Let The Buyer Beware

[MacWage]

Are you sure of that MacWage? I have had many dealings with the Viking Tech groups over the past few years, and while they are not perfect, I have always been happy in the end. They have certainly not been given the continuous reviews that have plagued Clansman knitwear, nor have they shown the general disregard that Clansman has apparently shown to many on this board and other kilt boards (by their accounts).

Twice now I have seen people say that some crap company is part of the Viking tech group, but in my discussions with a few people at Tartanweb and at Scottishkilts, I has only ever shown these companies which were identified to me in an email.

Where have you seen that Clansman is part of Viking Technologies, or Tartanweb? St. Kilda is a kiltmaking (and others) firm that lends their services to many companies not just the one or two. It's part of Gaelic Themes if I am not mistaken. Somehow I don't think the kilt hose I got from Gaelic themes at a few different locations, have anything to do with Clansman knitwear, as he sounds like a small fish in a big pond that can't deliver the good he orders from other sources.

For what it's worth, my 8 yard 16oz handsewn was made by St.Kilda (ordered throught Scottishkilts.net) and it's a friggin' beauty! Very well made kilt.

My experience was as I said, and dates from June to August of THIS SUMMER 2007. As for how LONG the relationship has existed, I have NO IDEA. It MIGHT be short/recent. I don't know.
-I met him as he was RUNNING the St Kilda tent, he gave me his card (a St Kilda card), so I could contact him directly.
-I ordered, and he kept me updated on the status on when the jackets were expected to arrive to St Kilda, Scotland.
-I was NOT charged, until they were about to be shipped.
-The arrived in a timely fashion (3 days after shipped FROM Gaelic themes in SCOTLAND).

-Ralph talked to me as a rep. of ST KILDA, so NO indication of Clansman Knitwear UNTIL the credit card bill (which is WHY it shocked me so).
We even talked about the St. Kilda connection to Viking Technologies and Tartan Web, which he portrayed as a positive of strong manufacturing power (they make their own stuff and supply MANY others) and talked of their sponsorships as "putting their money where their mouth is."
So, I have NO doubt of the Viking/St Kilda connection. The CK connection was what was "news" to me.

I met Ralph, face-to-face, in the St Kilda tent AT THE GREENVILLE GAMES (caps for emphasis). I had NO idea that he was tied to Clansman Knitwear, until I saw my credit card bill with THAT name and the correct amount.
IF I had known, I might not have bought it that way.
I DO know that St. Kilda USA is in the midst of a restructuring, so there are probably things going on behind the scenes I/we are unaware.

I had/have NO issues with Ralph, the product, or services. I am a happy customer.
If Clansman Knitwear's reputation wasn't "mud" on the forum, I would have NO hesitation on another order.

My HOPE is that reorganization "fixes" whatever the problem is with customer service and timely shipments of products. I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. I hope the best.


-Edit addition: Maybe he was being honest, maybe not. THAT I don't know. All I can say is that he portrayed himself as part of St Kilda USA. THAT is who I was under the impression I was dealing with when ordering. I was even told the jacket was to have been shipped from Pennsylvania (home of St Kilda USA) if it had arrived when it was originally expected. Instead (as it was needed for a formal wedding), it was drop-shipped direct from St Kilda's home office in Scotland (and arrived with the Gaelic Themes name on the shipped from address).