Let The Buyer Beware

[Colin]

Just a "heads-up," Clansman Knitwear is part of the St. Kilda (kilt and accessories)/Viking Technologies (web supply)/Tartan Web (info) group (which also own all the ----- Themes internet shops). All in all, I thing the "group" has 17 different entities involved. They are also the MANUFACTURER of many OTHER companies' stock as well. So, their stuff itself is pretty decent.

Are you sure of that MacWage? I have had many dealings with the Viking Tech groups over the past few years, and while they are not perfect, I have always been happy in the end. They have certainly not been given the continuous reviews that have plagued Clansman knitwear, nor have they shown the general disregard that Clansman has apparently shown to many on this board and other kilt boards (by their accounts).

Twice now I have seen people say that some crap company is part of the Viking tech group, but in my discussions with a few people at Tartanweb and at Scottishkilts, I has only ever shown these companies which were identified to me in an email.

We do have a number
of sites, which we will be tying together through a "Tartan Web" portal site
shortly. To clarify our sites are: -

http://scottishkilts.net
http://www.scottishthemes.com
http://www.tartanweb.com
http://www.masonicthemes.com
http://www.irishkilts.net
http://www.gifts-scotland.com

Where have you seen that Clansman is part of Viking Technologies, or Tartanweb? St. Kilda is a kiltmaking (and others) firm that lends their services to many companies not just the one or two. It's part of Gaelic Themes if I am not mistaken. Somehow I don't think the kilt hose I got from Gaelic themes at a few different locations, have anything to do with Clansman knitwear, as he sounds like a small fish in a big pond that can't deliver the good he orders from other sources.

For what it's worth, my 8 yard 16oz handsewn was made by St.Kilda (ordered throught Scottishkilts.net) and it's a friggin' beauty! Very well made kilt.

[MacWage]

Are you sure of that MacWage? I have had many dealings with the Viking Tech groups over the past few years, and while they are not perfect, I have always been happy in the end. They have certainly not been given the continuous reviews that have plagued Clansman knitwear, nor have they shown the general disregard that Clansman has apparently shown to many on this board and other kilt boards (by their accounts).

Twice now I have seen people say that some crap company is part of the Viking tech group, but in my discussions with a few people at Tartanweb and at Scottishkilts, I has only ever shown these companies which were identified to me in an email.

Where have you seen that Clansman is part of Viking Technologies, or Tartanweb? St. Kilda is a kiltmaking (and others) firm that lends their services to many companies not just the one or two. It's part of Gaelic Themes if I am not mistaken. Somehow I don't think the kilt hose I got from Gaelic themes at a few different locations, have anything to do with Clansman knitwear, as he sounds like a small fish in a big pond that can't deliver the good he orders from other sources.

For what it's worth, my 8 yard 16oz handsewn was made by St.Kilda (ordered throught Scottishkilts.net) and it's a friggin' beauty! Very well made kilt.

My experience was as I said, and dates from June to August of THIS SUMMER 2007. As for how LONG the relationship has existed, I have NO IDEA. It MIGHT be short/recent. I don't know.
-I met him as he was RUNNING the St Kilda tent, he gave me his card (a St Kilda card), so I could contact him directly.
-I ordered, and he kept me updated on the status on when the jackets were expected to arrive to St Kilda, Scotland.
-I was NOT charged, until they were about to be shipped.
-The arrived in a timely fashion (3 days after shipped FROM Gaelic themes in SCOTLAND).

-Ralph talked to me as a rep. of ST KILDA, so NO indication of Clansman Knitwear UNTIL the credit card bill (which is WHY it shocked me so).
We even talked about the St. Kilda connection to Viking Technologies and Tartan Web, which he portrayed as a positive of strong manufacturing power (they make their own stuff and supply MANY others) and talked of their sponsorships as "putting their money where their mouth is."
So, I have NO doubt of the Viking/St Kilda connection. The CK connection was what was "news" to me.

I met Ralph, face-to-face, in the St Kilda tent AT THE GREENVILLE GAMES (caps for emphasis). I had NO idea that he was tied to Clansman Knitwear, until I saw my credit card bill with THAT name and the correct amount.
IF I had known, I might not have bought it that way.
I DO know that St. Kilda USA is in the midst of a restructuring, so there are probably things going on behind the scenes I/we are unaware.

