Imperial Highland Supplies... dealt with them?

[RockyR]

And just because they advertise here is no guarantee of a good product or good customer service. As we used to say in the RAF "No names, No packdrill", but we say here "search" is your friend.

Your quotes taken out of order so my comments make sense...

Agreed... just because a company advertises here does NOT mean they're trustworthy, however, it at least helps... Having spoken to Steve (Xmarks Owner) MANY times at length about different things, I know that he 'vets' our advertisers (as did Hank before him). IF there's a question about legitimacy of a business, the quality of goods, the reputation of the company or the ethics of the company, he DOES NOT allow them to advertise. He actually turns money away to keep the quality of the advertisers here to his standards. I think that's pretty admirable.

Does that mean if a company DOES NOT advertise here that we're not allowed to review (or plug) them or that their services are necessarily BAD? NO. What it means is that they don't advertise and there may or MAY NOT be a reason why.

I have no desire to rock the boat, but how is a business supposed to become reputable if no one buys from them. No seller ever started business with a thousand satisfied customers on the first day. Every seller started off with that one first customer.

...SNIPPED OUT ABOVE...

Yes they are very free with the use of other people's graphics, but do we know what their products or customer service is like? I think the answer is no, we do not. And until such time as someone buys from them and reports back, we will not know.

We do, here at XMTS, tend to be very negative about Pakistan and it's products and personally I believe often unjustly.

Regards

Chas

I ditto Atrificer's statement... I heartily disagree with you on this one, Chas. THEFT (let's call a spade a spade here) of pictures is wrong. "Well that company stole from someone else, but since they didn't steal from me, I won't hold it against them". Is that what you're really saying about the theft of pictures? Too many people just wash over theft or other ethics 'issues' and allow them to be swept under the rug.

Let's take a NON Pakistani company as an example... Clansman Knitwear. [DISCLAIMER] THIS IS NOT meant to be a bashing of a company... I am simply pointing to other people's experiences with a company. I have NEVER had any personal dealings with Ralph or Clansman myself. [END DISCLAIMER] If you do a search on here, you'll get lots of results. If you search the Golden Gate Better Business Bureau (google it), you'll get dozens of complaints. He's an American selling mostly "Made in Scotland" product. He's had NUMEROUS complaints about non-shipment of product, missed deadlines, un-returned phone calls / emails, etc. However, when you read about him up here, it's been said (I'm paraphrasing) "I wouldn't trust him to ship me something b/c he's ripped people off before, but if he has something I like at a highland games, I'll buy from him".

If he treats customers like that and you know it, why would you buy ANYTHING from him? Why would you support that type of business at all?

What about the fact that there are many companies who start a business, get a bad reputation and then close up (usually owing people money or product) and then re-open with a new website and a new name? Yes, every company needs to start somewhere, but with so many red flags and HUNDREDS of highland wear companies to choose from (including some in Pakistan who DO take their own pictures and are 'reputable' no matter how you feel about Pakistani product), why risk your hard earned money? THAT'S what we're saying.

What about "truth in advertising"? What about burying the country of origin and your own company location (this is a pet peeve of mine not only in highland wear but with ANY internet business... a red flag for me)? If you're proud to be in business and have nothing to hide, why not make that info available? We can't chalk that one up to cultural differences... there are plenty of companies in Pakistan who DO state their location proudly.

Anyone can put together a fancy website and populate it with products and pictures (especially when the pictures aren't your own). I'm not saying that NO ONE should buy from them... but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... Caveat Emptor (my Latin is rusty, so I hope that's spelled correctly).

While I agree that there are some products made in Pakistan that are a decent value for the price they're offered at, MOST (and I chose the term most carefully) are on the low end of the quality scale. How often do you see someone compare a Pakistani kilt and a hand sewn 8 yard kilt and tout the overall better construction of the Pakistani kilt and material? There are higher quality products (which DO cost more) which are better value b/c they will last longer and are better made.

If honesty becomes the overriding criteria, then we will be saying good bye to one advertiser.

Regards

Chas

I don't see any advertisers on Xmarks that I would consider dishonest. I know roughly half of them either personally or from numerous phone conversations, and the other half I have heard little to nothing negative about. I'm not sure which one you're referring to, but as a consumer, I would have no problem buying from any advertiser here.

[Kilted Mandalorian]

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

For myself (taking advertiser hat off here for a minute and putting on 'general products consumer' hat), I don't understand why after there are so many red flags with a company (not just this one, but MANY highland wear companies), and people recognize the flags, they continue to 'try them to see if it's that bad' to save a few dollars. In the end, the people often get burned... there are countless threads up here detailing poor experiences.

Isn't it worth the piece of mind and knowing that the product you'll receive is quality to go with a reputable firm?

Call it simple curiosity...
Much as my curiosity weighs on my shoulders, though, I have opted to go with another (very reliable) supplier. For my needs at the moment, I feel that the piece of mind is indeed worth the extra cost.

As far as Imperial Highland Supplies, perhaps some other time, when I can afford to waste a little cash on an experiment (haha, I crack myself up).

[privypiper2002]

I see they take PayPal as well. That gives you an added protection. I have ordered from the middle east when supplying a local pipe band with tunics and accessories. The PayPal charges can be reversed in the event of a dispute such as item not received or not as described. So far my luck has been good.

[RockyR]

I see they take PayPal as well. That gives you an added protection. I have ordered from the middle east when supplying a local pipe band with tunics and accessories. The PayPal charges can be reversed in the event of a dispute such as item not received or not as described. So far my luck has been good.

For 45 or 60 days (check their policy)... Keep an eye on the clock if you dont have the goods within 40 days.

[Muhammad Ibrahim]

I see they take PayPal as well. That gives you an added protection. I have ordered from the middle east when supplying a local pipe band with tunics and accessories. The PayPal charges can be reversed in the event of a dispute such as item not received or not as described. So far my luck has been good.

Dear Sir,

You know paypal is safe and easier way to pay. Then tell me how can we fraud to others, We can give our customers refference.
Mr. Ken Snodgrass is on of the
oldest and a holy man for my company since last 4 decades. His band named Stewart Tartans Pipes and Drums.
Mr. Tony Daniel his band name is The City Of Rochester Pipe Band.

[privypiper2002]

As I mentioned. I have had good luck with ordering items. I hope my post was not taken as a slight against any one or their business. I think from what I see on the board. Many would like to see actual close up pictures of the products being made.

All the best,

[Beetlejuice]

I spoke with Ken Snodgrass of the Stewart Tartans P&D a few weeks ago. They buy merchandise from this company. They have been very pleased with the quality for 40years. The photo of the Stewart Tartans P&D on the web site is not stolen.