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

[RockyR]

Sean... VERY well said.

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.

I misunderstood. Sorry about that.

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.

And that's also the reason you have companies like XXXX (name withheld as I do not like to put down competitors) who have dozens of complaints with the Golden Gate BBB and other BBB's across the nation. DOZENS of members up here on this board have been 'taken' by the company and can't sue them b/c the owner runs to another state to take up residence and sell his stuff. He sets up new company names to avoid the horrible reputation his old company name has.

Am I saying all Ebay stores or 'mail order only' or internet only businesses are bad? NO! I'm just saying (and again, this is my opinion only) that there is still something to be said for companies with a storefront... it shows a certain type of 'permenance' and commitment to the product line and customers. It's not as easy to walk away from a business that has a physical location.

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)

Hmm... if we have our Drywall made in China, it's be 'the same quality' but cheaper. No, wait... that didn't work.

If we have our toys all made in China, they'll be the same quality as the toys from the 1950's. Oh wait, they're using lead paint on cheap plastic toys? That won't work.

Is there always someone better OR faster OR cheaper? Yes, pobably, but not necessarily ALL of those things. If he's (or SHE'S) better and faster, I doubt he'll be cheaper. If he's cheaper and faster, I doubt he'll be better. If he is, the market will bear it and one of the 2 will be forced to change prices or go out of business.

Like Riverkilt loves to say:

Of the following 3 things, you can choose 2: Speed, Quality and Price.


Most industries have the following segments:

Cheap and lower quality
Good Quality / Good price
HIGH Quality and HIGH price.

GENERALLY things are priced the way they are for a reason.