Well. I've done it. I've ordered from both Stillwater Kilts and The Frugal Corner at the same time to pit each of them against each other in a bloody battle royal for supremacy of the affordable kilt market.

Well...maybe not, but I think it will be interesting to compare each company side by side.

What has been ordered:

From the Frugal Corner

A Wallace 13 oz. that was on special and a fake fur dress sporran

From Stillwater Kilts

An Economy Black Watch, brown belt and buckle, kilt pin (safety pin) and some kilt hangers

ROUND 1: ORDERING

The Frugal Corner

I went to the website and cruised their tartans and sporrans. The site suggested I either call or check the online inventory before ordering to see that my order was in stock. A glance at the online inventory told me they did not have the tartan I was looking for in stock in my size (MacLeod of Harris 32). I am immensely impatient, so I went about selecting an alternative tartan.

On the Specials page I found a Wallace 13 oz. in my size, but since it was a special, the site recommended calling to make sure it was still available. I called and left a message. Later in the day I called again. Further consulting on the website informed me that the store was closed on that day. The next day I called and spoke to Mark who said the kilt was in stock, as was the sporran I wanted. He then knocked $20 off the price of everything.

Kilt listed at $45 on the site = $35

Sporran listed at $35 on the site = $25

Shipping = $15

This basically equals free shipping plus $5, which I was extremely pleased about. One of the quickest ways into my heart is through my wallet. Good customer service is another, and knocking off the price of shipping for a first time customer qualifies as good customer service in my book.

Mark told me that the items would be placed in the mail that day, and they should arrive in 3 days. The waiting begins.

Stillwater Kilts

I went on the website and started shopping around for a first time kilt for my cousin. I was torn between the Black Shadow Tartan Thrifty and the Black Watch Thrifty (both listed his size as available). I settled on the Black Watch and picked up a kilt pin and belt for him as well. I also got myself some Kilt hangers.

I went to checkout and the credit card on my account with SWK was charged. Easy-Peasy-Japoneesy. I immediately got an email from Jerry that my payment had gone through and was told I'd get another email when my order shipped. Automated emails, but still...efficient.

Thrifty Kilt = $29.95

Belt = $22.50

Pin = $2.10

Hangers = $14.00

Shipping = $13.70

I love the ease of using the SWK website. Jerry keeps what's available up to date, and the process is efficient and painless.

The winner of Round 1

The Frugal Corner

Admittedly, Mark was operating with an unfair advantage seeing as I called him and did not call Jerry. If it was just about ease of the website, SWK would win hands down. The extra step in calling for FC is a bit annoying, but obviously worked in my favor. Needless to say I will be calling FC in the future, when and if I order from them again.

Coming soon...Round 2: Shipping and Receipt