I've also shopped there. The $800 was in Canadian Dollars, which would be $623 in today's US Dollars. I have no idea what the value was in '09. I can say that my experiences with Atlanta Kilts have varied. The first time, I purchased a kilt from them (when I was new and not very knowledgeable) and what they claimed was an 8 yard kilt was simply not. By the time I knew, their website had changed and they no longer advertised their kilts as 8 yards. They were also aware of a badly off-center kilt loop before they gave me my kilt, but did nothing because they assumed I wouldn't care. They did fix the loop at no charge, but the hour drive to their shop and back was still a hassle. One that I would have had to do fewer times had they either told me about the loop or fixed it before I received it.

The second time, I had them move the straps on a wool kilt I had purchased from elsewhere, and they were professional, reasonably priced, and pleasant to deal with.

My experience tells me that the original story is likely correct, perhaps a bit exaggerated on price, but Atlanta Kilts has changed their ways slightly over the years.