Warning! ScotlandShopDirect.com

[JerryMacP]

Hey guys - I need to let fly about this bunch of ^*&$*^**&^*s! If you're tempted by their prices that seem too good to be true, be warned. They are!

I'll declare an interest here. I'm a friend of one of Scotland's last real sporran makers but with no financial interest. I'm just fuming on his behalf, so I can't begin to say what he feels. The Scotland Shop (aka Heritage of Scotland, and various other pseudo-trad names) is run by a pair of Asians called the Gold Brothers. (I'm not being racist, but they clearly don't give ^&*^ about Scotland!). A while ago they bought a bunch of sporrans he'd designed and made, and sent them to be closely but badly copied in Pakistan for probably a tenth of the price. They look rubbish! Really shoddily made. But they sell by the truckload to stupid tourists who don't know better. These unscrupulous parasites are slowly driving him and his real skills out of business. Friends keep telling him to sue. Maybe he will.

They also sell "kilts" mass-machined in Asia, probably by kids - at least it looks that way from the results! Me I've no problem with joke kilts for parties. But they shouldn't be allowed to pass them off as the real thing, and they shouldn't be allowed to counterfeit other people's work.

Oh yes, and their jackets!! Also lovingly made by expert toddlers in sweatshops somewhere near the highland heartland of Calcutta. Think Asda (or Walmart) on a really bad day, and you won't come close. No, make that the 99 cent store.

And finally to their outfits... If you really want to feel a total clown, firstly for how embarrassing how you look, and secondly for wasting a heapload of cash when you thought you were saving it, here's your deal. Combine rubbish with rubbish and that's what you get. Am I giving you a flavour?

So finally to my point, I guess. Other than torching their shops, which a large part of the traditional kiltmaking scene in Scotland will be tempted to do, can anyone suggest how to warn off innocent online buyers. The problem on their web site is that they use images (probably of totally different garments) that make the stuff look decent. How is anyone to know?

[Doc Hudson]

You've made a step in the right direction.

But be careful, if you spread the word too widely BEFORE your pal files a lawsuit, you might find yourself afoul the laws on libel and slander.

[JerryMacP]

1. Only if what I say is untrue.

2. If this board believes in free speech they'd need a court order.

3. That would cost them a damn site more than my worldly goods would fetch on ebay, and publicise their revolting activities! So bring it on. :-)

[Doc Hudson]

To that response, all I can say is:

AVANT, AVANT, TOUJOURS AVANT!

As I understand it, that is a fancy frenchified way of saying: "Give 'em hell and devil take the hindmost!"

[gilmore]

So finally to my point, I guess. Other than torching their shops, which a large part of the traditional kiltmaking scene in Scotland will be tempted to do, can anyone suggest how to warn off innocent online buyers. The problem on their web site is that they use images (probably of totally different garments) that make the stuff look decent. How is anyone to know?

Something that could be done without government intervention: sellers and manufacturers of kilts made in Scotland or the UK could start making it a practice to clearly and visibly label them as such. Perhaps "Designed AND MADE in Scotland by Scots with Scottish fabric," etc. With a concurrent publicity campaign it could make a difference. Already there are stories in the UK press about shoddily made kilts from foreign countries, of MOD kilts that will be manufactured in developing countries with few if any enforced labor, environmental, or child labor laws.

Here in the US similar publicity campaigns are seen all the time, and the work, such as ads with catchy tunes proclaiming, "Cotton, the fabric of our lives" and "Look for the union label," etc

Just a thought.

[McClef]

In my experience the ones truly made in Scotland already say so on the label.

These kind of problems cited are entirely because of the labelling the others think they can get away with without being demonstrably misleading.

Legislation regarding labelling would go a long way. Complaints to the ISPs/Ebay regarding descriptions etc (where seen to be misleading) might also help.

In NO WAY should activities as arson be condoned. Not only is it criminal and dangerous but their stock is probably insured anyway and would save them the bother of selling it in the first place.

Making them play fair is all anyone can ask,

[IEScotsman]

Timely revival of an old thread.

[Tattoo Bradley]

"night of the living dead"

[Panache]

"night of the living dead"

Thanks for the laugh!

Well said.

Cheers

[Rusty]

A while ago they bought a bunch of sporrans he'd designed and made, and sent them to be closely but badly copied in Pakistan for probably a tenth of the price. They look rubbish! Really shoddily made.

Jerry you got my attention with your post as I have looked at the site in question and I see that Heritage of Scotland advertises their sporrans as "made in Scotland." So according to your post it seems they are misrepresenting the origin of their products, which I believe would be in conflict with the current truth in advertising laws in Britain.