Anyone have Feedback on the NEW UK Survivor Kilts?

[Riverkilt]

Most things I buy are exchanged, cash for product, at the time of sale.

Most clothing products I order on line or from a catalog are billed when the product is shipped.

I understand why the small shops need the money up front. But even Kathy's Kilts - my hand sewn tank - only charged me half up front to bring in the tartan from Scotland to sew, then the balance when completed. I understand that they needed my money upfront for my UK leather kilt.

My perception of UK is that they are a large manufacturer with their own sewing plant plus contract workers sewing kilts at home.

A large operation like that should operate like other clothing manufacturers and bill when they ship the product.

Tell me the difference between one lady at Kathy's Kilts sewing and shipping in 5 weeks with half down and half on delivery and a big factory of folks like UK that wants 100% down, uses my money for 12 weeks, then ships my kilt?

Even the folks at little ol' Macabi Skirts bill their riverskirts when they ship...or at least ship promptly after payment.

I grew up in cut and sew factories...worked for a company that had four large plants. Worked in the money end for a while and know how critical funding is to buy fabric, sew up all the different styles, sizes, and colors...it ain't easy. But they never billed up front for products shipped 5 to 12 weeks later.

Sorry, I just don't think that saying "they're kilts" is an excuse for billing so far in advance for finished goods. Yes, for the small shop with a craftsman or two like Bear, Steve, or Jeff. But for a plant...no way.

Maybe I'm too much the Scotsman not to be irritated as a consumer when they have both my money and my product for three months.

I like UK. I have the leather, two workman's, two originals, and a denim. I admire UK for what they do, and especially for their spirit.

Still, its a bitter pill for me as a customer to loan them money for so long just to get a kilt. Think for me, the shortest wait has been five weeks.

And, I guess I kinda fear for their solvency if they need to business that way even now that they're big.

Ron

[Rob Wright]

Where do you buy things that don't charge you when you place the order?

It varies from state to state. If you make a purchase with a credit card many states have laws that specify that your credit card cannot be charged until the item ordered has been shipped. There are exceptions that allow for the charging of a deposit for unique or unusual items.

Rob Wright

[Yaish]

I think the "large" UK company has nine employees on payroll. Most of them dont do any sewing, thats pretty much all done by contracted workers someplace else.
Thats much bigger than the one or two man custom kilt operations, but then those same operations arent trying to make stock for 200 events across the country, plus 1500 kilts per month. UK is.

They have growing pains, but thats because five years ago UK only existed as an artist type with a pair of battered camo pants.

I was talking with Nate the other day and went over how the kilts are made. When they get their orders for say a 38 waist original, they cut all the material for all 38 waist originals they are going to make in one run. From there the material goes to the sewer who makes all their originals, and they make all the originals in each size that they have material for. If they happen to be working on a stack of size 40's when the material for the 50 size 38's comes in, it just has to wait until they get to it.

It means you and I have to wait longer as individual consumers, but its the only way they can make production runs to have a good supply of kilts on hand and still get kilts out in a reasonable time for orders. Of course if you're lucky they have one on the rack.

I've worked a lot of events with them this last year, and seeing what makes it on the rack out to shows I can tell they still dont have enough production to make all the kilts they are selling. They are in a problem with keeping costs down while trying to increase production, and maintain and increase quality. I think they are getting there, but of course there are problems.

As for the money, personally I like knowing the money is spent when I place the order. Then it doesnt come as a surprise a couple weeks down the road when it finally ships.

[Casey]

I think that the state that needs to be achieved is where both parties are satisfied with the transaction. So I think you guys are actually making the same point.

Casey

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Yaish,

That's a great look into the production dept. Appreciate that. Its pretty much the same way the place I worked at ran things.

Why anyone would want the problems of size, color, style production that come with the garment industry is beyond me...they are so brave.

Still, paying up to three months in advance sticks in my craw. Defects in kilts that arrive after such a long wait still aggrevate me. Hope they can grow enough to be able to sell from inventory instead of cutting to order...hopefully that will happen as the kilt market grows.

I get paid today...now have to ruminate on that new survival...waiting...in my size...no jones...

Ron

[Yaish]

LOL. My nightwatch just arrived. I absolutely love my size 38 nightwatch original, even if it is marked "33".

I think you jinxed me Ron.

[Riverkilt]

Yikes!! I hope not.

Glad it was just the tag that was off instead of the whole thing.

Crazy, for all the wandering on this thread still haven't run across anyone with a new survivor...

Looks like it won't be me for a while...money is still too tight...unless of course I have a "kilt attack."

Suppose they'll let me wear my kilts in the poor house?

[KiltedBishop]

I have an old one that had a tear on the inside material of the slash pocket. I know what you mean I have been really lucky with UK.
My first was a workman's they had in stock, and at size 50 I was stunned. then I went there in person while visiting family and they had the survival in my size and length! it seems big guys who shop there are short! then my original which I had to order came in about 4 weeks, maybe a little less. I know it is odd paying for something you don't hold in your hands, but if you think of it this is something that is part of a burdgeoning business. I tried one of the new ones on when I was there for x-mas, REALLY like the black! the design is indentical as I can tell but the fabric is a "little" heavier, I think the snaps are re-enforced. as for returns on defects...a horrible place for a merchant to be. who do I p*** off? the customer ordering a new kilt that is already waited 10 weeks, or the guy who got one and sent it back cause something was wrong? maybe I am just more understanding...and patient. I personally like the money "spent" right away, I know it's gone and nothing will take it away. want embaressing? order something when you have money then have your car break down and when it's shipped your card is refused. been there.