Another AtlantaKilts.com review

**Wareyin** · 13th August 15, 04:38 AM

Apologies if this is the wrong forum.

I am attending several weddings in the next few months and desired to go kilted. Because of time and budget constraints, I went with AtlantaKilts.com for their acrylic kilt in a Modern Buchanan tartan. The staff was nice and helpful, but not very knowledgeable when I stopped in to get measured on a Saturday morning. I think that was because one salesperson was brand new and knew nothing about kilts. I even pointed out to them that their website showed a different Buchanan tartan that what they had on hand as a sample. A week and a half later, they called to tell me my kilt had arrived. I was impressed with the quick turn around. I didn't have time or proper clothing to try the kilt on in the store, as I had to run out there right after work to make their very short business hours. Upon getting home, I discovered that what was billed as an 8 yard kilt has about 8-10 fewer pleats than my other kilt (MacKenzie Modern from an unknown maker), and has 3 huge belt loops in the rear, with the "center" loop being off-center by about 3 inches to my left, while wearing the kilt. I was not very happy, but was unable to contact the store except by email. They were apologetic, and offered to have their seamstress fix the loop if I brought it back in. When I brought it back in (difficult as they are an hour away), I found out that they knew the loop was that badly off center before calling me, but assumed I wouldn't care, since "most guys wouldn't care". I was rather surprised that they hadn't told me, as I could have saved a trip and had them fix it before I drove all that way. To their credit, they did have the loop centered the next day, and shipped back to me the following day. I had asked that they remove the loop altogether, as my other kilt only has 2 loops, but 3 loops is ok.

I've recommended this place several times, and very much prefer to shop "local" when I can, but I doubt I will be back, or recommend them, unless one is in a pinch.

**MacCathmhaoil** · 13th August 15, 05:45 AM

I'm surprised that no one researches these "inexpensive" vendors here before wasting their money. A few minutes of effort here may have saved you much disappointment.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...a-kilts-49803/

**Wareyin** · 13th August 15, 05:54 AM

I have read that thread. The last few posts made me feel better about working with them. That, plus the advantages of dealing with someone in person. Luckily, I paid nowhere near the $800 claimed in that thread!

Finding a Buchanan pleated to the set that I could get in 3 weeks or less really limited my options.

**Fireboykirk** · 13th August 15, 06:07 AM

Frustrating no doubt, but how does it look?

**Wareyin** · 13th August 15, 06:20 AM

I think that for that price point, it looks good. I have not measured pleat sizes, and given that Buchanan is an asymmetric tartan, it's hard to know what it would be centered to. I will look the kilt over tonight, but the only things that stood out to me were the belt loop and the number of pleats being much less than I expected.

**Mike S** · 13th August 15, 01:06 PM

"Most guys wouldn't care"? Obviously a man who is purchasing a highly personal and eclectic garment such as a kilt is not indifferent to the niceties of his apparel, and among the base category of "Most guys".

Based on that alone, their attitude and response sounds very much like a schlock peddler to me.

**KyleAisteach** · 18th December 15, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Wareyin

Upon getting home, I discovered that what was billed as an 8 yard kilt has about 8-10 fewer pleats than my other kilt

By itself, this should not be surprising. There are a lot of factors that determine the number of pleats, and even with the exact same tartan, different kiltmakers will make different decisions.

The rest of the story, on the other hand, has red flags all over it. Hopefully they'll realize that when dealing with expensive garments (even an "inexpensive" kilt is a lot more money than a pair of shorts at Ross) they need to emphasize superior service.

**Leprechaun 91** · 23rd December 15, 09:43 AM

Wareyin,

Was this the newer custom wool kilt they offer? I have just fired off an email asking them some questions about that product. I may swing by next week to Chat them up too.

**Wareyin** · 23rd December 15, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Leprechaun-91

Wareyin,

Was this the newer custom wool kilt they offer? I have just fired off an email asking them some questions about that product. I may swing by next week to Chat them up too.

No, it was acrylic. I've since picked up a 13oz wool kilt from a retailer at the Highland Games (Highland Heritage?) that is much nicer. Far more pleating, and the material is less wrinkle prone.

**Leprechaun 91** · 23rd December 15, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Wareyin

No, it was acrylic.

- Got it.

Yeah. I have one of their acrylics. I like it as a pub kilt or a fowl weather kilt but it is certainly not a formal kilt. It is what they rent with their packages though. I'm asking them about their 16oz Sheeps Wool option. I want to know a few things about this since they have a base quote of $375 on their site. I can't imagine it's a proper kilt with Hair canvas interfacing and stabilizer at that price.

I'll share my findings here though.

David