The Craftsman versus the Industrial Complex

[RockyR]

SNIP...
That said, if your product is as "gateway" as you claim it is, it has to be...on some level (if only price)...competing with imports and WalMart level goods. Either you're not paying yourself or your workers a wage that will sustain you through all kinds of business cycles, that will provide you a "living" and grow your business, or you are making up the difference in ways I don't understand and probably don't want to contemplate.

I'm paid fairly (I'm not a millionaire, but I get by) as are my employees (paid roughly 60 to 80% MORE than standard 'cut and sew' operations in the US pay their employees). The difference is in making a product which can be made relatively quickly and stands ON IT'S OWN and has no direct comparison. Ours aren't meant to be direct competition to Pakistani kilts. I learned a long time ago that there will always be someone willing to do it faster / cheaper, so I make it better (and DIFFERENT) and let the chips fall where they may.

And just because a fabric comes from the UK doesn't make it quality.

I didn't say it did. However, in my professional opinion, if you compare the tartan cloth (PV OR wool) made in the UK to the tartan cloth coming outwith the Uk, there is a noticable difference. I have swatches of cloth from Asia, Pakistan, India, etc. in my shop to show customers if they ask about the $50 kilts they saw on Ebay. I'm MORE than happy to let them compare both side by side and judge the quality for themselves.

I'm not looking to make this a fight...as I said, I was talking about what I know--shoes. But I also have been in business for myself for 40 + years , own my own home free and clear, and have no outstanding debts.

And I still wear 100% Scottish woolen kilts. Oh...and $1500.00 bespoke shoes too.

No fight intended here either. Just calling it as I see it and correcting statements.

What are you guys doing inside on a beautiful Saturday anyway!?!? Get out there in your kilts! (Our store is open, so I have to be here... that's my excuse).