Not a kilt check, but what about a check kilt?

[Kid Cossack]

Gents:

This idea has been floating around in my brain housing group for a while. I have lots of ideas. Sometimes they're really bad, sometimes they're really good but unworkable, and every so often, I'll have a good idea that works.

For me, it's hard sometimes to evaluate custom items from afar. Let's face it, on e-bay one kilt looks pretty much like another kilt, and its hard to know if the kilt you're looking at is really well made.

So it occurred to me: maybe some of the kilt makers would like to offer a "check kilt." In my imagination, this is how it would work. Let's say I wanted a USAK but just wasn't sure if Rocky and Kelly knew their stuff, or if PV would work for my needs and preferences and climate. (NOTE: I picked Rocky and Kelly at USAK because I just love their kilts already, and because I have NO DOUBT that they know their stuff and that the PV works for my needs and preferences and climate.)

I call up "Rocky" and say, "Hey, I think I like your stuff but I'm not sure."

The kiltmaker says, "I have a check kilt I can send you, so you can look at the work."

I pay for the check kilt, the kiltmaker sends it to me for evaluation. It wouldn't be in my size, and it wouldn't be in my tartan, but I'd get a kilt from the kiltmaker into my hands, to look at the seams and the stitching and the workmanship and the material. Suitably impressed (let's say), I could then send the kilt back to the kiltmaker, and the money I paid on the check kilt could then be rolled over towards purchase of a kilt in my size and tartan. On the other hand, if I'm not sufficiently impressed, I return the check kilt and the kiltmaker returns my money, less shipping.

Is that a goofy idea?

Obviously it would work best for a kilt maker and customer in the same jurisdiction to reduce shipping and any possible customs charges. I was just thinking of how much I like the USAK line, and how initially I was reluctant to try a PV kilt. Rocky and Kelly, hey, they've sold me on their kilts, but what if I'd hated the material? Here I am, stuck with a couple hundred dollars worth of custom tailored kilt that I don't like.

The usual caveats would apply, of course: for a refund, the check kilt would have to be returned in the condition it was shipped (basting stiches are an issue I haven't confronted yet), without greasy paw marks, etc.

Is this an idea that has any merit? What sayeth the rabble?

[chasem]

A jazzed up kilt-swatch. I like it, though like you I don't know how feasible it is

[Cawdorian]

Here are several tartans you should look at, the Scott tartan, the Buccleuch, the Shepherd and the Burns Check. They all have predominantly check patterns.

[Kid Cossack]

My explanatory skills are apparently insufficiently caffeinated so far this morning. I wasn't talking about a kilt in a check pattern or tartan, me boyo, but about a kilt which could be used to CHECK the quality of the maker's work, or rather, to DEMONSTRATE the quality of the maker's work.

But I figger y'all was just funnin' me anyhow.

[RockyR]

I've done something like that one 2 occasions.

A "Dance troupe" (turned out it was Madonna) and an AOH group both wanted to see the kilts before they commited thousands of dollars to a contract with us. I ended up talking them through the process to find out exactly what they were looking for. Then I took their credit card info and sent them one of my OWN kilts (washed and cleaned and pressed) for a refference. They KNEW that I was sending them one of my personal kilts. That gave them the option to inspect it and see what it'd look like after 50 washings. If they ended up not returning it, I get money for an old kilt. If they return it, we move forward with the deal. If they returned it and didn't like it, they would have been charged just the shipping costs.

Another thing we have done is swatches... in the past, we haven't given swatches of material, but we've changed our tune a bit thanks to Ron MacDonald. If you send us a SASE (self addressed Stamped Envelope) and the FEW (3 or so... NOT EVERYONE on our list) swatches that you want, we'll cut some and send them to you. I think it's a good compromise.

[Blu (Ontario)]

.... Is that a goofy idea?

Not goofy...... perhaps a bit unwieldy...

The only way this might work would be for the customer to put up the cost of the kilt plus a $50 deposit plus expenses plus the cost of two way shipping (courier) plus insurance up front. The sample kilt is shipped, inspected by the customer, then returned by the agreed upon date. Upon receipt of the goods, the kiltmaker releases the deposit and Bobs yer uncle.

But if you do this several times, you've put quite a bit of jingle into the pockets of the post office. No biggy if you've got deep pockets.

But on the other hand, if you deal with reputable kiltmakers (like Rocky) in the first place, then all of this is quite unnecessary.

And I think it's debatable whether ebay vendors, would want to be bothered with the hassle of it all.


My thoughts.

[cessna152towser]

Might save a lot of postage if the vendor sends a swatch of the material rather than a completed kilt.

[Kid Cossack]

Rocky:

Thanks for the information. I figured that the idea might not be original to me, but thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

Blu:

Yup, a somewhat unwieldy idea---but worth a discussion. Although I did mention e-bay vendors, I was really thinking about the craftsmen we have here on the board, both the established custom makers (USAK, FK, etc.)

Cessna152towser:

Yeah, but a kilt swatch just shows you the material itself, while I'm thinking of a chance to show off the workmanship.

Best to all!

[Rygar]

I like the idea, this would allow you to see the quality of a particular kiltmaker, for only a little bit of money out to the post office. A small investment compared to the potential money you are about to spend on the kilt in the end.

Perhaps a suggestion. If I recall correctly, alot of times the expense of shipping is by wieght or size? How about a miniature version of the kilt? Large enough that you can inspect the quality of the stitching, etc. , but small enough that it can be shipped for very little, say in a flat rate box. Maybe big enough to fit a 4 yr old, that type of thing. In addition to paying for postage, perhaps a deposit of $50. If you like the kilt, you return the sample and the $50 goes to your order, if not, the money is refunded as soon as the sample is returned to the kiltmaker and in thier hands.

I like the idea personally. Even tho I have the highest respect for all of you here and your opinions of the kiltmakers that advertise, everyone has their own preference on what they like in the end. For example, I have been debating about buying a Neokilt, but even tho I have heard good things, I still am undecided about them without actually being able to see one close up. If I had a sample kilt to look at (even if it might only fit around my thigh size) it would be enough for me to look at and decide if I like the way they construct/design thier kilts for me to invest in one.

Just my couple of pennies worth from a Newbie. Take it for what it's worth.

[The Wizard of BC]

This is exactly what this forum is all about.

Think "Consumer Reports" for kilts.

If you want to know about the quality of a particular kiltmaker all you need do is write a post and ask our membership.

I can think of a least a dozen instances (in the last month alone) of someone who has purchased, seen in person, or had some information, of a particular kilt or maker and has published their thoughts here.

We used to have a kilt review section here. The problem was that everyone else would jump on the review and start adding so many exteranious comments that the original review sometimes got lost.

But the original intent of a forum where potential buyers could do their research is still working. A direct question asked of our members will almost always get a direct answer.

As a manufacturer, I origanally joined this forum as a way of learning about other manufacturers. I soon found that every review of my product allowed me to improve what I made. I also found that every mistake, design error, every marketing flaw was spread all over these pages. By the people who had purchased my kilts. And that their thoughts and opinions were influancing other buyers.

Every kilt I sell, everyone who visits my shop, everyone who calls me with a question about my product is directed here. I tell them, "visit X Marks, read the reviews of my product. Ask the members what they think of my kilts. You will get a brutally honest review of my kilt from people who own them."

That 'word of mouth' aspect of this fourm is why I spend my money to advertise here.

X Marks is to me the world's best, and most cost effective, way of doing what you are proposing.