For the canadians

**The Wizard of BC** · 23rd November 06, 01:08 AM

Another option for you is to buy online from one of our fine Canadian dealers.

That way the dealer is handling duties for you.

What are you looking for specifically?

**Canadian_Kilt** · 23rd November 06, 10:42 AM

While I hadn't looked at FreedomKilts before, I have found and spoken with several canadian kiltmakers. For the most part, when I take shipping into consideration, the prices are within 10% or so of my local guy. In a normal situation, that would be enough to turn me but in this case, because it's for my wedding, I really need to ensure everything is correct (tartan, measurements) and is going to be done on time. He IS more expensive, but the extra cost is worth the peace of mind for me (and more importantly, my future wife) However, I can pretty much gaurantee I won't be buying any more kilts from him in the future at these prices.

This is not to say that I think online shops produce bad quality or have bad service - but when you're measuring yourself and picking tartans off a jpg, and dealing with someone remotely, things are just more likely to go wrong. I am slowly compiling a list of all the shops - especially canadian - to buy items from in the future. Also, I am only buying the kilt and plaid from him .. the accessories are likely going to come from somewhere else.

**The Wizard of BC** · 23rd November 06, 11:08 AM

I wasn't trying to get you to buy from me. I don't make Traditional Kilts.
I was more suggesting that you develop a relationship with your local kilt shop.
That way you should be able to see actual Tartan fabric swatches, see products from a variety of manufactuers, and be able to compare them side by side.

Then when you are ready to order on-line you will have better information.

And, your local shop should be able to special order almost anything you need.

Little, local kilt shops are a wealth of information. Many of these people have been around kilts and accessories for many years. They know what is good and what is trash.
And I find most of them more than willing to talk to you for a few minutes.

There is a risk though. Many of the older ladies you find in local kilt shops are of Scottish blood, (They have the accent at least) They have been hunched over the sewing table all day, and no one has stopped into their shop all day before you. So be ready to listen. To their life story, to the life story of their children and grandchildren, to the faults of every other kiltmaker in the entire world, and to just life in general.

But they are a joy.

**Canadian_Kilt** · 23rd November 06, 02:23 PM

The people at my local shop have been excellent. They do indeed have a little old scottish lady that just LOVES to tell you all about everything... she's quite funny to talk to. I actually really enjoy going in there. I've learned a great deal from talking to them.

Honestly, although their kilts are a bit expensive, most of the accessories I've looked at there are priced very close to what I can get online - again, a small enough difference that I probably would just get it there. They have a lot of stock of varying products in different quality, and do seem to be able to get pretty much anything. I do plan to buy things from them continually in the future .. just not kilts .. ;)