Relevance of the Scottish Store?

[Colin]

Hi Colin,
Can I please ask if the prices quoted on the brochure from Palm Springs was in Canadian or US Dollars

You're making me go back almost a year here, but I believe the prices were in US. My folks just grabbed a pamphlet to show me, not as an actual option to order from. They did say the shop was great though.

Since I did start this thread sometime ago, I guess I should clarify that I love my local Scottish shop. I like going in and seeing all the great stuff, I buy most little things like hose, pins, CD's, etc from there, but I can not justify a $200+ increase on products from the exact same manufacturer. I hope the shop is open for years and years to come, by for the big purchases I will still likely go to another source.

[ManuFortiDB]

Hello again all,
I too take every opportunity to support the local guy against the big guys or even the internet, however, I will NOT reward shoddy service or a bad attitude just because a shop is the only one around showing sporrans! (As painful as that can sometimes be!......)
And it's true, this area (DC/VA/MD) does have a huge Scottish population as do other areas of the southeast - you'd think there would be better shops. - like, at least one good one!
Kudos to those on this board who are truly a part of the community and who have earned their 'word of mouth' the hard way - may you live long and prosper!

db

[AZKilts]

Having read all the comments ,and being a Scottish store owner I agree with a lot of them.Firstly with regard to the prices in the Palm Springs (Colin`s brochure ) ,I have just worked out the prices (today`s exhcange rate ,which ,don`t forget is worse than last year due to the falling dollar),and for a Jura kilt ,8 yard hand sewn ,including shipping and custom`s duty the cost would be $640 76. A Tweed Argyll , charcoal, including vest is $468 ,and a dress sporran with thistle cantle (just picked the nearest with the description given ) $275. All the prices are with the information given and may vary $5 or $10 either way !!!!
So I have to agree the prices from Palm Springs are expensive , bearing in mind last years exhcange rate.
One or two other points I would like to make regarding store against online, but please do not think I am knocking other business`s whether store or online. The overhead cost`s are obviously more with a store, for example if you are running an internet business ,who is to know if you are running it from a garage/room from your home,etc, in which case are you paying the full business internet connection charges $19.99 from your home or $99 business rates .Do you need business/liability insurance for your garage/home ???( Are you going to admit it to your home insurance company ??).There are a lot more things including permits,licences etc etc
Don`t forget as well that on X Marks we are all know about kilts, and things Scottish, and the correct measurements needed to order a kilt .
Sadly I have seen and heard horror stories which could keep me going on and on for hours ,( I think I have done enough of that already).
I am not trying to say that ALL store`s are better than sites but at least you have somebody to confront should anything go wrong .
And please if you ,sadly , have had a bad experience with a store don`t treat us all the same !!!!!
Regards to all.

[slohairt]

Dia Dhuit!

The internet has changed all areas of commerce and Highland wear is no different. Unfortunately, some stores have not caught up with the times. Growing interest in the kilt means a growing market for kilt shops. They need to adapt and offer price variety if that is what people want. Some of the exclusivity from the business should be removed, too.

[gilmore]

Dia Dhuit!

The internet has changed all areas of commerce and Highland wear is no different. Unfortunately, some stores have not caught up with the times. Growing interest in the kilt means a growing market for kilt shops. They need to adapt and offer price variety if that is what people want. Some of the exclusivity from the business should be removed, too.

I totally agree. The days of low volume and high prices are over. Companies that do business that way will see their businesses getting smaller and smaller as time goes by.

[slohairt]

Exactly. Most kilt shops offer only 8-yard tanks and that's it. To store owners I say this: you can still have high quality (i.e. high priced items) but you should offer items in entry range prices and mid-range prices, too. The nearest shop to me (I won't say who they are!) is hideously over-priced and they seem to do no business at all! Whenever I'm in there, I see the employee twiddling his/her thumbs, listening to bagpipe music, and blowing dust off the $300 sporrans!

[AWBOS]

I know I offer multiple choice styles due to the fact that prices have gone beyond what some are willing or can afford to spend. Don't worry about those who you feel are over priced, they will either stand or fall over time and it will have no effect on your shopping habit, if you are already buying elsewhere.

[Colin]

Having read all the comments ,and being a Scottish store owner I agree with a lot of them.Firstly with regard to the prices in the Palm Springs (Colin`s brochure ) ,I have just worked out the prices (today`s exhcange rate ,which ,don`t forget is worse than last year due to the falling dollar),and for a Jura kilt ,8 yard hand sewn ,including shipping and custom`s duty the cost would be $640 76. A Tweed Argyll , charcoal, including vest is $468 ,and a dress sporran with thistle cantle (just picked the nearest with the description given ) $275. All the prices are with the information given and may vary $5 or $10 either way !!!!
So I have to agree the prices from Palm Springs are expensive , bearing in mind last years exhcange rate.
One or two other points I would like to make regarding store against online, but please do not think I am knocking other business`s whether store or online. The overhead cost`s are obviously more with a store, for example if you are running an internet business ,who is to know if you are running it from a garage/room from your home,etc, in which case are you paying the full business internet connection charges $19.99 from your home or $99 business rates .Do you need business/liability insurance for your garage/home ???( Are you going to admit it to your home insurance company ??).There are a lot more things including permits,licences etc etc
Don`t forget as well that on X Marks we are all know about kilts, and things Scottish, and the correct measurements needed to order a kilt .
Sadly I have seen and heard horror stories which could keep me going on and on for hours ,( I think I have done enough of that already).
I am not trying to say that ALL store`s are better than sites but at least you have somebody to confront should anything go wrong .
And please if you ,sadly , have had a bad experience with a store don`t treat us all the same !!!!!
Regards to all.

Excellent points AZkilts. I don't know if I agree with the price conversions, as I always switch it to Canadian on the website and the prices have not changed that drastically for me. Of course I think you are speaking about US currency, so I can't comment there. Great points though.

[Canadian_Kilt]

Excellent points AZ. Having someone in person to hold accountable for errors, flaws and mistakes carries alot of value. So does the service you receive. As I've said many times, the staff at my local shop have been amazing to deal with. They really care about their business, products and customers. Their kilts are too expensive, but their other items aren't too badly priced and are certainly worth the premium to buy it from them.