Relevance of the Scottish Store?

**Joe Gondek** · 5th April 06, 12:27 PM

I agree that prices are high for most things in my local scottish shop
But I think that their major money comes from rentals rather than kilt sales
I would hate to not be able to browse local scottish shops

You have to remember that the members of this board are NOTthe general public.We wear the kilt,research our options and comunicate with other kilt wearers.

The Scottish shops are catering to the average person just looking for something to show off his Scottish ancestry

**Panache** · 5th April 06, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Joe Gondek

...The Scottish shops are catering to the average person just looking for something to show off his Scottish ancestry

The problem is that if the average person decides to make the plunge and get the complete highland outfit it is so expensive that they are only going to use this for special occassions. The thought of buying additional goodies to turn this into something they can enjoy more often won't occur to them because of the fabulously high cost. The higher the price, the less people will buy it, making the shop owner increase prices to make a better profit on those that do, etc. etc. I think it's interesting that most Scottish Shops don't seem to offer any alternative to the full 8 yard tank. It would probably attract a lot more buyers who would then get sucked in to what Southern Breeze sums up by saying "Welcome to the addiction". Heck they would wind up selling more tanks rather than less.

Just my two cents

**cessna152towser** · 5th April 06, 12:57 PM

Panache wrote:-

I think it's interesting that most Scottish Shops don't seem to offer any alternative to the full 8 yard tank

.
Good point; I ordered an 8 yard Spirit of Scotland from my local store on a Thursday in February, then on the Saturday I met a chap wearing a Dark Island which looked so good I decided I must have a kilt in that tartan too, but having just ordered one kilt I decided to economise and go for a 5 yarder. As my local shop refuses to do 5 yard kilts I ordered over the internet from Scotweb, so my local shop lost a sale. I now have the Dark Island, which fits fine despite having taken my own measurements, but still waiting for the Spirit of Scotland. Not much difference in price though - £263 for the 8 yard 13 oz from my local shop as against £220 for the 5 yard 13oz. via the internet.

**Joe Gondek** · 5th April 06, 01:23 PM

Out of curiousity, how many people have a Scottish shop that sells Highland wear near by? I have one within 15 minutes, one downtown Vancouver, and a few others locally.

My nearest Scottish is only 175 miles away in Salt Lake City
traveling the other way its in Denver only 330 miles
such is life in the Rocky Mtns.

**BLAZN** · 5th April 06, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Joe Gondek

My nearest Scottish is only 175 miles away in Salt Lake City
traveling the other way its in Denver only 330 miles
such is life in the Rocky Mtns.

Gotcha beat... I've got 3000 miles of OCEAN and unknown amounts of land between myself and the nearest Scottish shop.

The only way I can get a kilt is to buy it online, sight unseen and using measurements taken NOT by a professional.

Frankly... for something like a sporran, I might be inclined to buy one at a store before I bought one online. I lack patience in a huge way, so I much prefer "instant gratification" over "hurry up and wait." Given that the mark up isn't too rediculous, the brick and mortar store gets my cash.
For something custom made, though, the online shop gets my money. Even with a professional taking my measurements, the mark up discourages me from the brick and mortar... especially when I can come someplace like X Marks the Scot and ask "how's this online purveyor of kilts rate?" which would prevent me from purchasing a low quality product.

**Andrew Breecher** · 5th April 06, 01:30 PM

My local Scottish shop will make a handsewn 4 yard kilt for US$295, an 8 yard for US$445. That's an excellent deal, no matter what (those prices may be for 13oz, but that's still a great deal). I wonder why theirs are cheaper, given that rents in their area must be through the roof.

Andrew.