Utilikilt's new business model.

**Gaisgeil** · 19th April 07, 10:33 PM

So apparently they have gone from made to order to "off the rack" is anyone else kind of annoyed by this? I've got a large waistsize and I've been watching their website practically every day for a kilt to come in stock my size. Not a single one. I really don't like this is at all. Does anyone know if they will still take an custom order? I'll call them soon, but was just wondering if anyone here knew off hand.

**Kilted KT** · 19th April 07, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Gaisgeil

So apparently they have gone from made to order to "off the rack" is anyone else kind of annoyed by this? I've got a large waistsize and I've been watching their website practically every day for a kilt to come in stock my size. Not a single one. I really don't like this is at all. Does anyone know if they will still take an custom order? I'll call them soon, but was just wondering if anyone here knew off hand.

I'd give them a call. I am sure, with the kilted community as fickle as it can be, that they would not completley abandon making kilts for our larger bretheren!

**turpin** · 19th April 07, 10:46 PM

Why not give Renegade Kilts a try? Alan's product is better made than UK, better priced, and you can work with him on customizing. I ordered the Renegade model (machine sewn traditional style, even cuts out the pleats) in black cotton canvas, with quick release buckles so it won't set off airport metal detectors. He has two other models, Warrior and Rebel. HJe's a good guy to work with.

**Gaisgeil** · 19th April 07, 11:19 PM

Wow Turpin! I hadn't heard of those before. His stuff looks really great! Just what I was looking for actually. I think I'm sold! I'll definitely give him a shout.

**turpin** · 19th April 07, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by Gaisgeil

Wow Turpin! I hadn't heard of those before. His stuff looks really great! Just what I was looking for actually. I think I'm sold! I'll definitely give him a shout.

PM him, he's an xmarks member.

**Graham** · 20th April 07, 02:56 AM

No great loss to me, I must say. My one and only experience with trying to get UK to make a kilt that fits me was very frustrating.
I returned to a kiltmaker who really makes a solid, good fitting, plain kilt...RKilts!

**Raphael** · 20th April 07, 03:34 AM

Am I missing something here? I don't think Utilikilts ever offered a custom made option. Their stuffs have always been off the rack stuff

**Gaisgeil** · 20th April 07, 04:45 AM

I don't believe it was always that way. Before you put your order in according to your preferences, they made it and you got it. Now, they make a wide variety and you buy it off the rack, your choice of what they have available. I think they used to do it partially that way but now it seems that's all they're going to do.

**RockyR** · 20th April 07, 05:13 AM

That's the problem when a company gets to that size... if you're a SMALL business and want to do custom work and have relatively few orders, it's easy. When you get to the "hundreds of kilts a month" size, it's MUCH tougher to maintain that same level of "customization".

It's a shame if they no longer offer custom kilts, but I COMPLETELY understand why they did what they did... AND REMEMBER... there are LOTS of other SMALL contemporary companies that are members here and/or advertise here who would LOVE to make you a custom solid kilt!

**Fearnest** · 20th April 07, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

REMEMBER... there are LOTS of other SMALL contemporary companies that are members here and/or advertise here who would LOVE to make you a custom solid kilt!

(Not that you would have any recommendations, right?)

It's always good to remember the "little guy" in business - whether its kilts, haircuts, food... they're the folks who ensure we have a variety of products from which to choose, and customer service that goes beyond "paper or plastic?"