Crackdown urged over kilt cheats

[macwilkin]

No flames from me. I say you're wrong, but you have every right to hold those opinions.

Scottish manufacturers DO charge for more than reasonable markup, because the market supports it. I do not blame them for getting what they can. I have a "tank" that I paid well over $500 for. I sure won't be buying many at prices like that. Most people won't buy any. It's not just the kilts, either - all the accessories are priced far over their actual value, too. Again, if the market allows them to get away with that, I don't begrudge them getting what they can.

The market only supports that because of snobbery, and the expectation that one must pay through the nose for kilts and accessories. If foreign manufacturers change that, making kilting more accessible to the masses, then I think that's great.

ADDENDUM: It occurs to me that I may seem to be picking on Scottish manufacturers, which was not my intent. The same principle applies to MANY marketed items. The example that comes quickest to my mind is I-Pods. They're no better than any other mp3 player, but they're WAY overpriced. People are paying for the name, rather than the function. It's their right to do so, but it's not very smart.

Bob -- the old maxim, "You get what you pay for" certainly applies here. I personally don't mind paying a little bit more for a good quality product from a long-established firm like William Chisholm, Kinloch Anderson, Hector Russell, etc. These people know their business, much like Brooks Brothers or TM Lewin knows theirs. Sometimes names do stand for quality, and I would rather patronize an old firm whose name does so to ensure that their craftsmanship is around for a while.

I do agree that accessory prices are a bit steep at times, but the key to owning a traditional kilt and all of the proper kit is to buy it gradually. Yes, I know folks today are always in a hurry and demand instant gratification, but the excitement and anticipation is half the fun. It took me 10 years to get to where I am in regarding to my "kilt kit", but I would have lost something had I rushed out and bought everything in one fell swoop. I learned that lesson the hard way in Civil War reenacting. When I first started in the hobby, I bought kit willy-nilly and as a consequence, had to replace shoddy gear quickly, not to mention updating the collection for authenticity standards. Research was (and still is) the key.

Cheers,

Todd