Kiltstore.net contest - discussion

**cacunn** · 9th May 08, 07:50 PM

Deleted by Cacunn

**Trela** · 9th May 08, 07:51 PM

Thanks Nick, I know you've a lot on your plate right now and I appreciate your listening to me.
I guess I'm trying to say that sometimes we are just so rushed over here in USA that we don't think that you might not have ready-made items for sale as they aren't listed in the product list.
Mainly the T-shirts. I'd like to find some shirts for ladies only that have cap sleeves, short sleeves and 3/4 sleeves which might be able to have a crest silk screened or embroidered on it around where a pocket would be on a guys shirt. (but without a pocket for the ladies)

It seems that all the products out there for ladies in the "Kilted World" is geared toward the younger ladies. Not all of us are that young and not all of us are "dottering" either. Just normal ladies looking to dress comfortably but still show our (tartan) pride when we can.
I know I'd wear my tartan more if:
1. I could find it at a "reasonable" price and in a variety of styles (ready-made?) and
2. If I could find accessories to go with it which also were "reasonably" priced.
In other words, I'd buy more if it was readily available.

We women do like to shop!

(I've even thought about getting a utili-kilt if it was available cut for a woman!)

And the specific kilt pin I'm looking for is just a plain "safety-pin" like one. Just for everyday use. Not one I have to worry about loosing. I used to have one and it has disappeared. (probably one of my kids has it!)

**Nick Fiddes** · 10th May 08, 01:22 AM

That's really helpful Trela, and I've already discussed it with Adele, who's been selecting products for the forthcoming shoot. She tells me we'll be adding a couple of new skirts (as well as other new products) into our lines, one of which may look more what you have in mind. We do offer a few ready-made items, but mostly our customers are getting long-term wardrobe items and so fully-fitted works best. As I said, we can cut to any length, but in showing them if we do too many lengths it can end up confusing we feel. We currently show them in short, knee, or long. Do you feel we should do more? It may be too late for this shoot as the garments are commissioned for the model, but your thoughts would be of interest.

As for skinny models, with regret I have to admit that we feel we have little choice but to follow industry practice. We're certainly not in the 'size zero' field. But common wisdom in advertising is that you should shoot a few years younger and a couple of sizes smaller than your market's median, as everyone likes to think of themselves that way. I hear and respect what you're saying, and trust me we've discussed it at length. But the only sites/catalogs I've seen who use middle-aged and averagely rounded models tend to have markets that are specifically elderly or outsize. I hope I'm not being offensive here! Just trying to be honest and real. But do tell us otherwise if you disagree.

Your kilt pin, incidentally, we do have... But we've only been retailing it in solid silver: http://www.scotweb.co.uk/sr_hayst_K17784 and I'm disappointed that it didn't turn up in a search for 'safety pin' so I'll get this fixed. We do also have plain steel ones, because we give one away with every skirt we make! But I'm going to discuss adding this as an inexpensive product with our retail manager. Thanks for the request. :-)

Finally, T-shirts have been more of a problem. We used to have a great line like you describe, but sadly the producers went out of business. Since then we've been unable to find a company to provide the quality and range we'd need. There are lots of people selling 'tourist tat' versions on flimsy cotton. But without wanting to sound too snobbish, we don't want to sell these for the same reason we don't sell bright green Nessies or 'See you Jimmy' hats. The outlets that sell these are almost invariably the same ones who'll advertise 'Authentic Scottish kilts' then sell you a dishcloth made in China. This is actually a perfect example of the chillingly destructive impact the 'tartan tat' trade has had on this industry, as mentioned above. The good producers are driven out of business, because anything original and successful they produce is ruthlessly copied in inferior materials, and they can't compete. We believe this was the fate of our previous T-shirt supplier. But if we find another good one, we'll do them again.

Any further feedback welcome (from anyone!). You'd be amazed how seriously we take all input from customers (and potential customers). But we need people to tell us stuff before we can act on it. That's partly what this contest (this week!! promise!!) is about.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 10th May 08, 08:40 AM

OK, from someone with a non-standard tartan (Forbes) and I am sure there are others out there who have this issue.

We see the price for a kilt, but when we get ready to order find our cost is double or treble the price of the in-stock tartans. It seems or tartan needs to be woven to order. I am lured in with the prospect of a kilt for $340, but find the price is more like $654.33. Not bad since that includes my X Marks discount, but more than what I would pay for an instock kilt.

The other issue is that it isn't clear whether I am getting the lighter or heavier weight fabric.

On the other hand, I go to another smaller kiltmaker my family has used and can get my tartan in a handsewn for around £225.

Sorry.

**Nick Fiddes** · 10th May 08, 10:32 AM

I'm sorry if you feel deceived, but that's certainly not our intention. And I do rather object to the word 'lured', when it clearly says the headline price is 'From', which is normal retail practice. If you feel we are not clear enough in the presentation, this is something that can be addressed in the new design. Ditto the question of fabric weight. It is our intention to make it as clear as we can. Why not feed back on these when the new site is launched? Maybe you can win your kilt!

