Murphy's Law...

[Canadian_Kilt]

This is the type of situation that reinforces the reasons why I generally don't shop online. That doesn't mean I don't at all - I just ordered a dress sporran from scottishkilts.net after all - but I only do it out of necessity. In this case, I just couldn't find something I liked locally, and they were able to customize my order and supply exactly what I wanted. The price, in fact, really comes out about the same I could get one locally - if they had something I liked.

I realize some people don't have a choice, since specialty items like those many of us purchase are not widely available. But if they are, I will make the trip to a local shop over ordering online any day of the week. I may pay a little more, but I can see what I'm getting in person before throwing down my money. If I'm custom ordering something, then I have someone standing right in front of me that I can hold accountable for it... not someone on the other side of the world who may or may not pick up his phone or answer his e-mail.

I've both had and seen too many horror stories - some worse than others - that I just don't think it's worth it. Look at this situation? Ok you got the wrong size .. not the end of the world. But now you have to ship it back .. and then have the correct stuff shipped back to you. Meaning you are generally out more $$ for shipping, and waiting another several days to weeks to get what you ordered in the first place.

[TimC]

My advice is to start drinking heavily...of course, that's my advice for everything ;-)

-Tim

[porrick]

I realize some people don't have a choice, since specialty items like those many of us purchase are not widely available. But if they are, I will make the trip to a local shop over ordering online any day of the week.

I've both had and seen too many horror stories - some worse than others - that I just don't think it's worth it. Look at this situation? Ok you got the wrong size .. not the end of the world. But now you have to ship it back .. and then have the correct stuff shipped back to you. Meaning you are generally out more $$ for shipping, and waiting another several days to weeks to get what you ordered in the first place.

The lack of local places trading in kilts ad accessories is the reality for quite a number of us kilt wearers, and true, we do not have a choice other than ordering over the Internet, or in old fashioned ways phoning the supplier and asking him to post wares.

There is only one place (to my knowledge) that offers kilt related goods in the whole country, and an outing to Freelander's neck of the woods is a snip of drive of 1,400 miles on Norwegian roads (some of you know what that means). Otherwise, Aberdeen is next choice...


Hmm, maybe this Murphy is more fortunate: I have never had anything but positive experiences trading over the net.

Of course I do shop "locally" when I travel abroad and pass a kilt shop

I am realistic enough to expect that anyone may err, but if many shoppers experience the same, well... It is fruitful for us addicts in the boonies that people's experiences with trade is expressed. But, as I have interestingly enough observed in other threads that some have been dissatisfied with traders I have nothing but positive experience with.
Sorry for rambling, just enviuous of those who can shop locally...