Buyer Beware

[RockyR]

OK Rocky, I will accept what you say, ethics in business is of prime importance. But I am the customer, how can I influence this? If a retailer chooses to lie to me - what can I do?

There was a retailer in Scotland, who sourced his sporrans from overseas. When they arrived, his staff fitted/attached/whatever the term the snap on the cover and the gold stamp on the back that said 'Made in Scotland'. Under EU and UK law this is legal. The leather and the thread and the metal snaps were all manufactured overseas. The Scottish retailer did the final assembly.

When I said I meant it. Unless a business is forced by law to make a declaration as to the origin of their goods, we have to trust them.

Regards

Chas

As a customer, you only buy from 'reputable' sources. As a concerned citizen, you can review products you have first hand knowledge of and expose 'questiobable' practises like those you describe.

Forums like this are / can be a powerful tool to educate consumers... just make sure the facts are straight and accurate before posting.

[Nighthawk]

I knew I like Rocky for a reason other than two beautiful kilts...

[RockyR]

A question to you all-
Why buy something that represents YOUR DISTINCT CULTURE from a place that cares ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR IT. Think bout it.

I'd take that comment and flip it upside down...

If you want a product that's Celtic in nature and promotes Celtic culture, wouldn't you prefer to buy it from someone who SUPPORTS the culture they're promoting rather than exploits it?

[slohairt]

Since none of us (save Jerry at Stillwater) have visited any Pakistani or Chinese factories where highlandwear is produced, we can't comment on their labor practices with first hand knowledge.

True, and I doubt that any of us will launch an international XMTS fact-finding mission anytime soon. On the other hand, I have no reason to suspect that the conditions concerning the production of Highland wear in that region (Sialkot) are any different than the rest of its manufacturing sector, particularly in the textile trade. If even a tenth of what I have read/studied about goes on there is true, it's enough for me to not want to buy it.

You're right, their business ethics are appalling as well, especially when it comes to misrepresenting their product with someone else's picture. I receive emails occasionally from potential customers saying things to the effect of "You sell this sporran for $125.00, while this vendor on ebay sells the same one for $20.00. Can I get a deal?" or "Why is that?" I try to explain that the sporran I am selling is the real deal from L&M and the one featured on ebay cannot possibly be the same one, but beyond that, what can you do?

[KD Burke]

Appropos of nothing, perhaps, but consider the vast resources of the uneducated consumer.

A couple of years ago, my sister (knowing of my fascination with skeleton pocket watches) purchased a Christmas present for me. It was (purportedly) an Omega skeleton wristwatch. As I unwrapped it, I was impressed by the quality of the packaging, the serialized warranty card, etc. Problem was that the buttons that should have operated the chonograph features actually served to advance the calendar dials.

A bit of research revealed that Omega skeletons sell for about $15k, which is significantly more than I'd expect anyone to spend on a Christmas gift.

So....my sister inadvertently bought a Chinese counterfeit. I don't know what she paid for it. Haven't told her it isn't genuine. I don't see the point. She would never be able to recover the payment and I don't want to make her feel bad about doing a nice thing for me.

I suppose the point is, do your due diligence. If it's cheap, there is a reason! Find out what it is. Maybe it's legitimate surplus. Maybe it's legitimate "knock off" merchandise. Maybe it's an unscrupulous counterfeiter. Find out before you buy.

As an afterword, the counterfeit watch was stolen in the recent burglary of my home. It brings me some small comfort to envision the thieves taking the watch to a pawn shop, only to discover that their efforts wrought them nothing.

[fluter]

You're right, their business ethics are appalling as well, especially when it comes to misrepresenting their product

In case anyone missed it, this is the firm that tried to sell us Sandy's doublet: they had a photo (taken from the Highland Clans site) of a one-of-a-kind, custom garment belonging one of our members.

That picture was taken down (I believe); but compare the rest to Highland Clans, and other familiar sites.

[slohairt]

In case anyone missed it, this is the firm that tried to sell us Sandy's doublet: they had a photo (taken from the Highland Clans site) of a one-of-a-kind, custom garment belonging one of our members.

That picture was taken down (I believe); but compare the rest to Highland Clans, and other familiar sites.

You mean Great Highlandwear, of course. Not me!

[thescot]

One other note. When you pay a lot less for stuff from ebay or anywhere else, at least part of the cost difference is often a result of cheaper material. I have purchased cheap sporrans and such and I have quality items, and the material is not the same.

No one will ever confuse a 20-dollar sporran with a sporran from L&M or Eagleton.

[The Kilted Reverend]

[NorCalPiper]

I'm not sure service is what's being discussed here. Not trying to be rude.