Why a kilt costs what it does...a re-re-re-hash

[bricelythgoe]

Brice,

The problem is, you're comparing apples to oranges... at least when discussing low end kilts (our Casual / Semi Trad) and Josh's PV models against Scotland's WOOL kilts. Our prices for 8 yard wool kilts are the same (roughly speaking) as those you get in Scotland. The quality is also on par with Scottish 8 yard kilts.

Also... about the 'physical store' thing: I'm not saying that I need to buy everything from the brick and mortar store itself. I am saying that I buy products from companies that HAVE a brick and mortar store (with very few exceptions). I may purchase from a company online, but I choose to purchase from one with a physical store as well. It limits the company's ability to just 'up and leave' with my money.

Again, I'm NOT saying any particular company (including SHO) would ever do that. What I AM saying is that it's re-assuring to me as a shopper and we choose to carry the philosophy over to our retail company.

I was not comparing wool with pv at all. Not sure where you got that idea. If you want, we can compare an SHO wool kilt with others if you like. But it was not the intent of this thread.

As far as a 'brick and mortar" store, I think that is important to some people. It is less and less important every day. That is the reason you have places like eBay. I think the newer generations have realized you don't need that to get a good product from a good company.

I took the original intent of this thread as this:

Don't complain about high prices for kilts, that is just the way it is. Besides they don't make hardly any money making a kilt anyways.

My counter point to that was that it made no sense. If USAK, or SHO, or Freedom Kilts, or any other place that offers custom made kilts makes VERY LITTLE on a kilt, then how do they stay in business? I offered only 2 possible explanations:

1. They are only at it part time and have a full-time job that pays better wages.

or

2. The accessories to their kilts that they sell are marked up quite high to make up for the low profit on the kilts (This would be more plausable. Many retail business do this).

I am sure all the people mentioned make high quality kilts. I am sure they love what they are doing. I am not sure, however, I am feeling the pity for the poor kilt makers that the original author of this thread intended when he started it.

Also, I never believe you can get to price on a product and never get lower and/or better. If that is the case, when is the price too low for a custom made kilt? Who decides it? I just don't think you can go around saying that something MUST, AND I MEAN MUST, be expensive. There is ALWAYS someone out there can do it BETTER than YOU, FASTER than YOU, and charge LESS than YOU. (you referring to everyone that makes a product)