Let The Buyer Beware

[Livingston]

Sounds just like my experiance. The company I purchased from was Clansman Knitwear and I would STONGLY advise against ever purchasing from them.

[MacWage]

Sounds just like my experiance. The company I purchased from was Clansman Knitwear and I would STONGLY advise against ever purchasing from them.

(Edit: the following has been proven incorrect. The owner of Clansman Knitwear, a Ralph Neilson, was passing himself as representing St Kilda itself, when he is actually just a vendor who carries St Kilda stuff. I stand corrected. I have left the ORIGINAL text to reflect what my impression WAS. However, for the sake of St Kilda's name, I am adding this provisio to the the "accusation" post- which is NOT correct in its connection of entities.)

Just a "heads-up," Clansman Knitwear is part of the St. Kilda (kilt and accessories)/Viking Technologies (web supply)/Tartan Web (info) group (which also own all the ----- Themes internet shops). All in all, I thing the "group" has 17 different entities involved. They are also the MANUFACTURER of many OTHER companies' stock as well. So, their stuff itself is pretty decent.

From what I have been able to tell, the main Group is under some sort of reorganization, at least in the US. I wonder what the final result will look like.

I met Ralph Neilson at the Greenville Games down here in South Carolina. He was running the St Kilda tent. I ordered an Argyle and vest, in Barathea (sp?) wool. They didn't have my size, so it was going to be shipped to me at the same show price for just the Argyle ($275, shipped). He kept in touch with me as to when their expected shipment would be expected from Scotland. So, I had no customer assistance issues AT ALL.
When it arrived:
I ordered from St Kilda USA, was billed from Clansman Knitwear (how I know of the connection), and it was shipped from Gaelic Themes in Glasgow, Scotland.
The product looks great, is tagged "St Kilda," and seems to be worth what I paid. So, I have no complaints.

[rollerboy_1979]

I ordered from St Kilda USA, was billed from Clansman Knitwear (how I know of the connection), and it was shipped from Gaelic Themes in Glasgow, Scotland.
The product looks great, is tagged "St Kilda," and seems to be worth what I paid. So, I have no complaints.[/QUOTE]

This is the way it went for me: I ordered from CLANSMAN KNITWEAR, it was shipped by Gaelic Themes, and the jacket has a St.Kilda tag on it. The leather soled Ghillies, and sgian duh were shipped from Locharron in NH. The items I rec'd are top quality but the sgian dubh is not the one I ordered. The products I have after waiting 13 weeks are good quality, but that does not make up for the aggravation and the wait for the rest of it.

On a lighter note, I've been to two highland games, the Braemar Gathering of the Clans in Scotland (mid 1980's) and saw the Royal Family there, and the Canmoor(?) games in Alberta, CAN. I wasn't quite bitten by the bug yet, but the seed was planted. The sight of all those Bravehearts wearing their clan tartans was awesome to behold, and I'm not even Scotch! My lineage is Italian and Polish, but I love Scotland and its history, "Bloody" Mary, Loch Ness Monster, et al. Are there other XMTS members who are not of Scottish ancestry?
I'd love to know.
Cheers! RB (maintaining a positive attitude throughout this ordeal!)

[Colin]

Just a "heads-up," Clansman Knitwear is part of the St. Kilda (kilt and accessories)/Viking Technologies (web supply)/Tartan Web (info) group (which also own all the ----- Themes internet shops). All in all, I thing the "group" has 17 different entities involved. They are also the MANUFACTURER of many OTHER companies' stock as well. So, their stuff itself is pretty decent.

Are you sure of that MacWage? I have had many dealings with the Viking Tech groups over the past few years, and while they are not perfect, I have always been happy in the end. They have certainly not been given the continuous reviews that have plagued Clansman knitwear, nor have they shown the general disregard that Clansman has apparently shown to many on this board and other kilt boards (by their accounts).

Twice now I have seen people say that some crap company is part of the Viking tech group, but in my discussions with a few people at Tartanweb and at Scottishkilts, I has only ever shown these companies which were identified to me in an email.

We do have a number
of sites, which we will be tying together through a "Tartan Web" portal site
shortly. To clarify our sites are: -

http://scottishkilts.net
http://www.scottishthemes.com
http://www.tartanweb.com
http://www.masonicthemes.com
http://www.irishkilts.net
http://www.gifts-scotland.com

Where have you seen that Clansman is part of Viking Technologies, or Tartanweb? St. Kilda is a kiltmaking (and others) firm that lends their services to many companies not just the one or two. It's part of Gaelic Themes if I am not mistaken. Somehow I don't think the kilt hose I got from Gaelic themes at a few different locations, have anything to do with Clansman knitwear, as he sounds like a small fish in a big pond that can't deliver the good he orders from other sources.

For what it's worth, my 8 yard 16oz handsewn was made by St.Kilda (ordered throught Scottishkilts.net) and it's a friggin' beauty! Very well made kilt.

