The Frugal Corner?

[Erisianmonkey]

I agree, Arlen. I, too have friends of Indian and Pakistani ancestry, and I'm getting tired of seeing the term "****" being bandied about. It's about time someone said something. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure racial slurs are against the rules here. Bad products don't equate bad people.

I've said it before, and I will say it again, just because a product comes from Pakistan does not make it a bad product. If you think that it does, then you really need to reevaluate how you arrive at quality decisions. I have seen numerous compliments for SWK on this board, and his stuff comes from Pakistan. I have stated before that as a blade collector, I have received some Pakistani knives that were of incredibly wonderful craftsmanship. Indeed, I have a fantasy sword, one of my favorites, that is of Pakistani origin and the craftsmanship is second to none. I also have a sword in my collection that is nice to look at from a distance, but is a flimsy piece of second-rate crap-made in the USA. Does that mean that all products made in the USA are bad? Absosmegginglutely not! Look at the craftsmanship rather than the origin stamp first, and when you hit that origin stamp you just might be surprised. (Depending on your prejudices.)

[keepoffgrass]

Thank you sir for the kind words. I stand by my assertion. These are good pipes for beginners who wantsto find out if bagpipes might be something they are interested in or even as a set for instructors for students and at a price under $125 the worse case would be they would end up being a great addition to put up over the fireplace. Out of the 25 or so sets we have sold 1 has been returned with problems, eveybody else has left good comments. We have never had to sell more products to FIX issues. Again i believe for the money (not much more then a tank of gas) a person can get a nice pair of bagpipes that they won't feel to bad about tossing into the closet beside a pile of work out equiptment after they decide bagpies are not for them.Stop by our booth at the Minnesota Highland Games and We can have a drink together

Thank you and have a great day
Mark

Just my two cents here, but... I think Marks being pretty cool about all this, hes even willing to send a set out for review. The bottom line is however, that most people don't have or aren't willing to shell out a grand on a set of pipes if they're thinking about learning to play. I understand that the true pipers in here have a problem with cheat pipes, but someone who just wants a set a pipes to "play with" or check out isn't likely gunna shell out $800+ on something he or she might not ever seriously get into. And the majority of people in here, or any where for that matter are going to fit into that category. I curious what the ratio of "serious pipers" to people thinking it would be cool to have a set of bag pipes is in here, about a 1 in every hundred or so? its cool you're passionate guys, but be realistic. most people buying these pipes aren't ever going to be a great piper, or have any aspirations of the such. they just want a cheap set of pipes to play with

[Kilted-Marine]

We have been looking at ordering some swords to sell, Some Scottish style and also some USMC NCO Swords, Navy swords, and a few others. Maybe even doing a Leatherneck Kilt & Marine NCO Sword package. My question is..do you folks think there is enough of a market for swords that we could move 25-50 a month (I know a lot depends on price and we would try to be competitive)

[Erisianmonkey]

We have been looking at ordering some swords to sell, Some Scottish style and also some USMC NCO Swords, Navy swords, and a few others. Maybe even doing a Leatherneck Kilt & Marine NCO Sword package. My question is..do you folks think there is enough of a market for swords that we could move 25-50 a month (I know a lot depends on price and we would try to be competitive)

That is a very good question Mark. I wouldn't know whether or not you could do 50, but I think you might be able to pull off 25. Depending on how you register pages with the search engines, I think that a page of swords (no, not the Tarot card...) could actually pull some random people in that would get kilts.

[emolas]

I think the Marine NCO sword may be a hard sell. Most people who rate wearing them (I.E. Marine NCOs) will only buy the official ones and tend to shy away from discounted versions. Although, IMHO it would be better to spend 1/10th the price on a decorative one for the wall than an official one. I for one, have my NCO sword safely wrapped up and in storage so as not to damage it until I can give it to my son.

[Monkey@Arms]

I just guessing, but I bet there's more of a market for discount dirks than swords.

Best regards,

Jake

[slohairt]

I've said it before, and I will say it again, just because a product comes from Pakistan does not make it a bad product. If you think that it does, then you really need to reevaluate how you arrive at quality decisions. I have seen numerous compliments for SWK on this board, and his stuff comes from Pakistan. I have stated before that as a blade collector, I have received some Pakistani knives that were of incredibly wonderful craftsmanship. Indeed, I have a fantasy sword, one of my favorites, that is of Pakistani origin and the craftsmanship is second to none. I also have a sword in my collection that is nice to look at from a distance, but is a flimsy piece of second-rate crap-made in the USA. Does that mean that all products made in the USA are bad? Absosmegginglutely not! Look at the craftsmanship rather than the origin stamp first, and when you hit that origin stamp you just might be surprised. (Depending on your prejudices.)

Hmmm...you seem to have missed the point I was making. I was protesting the use of an ethnic slur by other members of this forum. As for the quality of products exported from Pakistan? I would expect that it is much the same situation as any other country. Some are good, some are bad. What I was trying to say was that when one receives a bad product from a country (whatever country that may be) he or she should not allow it to prejudice his view of the people in general.

[Coemgen]

Personally, I think that Mark has been a true gentleman by not descending to the level of abrasive attacks upon his character that were posted. I also think that before we deride his products, we should get a few opinions of their quality by people who know what to look for in a good set of pipes, while keeping in mind that, regardless of quality, a set that costs $135 will probably not be on the same level as a set that costs $800. However, I would withhold judgement until someone more familiar than myself with the bagpipes had a chance to examine and review some of Mark's stock.
As far as Pakistani products go, I would say that, just like any other country, there are good things and bad things produced there. It would, however, be naive to say that all producers are equal; some places have greater access to better technology than others, and that's just the way things are, and frankly, Pakistan isn't exactly the most technologically advanced nation of the world. However, that is no reason to assume that whatever comes from Pakistan is cheap garbage, just as it is a mistake to assume that everything that comes from the United States or Scotland or Canada is of the greatest quality possible. The best way to determine a product's quality is to have it examined by someone who knows about what a good quality product would be, and to withhold judgement until that happens.
Cheers,
Coemgen

[Erisianmonkey]

Hmmm...you seem to have missed the point I was making. I was protesting the use of an ethnic slur by other members of this forum. As for the quality of products exported from Pakistan? I would expect that it is much the same situation as any other country. Some are good, some are bad. What I was trying to say was that when one receives a bad product from a country (whatever country that may be) he or she should not allow it to prejudice his view of the people in general.

I'm sorry if I missed your point Sean, although I got the point about people. The last sentence of the post I was responding to was "Bad Products don't equate bad people." I would agree with that sentence, but I would also say that the argument that it was made in the middle of was the notion that Pakistani/Asian made=crap. I was objecting to that notion, which despite defending the character of the people, you seemed to be upholding. I apologise if I misunderstood.

[Kilted-Marine]

Our main business is not selling bagpipes. Yes we sell then because there is a demand for a low cost playable bagpipe. Our main focus is stock and custom kilts. Last month we sold maybe 6 bagpipes, we however sold close to 100 kilts and an assortment of sporrans, shawls, fly plaids, sgian dubh... PLease talk about and lets discuss the bagpipes but please dont forget that is only a small part of what we offer and sell

I also have a Marine NCO Sword (1981-1993) it is leaning against the bedroom wall, the blade is loose (My Kids played with it-and had lots of fun), the holder is scuffed.. what the heck....the kids had fun and maybe they can have their own someday

Semper Fi