Balmoral kilts - a frugal purchase?

[Scottish Chi]

OK, so maybe I’m getting sucked into the sales hype when comparison shopping for a traditional 16 oz 8 yd kilt. Balmoral Kilts and Highland Dress guarantees they will “equal or exceed the quality from any other supplier in design, materials and finish and we will market these at prices that equal or undercut the lowest from any other supplier for equivalent quality.”

If I was to rephrase this it seems to say they have a product that is every bit a good (or better) in quality than any other kiltmaker at an equal or lesser price. But maybe not.

What experience does anyone have with a traditional Balmoral 16oz 8yd kilt? They advertise handmade. Is that the same as hand stitched or could it mean someone holds the material as it goes through the sewing machine. The price certainly is low. Even without free shipping and an Xmarks the Scot discount it really seems to be a price bargain.

Also any idea for ways to ship and get around the duty charges?

Cheers! Bill

[Colin]

Do you have links for the two shops?

If the Balmoral 16 oz you are refereing to is from Kiltstore.net, than there have been numerous good reviews of their kilts. On eof the only ways to asave on shipping costs is to wait the extra time and have it sent by the post rather than FedEx. Fed Ex charges their rates and than acts as a customs broker, charging a much larger rate.

When I bought my 16 oz wool kilt, I looked into both www.kiltstore.net as well as www.scottishkilts.net

So while Kiltstore looked quite attractive in the beginning, the hidden prices (kilts priced based on tartan) ended up costing more than the discount was worth to me. I went with Scottishkilts (Jura range) and am extremely happy with the product I got.

Find out as much information as you can, measure correctly, and ask as many questions of the company as you want. Every question you would think to ask here (fit, style, weight, pleating, etc) ask the company as well.

[Southern Breeze]

Dunedin Scottish has a store in Tampa. Being able to see and handle kilts would be well worth the trip.

http://www.dunedinscottish.com/

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I will echo SB's suggestion, being able to see and feel the kilts is a great advantage, but you might actually be closer to his area than Tampa. I believe he is in Atlanta, and that there are kilt makers there as well. Not to deter you from Dunedin Scottish, just pointing out that other stores, even in another state, may be closer.

[Jerry]

Kiltstore regularily ships via royal mail and the USPS. I have yet be be charged a customs charge on the few items I've purchased from them.

[davedove]

The biggest charges seem to happen when the package comes through FedEx. Since they operate as their own clearing agent, not only do you get any customes charge, but also their "advancement fee" of $5.

[Scottish Chi]

Didn't mean to take so long to get back.
I'll be checking out the scottishkilts, the Tampa store and a few others as well. I would like to actually see a few high quality traditional kilts so I will know more of what to ask for. Thanks for the suggestions.
I have bought a jacket that had to be shipped from Scotland but it came through the Royal Mail and I had no problem with customs charges. Maybe that is the answer - avoid UPS and FedEx.
I'm making a list of questions as I learn from all the folks here so when I contact the various kiltmakers I will be able to make a more educated purchase.
Now if I can just win the lottery I can try them all out. Only problem is I have to let loose of the dollar for the ticket. Darn - always a catch.

Bill

[Jerry]

Didn't mean to take so long to get back.
I'll be checking out the scottishkilts, the Tampa store and a few others as well. I would like to actually see a few high quality traditional kilts so I will know more of what to ask for. Thanks for the suggestions.
I have bought a jacket that had to be shipped from Scotland but it came through the Royal Mail and I had no problem with customs charges. Maybe that is the answer - avoid UPS and FedEx.
I'm making a list of questions as I learn from all the folks here so when I contact the various kiltmakers I will be able to make a more educated purchase.
Now if I can just win the lottery I can try them all out. Only problem is I have to let loose of the dollar for the ticket. Darn - always a catch.

Bill

Also avoid that other shipping guy, the one with the yellow trucks (DHL) I don't know about customs charges, but I can tell you from experience, "Their service sux!"