Not a kilt check, but what about a check kilt?

[Blu (Ontario)]

.... Is that a goofy idea?

Not goofy...... perhaps a bit unwieldy...

The only way this might work would be for the customer to put up the cost of the kilt plus a $50 deposit plus expenses plus the cost of two way shipping (courier) plus insurance up front. The sample kilt is shipped, inspected by the customer, then returned by the agreed upon date. Upon receipt of the goods, the kiltmaker releases the deposit and Bobs yer uncle.

But if you do this several times, you've put quite a bit of jingle into the pockets of the post office. No biggy if you've got deep pockets.

But on the other hand, if you deal with reputable kiltmakers (like Rocky) in the first place, then all of this is quite unnecessary.

And I think it's debatable whether ebay vendors, would want to be bothered with the hassle of it all.


My thoughts.

[cessna152towser]

Might save a lot of postage if the vendor sends a swatch of the material rather than a completed kilt.

[Kid Cossack]

Rocky:

Thanks for the information. I figured that the idea might not be original to me, but thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

Blu:

Yup, a somewhat unwieldy idea---but worth a discussion. Although I did mention e-bay vendors, I was really thinking about the craftsmen we have here on the board, both the established custom makers (USAK, FK, etc.)

Cessna152towser:

Yeah, but a kilt swatch just shows you the material itself, while I'm thinking of a chance to show off the workmanship.

Best to all!

[Rygar]

I like the idea, this would allow you to see the quality of a particular kiltmaker, for only a little bit of money out to the post office. A small investment compared to the potential money you are about to spend on the kilt in the end.

Perhaps a suggestion. If I recall correctly, alot of times the expense of shipping is by wieght or size? How about a miniature version of the kilt? Large enough that you can inspect the quality of the stitching, etc. , but small enough that it can be shipped for very little, say in a flat rate box. Maybe big enough to fit a 4 yr old, that type of thing. In addition to paying for postage, perhaps a deposit of $50. If you like the kilt, you return the sample and the $50 goes to your order, if not, the money is refunded as soon as the sample is returned to the kiltmaker and in thier hands.

I like the idea personally. Even tho I have the highest respect for all of you here and your opinions of the kiltmakers that advertise, everyone has their own preference on what they like in the end. For example, I have been debating about buying a Neokilt, but even tho I have heard good things, I still am undecided about them without actually being able to see one close up. If I had a sample kilt to look at (even if it might only fit around my thigh size) it would be enough for me to look at and decide if I like the way they construct/design thier kilts for me to invest in one.

Just my couple of pennies worth from a Newbie. Take it for what it's worth.

[The Wizard of BC]

This is exactly what this forum is all about.

Think "Consumer Reports" for kilts.

If you want to know about the quality of a particular kiltmaker all you need do is write a post and ask our membership.

I can think of a least a dozen instances (in the last month alone) of someone who has purchased, seen in person, or had some information, of a particular kilt or maker and has published their thoughts here.

We used to have a kilt review section here. The problem was that everyone else would jump on the review and start adding so many exteranious comments that the original review sometimes got lost.

But the original intent of a forum where potential buyers could do their research is still working. A direct question asked of our members will almost always get a direct answer.

As a manufacturer, I origanally joined this forum as a way of learning about other manufacturers. I soon found that every review of my product allowed me to improve what I made. I also found that every mistake, design error, every marketing flaw was spread all over these pages. By the people who had purchased my kilts. And that their thoughts and opinions were influancing other buyers.

Every kilt I sell, everyone who visits my shop, everyone who calls me with a question about my product is directed here. I tell them, "visit X Marks, read the reviews of my product. Ask the members what they think of my kilts. You will get a brutally honest review of my kilt from people who own them."

That 'word of mouth' aspect of this fourm is why I spend my money to advertise here.

X Marks is to me the world's best, and most cost effective, way of doing what you are proposing.

[Mike1]

OK, being involved in wholsesale/retail sales outside the kilt industry, I can comment on this truthfully, with no fear of lost sales as a result.

You've got to be joking!

When a business purchases goods, those are goods to be sold, with the expectation of making a reasonable enough profit margin on the sales to -

Purchase more goods
Pay the employees (and themselves, if business is good)
Pay the overhead and utilities on the business
Pay taxes
Pay employer's insurance (and possibly employee insurance plans)
Pay for advertising
Pay shipping and postage expenses (boxes, mailers, stamps, etc.)
Pay any necessary business loans
Pay the bank their points for the ability to accept credit cards

I have no idea (and would not be rude enough to ask) what Rocky, Steve, at al have wrapped up in cost of goods sold or in production expenses. But I do know this - those are the two largest expenses there are in operating a business.

What you suggest means that the material required for a 'check kilt', the labor to craft the 'check kilt' and the percentages of a month's expenses that time amounts to is supposed to be a write-off. And then, the 'check kilt' needs to go into a package of some sort (which is another cost), to be shipped to you, by an employee that is also earning their crust.

And then, the kilt company gets to wait and hope the prospective customer was for real and will actually return the 'check kilt' that they have all this money wrapped up in.

It reminds me of the customers that call the shop on our WATS line and comment on how great and wonderful a WATS line is, because it's free. Errrr, excuse me, but WATS service is not free, it's another cost of doing business.

I have a much simpler option. If you're interested in a kilt from fellows like Steve or Rocky, give them a call and have them send their private Lear jet to collect you. Yeah, they will probably even have their customized Bugatti limos available to pick you up at the airport. Since they are both business owners, they've got to be rolling in it, right? Uh-huh, and the cow jumped over the moon.

Did you ever notice that show homes and test-drive vehicles are sold at some point in time? The builder or dealership owner try to re-coup some of their out-of-pocket expenses, with the hope and expectation that the reduced profit margin of the demo model will be made up in the sales of other units.

Hmmm, this 'check kilt' you sent really looks nice, but I'm wondering what it would look like in a predominately green tartan, instead of red. Would you have one of those you could send me? No? Sheesh, why not? And if you could make one in my size, because I would really like to see how it hangs on me. Come to think of it, I'm having trouble making up my mind between green and blue...

[Rygar]

I have a much simpler option. If you're interested in a kilt from fellows like Steve or Rocky, give them a call and have them send their private Lear jet to collect you. Yeah, they will probably even have their customized Bugatti limos available to pick you up at the airport. Since they are both business owners, they've got to be rolling in it, right? Uh-huh, and the cow jumped over the moon.

Being one who is not in the kilt making bussiness, or even in a bussiness of selling to others of any kind, I for one really don't know what all is involved. That's why, from a customer point of view, it sounded like a pretty cool idea.

More information from the vendors POV was supplied, and the first part of your post made sense, and I learned a bit. Now, it isn't as cool sounding as it was at first. Why? because I learned a little bit more from the other side. I was educated as to why this isn't such a good idea from the vendors point of view.

Personally, I feel the sarcastic and belittleing comment quoted above takes away from the education I was just given. Is there really any need for that? Does it make your point any clearer or sway my thoughts any more?

Thanks for the schooling. That part I appreciate.