A sad documentary...PLEASE WATCH

[Jimmy]

Thanks to the more economical kilts, there has been a considerable increase in the number of kilt wearers everywhere.
We on this forum are all evangelists for kilt wearing, how often does some member post, saying he had spotted a kiltie here or there, we all seem to be delighted when we spot a fellow kiltie.
Everytime I go to a pipe band competition, I marvel at the different tartans and the quality of the kilts worn, there is no substitute for a good quality made kilt, it looks far superior, more dressy and always good on its wearer.
having said this, you then might think it strange that I am also an advocate and evangelist for the cheaper, less dressy version.
I have several good quality kilts and several cheaper versions and having the less costly version allows me to be more kilted more often. Last week I stated on X-MARKS that I felt like wearing my kilt to the pub last Friday in the west end of Glasgow, I just wanted to be kilted and this feeling of wanting to be kilted overcomes me every now and then. (it is probably in common with many forum members.)

So it was a cheaper version worn at the pub, how often does anyone go into a busy pub wearing their Sunday best, I wanted to be kilted, had that burning desire to wear my kilt but I certainly would have resisted this desire if the only kilt I owned cost several hundred pounds.

At the end of the month I am going over to Dublin to watch the national Scottish football team play the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin will probably be awash with the Tartan Army, most of them in some sort of kilt, but very few in a costly kilt (note - Its worth seeing the Tartan Army at away matches, you can ask yourself when is a kilt not a kilt? Any piece of tartan seems to suffice wrapped around the waist - Granny's old tartan shawl is good enough on army duty abroad although there are plenty of proper kilts worn. If we want to look at trendsetters and the avant -garde lobby of the diaspora of kilt wearing, then the Tartan Army is certainly a great barometer and you know what, most of them look great in their ad hoc kilted outfits)
Nevertheless, I am undecided about whether I should wear a good quality kilt or a less pricey one, its not just for the football match but I will be staying at a nice hotel, visiting some nice restaurnts over the 3 days so I want to be reasonably dressed and do not want to bring a second kilt and certainly will not be unkilted
I have rambled on a bit but hopefully you can see that there is a place for less costly kilts, I understand the problems that the traditional kilt makers have and sympathise with them and even though I have subscribed to cheaper versions, I can see clearly the market stall mentality of these vendors

[RockyR]

SNIP... I have rambled on a bit but hopefully you can see that there is a place for less costly kilts, I understand the problems that the traditional kilt makers have and sympathise with them and even though I have subscribed to cheaper versions, I can see clearly the market stall mentality of these vendors

I think the point is lost a bit here. There is NOTHING WRONG (in MY opinion) with less expensive versions of the kilt / sporran. Ford has cars starting at $10 K and go up to $100K... every industry has a 'good, better, best'.

It's the marketing / way the items are described that is the issue. If a retailer accurately desicribes their product / country of origin / intended purpose, then they're operating with complete integrity. If they try to hide the origins / or purposefully misrepresent something, then they aren't being honest with the consumer.

If Ford was marketing their smallest, cheapest, lightest pickup truck for commercial use for hauling heavy loads and saying it was the same as Chevy's most heavy duty commercial truck (a bit of a stretch, but follow me here), would people be able to trust them on other issues?

[seanachie]

I think the point is lost a bit here. There is NOTHING WRONG (in MY opinion) with less expensive versions of the kilt / sporran. Ford has cars starting at $10 K and go up to $100K... every industry has a 'good, better, best'.

It's the marketing / way the items are described that is the issue. If a retailer accurately desicribes their product / country of origin / intended purpose, then they're operating with complete integrity. If they try to hide the origins / or purposefully misrepresent something, then they aren't being honest with the consumer.

If Ford was marketing their smallest, cheapest, lightest pickup truck for commercial use for hauling heavy loads and saying it was the same as Chevy's most heavy duty commercial truck (a bit of a stretch, but follow me here), would people be able to trust them on other issues?

I for one strongly agree with this sentiment. I have been wearing kilts for a little less than 2 years. When I started I did know very much, I have learned some and the audience here tends to be a little bit more knowledgeable. But in my early days I saw ads for "heavy weight 16 oz. PV" and other claims that are at best dubious. Advertising that is not representative of the product and clearly intends to decieve is bad. There are vendors here who I have communicated with and have been very forthright, which I appreciate. Rocky is entirely correct, taking a synthetic sub $100 kilt and representing it as every bit as good as a 100% hand sewn wool tartan is wrong. Advertising that kilt as a lightweight knockabout kilt, fine for running Saturday errands and a flag football match but not up to par for formal events is OK by me.

[R.S.Buff]

purchasing is like voting. Buying an artisan sporran or kilt from someone who cares about kilts is a vote to keep them in existence. If I eat out it is at small independent restaurant that cares about the food they make.

[Lime]

It is a depressing film but businesses need to work very hard to educate their consumers and sell their products and I just didn't see them doing that. Most people are willing to pay more if they understand what they are paying for and get good service. I think it is a very basic error to try and compete on price - there will always be someone willing to undercut so you have to differentiate elsewhere.

I felt sorry for the staff: they clearly use to love working there, had worked there for years but were creeping round on eggshells.

I can see the employers side too: it must be very stressful coming up with a salary each month.

I fear their days are numbered and the fall of any business is sad.

Luckily there appear to be firms (and individuals) in the Highland Attire trade which do take the time to educate their consumers and provide excellent service.