[MacWage]

Are you sure of that MacWage? I have had many dealings with the Viking Tech groups over the past few years, and while they are not perfect, I have always been happy in the end. They have certainly not been given the continuous reviews that have plagued Clansman knitwear, nor have they shown the general disregard that Clansman has apparently shown to many on this board and other kilt boards (by their accounts).

Twice now I have seen people say that some crap company is part of the Viking tech group, but in my discussions with a few people at Tartanweb and at Scottishkilts, I has only ever shown these companies which were identified to me in an email.

Where have you seen that Clansman is part of Viking Technologies, or Tartanweb? St. Kilda is a kiltmaking (and others) firm that lends their services to many companies not just the one or two. It's part of Gaelic Themes if I am not mistaken. Somehow I don't think the kilt hose I got from Gaelic themes at a few different locations, have anything to do with Clansman knitwear, as he sounds like a small fish in a big pond that can't deliver the good he orders from other sources.

For what it's worth, my 8 yard 16oz handsewn was made by St.Kilda (ordered throught Scottishkilts.net) and it's a friggin' beauty! Very well made kilt.

My experience was as I said, and dates from June to August of THIS SUMMER 2007. As for how LONG the relationship has existed, I have NO IDEA. It MIGHT be short/recent. I don't know.
-I met him as he was RUNNING the St Kilda tent, he gave me his card (a St Kilda card), so I could contact him directly.
-I ordered, and he kept me updated on the status on when the jackets were expected to arrive to St Kilda, Scotland.
-I was NOT charged, until they were about to be shipped.
-The arrived in a timely fashion (3 days after shipped FROM Gaelic themes in SCOTLAND).

-Ralph talked to me as a rep. of ST KILDA, so NO indication of Clansman Knitwear UNTIL the credit card bill (which is WHY it shocked me so).
We even talked about the St. Kilda connection to Viking Technologies and Tartan Web, which he portrayed as a positive of strong manufacturing power (they make their own stuff and supply MANY others) and talked of their sponsorships as "putting their money where their mouth is."
So, I have NO doubt of the Viking/St Kilda connection. The CK connection was what was "news" to me.

I met Ralph, face-to-face, in the St Kilda tent AT THE GREENVILLE GAMES (caps for emphasis). I had NO idea that he was tied to Clansman Knitwear, until I saw my credit card bill with THAT name and the correct amount.
IF I had known, I might not have bought it that way.
I DO know that St. Kilda USA is in the midst of a restructuring, so there are probably things going on behind the scenes I/we are unaware.

I had/have NO issues with Ralph, the product, or services. I am a happy customer.
If Clansman Knitwear's reputation wasn't "mud" on the forum, I would have NO hesitation on another order.

My HOPE is that reorganization "fixes" whatever the problem is with customer service and timely shipments of products. I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. I hope the best.


-Edit addition: Maybe he was being honest, maybe not. THAT I don't know. All I can say is that he portrayed himself as part of St Kilda USA. THAT is who I was under the impression I was dealing with when ordering. I was even told the jacket was to have been shipped from Pennsylvania (home of St Kilda USA) if it had arrived when it was originally expected. Instead (as it was needed for a formal wedding), it was drop-shipped direct from St Kilda's home office in Scotland (and arrived with the Gaelic Themes name on the shipped from address).

[Panache]

I have good friends who were suppliers to Clansman Knitware at one point.

Ralph still owes them $400 that they never expect to see, there were excuses of course. They seem to be a lot of excuses with this company.

I looked for them at a recent Highland Game because I saw they were listed as a vendor. It took me a long toime to find them because there wsn't a single banner noting them as "Clansman Knitwear". Like Colin, I have read of many complaints on this board and others regarding huge unseemly delays and lots of excuses.

Always excuses.

I personally know of people who have gotten good deals from Clansmen Knitwear. Like Ron suggested, they have received the goods then and there when they paid.

I like bargins but I don't think I could bring myself to buy from Clansman Knitware. Even if I could get the goods then and there. To me it doesn't seem worth it to help support someone whose usual business practices aren't very good. I'd rather give my money to companies that have a proven track record for both the goods and the service. Luckily for me I generally don't have to look much beyond our XMTS advertisers to find one.

Cheers

Jamie

[Alan H]

I have good friends who were suppliers to Clansman Knitware at one point.

Ralph still owes them $400 that they never expect to see, there were excuses of course. They seem to be a lot of excuses with this company.

I looked for them at a recent Highland Game because I saw they were listed as a vendor. It took me a long toime to find them because there wsn't a single banner noting them as "Clansman Knitwear". Like Colin, I have read of many complaints on this board and others regarding huge unseemly delays and lots of excuses.

Always excuses.

I personally know of people who have gotten good deals from Clansmen Knitwear. Like Ron suggested, they have received the goods then and there when they paid.

