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

[RockyR]

With that logic, using the capitalist market model you pointed to several times, the cream will always rise to the top.

Brice, I know that you have a sporran company. I assume that you believe your products are high quality or at least solid quality. I assume that you are marketing them for a 'good price for the value'. If those 2 things are true, you should be swimming in orders, correct? If not, why not? The simplistic capitalist model would indicate that you're prices are too high and you're making too much money and should lower prices. This isn't meant as a dig, just to bring up a point.

The thing you seem to not want to accept is that we are in a global market with a global marketplace. You can't just say 'american goods' b/c there are many other countries goods being sold in America. I'm not saying other countries goods are better or lessor quality by basis of where they're made. The playing field however is not equal for all countries based on average income and currency value.

When I was in Scotland in 2007, I paid more than I ever had for a Pizza (and pretty bad pizza at that ). $25 American in Eddinburra. When I was in Mexico on vacation in 1999, I paid less for a cab ride than I could anywhere in the US.

Some people find small niches of a certain market and really are undervalued for what they create. They're a gold nugget amongst the thousands of rocks in the bottom of a riverbed. Are they out there? Yes. That's why I used all caps for the following line from my post, b/c I know there are exceptions to the rule:

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

Do you think you've found a good price for HIGH quality in SHO? Obviously you do. You often like to promote his business. Must everyone share your opinion? Not necessarily (again, no slighting meant towards Josh who I personally like). Are others allowed to like other companies and find value elsewhere (whether it's in a Scottish Hand Sewn kilt or the cheapest Pakistani Import kilt)? Sure they are.

I would also agree that the groups you mentioned overlap more often than people think. There are MANY companies in the USA that offer quality MADE IN AMERICA products. The problem is that we're often times competing with Made in Pakistan / China products and the general public doesn't know the difference either b/c they were 'duped' or b/c they didn't do their homework or they just don't know what questions to ask. That's why we try to explain, in detail all of our products and answer lots of different questions in our FAQ pages... Knowledge is power when it comes to purchasing.

How many times have we read a newbie say the folling thing:

I wish I would have found this place BEFORE I bought my kilt.

[RockyR]

Rocky,

Just so you know, you are one of the people I am referring to when I say that people can make a better product for the same/lower price. Josh from SHO is also one I am referring to. To quote you:

we realized that we could make the kilts better ourselves and sell them at the same price. After all... that's what Capitsalism is all about right? Building the better mousetrap?

Yes... and in that instance, I was referring to another 'low end' kiltmaker based in the US, not any Scottish makers. I agree that things can be done better and cheaper on occasion. Do I think that EVERYTHING could be done better or cheaper? No. If I did, I'd have DOZENS of businesses.

[bricelythgoe]

With that logic, using the capitalist market model you pointed to several times, the cream will always rise to the top.

Brice, I know that you have a sporran company. I assume that you believe your products are high quality or at least solid quality. I assume that you are marketing them for a 'good price for the value'. If those 2 things are true, you should be swimming in orders, correct? If not, why not? The simplistic capitalist model would indicate that you're prices are too high and you're making too much money and should lower prices. This isn't meant as a dig, just to bring up a point.

I keep pretty busy. But it also could mean there is not a market for my product as well, could it not?

The thing you seem to not want to accept is that we are in a global market with a global marketplace. You can't just say 'american goods' b/c there are many other countries goods being sold in America. I'm not saying other countries goods are better or lessor quality by basis of where they're made. The playing field however is not equal for all countries based on average income and currency value.

That was not the point of the conversation. We are talking about USA made goods. If you would like, we can have a discussion about that. Besides, I agree with you!

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

Sometimes, that reason is not a good reason. Would you agree?

Do you think you've found a good price for HIGH quality in SHO? Obviously you do. You often like to promote his business. Must everyone share your opinion? Not necessarily (again, no slighting meant towards Josh who I personally like). Are others allowed to like other companies and find value elsewhere (whether it's in a Scottish Hand Sewn kilt or the cheapest Pakistani Import kilt)? Sure they are.

