Let The Buyer Beware

**RockyR** · 27th August 07, 01:23 PM

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.

**Alan H** · 27th August 07, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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...

**Jerry** · 28th August 07, 02:49 AM

Many of us here have had dealings with "Ralph" and Clansman knitwear, and most with the same results. Ralph used to have an "unsatisfactory rating" with the Golden Gate BBB.(probably still does, but I haven't looked recently) The best advice I can give to anyone looking to buy over the net, "Ask on this board first."

DavidM_ScottishKilts · 4th September 07, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

**Cawdorian** · 4th September 07, 07:52 AM

I have a few Gaelic Themes cap badges and kilt pins, they were purchased from one of our advertisers. They are of great quality, heavier and are more detailed than some of the other brands offered in the market place.

**rollerboy_1979** · 4th September 07, 10:39 PM

I am still waiting for my kilt, sporran, shirt, belt & hose and to date have not heard back from Ralph or anyone at Clansman Knitwear, so at this point I have the jacket, vest, shoes and sgian dubh. The onus is on them to make good, and because Visa is on my side on this one I have nothing to lose by waiting. On a positive note, I went to San Francisco to attend my nephew's wedding over Labor Day weekend, had a great time, and bought a kilt! I happened upon William Glen & Son at 360 Sutter Street while walking the streets of SFO, and engaged in conversation with the kilted salesman, Mark. Naturally, I had to share my sob story about Clansman Knitwear with him. He was very gracious and did not speak with any ill will towards them, and assured me that it may just be caught up in customs. He advised me to wait and see. I happened to ask if they had any bespoke kilts that were never delivered or picked up for some reason. He showed me to a small rack of them so I started to thumb through looking for something that might fit. Low and behold, I came across a beautiful 8 yard, 100% wool kilt in Gordon Modern (one of my favorites) in my size! It fit perfectly. Now, I ask you, what are the chances I would find one of my favorite tartans in a 36" waist with a 24" drop???? Probably slim to none, but I did! I have been so frustrated with my Clansman Knitwear debacle, that I could not resist, and they gave me about $300 off the regular price, so it was a steal. If my other kilt ever shows up I'll have a Black Watch and a Gordon........not too shabby, eh? I'm starting to feel the addiction others on this forum have spoken about. Isn't it grand?

**neo71665** · 5th September 07, 03:09 AM

Me and my buddy got our kilts from them. We ordered in april at our highland games and it took me well over the promised due date. We were getting them for my buddy's wedding (october 31) and was promised they would be there on time. Mine did show up but his finally showed up 3 days after his wedding. We tried to email and call them but after they got our money it was like they dropped off the face of the earth. I did notice they wasn't at the games this year and from what I heard wasn't allowed back.

**Riverkilt** · 5th September 07, 08:05 AM

Great score Rollerboy!

I was lucky enough to have that happen with a weathered Gordon handsewn with similar savings. That's not addiction, its pure common sense and luck.

Googled the store and found http://www.wmglen.com/ and they promise on line shopping by July 2007.....okay....maybe they changed their mind....guess we'll see. Was hoping their list of similar kilts might be posted for checking.

Ron

**MacWage** · 5th September 07, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by DavidM_ScottishKilts

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.

THANK YOU for that clarification.
I stand corrected.
It is, then, Ralph casting himself as something he is NOT.

Like I said, my jacket is WONDERFUL and LOOKS GREAT. St Kilda did a good job. Now, Gaelic Themes/St Kilda/Viking/TartanWeb NEEDS to talk to Ralph, as he is casting himself as their representative (though St Kilda USA) at games around me. If such was being done to me, I would be NONE TO HAPPY.

David,
Thanks again.

**rollerboy_1979** · 6th September 07, 04:02 PM

Kilted Brothers,

Well, I did it. I'm no longer a kilt "virgin". I put on my new Gordon tartan, dressed it down with sandals, navy polo shirt, and a big fanny pack (because I don't have my belt or sporran yet) and went out today in public. It's the first time since I rented the Prince Charlie and wore it to work on Halloween. My first stop was to the lobby of a local Palm Springs resort hotel to show my friend. I could not believe that the first thing out of her mouth was "So, what's under it?". The very first person to see me asks me "The Question"! I fired back with a litany of responses, then I asked her what she was wearing under her skirt. We laughed. After that I met some friends for lunch in downtown Palm Springs. They loved it and said it looked great on me. After lunch I gave it the ultimate test, I went to the Super Wal-Mart. I walked into the store with an air of confidence, and although I did get a few smiles, I was disappointed because no one said anything!!!! I walked all through that store, stopped to ask where a few things were, and no one even blinked. I feel great..........I'm empowered.........I'm hooked. I've heard of being hooked on phonics, but hooked on wearing plaid??? I only wish my dear late wife could see me now!