We Rock!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

But it's not just about following the rules. After all, we don't actually have a choice there do we?

It's the fact that we are all so interesting, smart, and varied. I suppose having the rules allows us to remain civil to each other, and I am grateful that gives us the opportunity to get to know each other.

I don't spend a lot of time on other online forums, so I don't have a basis for comparison, but I am continually impressed by the quality of folks we have met through this forum, and I like to think that we are all kind to each other through choice, not just because we are forced to be. Whew! That was a long sentence!

Be well,

Star

[sathor]

I actually enjoy watching the aftermath of the tartan run mix-up. It shows a lot of interesting things in the kilted nature.

My nature (or perhaps upbringing) would make me believe I would have done the same as 'the wizard' but I don't know if I would accept people not taking the lower amount under the circumstance. If I were a party in the whole thing, I think I'd rather get a gift certificate for the difference, especially once the store opens up the accessory stuff, of course the discount, especially for post holiday bills, but I see both sides in a way. I would be happy with the hemming I guess, (I'd just have to send it off to a kilt maker anyway) but I also have the inner need to do the right thing (most of the time) and I don't think I would let the people get off without the discount. I'd rather give them a GC than to give them nothing extra. Of course, that also leaves the ball completly in the other person's court. They could use the GC (and perhaps get a nice sporran for a bit less) or 'rip it up' and let it expire.

I do also hate to say, in the same threads, I have seen some of the darker parts of Xmarks. There was a comment made in reply to my asking about the situation where it felt like they believed I didn't have a say because I didn't have an order in, and had no business commenting. I understand the situation was stressful, so I didn't let it bother me, I've been there myself. I once spent 4 hours digitally restoring images from negatives that got 'eaten' by a photo developing machine of a customers vacation as Walgreens. The Manager was miffed, but knew that if I did it 'in house' it would give the customer a better impression than a new roll of film, and if they pressed, they would have spent a lot more to send it somewhere else and have it done instead of leaving me alone to do it myself.

[Colin]

I think there is a difference Sathor. Steve did not do this order through his shop and is not trying to appease a dissatisfied customer. It was handled on behalf of the members here. Hank never meant for Xmarks to be a product site and as it stands right now Xmarks only offers a very limited supply of special run items. To limit the amount of Xmarks items and protect the name and property of the site owner we asked Steve to be the unofficial Xmarks merchandise guy. What that means is he simply sees what level of interest there is for a special run, so collects the orders from the members, he collects the funds, and than orders the product and deals with the manufacturer.

Steve took this on through his own accord and is not making a profit. Any discount that was being offered for this tartan run would be coming out of his pocket for something many don't think he should have to make up for. It's simple mistake and one that can be easily fixed.The discount was not being given by the supplier or by Freedom kilts, but out of Steve's pocket. Not at all fair in my opinion.

Coming from someone that was privy to this info as a moderator and someone that took part in these discussion for the past few years with Steve I don't think anyone on this site understands the amount of time and work Steve puts into these special runs. To make this perfectly clear,without Steve this special order of the Xmarks fabric in PV (which Steve researched with several sources over the past 2 years or so) would never have taken place.

I am sure he would rather be working on his own business which does pay his bills.


Kudos to those of you that understand that this was a simple mistake and anyone could have made and those of you that have stepped up to lend support to a great guy that does an awesome job for all of us.

[Panache]

...I do also hate to say, in the same threads, I have seen some of the darker parts of Xmarks. There was a comment made in reply to my asking about the situation where it felt like they believed I didn't have a say because I didn't have an order in, and had no business commenting.

sathor,

The thread was specifically for people that had been paid and ordered XMTS tartan.

You hadn't

Therefore it was restated that the thread was for...

...people that had been paid and ordered XMTS tartan.

Hardly "the darker parts of XMTS"

One of our jobs the moderators do here is help direct threads to keep them on track.

Steve needed input on that thread from a particular group.

I'm not exactly sure what this had to do with the positive thread my lovely F-H.C.A.G. started...

... so perhaps we can get back to the subject at hand (there I go being a Moderator again )




This is an amazing group of people and I am very proud to be part of this place

We do Rock!

