PC and other kilt related items made in Pakistan

[Billleigj3]

For starters-

You've sort of put your thumb right on the nub of this issue (Pakistani Makers)-
It's one thing to deal with a reliable US/UK vendor who sells goods made in Pakistan (Stillwater Kilts, a vendor here)
but buying from Pakistan directly is a complete and utter crapshoot. You don't know if a given maker's pictures
are even of their own product, much less what the quality will be when your item arrives (or in some cases, if it EVER arrives).

Looking at their feedback they seem to have a pretty good, if short, track record.

The other issue you might wish to enquire with them about is shipping. IF they ship FedEx or UPS you might get hit with upwards
of $50 in 'brokerage fees'.

ith:

Well that's the type of input I'm looking for.... I have a black tie next weekend and have hired a PC for that event but.....That's $70 incl shipping so.....I'm just trying to get the best bang for my buck.

2 of my kilts- one is PV and the other a 60/40 wool blend, most likely were made in some 3rd world country.... and are perfect to pub crawl and wear about town. And the 2 cost me $150 total!
As I said...looking to get the best bang for my hard earned money....
I'm also a little suspect on dealing with Pakistan directly....
Thanks for your advice!

[O'Callaghan]

Well that's the type of input I'm looking for.... I have a black tie next weekend and have hired a PC for that event but.....That's $70 incl shipping so.....I'm just trying to get the best bang for my buck.

2 of my kilts- one is PV and the other a 60/40 wool blend, most likely were made in some 3rd world country.... and are perfect to pub crawl and wear about town. And the 2 cost me $150 total!
As I said...looking to get the best bang for my hard earned money....
I'm also a little suspect on dealing with Pakistan directly....
Thanks for your advice!

Most likely your kilts were not just made in a random third world country, but very specifically in the town of Sialkot in Pakistan, right on the Indian border. AFAIK 90% (or more) of cheap highland wear and even cheap bagpipes are made there, by one of about 200 different vendors. Whoever sold you those kilts most likely can sell you a cheap PC of at least similar quality, obtained from probably the same one of those 200 vendors they get their kilts from.

OTOH, one of my best kilts is one I got directly from Pakistan (via eBay). It was also amazingly cheap, until you added the cost of the shipping, which was the same as the cost of the kilt, LOL!

Sadly, it's also quite true that many Pakistani vendors have websites put together by third parties that freely use stock photos that don't depict the actual products on sale atall!

[Fedgunner]

My grandmother Strachan once said to me, "We're too damn poor to buy cheap. "

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

As has been mentioned on here before, you may find a Spencer Waistcoat online and replace the satin buttons with pewter ones for about what your hire cost.

[Billleigj3]

What's a spencer waistcoat???

[Tobus]

It's a question not just of price but of a) risk - as Scott pointed out and b) whether you want to support a company that uses dishonest marketing practices (publishing stolen photos that don't reflect the actual product for sale) and who are taking advantage of poor labour conditions to undercut the Scottish Highland attire industry.

Is that really what the Pakistani companies are doing? "Taking advantage of poor labour conditions"? I think they might view it as creating jobs and opportunity for their local communities by tapping into a global market. The quality of life there is pretty poor compared to the West, and the cost of living is very low. Labour is cheap there due to many factors such as high population density and a low standard of living. Unless they're running sweat-shops with forced labour, I would imagine that their factories are very good for the community, and people are grateful for the stability that comes with the work, including a regular paycheck. If they can offer fabrics and garments to the world at a competitive price and still improve their way of life, are their motivations any different than anyone else in the world? Including the Scottish Highland attire industry?

Don't get me wrong; I agree that shady business ethics are an absolute no-go. And the quality of Highland wear from Pakistan is very questionable. Personally, I don't waste my money on junk/knockoffs when I can find better-made, higher-quality, authentic items from the UK. But I wouldn't go so far as to assume some sort of nefarious conspiracy behind Pakistani manufacturers. I highly doubt their intent is to exploit their own people for the sake of destroying the Scottish industry. My guess is that they are viewed in their communities as smart businessmen and local leaders who are trying to bring Pakistan out of third-world status.

[artificer]

Is that really what the Pakistani companies are doing? "Taking advantage of poor labour conditions"? I think they might view it as creating jobs and opportunity for their local communities by tapping into a global market. The quality of life there is pretty poor compared to the West, and the cost of living is very low. Labour is cheap there due to many factors such as high population density and a low standard of living. Unless they're running sweat-shops with forced labour, I would imagine that their factories are very good for the community, and people are grateful for the stability that comes with the work, including a regular paycheck. If they can offer fabrics and garments to the world at a competitive price and still improve their way of life, are their motivations any different than anyone else in the world? Including the Scottish Highland attire industry?

Don't get me wrong; I agree that shady business ethics are an absolute no-go. And the quality of Highland wear from Pakistan is very questionable. Personally, I don't waste my money on junk/knockoffs when I can find better-made, higher-quality, authentic items from the UK. But I wouldn't go so far as to assume some sort of nefarious conspiracy behind Pakistani manufacturers. I highly doubt their intent is to exploit their own people for the sake of destroying the Scottish industry. My guess is that they are viewed in their communities as smart businessmen and local leaders who are trying to bring Pakistan out of third-world status.

We're beginning to drift off-topic- but the garment industry in Asia doesn't exactly have the best track record of worker safety.

Not that we know the work conditions in any specific factory in Sialkot, but the above disaster isn't an isolated incident in Asian garment factories.

ith:

[IrishSean]

What's a spencer waistcoat???

Here is a spencer waistcoat
http://www.worldwidetuxedos.com/item573107.ctlg

[Billleigj3]

Here is a spencer waistcoat
http://www.worldwidetuxedos.com/item573107.ctlg

I need a 52 l...... Have you made one into a highland wear jacket yourself?

[BCAC]

Here is a spencer waistcoat
http://www.worldwidetuxedos.com/item573107.ctlg

Two countrys seperated by the same language, eh? To me a waistcoat is something that is called a vest in the US, and not a coat that stops at the waist.