What would you do?

[Riverkilt]

Late to this discussion. For what its worth - just my opinion.

I've seen two kiltmakers active on X Marks and at the time "respected" by X Marks, go out of business and keeping X Marker's money without delivering the ordered kilts. Gotta be difficult to decide up front who's honest and who isn't - things change. If there were an X Marks seal of approval back then both these kiltmakers probably would have been awarded it. Would have been embarrassing when they failed to deliver on prepaid kilts and there wasn't much X Marks could do about it.

I've also seen a respected kiltmaker on X Marks use a copyrighted tartan in their advertisements without permission of the tartan designer. That changed after the owner of the rights to the tartan got word. A deal was worked out AFTER they were caught. Is that ethical?

I happily purchase Utilikilt designed kilts from a non- U.S. kiltmaker - a true gentleman and well respected on X Marks. My reason is simple. Utilikilt doesn't make their design in the fabrics I wish. Its not illegal since the patent doesn't apply outside the U.S. And, I don't think its immoral or unethical since Utilikilts doesn't make their kilts in the fabric I desire.

Chewing on all this methinks its risky for X Marks, either as a forum or as the owner, to attempt to somehow regulate all the kilt related industries worldwide. One of the joys of this forum has always been sharing the best vendors and warning of the dishonest vendors. It ain't broke. I don't see the need to change from an open forum.

It is of course difficult to report poor service, no service, or fraud on any company...many have been respectful and brave in doing so....even withholding the name of the vendor. Withholding the name of the vendor doesn't help others.

Perhaps the development of a poor service reporting format that was respectful to all.