Quote Originally Posted by DWFII View Post
Rocky,

My experience is just the opposite....

SNIP

Maybe you see the few who do come back after having bought a low priced kilt to buy a better quality kilt, because you offer that range. But how many who buy a low priced kilt never come back? I suspect that the numbers would be very revealing...simply because that's human nature.

It's also human nature to characterize those who have learned to cast a fly rod, or who do prefer traditional kilts, as "elitists"...or some variation. Sour grapes.
Please know that I'm not posting this with any malice or anger, just in the friendly spirit of discussion...

I do NOT have any 'hard numbers' for who bought what kind of kilt and then came back or didn't come back. I WILL say that I've seen a definite upswing in the past 3 years of more and more people buying higher end kilts. Is this due to our company's growth or due to more 'discerning' customers? Not sure... I'm just 'calling it like I see it'.

Using your example: I would actually be surprised (not disagreeing... just stating surprise) if all of your students who bought $100 fly fishing rods and enjoy the sport and TRIED your $1000 or $2000 fishing rod didn't see / feel the difference and WANT to upgrade to a better rod later. When I started buying Stereo equipment (for car or home theatre of whatever) at age 18, I bought less expensive items. Now that I'm a bit older and more discerning, I look at nicer stereos. That seems to be able to fit into WHATEVER field we write about.

There's different ways to interperet the numbers for different trends and different ways to think about things. As I said above, we offer the full range, so I know see a broader spectrum than most. I try to explain the differences to our customers and show them the reasons to get a nicer kilt, but ultimately, it's up to them to decide as they're the one with the wallet.

Do I think there is a percentage of people who would have bought a higher end kilt if the lower priced one wasn't available? Yes. However, I think a MUCH higher percentage would have walked out of the store with NOTHING if they didn't have a lower priced alternative. (RHETORICAL QUESTION) Which is the 'lessor of the two evils', having MUCH fewer people in kilts, but having them be 8 yarders OR having more people in kilts, but some are 'synthetic material' and some are 8 yarders? Personally, I'd rather see more people in kilts, as long as they don't look 'sloppy'.

Also, I stand by my statement about it bringing a percentage of those people UP the ladder. Bottom line... it's a difference of opinion about the effect. Unfortunately, there probably won't be any kind of 'hard data' to back any of this up, so it will have to remain, as it is, 2 differing opinions.

I mean no disrespect to those in the Traditional Forum by talking about non-traditional (not 8 yard wool) kilts. However, a statement was made that I disagreed with and wanted to address in a civil and thoughtful manner. That is what the spirit of this forum is all about!

I continue to wear both traditional and other kind of kilts and love each for different reasons.

Back to the discussion about saving up for a NICE 8 yard tank. As I said before... I think every true kilt lover should get at least one in their lifetime. It is truly a wonderful thing.