I'm also confused why you say that Forbes has to be specially woven. We have dozens of Forbes variants available, including woven to order, but also many off the shelf at lower prices.

The fact is that the price of fabric is very substantial part of the price of a kilt, and in fact I believe we are unusual in specifying up front (i.e. on the web site) what any kilt will end up costing whatever the fabric/size permutation. Many kiltmakers simply list a headline price, and then notify you about surcharges once you've ordered and therefore largely committed. I feel we are more honest than most, not less so, and it's therefore a little galling to be criticised for this.

And when a tartan is available from multiple mills (as with Forbes tartans), we are also unusual in letting the customer choose which they prefer, rather than deciding for them. Our philosophy is to give the customer the choices and the information needed to make that choice. Again, please suggest how we could do so better - though preferably now on the basis of the new site design when it's launched, rather than the current one you've seen.

It's also disappointing to be criticised for making so many otherwise unavailable tartans available on a woven to order basis. Do you really expect this to be the same price as a mass produced fabric? When I can find the time, I'm hoping to make a video showing all the incredibly time-consuming and highly skilled processes that go into weaving a single length of fabric like this. I'm very sorry, but craft-produced one-off products simply will cost more than industrial scale output.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 10th May 08, 10:44 AM

Actually, I would say it's confusing as to what the choices are and what I am getting. The current site isn't very clear and it depends on what I am choosing as to what I am getting for a price. Flipping around a bit managed to get a lower, closer price to what I was expecting.

Still, It's a shock when I get in and choose a tartan and then see that the price is significantly more than what I expected/

**Trela** · 10th May 08, 09:50 PM

Quoted of Nick -"Your kilt pin, incidentally, we do have... But we've only been retailing it in solid silver: http://www.scotweb.co.uk/sr_hayst_K17784 and I'm disappointed that it didn't turn up in a search for 'safety pin' so I'll get this fixed. We do also have plain steel ones, because we give one away with every skirt we make! But I'm going to discuss adding this as an inexpensive product with our retail manager. Thanks for the request. :-)"

I've searched high and low to find one of these inexpensive, everyday pins. Alas, to no avail! What I'd give, for just a plain everyday, pin. Well, not too much! LOL

Quoted of Nick - "We currently show them in short, knee, or long. Do you feel we should do more?"

Yes!! By all means! Not all of us understand that others are available for the asking! A picture is worth a thousand words!

Quoted of Nick - "As for skinny models, with regret I have to admit that we feel we have little choice but to follow industry practice. We're certainly not in the 'size zero' field. But common wisdom in advertising is that you should shoot a few years younger and a couple of sizes smaller than your market's median, as everyone likes to think of themselves that way. I hear and respect what you're saying, and trust me we've discussed it at length. But the only sites/catalogs I've seen who use middle-aged and averagely rounded models tend to have markets that are specifically elderly or outsize. I hope I'm not being offensive here! Just trying to be honest and real. But do tell us otherwise if you disagree."

I disagree! But I do see where you are coming from. How about you hire some of us "normal, everyday" gals that you see at any Highland games or better yet come out to the games and we will let you take pictures of us in your clothes? I'd be proud to do it! And I'm sure you'd get plenty of customers liking your site even better for putting us "real" gals up there on the web over the competitions gals!

**Nick Fiddes** · 11th May 08, 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by Trela

I disagree! But I do see where you are coming from. How about you hire some of us "normal, everyday" gals that you see at any Highland games or better yet come out to the games and we will let you take pictures of us in your clothes? I'd be proud to do it! And I'm sure you'd get plenty of customers liking your site even better for putting us "real" gals up there on the web over the competitions gals!

We do encourage real customers to submit photos of themselves wearing the products they've bought from us, with the incentive of extra Scotweb Points for including one with a review. The idea is that this should go at least half way towards what you want, seeing real people wearing the goods.

I'm going to ask our retail team to see if we can add that basic pin to our product list, so hopefully we can sort you out. And I'm also going to discuss adding more skirt lengths to our shoot... but can't promise it's not too late.

**McMurdo** · 11th May 08, 04:15 AM

Nick
I just had time to read your wee history on page 6, thank you for taking the time, I had no idea of the background of the company it was very informative. I hope Adele is doing fine, I must say though I've not ordered from you as yet, I have looked through the site extensively, and will remember Scotweb when I'm ready to purchase again.

Thanks again for making the first Featured Vendor spotlight one to remember, and best of luck with the upgrade.

**Cerebite** · 11th May 08, 03:15 PM

McMurdo bringing your excellent history up again reminded me of the comment/ suggestion that I wanted to make.

I do not know if you have one on the new page or are planing one but a "about us" link to give your history and business philosophy is always to me a great feature of a retail website. Your history strikes me as a good start for such a page.