Not sure what your point was here. But, ok.

I would also agree that the groups you mentioned overlap more often than people think. There are MANY companies in the USA that offer quality MADE IN AMERICA products. The problem is that we're often times competing with Made in Pakistan / China products and the general public doesn't know the difference either b/c they were 'duped' or b/c they didn't do their homework or they just don't know what questions to ask. That's why we try to explain, in detail all of our products and answer lots of different questions in our FAQ pages... Knowledge is power when it comes to purchasing.

I agree.

[bricelythgoe]

Yes... and in that instance, I was referring to another 'low end' kiltmaker based in the US, not any Scottish makers. I agree that things can be done better and cheaper on occasion. Do I think that EVERYTHING could be done better or cheaper? No. If I did, I'd have DOZENS of businesses.

That is all I am getting at. Thank you for making my point clear.

[RockyR]

Would I agree that 'sometimes that reason is not a good reason'. Yes, but who is to say if the reason is 'good enough' or not? The only way to do that would be to interview every company with the exact same product and ask them what they paid for it and why they charge what they do and 'justify it' to you. Unless you have a lot of time on your hands to call each company (and I can't think of many business owners who would be willing to share their marjins with customers), you have to believe that the market regulates the prices itself to a large degree. Will it be perfect? No.

You said to one comment that you 'weren't sure what my point was'. My point on the 2nd last comment is that you stated earlier:

Now I realize that I am probably falling on deaf ears when I say things like this on here. That is ok. I believe I have found several places that can make High Quality items for a reasonable price. Whether anyone believes that is not my concern.

It obviously IS of concern or you wouldn't post so many thoughts UP here. We ALL care what others think / believe. We ALL want interaction on XMARKS and we all want others to agree with us. That's why we're here. To find likminded individuals to interact with and others to 'disagree with'.

And with that, I'm off to finish printing out shipping labels and watch the Flyers!

[Mike M.]

I'll brave this hornet's nest and point out that if you look at bespoke trousers, you are talking about ~$400. See http://www.atailoredsuit.com/prices-...ored-suit.html for an example. Considering the cost of materials, the prices of kilts are on the low side. Better buy now.

[RockyR]

I'll brave this hornet's nest and point out that if you look at bespoke trousers, you are talking about ~$400. See http://www.atailoredsuit.com/prices-...ored-suit.html for an example. Considering the cost of materials, the prices of kilts are on the low side. Better buy now.

HAHAHAHA... Agreed!

[bricelythgoe]

You said to one comment that you 'weren't sure what my point was'. My point on the 2nd last comment is that you stated earlier:




It obviously IS of concern or you wouldn't post so many thoughts UP here. We ALL care what others think / believe. We ALL want interaction on XMARKS and we all want others to agree with us. That's why we're here. To find likminded individuals to interact with and others to 'disagree with'.

And with that, I'm off to finish printing out shipping labels and watch the Flyers!

All I said was that I found places that offer high quality goods for decent prices. I never mentioned kilts or SHO in particular. You assumed I was talking about them, but I was not specifically mentioning anyone.

[bricelythgoe]

I'll brave this hornet's nest and point out that if you look at bespoke trousers, you are talking about ~$400. See http://www.atailoredsuit.com/prices-...ored-suit.html for an example. Considering the cost of materials, the prices of kilts are on the low side. Better buy now.

I guess that depends on the kilt you are talking about. Most hand stiched kilts are quite a bit more than that.

[NewEnglander]

I'll brave this hornet's nest and point out that if you look at bespoke trousers, you are talking about ~$400. See http://www.atailoredsuit.com/prices-...ored-suit.html for an example. Considering the cost of materials, the prices of kilts are on the low side. Better buy now.

You think it's a hornet's nest and then you mention smancy p@nts?
brave man!