Darn Indian Knock Offs!

[Bob C]

As of Saturday, I own one of each - a very expensive, hand-stitched tank and my new acquisition - a mass-produced kilt of lesser quality, but also of considerably less cost. I suspect it's from the manufacturer in the story.

I'm here to say that I like them both, for different reasons.

Yes, the tank is a garment of superb quality. It will always be the kilt I wear for formal affairs, highland games and places where I will be among real kilt-wearers.

The budget kilt has its advantages, too. For starters, I can wear it with less fear of damaging it, because I don't have hundreds of dollars tied up in it. I can also throw it in the wash. It will be my St. Patrick's Day party kilt and will definitely see a happy hour or two, as well as hikes in the woods.

Don't knock cheap kilts. They're like catchy pop tunes and mindless action movies. They're not art, but they're enjoyable and they have their place.

[GlassMan]

I cannot comment on the quality: but the more available inexpensive kilts-the more people who will at least try them, hopefully that will in turn increase the overall population of kilt wearers.

While it is true that the availability of inexpensive kilts could increase the potential pool of kilt wearers, I think the bigger aim here is not to force the inexpensive kilts out of the market but instead of require truth in labeling.

I have nothing against an inexpensive kilt from Pakistan if that's what you can afford or if you need a kilt for doing outdoor activities or dirty work. Heck, I wear one when I'm working on stained glass. But it is deceptive to take that Pakistani product, have a tag sewn in it in Scotland, and then claim that it was made in Scotland. It's important for a consumer to know what they are buying and where it comes from. And it's important for the reputation of the Scottish kilt makers not to have their handiwork labeled as equivalent to less well-made product.

[Ranald]

This thread has been bugging me, I have to say that blue jeans are not just made in america so why shouldn't kilts be made elsewhere also.
I also agree with what also been said it will increase the amount of kilt wearers.
Finally I wonder how many of you will buy a 8 yarder when the importers get their act together.I for one will consider it..I have kids and bills and do not have multi hundreds of pounds to pay out for a hand made what for a eternity kilt.
I do agree that if a product is made in Pakistan then it should say so, and one has to hope that these workers get a fair wage.

[An t-Ileach]

I've bought two of the cheapo kilts specifically for wearing in the workshop and so on - they're quite adequate for that, and in fact I wear them out and about as well. Some friends had a ceilidh tonight which I went to wearing one of them. They save the wear-and-tear on the (really) expensive kilt. I assume that they're made somewhere other than Scotland (perhaps Galashiels has moved?); but the label says (quite amusingly actually) "designed in Scotland" - well it would be, wouldn't it? Like Ranald, I've not much of a problem with them being made elsewhere as long as they say so.

[cormacmacguardhe]

I have problems with off-shoring, jobs that used to be in one country, but have been outsourced to another country for bottom line business reasons. Speaking only for the USA, but I get the feeling that is is happening elsewhere. This country has lost a lot of jobs in many industries, mainly because industries have decided to find places where they can hire people for less, pay less in taxes, not have a lot of governmental regulations to contend with. All of this without regard for the workers in this country who will be unemployed. I am sure this is some of what is happening to the kiltmaking industry in Scotland, I try as much as I possibly can to buy products from companies that do not outsource, this is fast becoming an almost impossible task.
I do agree with those who have said that truth in labelling is the best thing, so that we know where and maybe who the object was manufactured by. Stepping down from small soapbox. :-x :-x

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Ranald and David,

Well said. I am all for truth in advertising, but consumers are going to buy what has the best value for them at the time. A traditional tank may well last 100 years and be the better value over the long term, but it is certainly a steep price tag at the outset. I think that most consumers, especially those with other expenses to consider, will trade off 100 years of service for a much lower price, and potentially shorter life span. This has been said many times before, but I can buy 3 UK's for the price of a tank, and probably 5-6 AK's or SWK's.

[bubba]

Lets have a look at labeling. You do know that the act of attaching the Made in USA label qualifies the product to say it's made in the USA. No matter what labelling laws you come up with manufacturers will find a dodge. In the long run all this offshoring will backfire as the manufacturers primary markets dry up for lack of disposable income. We're starting to see this in the retail sector already this year for Christmas spending and it was down last year as well. Retailers in the US are looking at a disasterous holiday season so far. New markets may open up but not in time to save the short-sighted companies that bugged out.

[MACKAY]

I think that it is worth mentioning that in time off shoring for low wages, no regulations, etc, will soon be a moot point.

In the 90's, in the IT industry there was a trend to send projects off shore for code writing, etc. There was also a trend to start moving call centers to Ireland and India as the companies could hire highly educated and skilled, but low paid employees. That worked for a while. Now, as we are entering 2006, doing so is no longer an economical quick fix. These sectors have begun to mature and the workers are now demanding better wages, better work conditions, and additional 'Western' benefits.

Now it is no longer a no-brainer to off shore. The prices are up, workers are unionizing, and the gap in costs to off shore work is really starting to narrow. Now a company who wants to off shore a call center is doing so to provide round the clock coverage, or to establish an international presence, not to save money.

I suppose that there will always be kncok off shops, and shoddy goods because there will always be Wal-Mart’s (low prices because we offer low quality) that are looking to make a buck. But the trend is showing that as these off shore industries mature, the prices and quality are starting to rise.

I am sure that in the next five years we will be able to purchase a 'Tank' from India that runs $400 and is worth every penny, while also being able to purchase the 'table cloth' for $40. What I suspect is that Vietnam or another Far East country will step in to fill the shoes left behind by those nations who are maturing in their industries. After all, in 1950 'Made in Japan" meant cheap, now it means quality ... INHO I feel the same thing is going on in the kilt industry.

Brian Mackay

[Freedomlover]

Lets have a look at labeling. You do know that the act of attaching the Made in USA label qualifies the product to say it's made in the USA. No matter what labelling laws you come up with manufacturers will find a dodge...

Thanks for mentioning this. Many years ago, in the 50's, products began to turn up that were labled made in USA. And that was truthful--to a point. They were actually made in Usa, Japan. Caveat emptor.