for a customer who needed a kilt for the Million Skirted Man March, so that he would get it in time.

We certainly understand from time to time things are not as you expect and we're willing to work with upset customers, for there may be something wrong with a kilt that we can correct. We will not work with irate customers who attempt to abuse and bully us.

[phil h]

you would think a real kilt maker would know the difference.

[bubba]

Elijah, seriously, I'm not angry abot this. Murphy lives. I did give it to St Vincent and it flew off the rack before I left the place. There was a lady very happy about finding it. As I said, the workmanship was very good and it is well made. Think no more about it, I was a bit disappointed but I truely am not irrate or upset. I did email you a URL that describes the reverse pleat and such so it should never come up again. The only way to really alter it would not have looked too good with a twill since the pleats were set.

[elijah]

I didn't think you were irate. I was merely responding to "Rigged". I was answering two posts in one, you've been pretty calm about it.

The only way to have actually change the kilt would have been to unsew it and redo it from scratch and that's what we would have done.

[MDR-V300]

Elijah:
It's good to know that you were willing to make things right, even if it's painfully obvious by now that bubba isn't torn up over it.

I really like how everyone on this forum is so... good to each other.

8)

It's a good reminder at the end of the day.

[bubba]

It really is a small thing and nobody'd perfect. This is just not the kind of thing I'm going to blow up over. Redoing it from scratch would most likely have left snags in the fabric and I didn't really think it was worth that risk as it was very nice looking. As I said, the lady that got it was extremely pleased finding it so I think overall this was the best solution. What makes me feel especially good about it is the lady is a single mother getting off public assistance. Her new job requires dressier clothes and this fit the bill for her new wardrobe. Often St Vincents here gives people in that position a voucher for clothes to get started with. I hope Elijah and Andrea can feel as good about the result as I do. It went to a very good cause.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

OH MR. MODERATOR...

Could we possibly move this to the Casual Kilts section?

Traditionals are just THAT!

This chip that I'm getting on my shoulder about the HUGE difference is getting VERY LARGE.

I wish that we could post an actual REAL TRADITIONAL KILT so that members can see and feel the HUGE difference!!!!!

I'm not going to put a Mercedes Benz hood ornament on a Ford F-150 truck and try to pass THAT off as authentic! Why should this cr_p be allowed to happen in the kiltmaking business?!!!!!

[Graham]

Have a pint of black stuff Jimmy and take a deep breath, in fact have one "on me", I owe you a couple

[bubba]

Jimmy, it was posted where it was because traditional style is what I ordered. It ain't a big deal. Remember, there's alot of us that don't hae $400 or more to spend on one kilt. If that makes us inferior to that chip, that's life and it ain't gonna change. I want the style so I have to look at alternatives to get it. The REAL traditional kilt is probably the Great Kilt and as far as the little kilt goes, the originals were most likely 4 yard, not 8. Defining traditional too narrowly does no one any favors at all, just divides the group.

[Mike1]

Hi Jimmy! I am new about this place and haven't yet had the pleasure to "talk" with you. Let me buy you a drink while I ask you a question -

I am having a 9 yard kilt made by a kiltmaker that worked with Scots kiltmakers for 2 weeks of every month over a 4 year period. The wool is coming from Lochcarron at a VERY dear cost and will be hand-sewn. And trust me, when I see guys claiming they cannot afford $400-$500 for a kilt, I just smile, because I am going to have nearly that much in just the kiltmaker's labor ALONE.

Yeah, I know, you think I am crazy for spending that kind of money and maybe I am, but I spent considerable time researching mills, materials and kiltmakers, because this one time in my life I wanted the very best. (Because I am worth it, aye? ) Sure, I could buy 6 Victory kilts from Rocky for the same money (and that is tempting ), but I want my tartan to be the best it can possibly be. It's not a Fraser Hunting because I think it is beautiful, or a National Pride because I like the colors. It is the tartan of my FAMILY and I wouldn't consider wearing any other family's tartan. (How's that for tradtional?)

But the kilt that I am having made is not breacan an fheilidh, and it is being crafted by a kiltmaker in the U.S., so is it REALLY going to be "traditional"?

Sometimes we simply cannot pick the fly poo out of the pepper, you know? And sometimes a thread gets started up in the wrong place and the Mods or the Admin miss it. The important part is that life goes on. And that, my friend, is all that matters. Everything else pales in comparison.

Let me buy you another round. Nice to "meet" you!

Peace,
Mike