I suppose it's all a matter of details and perspective. In the case of the kilt, was it a hand sewn, properly lined and stitched kilt in worsted wool? If that's the case, than someone was being awfully charitable since the proper tartan fabric alone would cost almost $100 more than what you paid. ;-)

I think it's a matter of having to compare not just apples to apples, but Fujis to Fujis. A sporran machine made in Pakistan from book binding leather and cardboard is fathoms different from a solid 8 ounce leather sporran stitched by hand, as I'm sure you know, being a sporran maker yourself. That cardboard and paper-thin leather film just can't be made into anything really good, and it's very inexpensive, just from a materials standpoint, so that can get passed along. I'm leaving the labour equation out of this entirely.