Bargain Hunters Unite!

[CMcG]

Be careful about buying kilts on ebay. <snip>

Aye, caveat emptor.

I've been having some good success with eBay lately, so perhaps I should share my method. There are some amazing deals on that site but you can't be in a rush... if they don't have what you want this week, then content yourself to wait and see about next.

Here's a list of tips and tricks that have been working for me:

- Search by as many different combinations of keywords as possible. Sometimes you might find something under "scottish jacket" that doesn't come up under "tweed Argyll."

- Try the different sites ebay.ca, ebay.com, ebay.co.uk They sometimes have different stuff listed! Even if a seller doesn't show in the listing that they ship to your location, it's worth asking.

- Ask questions. When you find something you like, it's worth messaging the seller to get as much detail as you can. For example, tagged sizes can vary, so it's worth asking for the measurements of clothing. On a kilt, is the waist size measured with the straps all the way tight, somewhere in the middle, or on the last hole? For jackets, this guide is
handy.

- Buy brand names for less. In some cases, this gives you the opportunity to see the item somewhere else first. For example, I recently bought a pair of brand new John Fluevog brogues on eBay for half of what they cost retail. I was able to bid with confidence because I had already tried them on at a store

- Know how eBay works. There are various different ways to buy including: auctions, buy-it-now, best offer, and hidden reserve. Understand the differences between them and bid accordingly. A Google search will bring up plenty of info about any of them.

- Watch out for shady vendors. Always check the seller's rating and number of transactions. Be leery of sending a few hundred dollars to someone who isn't well ranked and experienced. PayPal gives you some insurance on purchases, so I feel safer going that way. Beware of jacked up shipping fees that unscrupulous sellers will use to hedge against the cost of a low auction price.

- Insist on national mail services for international transactions. Couriers (Fedex, UPS, ParcelForce, etc) tend to charge an extra "customs handling fee" on top of shipping and they make sure to collect any and all possible taxes/duty. National mail carriers tend to leave it up to a Customs Officer as to whether or not any tax/duty is owed and only charge a nominal "handling fee" if there is is tax/duty owing. So far, all of my eBay packages have arrived in the mail without paying tax/duty.

[CMcG]

<snip>
However, I have also found that watching the reputible vendors for sales, overstocks, etc. can pay off handsomely.
<snip>
Add to that the names of a few who generally have reasonable prices--j.Higgins comes to mind as do most of those who advertise right here on good ole Xmarks!

Indeed. I like to keep a number of reputable vendors bookmarked straight to their overstock, sale, or clearance page. I picked up a 16 oz wool casual kilt that way at 50% off!

I was just looking at the J Higgins site and they do indeed have some nice bargains.

Amongst our advertisers, Stillwater Kilts doesn't have near the selection of some, but their prices are hard to beat. I have a solid green wool kilt from them and, while it is certainly not a tank, it is quite nice for the money.

[James C]

Quality is important for kilts and other Scottish good make sure you check the quality of the products. Also when looking for bargains make sure you compare items that are the same and don't do the common comparision of wool vs poly kilts. As they are quite different. Do a bit of research to determine how much they normally are and let the prices talk. If the deal seems really good compared to some other dealers warning flags should come up.

Then again though sometimes you can get a really good deal if you look hard enough and ask the right questions.

Happy Bargain hunting.

[Eric Schutte]

CMcG -

For my full mask Sporran I paid 150.00 including shipping on eBay. The sporran runs 225.00 new from L&M.

For my kilts, 2 - 16 oz. Strome weight 100% wool tanks, I went to the mill directly and saved about 100.00 per kilt. There are ways to get a good deal.....cut out the middle man is one of them!

Eric Schutte

[CMcG]

Quality is important for kilts and other Scottish good make sure you check the quality of the products. Also when looking for bargains make sure you compare items that are the same and don't do the common comparision of wool vs poly kilts. As they are quite different. Do a bit of research to determine how much they normally are and let the prices talk. If the deal seems really good compared to some other dealers warning flags should come up.

Then again though sometimes you can get a really good deal if you look hard enough and ask the right questions.

Happy Bargain hunting.

Burnett's & Struth has humbly neglected to mention their $199 CAD, machine-sewn, worsted wool, casual kilts. They get rave reviews around the site for that elusive combination of quality and price.

While some would say anything other than a tank (8 yard, heavyweight worsted wool, knife pleated, hand sewn) is not worth the while, I'm glad that there are other options. I agree that one should compare apples to apples and that P/V and acrylic aren't the same as wool, 4 yards isn't the same as 8, etc. That being said, to some extent a kilt is still a kilt

What I mean might be illustrated by a car analogy. I can't afford to drive a luxury car, so my vehicle is basic but gets the job done. Similarly, a well-made wool casual kilt, or 8 yard traditionally cut P/V could still pass muster when one cannot afford a real tank.

[NewEnglander]

I agree. Now that I have my B&S casual I doubt I'll feel the need for a tank, at least with the way (and for the occasions) that I wear the kilt.
Back to the topic, I had set up a ebay search for kilt stuff, but found that it was mostly crap...and some of that crap I was tempted to buy. So instead of getting daily emails about the search, I log on once a week, or so, to check things out. Still haven't found the used Blackwatch kilt with a 22" length that I'm hoping for...someday...someday...

[Detroitpete]

Bartering and thrift stores. I'd also add that when using thrift stores, I also back up any of my items I no longer need or want and make a donation.

Here on Xmarks we have a few ways to save and help eachother out--we can click over to "Swap" and make a trade, or we can "Kilt-forward" to someone. I've been able to give a free kilt to the first xmarker to respond to my post and I've seen others pass on, or receive a kilt this way. I think it's a great way to help each other out.

And to my another way I stay frugal----eventhough I live in a large city, I grow a garden and participate in large community gardens. Great way to save, help out and reap the benefits as well. Plus, I wind up canning SOOOO many things for the winter.

[CMcG]

I was reminded of another bargain finding method over the weekend: seconds or lightly damaged goods.

I picked up a lovely blackthorn walking stick in Niagara-on-the-Lake for only $20 CAD because it had a small crack in it. The integrity of the stick is fine and a little epoxy putty will fill the fissure good as new!

I know some Highlandwear companies do similar things for a blemish on a bit of leather, small stain on a piece of tartan, etc. I'm not saying buy things that are broken or shoddy but more like a good quality product that is "pre-used."

[Downunder Kilt]

Just doing a search on ebay uk under "scottish jackets" and found a good looking kilt jacket and waistcoat in size 40. It appears to be an Etterick tweed or similar Currently at 22 pounds and another 5 days to go. I have no financial interest in the article or even know the seller and just posting info as I have noticed a few people say they are in the frame for 40" and it looks a good bargain, at this time

Mods, if this is not appropiate for this forum please delete

[McMurdo]

I have gone to kilt shops and purchased items on consignment sale, for example my Brown Harris Tweed Argyll Jacket, that cost the princely sum of $40.00, the hose were on a 50% off sale, and the sporran was on special as well.



I've also gone into a store and purchased ex rental items at fair prices, found things on ebay and bought things from members of this site.