I had/have NO issues with Ralph, the product, or services. I am a happy customer.
If Clansman Knitwear's reputation wasn't "mud" on the forum, I would have NO hesitation on another order.

My HOPE is that reorganization "fixes" whatever the problem is with customer service and timely shipments of products. I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. I hope the best.


-Edit addition: Maybe he was being honest, maybe not. THAT I don't know. All I can say is that he portrayed himself as part of St Kilda USA. THAT is who I was under the impression I was dealing with when ordering. I was even told the jacket was to have been shipped from Pennsylvania (home of St Kilda USA) if it had arrived when it was originally expected. Instead (as it was needed for a formal wedding), it was drop-shipped direct from St Kilda's home office in Scotland (and arrived with the Gaelic Themes name on the shipped from address).

[taxdragon]

I rented a kilt outfit from clansman knitware. I know where they are located. Their entire company is two guys working out of a garage. "Do'es you want me to take some muscle and pay dem a visit, Boss?" (in bad Chicago accent)...
This is not really muscle just my 18 yr old son trying to look tough.....

[rollerboy_1979]

Ohhh, I am soooooo tempted to tell you who I'm dealing with, but I just can't, not until I have every last bit of what I ordered.

[Riverkilt]

Hmmm...not following your logic Rollerboy. Seems like if you did tell us who is providing such service they'd be in a rush to take care of you - do damage control when exposed? Might even generate some communication...

We're used to such waits on custom work such as hand sewn kilts and made to measure jackets....but off the rack???

You're in the right place on this board. We share the good and the not so good and it helps.

Ron

[GunnHighlander]

I can empathize with your frustration. I ordered a custom made product from a company that will remain anonymous, and it took over a year!!!! This product was advertised as "hand forged in Scotland", and would take up to 8 weeks. I understand the wait time, however it was absolutely NO communication on their part. I called them after the alloted time. After repeated calls from ME, and them getting frustrated with ME, I told them, "if I'm spending this much money on a product that you state will be here in X amount of WEEKS, and it doesn't come after those weeks.........

How bout a $#&*!= courtesy call!

The only reason I waited so patiently was the beauty, quality, and historical significance behind the product. I finally received it, and it is magnificent! But The company is/was very rude, and unreliable communication wise. SO I feel your pain brother.

[benkilt]

I ordered a 'deluxe, three strapped, 8 yard, heavyweight wool' kilt from a shop on E Bay, and received a 5 yard, two strapped, somethingweight, polyviscose kilt instead, fortunately I'd paid what was a fair price for the thing I received, so was disappointed rather than robbed, but that was down to my judgement rather than the vendor. When I told the vendor about the discrepancy, they just said that the advert they ran was the one they were given by their suppier, and that they personally wouldn't know the difference anyway. The ability to count up to 3 would have sufficed, surely?

[Monkey@Arms]

I ordered a 'deluxe, three strapped, 8 yard, heavyweight wool' kilt from a shop on E Bay, and received a 5 yard, two strapped, somethingweight, polyviscose kilt instead, fortunately I'd paid what was a fair price for the thing I received, so was disappointed rather than robbed, but that was down to my judgement rather than the vendor. When I told the vendor about the discrepancy, they just said that the advert they ran was the one they were given by their suppier, and that they personally wouldn't know the difference anyway. The ability to count up to 3 would have sufficed, surely?

Sorry about your troubles. Seller's name please? How else are we to avoid falling prey to unethical vendors.

Best regards,

Jake

[Freedomlover]

I ordered a 'deluxe, three strapped, 8 yard, heavyweight wool' kilt from a shop on E Bay, and received a 5 yard, two strapped, somethingweight, polyviscose kilt instead, fortunately I'd paid what was a fair price for the thing I received, so was disappointed rather than robbed, but that was down to my judgement rather than the vendor. When I told the vendor about the discrepancy, they just said that the advert they ran was the one they were given by their suppier, and that they personally wouldn't know the difference anyway. The ability to count up to 3 would have sufficed, surely?

That is fraud. They know it and so should you. As an eBay seller for ten years I'm here to tell you that eBay will boot them in a flash. Persue it. You were cheated. That doesn't work.

[slohairt]

Most unfortunate. I don't know the rules of Ebay (I tend to keep away from it) but it certainly sound fraudulent.