Cheap SOB eyes are opened.

[MuffinMan]

As you all know I going on a cruise and trying to put together on the cheap a formal outfit. I went down to Arizona Kilt rentals, a store people here recommended with my SWK Saffron standard in tow to see what kind of deal I could get with his used merchandise. First he took a look at my kilt, his first words (if you could understand is Scottish accent) that even though it said arcylic it was a wool kilt, cheap sheep a$$ Pakistian wool but wool none at less. He called acouple guys from the back and everyone agreed that it was a low quality wool kilt, score for me! He had me try it on for him to see what he was working with and thats where things went bad. The kilt was made badly and the under apron was longer than the front, so he had me pull it up said I would have to wear a belt to hide the flaw, from front to back again it fit very poorly. He told me I had a find day kilt but with the construction and obvious wear he would not wear it for a formal function. I ask to see his wear and my jaw dropped over the quality of his rentals.
There is no way I could even come close to match an outfit of his. I would look so silly and Cheap if anyone was at the function with a true PC and tank.
So now I have to come to grips that if I want to wear a kilt to Formal night I will have to rent from him. He offered a great deal, $220 for 12 days full outfit with 4 prs of socks so I could wear it every night to get my money worth. My wife and I truly believe he was not selling me a bill of goods just to rent, I figure the entire outfit new was well over $1000 so it was a deal. What does a Cheap SOB do now. I wonder how many pennies are in the penny jar.

MM

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Look at it this way-- you've got a reasonable knock-around kilt, something that you don't have to worry about if "things happen". It also sounds as if your man at Arizona Kilt Rentals is a decent enough sort of guy to do business with. Why don't you see if you can get the rental to apply to the cost of purchasing a complete outfit?

Like Cajun Scot, Jock Scot and others have pointed out-- a quality kilt is a real investment and will last a lifetime. Now you know why.

[Spartan]

MM,

You got a good deal! I recently rented a tux for our son's wedding. It was about $175 just for the weekend.

Assume that you won't be needing my formal sporran?

BTW, what tartan for the rental?

[BroosterB1]

Ah, yes the "old drive home the luxury car" trick. Once you have driven the best you will not settle for less, and that rental becomes SOLD!

Find out a head of time what the deal is going to cost if you weaken...oh and plan on an equal amount for the wife...

Motto: Never get into a knife fight with a swordsman.

[MuffinMan]

Frank he has four tartans to rent, I like the look of Scotland the Brave his site is http://www.arizonakilts.com/ I will have a month or so to decide.

MM

[ronstew]

MM, have you cruised before? Nowadays the formal nights on many ships are observed by a very small minority. You might search the boards at cruisecritic.com to learn how formal your particular ship is likely to be. It is a great web site for meeting people too.

[Sionnach]

Well, my 2 sgillinnean worth, I have heard nothing but good about Graeme at Arizona Kilts- most of it from Thunderbolt and Retro Red who both know him personally. I think they will both probably tell you what a smashing deal you are getting.

On another note- I was having a hard time working through lending my formal sporran- only because I don't know you and it was pretty costly, but I would like to lend a hand toward the cost of rental, if that will help defray costs- it woud not be a lot, but a start. I'll just borrow it from my fledgling trip to Scotland savings account in my Laphroig 10 container. If interested, give me a pm.

[Bugbear]

MM, I hope you have a wonderful time on your crues, and I am glad you have found a sharp outfit to rent.
Enjoy.

[Thunderbolt]

As you all know I going on a cruise and trying to put together on the cheap a formal outfit. I went down to Arizona Kilt rentals, a store people here recommended with my SWK Saffron standard in tow to see what kind of deal I could get with his used merchandise. First he took a look at my kilt, his first words (if you could understand is Scottish accent) that even though it said arcylic it was a wool kilt, cheap sheep a$$ Pakistian wool but wool none at less. He called acouple guys from the back and everyone agreed that it was a low quality wool kilt, score for me! He had me try it on for him to see what he was working with and thats where things went bad. The kilt was made badly and the under apron was longer than the front, so he had me pull it up said I would have to wear a belt to hide the flaw, from front to back again it fit very poorly. He told me I had a find day kilt but with the construction and obvious wear he would not wear it for a formal function. I ask to see his wear and my jaw dropped over the quality of his rentals.
There is no way I could even come close to match an outfit of his. I would look so silly and Cheap if anyone was at the function with a true PC and tank.
So now I have to come to grips that if I want to wear a kilt to Formal night I will have to rent from him. He offered a great deal, $220 for 12 days full outfit with 4 prs of socks so I could wear it every night to get my money worth. My wife and I truly believe he was not selling me a bill of goods just to rent, I figure the entire outfit new was well over $1000 so it was a deal. What does a Cheap SOB do now. I wonder how many pennies are in the penny jar.

MM

Graeme tells it like it is, and that's why I can always trust him to give me the straight scoop on anything I'm curious about. He works deals whenever he can, and although I have never rented items from him, it seems you got a GREAT deal. (See, Sionnach was right!)

In Scots Gaelic, the words "Beag air bheag" means "little by little". So you build up your Scottish attire little by little. I am STILL building up my kilt attire. Yes, your going to have to still spend the money, but a little at a time is easier to swallow. Talk to Graeme about a casual kilt. It's considerably less expensive than a full blown tank, and still looks great, and is a kilt in every respect, just with a bit less yardage. Here in Phoenix, you can understand that a bit lighter kilt would be a blessing in the summer!

Start with the kilt, then go from there. Watch the vendors here on x-marks for specials and deals. There's some pretty good ones to be found!

[CDNSushi]

I don't know how things work at kilt rental shops, but I do know that when I needed a full tux for choral singing, one of the local rental shops allowed me to BUY a full outfit from them at a fraction of the cost of what it would have cost me new from a formal mens' store. It was used, yes. But it was not at the end of its life either. Far from it. I still have that outfit, years later.

P.S. FWIW, when I needed a pair of skis a couple years ago, the local ski rental shop also sold me a set... They were brand new -- but slated to become rentals... Not top of the line stuff or anything, but sufficient for the money I was willing to pay.