Cheers

Jamie

[sathor]

I understand fully, it was just the way the reply came off in my opinion. Of course, I'm not a moderator, nor do I ever expect to be one, so there probably are some real dark parts that I have never, and will never see. We both have different perspectives, and different backgrounds. Which is probably a good thing, otherwise we'd all be a bunch of drones and they would be selling kilts at Walmart instead of Hot Topic.

sathor,

The thread was specifically for people that had been paid and ordered XMTS tartan.

You hadn't

Therefore it was restated that the thread was for...

...people that had been paid and ordered XMTS tartan.

Hardly "the darker parts of XMTS"

One of our jobs the moderators do here is help direct threads to keep them on track.

Steve needed input on that thread from a particular group.

I'm not exactly sure what this had to do with the positive thread my lovely F-H.C.A.G. started...

... so perhaps we can get back to the subject at hand (there I go being a Moderator again )




This is an amazing group of people and I am very proud to be part of this place

We do Rock!

Cheers

Jamie

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

I don't want to see this thread die because no one has anything positive left to say, so I'll redirect a bit before I must run off to work.

Chime in folks, if you would like to.

How has X-Marks made you a better person?

Personally, I have learned that if you want to get to know people, you have to be patient enough and tactful enough to allow them to show you who they are. If you spend too much time concentrating on yourself and judging them by your own experiences, you never will get the benefit of their experiences.

Must go to work....

Be well,

Star

[sathor]

I've learned a crap load about sewing, for what that's worth. Still can't use a sewing machine to save my life. Oh how that machine mocks me from the table...

[Colin]

Personally, I have learned that if you want to get to know people, you have to be patient enough and tactful enough to allow them to show you who they are. If you spend too much time concentrating on yourself and judging them by your own experiences, you never will get the benefit of their experiences.

Amen sister!!!

You Rock, Star!!

Xmarks has made me a better person in that I have had to exercise more patience towards other attitudes, approaches, and backgrounds. Being a moderator for a long time forced me to be fair to all and to look at the site in the context of something bigger than just my own feelings and personal opinions. So many people are so concerned about their own opinion or outside interests that they don't see the beauty of how a little give and take makes this such an interesting place. It's a site with members stretching the globe who have all been brought together over a shared interest (really it's just a bunch of dudes talking about clothing). If that means I have to leave my religious and political thoughts at the door, I am more than happy to do so for the experience and opportunity to learn from the different life experiences and cultures that are represented on this forum.

[Panache]

Thinking about this thread and the last few weeks it strikes me that without X Marks the Scot.com I don't think I would ever have attended a Burns Night Supper, let alone help plan one.

Because of XMTS I have come to look forward to this wonderful celebration each year and have a far greater appreciation for the works of Robert Burns.

I don't think that I am the only one to be so influenced

I think it is amazing that the "Show us your Pics" forum these last few weeks have had so many groups of X Markers sharing their gatherings (Nor Cal Rabble, SEKS, SOKS, WACKOS, ROKS, the Ferintosh Gathering, and so forth...). We have all worked together and learned from each other to get into the spirit of the event yet make it uniquely our own.

This forum has helped promote a wonderful tradition and keep the memory of Robert Burns alive!

Not bad for an online forum about kilts!

Cheers

Jamie

:blimp:

[The Wizard of BC]

I started Freedom Kilts as a fluke. I wanted a Kilt but could not find what I was looking for anywhere.
I also hate to pay someone else to do something that I am capable of learning to do myself.

And look at me now. I am planning a trip to Scotland. Oh sure, I always wanted to go and see stuff other than the airport or military bases but who would have imagined that I would actually be doing it.

While there I will have an opportunity to meet in person some of the members here who I have come to know and count among my customers and friends. Those people have offered their hospitality, offered to open their homes, and offered to help and assist me to fully appreciate the place as no simple tourist could.

Everywhere I have gone in this world, since becoming a member here, has reminded me that never before in my life had I thought of traveling half-way around the globe just to raise a glass with someone who I only know as a name on a computer screen.

X Marks is, in the truest sense, my Clan. It is my family, my friends, and those who I trust. It is also my Clan in the sense of my willingness to help another member, no matter what.

If I go to a Games, or some other function, and see someone wearing The X Marks Tartan or sporting our badge I know that that person shares something with me. Something we both hold dear. Something we both know that by simply offering a handshake we have found a friend, a Clan Member.

Saying all this may sound silly to some of you in this day and age. But one thing I learned in the Military is that you aren't born into your real family.