Searching for a Good Ex-Hire Argyll Jacket - Opinions on Kilts-4-Less

[innisart]

Check out kiltrentalUSA.com, I've dealt with them when I was out in Phoenix AZ, good stuff!


Here is the link to the argyll jackets:

http://www.kiltrentalusa.com/used-ge...le-jacket.html

I saw their jackets were made by Gaelic Themes in Scotland. That's a plus! They were good quality?

[Mike S]

I clicked on the link exhirekilts.com AKA kilts4less AKA tartans4less and note that no-where does it say that the jackets were MADE IN SCOTLAND or MADE IN UK.

This means, in 99% of the cases with sellers like that, that the jackets were made in Pakistan or India.

Not true Richard. If you contact the owner, he will give you the U.K. manufacture who fabricates these and supplies them (located in England.... Which means they are probably being MADE by Indians and Pakistanis. ). They assure that these are NOT made in India or Pakistan.

[innisart]

If you contact the owner, he will give you the U.K. manufacture who fabricates these and supplies them (located in England.... Which means they are probably being MADE by Indians and Pakistanis. ). They assure that these are NOT made in India or Pakistan.

I'll contact Craig and see what he has to say. I asked him some sizing and shipping questions before, and he responded to my queries very quickly. I haven't purchased anything from them yet, but at least their communication is very good.

[OC Richard]

Not true Richard.

I stand by my statement that the page linked to states nowhere that the jackets are made in the UK.

I also stand by my statement that in the vast majority of cases I've seen jackets not labeled Made In UK are made in Pakistan or India.

Those were my statements. Note that I didn't state where those specific jackets were made, because without labels they could have been made anywhere. However that guys' assertion raises questions: If those jackets are UK made, why does neither the advertising nor the jackets themselves say so? Usually firms selling UK made things don't make a secret of it.

Here's their site. Scroll down to the lower right to see a waistcoat half made of Isle Of Skye tartan, half made of a Pakistani knockoff of Isle Of Skye.

http://www.kilts4less.com/jackets-waistcoats.html

[KiltFitz]

They are supplied by a number of companies but rely heavily on Gold Bros. They may have Gaelic themes items too but not many from when I was last there. They seem to be in a perpetual stock clearance sale caused by the closing of their hire department. This has been going on for years now.

I was brought one of their kilts once to look at. It was utterly bizarre. The fabric had the feel of sack cloth and had been pleated at the back with nothing cut away.

I bought a jacket set with them years ago. Man it was cheaply made. The cloth was fine (Marton Mills) but it cost me almost half the price again to fix the cheap features and have adjustments made. It smelled badly of curry spices when it arrived and took several weeks beyond the expected delivery. The smell is still there. It doesn't say where it was made. I wouldn't go back to them now.

[innisart]

I heard from Craig at Clan Alba Products (Tartans-4-Less, Kilts-4-Less, and ExHireKilts.com). His reply was prompt. Here's what he had to say:

"The fabric is Milled by Marton Mills in England and our Jackets are manufactured in Scotland and England. This is for the NEW jackets.

For exhire we buy in bulk batch each month from UK hire companies."

This was in reply to a specific question about barathea Argylls jackets, but may apply to all of their jackets.

So if you buy new, you get Scotland-made; exhire is a crapshoot.

[Mike S]

I've seen the Gold Brothers merchandise first hand, as well as their labeling, and fortunately the examples I purchased from this vendor are decidedly NOT from that source (not that there is anything wrong with it if that is what you are after). Since Kilts-4-Less is a "close out" sort of retailer, I suspect that the inventory varies quite a bit regarding selection of goods. I can only speak about my experiences with this firm and the wares I received, which have been very favorable.

[Mike S]

I heard from Craig at Clan Alba Products (Tartans-4-Less, Kilts-4-Less, and ExHireKilts.com). His reply was prompt. Here's what he had to say:

"The fabric is Milled by Marton Mills in England and our Jackets are manufactured in Scotland and England. This is for the NEW jackets.

For exhire we buy in bulk batch each month from UK hire companies."

This was in reply to a specific question about barathea Argylls jackets, but may apply to all of their jackets.

So if you buy new, you get Scotland-made; exhire is a crapshoot.

Cheers. That would explain a lot, paramount my very satisfactory experiences with merchandise purchased from them. All of my jackets have been new, even the ex-hire I ordered, which was substituted with a new set due to the size availability on hand. Craig has never been anything but 100% candid, helpful, and prompt with me.

[KiltFitz]

I've seen the Gold Brothers merchandise first hand, as well as their labeling, and fortunately the examples I purchased from this vendor are decidedly NOT from that source (not that there is anything wrong with it if that is what you are after). Since Kilts-4-Less is a "close out" sort of retailer, I suspect that the inventory varies quite a bit regarding selection of goods. I can only speak about my experiences with this firm and the wares I received, which have been very favorable.

Gold Bros have an enormous range of product in their wholesale arm. Some of it quite acceptable, some of it like you would see in touristy tat shops. The catalogue they gave me recently is easily the biggest and most comprehensive array of highlandwear and formal wear I have seen in this industry.

Kilts 4 Less, like most of the retailers in the UK will use them discerningly and price accordingly. Kilts, for instance, seem to be made for them by different makers, including Glenisla, who I find to be excellent.

[Mike S]

Thanks for that. I'm not too worried about it at the end of the day. I am more than satisfied with what I have ordered from them, and received excellent value for money. These jackets have garnered nothing but high compliments from my fellow pipers and Scottish Society comrades, many of whom hail from the old country and know more than a thing or two about Highland wear themselves. Never mind my own decades of wear and participation.

Carried to extremes with the witch hunt, the next thing we will be asking is "Ah yes, but is your Scottish made regalia made by a proper Highlander, or a Lowlander. It makes a difference you know.".

Sorry for the thread hijack Innisart.