I like bargins but I don't think I could bring myself to buy from Clansman Knitware. Even if I could get the goods then and there. To me it doesn't seem worth it to help support someone whose usual business practices aren't very good. I'd rather give my money to companies that have a proven track record for both the goods and the service. Luckily for me I generally don't have to look much beyond our XMTS advertisers to find one.

Cheers

Jamie

I bought some hose from them last year at the Campbell Games. I paid money, I walked away with socks, no problem. Tim C rented his wedding outfits from ClansMan Knitwear, but as he will tell you himself, he went up there personally to make drop-dead sure that the guy hd the goods on hand before handing over any cash. He did so, because of CK horrible reputation.

This is about the nineth or tenth awful story I've heard about ClansMan Knitwear. I, for one won't be spending a dime with them in the future, and that goes double because we have such good vendors here on X-Marks...

[Colin]

-Edit addition: Maybe he was being honest, maybe not. THAT I don't know. All I can say is that he portrayed himself as part of St Kilda USA. THAT is who I was under the impression I was dealing with when ordering. I was even told the jacket was to have been shipped from Pennsylvania (home of St Kilda USA) if it had arrived when it was originally expected. Instead (as it was needed for a formal wedding), it was drop-shipped direct from St Kilda's home office in Scotland (and arrived with the Gaelic Themes name on the shipped from address).

Based on what I have read about this guy and company (from customers, would have been customers, and from the man himself) on all these forums the past 5 years, I don't know how much weight I would put in his words. But that's me personally. Someone on Kiltmen.com recently said that Viking Technologies were all part of the Gold Brothers group (which I could also not find any proof of). I don't want to be seen a sthe grand defender for Viking technologies companies, but I found them to be a great firm to deal with and I would prefer to see them have to deal with the satisfaction issues of their own clients and firms and not those of other firms with no association. http://vikingtechnology.co.uk/default.asp

I am leary about grouping other companies with one with such a bad reputation based on hearsay of the owner of the company with the bad reputation A few of the higher ups at Tartanweb are members here, so maybe they will give us some insight, or if anyone is really that eager to find a connection, they can email at info@tartanweb.com

Glad to hear the jacket turned out nice. I need to resize mine and have it taken in a bit to fit better in the chest and sleeves now.

[RockyR]

Gaelic themes (aka the Viking Technology Group) owns lots of websites (as Colin pointed out above). They also have a private label brand called "St. Kilda", under which they make kilts, jackets, shirts, etc.

They've spun the brand into a franchise and have a few stores here in the US. Each store is alloted a "territory" to cover and stay within. If the man that owns Clansman Knitwear is a St. Kilda franchise owner, it's a coincidence. The 2 companies are not linked, other than the fact that the man pays a franchise fee to use the St Kilda name.

Not every company that sells "St. Kilda" merchandise is a franchise... it just means they have a wholesale account with Gaelic Themes.

EDIT: As to the Viking Tech / Gold brothers connection... that is ABSOLUTELY untrue. They are fierce competitors. Gold Brothers get most products from Pakistan and China. To my knowledge, VT gets everything (or at least MOST things) from UK based companies and / or makes the products themselves in Scotland.

[DavidM_ScottishKilts]

Gaelic themes (aka the Viking Technology Group) owns lots of websites (as Colin pointed out above). They also have a private label brand called "St. Kilda", under which they make kilts, jackets, shirts, etc.

They've spun the brand into a franchise and have a few stores here in the US. Each store is alloted a "territory" to cover and stay within. If the man that owns Clansman Knitwear is a St. Kilda franchise owner, it's a coincidence. The 2 companies are not linked, other than the fact that the man pays a franchise fee to use the St Kilda name.

Not every company that sells "St. Kilda" merchandise is a franchise... it just means they have a wholesale account with Gaelic Themes.

EDIT: As to the Viking Tech / Gold brothers connection... that is ABSOLUTELY untrue. They are fierce competitors. Gold Brothers get most products from Pakistan and China. To my knowledge, VT gets everything (or at least MOST things) from UK based companies and / or makes the products themselves in Scotland.

Thanks for that Rocky! I would just like to clarify a few things aswell.

We are well aware of the bad reputation Clansman Knitwear has, and would like to emphysize that, 1st off - Viking Technology / TartanWeb has NOTHING at all to do with Clansman Knitwear.

As Rocky pointed out, Clansman Knitwear is supplied by Gaelic Themes, thats the only connection between those two companies.

Also with regards to the Gold Brothers, this is completly false, we have no connection whatsoever to the Gold Brothers or their imported products.

Once again Rocky, you are spot on! We actually manufacture all of our pewter items, including kilt pins, cap badges, clan badges etc here on-site in Glasgow. All of our kilts are made by highly trained kiltmakers here in Scotland and our jackets are produced to a very high standard by our own tailoring firm in the UK. We certainly DO NOT and WILL NOT import low quality products from china, pakistan etc.