Darn Indian Knock Offs!

[ian]

Scottish Kilt makers up in arms over "cheap" imports from India.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/51825.html

The Indian owner says his 39 pound Kilts are:

Ray Hamilton, who runs mytartan.com together with eight other websites from an industrial estate in Galashiels, insisted all his products were made locally in Scotland and that any complaints about his business were founded on the fact that it was primarily internet-based, and was competing with companies which went down the more traditional route of selling in shops and stores.

"They have had it too good for too long," he said.
Asked about the claim made in the Commons, Mr Hamilton said: "That's ridiculous. My goods are made in Scotland. I don't know anyone in India. I support Scotland 100%."
He added that his three-year-old company sold hundreds of kilts a month on the internet, from £39 to £250.


So, most Kilt makers are not on the web? Who in Scotland is selling these kilts to Mr. Hamilton, who doesn't know anyone in India?

I'm for inexpensive Kilts, but not cheap ones that threaten quality makers who've been in the business for years (generations maybe).

Thoughts?

Ian

[Blu (Ontario)]

Unless these cheap kilts are of comparible quality, I seriously doubt that they will threaten the livelyhood of quality kiltmakers. Unless a manufacturing miracle happens, I don't see how "cheap" and "traditional quality" can ever be bedfellows. Anyone who owns or has worn a genuine traditionally made kilt will appreciate/understand the differences. You get what you pay for.

[David Thornton]

For those of you who did not read in full, 8 yard trad should run from 150-200 GBP, that's approx $260-$350. Sounds cheap enought to me.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

It's all pretty biased if you ask me! Who says that just because a kilt is made in Scotland that it's not cr_p?!!! There are cowboy boot companies in the good old USA that create rubbish. It has NOTHING to do with where they're produced, and EVERYTHING to do with how the craftspeople are educated and skilled.

The whole flippin' issue is flaming me. I can understand Scotland wanting to protect their cultural attire, and assist their makers and merchants. Doing it by degrading the competition is weak and cowardly. You want to protect your industry? Price the things according to the market, make them of a standard that's respectable, and market them to promote YOUR advantages over the competition.

If Scotland is truly serious about all this, they will begin by giving government support to NEW mills. Considering the majority of the materials for kilts are made OUTSIDE OF SCOTLAND, they're leaving themselves no room for complaints. In other words, it's time for the Nancy-boys to "Put up or shut up".

[minimalistix]

Honestly I think I'm going to start up a blog or something that keeps track of where the kilts are made and which internet shops/sales people are not where they advertise to be.

I ordered a cheap sporran (so that I wouldn't have to worry about tearing it up) from ebay that was supposed to be from Canada. It never even came through Canada. It was shipped from the middle east.

[James]

I cannot comment on the quality: but the more available inexpensive kilts-the more people who will at least try them, hopefully that will in turn increase the overall population of kilt wearers.

This means that if the traditional makers are on top of their game, they will be competing in a bigger market: so have a better chance of making more sales.

For just as there is always a demand for cheap Tshirts and jeans-so there is always a market for good suits-and the good tailors do well.

James

[Bob C]

As of Saturday, I own one of each - a very expensive, hand-stitched tank and my new acquisition - a mass-produced kilt of lesser quality, but also of considerably less cost. I suspect it's from the manufacturer in the story.

I'm here to say that I like them both, for different reasons.

Yes, the tank is a garment of superb quality. It will always be the kilt I wear for formal affairs, highland games and places where I will be among real kilt-wearers.

The budget kilt has its advantages, too. For starters, I can wear it with less fear of damaging it, because I don't have hundreds of dollars tied up in it. I can also throw it in the wash. It will be my St. Patrick's Day party kilt and will definitely see a happy hour or two, as well as hikes in the woods.

Don't knock cheap kilts. They're like catchy pop tunes and mindless action movies. They're not art, but they're enjoyable and they have their place.

[GlassMan]

I cannot comment on the quality: but the more available inexpensive kilts-the more people who will at least try them, hopefully that will in turn increase the overall population of kilt wearers.

While it is true that the availability of inexpensive kilts could increase the potential pool of kilt wearers, I think the bigger aim here is not to force the inexpensive kilts out of the market but instead of require truth in labeling.

I have nothing against an inexpensive kilt from Pakistan if that's what you can afford or if you need a kilt for doing outdoor activities or dirty work. Heck, I wear one when I'm working on stained glass. But it is deceptive to take that Pakistani product, have a tag sewn in it in Scotland, and then claim that it was made in Scotland. It's important for a consumer to know what they are buying and where it comes from. And it's important for the reputation of the Scottish kilt makers not to have their handiwork labeled as equivalent to less well-made product.

[Ranald]

This thread has been bugging me, I have to say that blue jeans are not just made in america so why shouldn't kilts be made elsewhere also.
I also agree with what also been said it will increase the amount of kilt wearers.
Finally I wonder how many of you will buy a 8 yarder when the importers get their act together.I for one will consider it..I have kids and bills and do not have multi hundreds of pounds to pay out for a hand made what for a eternity kilt.
I do agree that if a product is made in Pakistan then it should say so, and one has to hope that these workers get a fair wage.

[An t-Ileach]

I've bought two of the cheapo kilts specifically for wearing in the workshop and so on - they're quite adequate for that, and in fact I wear them out and about as well. Some friends had a ceilidh tonight which I went to wearing one of them. They save the wear-and-tear on the (really) expensive kilt. I assume that they're made somewhere other than Scotland (perhaps Galashiels has moved?); but the label says (quite amusingly actually) "designed in Scotland" - well it would be, wouldn't it? Like Ranald, I've not much of a problem with them being made elsewhere as long as they say so.