What is up with Scottishkilts.net?

[Scott Gilmore]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but there are other merchants within Scotland and without who are more responsive. Someone said earlier in this thread that all merchants sometimes have problems, and that's true; but the various names under which Viking Technlogy does business experience far more than their fair share. The quality of their products and their service is just plain poor far too often.

Jst so you know, the following Web sites are all fronts for Viking Technology, Inc.:
Scottish Shopper (http://www.scottishshopper.com/)
Irish Kilts (http://www.irishkilts.net/)
Masonic Themes (http://www.masonicthemes.com/)
Till Rental (http://www.tillrental.com/)
Tartan Designer (http://www.tartandesigner.co.uk/)
Scottish Kilts (http://scottishkilts.net/)
Scottsih Themes (http://www.scottishthemes.com/)
Clan Crest (http://www.clancrest.co.uk/)
Tartan Kilts (http://www.tartankilts.co.uk/)
Casual Kilts (http://www.casualkilts.com/)
Scottish Bagpipes (http://www.scottishbagpipes.net/)
Scottish Kilts News (http://scottishkilts.blogspot.com/)
Gretna Green (http://shop.gretnagreen.com/)
St. Kilda (http://www.stkildaretail.co.uk/)
Tartan Generator (http://www.tartangenerator.com/)
Gaelic Themes (http://www.gaelicthemes.net/)
Masonic Themes (http://masonicthemes.com/)
The Property Stop! (http://www.propertystop.co.uk/)
Clan Heritage (http://www.rrmcian.com/pages/rrmcian.htm)
Tartan Web (http://www.tartanweb.com/)
Gifts-Scotland (http://www.gifts-scotland.com/)

I'll stop going on about Viking now. Fair warning given though.

Thank you,
Scott Gimore

[Colin]

I ordered a jacket/waistcoat. 8 yard 16 oz wool kilt, and dress sporran from Scottishkilts and their affiliates, and I have always been completely satisfied. Gealic Themes seems to produce a large number of items sold in most Scottish shops (online and physical). I know that all the kilt hose I have purchased locally have been Gealic Themes. I had an issue with communication when I first ordered, but David was a big help and has always responded to my questions when he wasn't run off his feet with business.

[Bob C]

I have been perfectly satisfied with orders from some of the websites in Mr. Gilmore's list.

[Joe Gondek]

I ordered a kilt from scottish kilts on april 3rd
no replies to my emails and no kilt as of yet
I'll try calling this weekend and see if it helps move it along

[Riverkilt]

Thanks for all your work on that head's up Scott.

There are soooo many folks riding this kilt boom, doing business in soooo many different ways, with soooo many different business cultures.

Some treat us like meat. Some treat us like personal friends.

I still hang my hat on the old adage, "You can have any two of price, quality, and service." And that's with a well run business. Sadly, some vendors offer none of the above.

I endeavor to avoid the middle men - companies that stock other companies products and resell them.

Even ordering from people who make their products I've had adventures when I drift off into their resale items.

Its a matter of being attentive to the experiences of others on the boards and learning from your own experiences. Just because some vendor has a great price on a product doesn't mean its actually in stock, that they can get it anytime soon, or that they'll ship the right size/color.

If the product isn't one that's sold direct, like Lochcarron kilt hose, then I email/call around to find out who has the size and color I want in stock ready to ship. All the same hose, just resold by many vendors. I did a LOT of waiting for kilt hose before I got smart and asked up front.

Think it through. Can you imagine the size of the warehouse that would be needed if some of these resellers really had all the goods they advertise on hand ready to ship?

Yeah, I know you guys know all this.

I do think one of the biggest contributions made to this board is sharing the not so smooth experiences with vendors. I am VERY greatful for the shares about he-who-shall-not-be-named's long delays just before I was gonna send my hard earned dinero for a place in line.

Ron

[kiltsdotcom]

Gentlemen , this has been an excellent read. Scott Gilmore has done his homework, and he is correct. All of those sites are run by the same company. Our customers, like those that have posted here have had mixed reviews from the Gaelic Themes, Viking Tech sites. May I suggest that you shop here in the states and save yourself frieght, long distance phone calls, and dealing with a large corporation. We are a family run operation that buys all of our products from vendors that actually make them in Scotland. There are a few exceptions, but holds true of the major items. Yes Riverkilt, we offer Lochcarron kilt hose, becuase like many things, there are only a few manufacturers on some of the Scottish related goods. We always respond to emails and phone calls. We will tell you up front how long it will take you to get your item. We currently have the largest inventory on the West Coast. We have a real retail store ( something to check into when dealing on the internet) . Since we ship all items over Fifty dollars freight free. You pay the price shown. We are very competative with scottishkilts.net and you will find the service to be far more personal. we are www.kilts.com . We have been around awhile.Hope you drop by.

[Scott Gilmore]

... We have a real retail store (something to check into when dealing on the internet). ...

That's the key for me. I'm lucky, living in a large city, to have a retailer that has been able to help me with my purchases. They measured me for both my kilts and then ordered them from Scotland. If something had been amiss with either (as it turned out, there wasn't), I had someone in my corner to take care of the problem. To my way of thinking, that service is well worth stepping up and paying retail.

Of course, I know that many people aren't fortunate enough to live within walking distance of a good Scottish retailer. For you, a solid relationship with a good mail order service is crucial.

I like a merchant that hangs around where their customers do. For many years in the motorcycle business I got out and rode on Sunday mornings. On Monday mornings I knew what my customers needed. I appreciate that Kilts dot com posts here - says a lot about them. If or when I have mail order needs, the merchants I see posting at this forum is where I'll start. I made a stupid mistake in dealing with a Viking Technology Web site. That won't happen again.

Thank you,
Scott Gilmore

[arrogcow]

Gentlemen , this has been an excellent read. Scott Gilmore has done his homework, and he is correct. All of those sites are run by the same company. Our customers, like those that have posted here have had mixed reviews from the Gaelic Themes, Viking Tech sites. May I suggest that you shop here in the states and save yourself frieght, long distance phone calls, and dealing with a large corporation. We are a family run operation that buys all of our products from vendors that actually make them in Scotland. There are a few exceptions, but holds true of the major items. Yes Riverkilt, we offer Lochcarron kilt hose, becuase like many things, there are only a few manufacturers on some of the Scottish related goods. We always respond to emails and phone calls. We will tell you up front how long it will take you to get your item. We currently have the largest inventory on the West Coast. We have a real retail store ( something to check into when dealing on the internet) . Since we ship all items over Fifty dollars freight free. You pay the price shown. We are very competative with scottishkilts.net and you will find the service to be far more personal. we are www.kilts.com . We have been around awhile.Hope you drop by.

Perhaps you have better customer service that Viking tech (and I do admit that they need help), but I question your "comparitive" pricing. Even including the shipping my 5 yard 16 oz wool was over $125 cheaper than your 4 yard 16 oz wool. Lack of communication asside, I still got it in just 4 weeks as well.

Adam

Adam

[Phil Wright]

Thank God that some Kiltmakers are pushed for time, but also they have offered a service and price. If you have bought from the UK, and are really experiencing difficulties, then e-mail to the local 'County Council Trading Standards' - may move things along. Communication during rushed times doesn't take that much time and would make all concerned feel more at ease, and a kiltmaker in demand is a sure-fire seal of approval, but there are limits regarding courtesy, and no excuses given e-mail speed (address provided excluded!)
Just my 10 penn'orth
Phil