Relevance of the Scottish Store?

[auld argonian]

I have yet to check out the one shop in nearby Summit, Illinois...

...the one that's in a town near the Illinois/Wisconsin border has gotten some play here but it's been criticism for showing their kilt outfits badly on their web pages...

...it's tough...I was speaking to the proprietor of one of the biggest camera stores in Chicago about how much of a bite the internet has taken out of his business.

Best

AA

[MacWage]

I can't believe how hard it seems to be for those of you in the Southern USA to find a good Scottish shop. You have the highest concentration of Scots ancestry anywhere in the country! Maybe a few should band together and open one that understands customer service.

Any backers?

[Splash_4]

Just to come to the defense of the local shop a little bit (of course, my local shop is a three hour drive to Franklin, NC) Because I am new to highland wear, I was very interested in a number of things. Having a real life person to ask the questions of and one who was willing to spend a couple of hours with my wife and I was a real bonus. Likewise, this same individual has spent time on the computer answering the blizzard of emails I have sent his way asking questions about various items.

So all this to say, Thank you Matt Newsome!

[Canadian_Kilt]

Just to come to the defense of the local shop a little bit (of course, my local shop is a three hour drive to Franklin, NC) Because I am new to highland wear, I was very interested in a number of things. Having a real life person to ask the questions of and one who was willing to spend a couple of hours with my wife and I was a real bonus. Likewise, this same individual has spent time on the computer answering the blizzard of emails I have sent his way asking questions about various items.

So all this to say, Thank you Matt Newsome!

This was another reason I wound up buying my kilt at my shop. They are extremely nice, friendly and helpful people and definately worked hard to earn my business.

You'll never have to defend independant businesses with me. My father has been an independant retailer his entire life, and our family will always go to great lengths to support small businesses over large chains and online stores. Unfortunately there is still a point where you have to sit back and look after yourself as well. If my guys kilts and such were 10% more than everything on the net, I would buy from him every time .. but they're closer to 50% more .. and that's not something I can swallow.

[AZKilts]

Hi Colin,
Can I please ask if the prices quoted on the brochure from Palm Springs was in Canadian or US Dollars

[Colin]

Hi Colin,
Can I please ask if the prices quoted on the brochure from Palm Springs was in Canadian or US Dollars

You're making me go back almost a year here, but I believe the prices were in US. My folks just grabbed a pamphlet to show me, not as an actual option to order from. They did say the shop was great though.

Since I did start this thread sometime ago, I guess I should clarify that I love my local Scottish shop. I like going in and seeing all the great stuff, I buy most little things like hose, pins, CD's, etc from there, but I can not justify a $200+ increase on products from the exact same manufacturer. I hope the shop is open for years and years to come, by for the big purchases I will still likely go to another source.

[ManuFortiDB]

Hello again all,
I too take every opportunity to support the local guy against the big guys or even the internet, however, I will NOT reward shoddy service or a bad attitude just because a shop is the only one around showing sporrans! (As painful as that can sometimes be!......)
And it's true, this area (DC/VA/MD) does have a huge Scottish population as do other areas of the southeast - you'd think there would be better shops. - like, at least one good one!
Kudos to those on this board who are truly a part of the community and who have earned their 'word of mouth' the hard way - may you live long and prosper!

db

[AZKilts]

Having read all the comments ,and being a Scottish store owner I agree with a lot of them.Firstly with regard to the prices in the Palm Springs (Colin`s brochure ) ,I have just worked out the prices (today`s exhcange rate ,which ,don`t forget is worse than last year due to the falling dollar),and for a Jura kilt ,8 yard hand sewn ,including shipping and custom`s duty the cost would be $640 76. A Tweed Argyll , charcoal, including vest is $468 ,and a dress sporran with thistle cantle (just picked the nearest with the description given ) $275. All the prices are with the information given and may vary $5 or $10 either way !!!!
So I have to agree the prices from Palm Springs are expensive , bearing in mind last years exhcange rate.
One or two other points I would like to make regarding store against online, but please do not think I am knocking other business`s whether store or online. The overhead cost`s are obviously more with a store, for example if you are running an internet business ,who is to know if you are running it from a garage/room from your home,etc, in which case are you paying the full business internet connection charges $19.99 from your home or $99 business rates .Do you need business/liability insurance for your garage/home ???( Are you going to admit it to your home insurance company ??).There are a lot more things including permits,licences etc etc
Don`t forget as well that on X Marks we are all know about kilts, and things Scottish, and the correct measurements needed to order a kilt .
Sadly I have seen and heard horror stories which could keep me going on and on for hours ,( I think I have done enough of that already).
I am not trying to say that ALL store`s are better than sites but at least you have somebody to confront should anything go wrong .
And please if you ,sadly , have had a bad experience with a store don`t treat us all the same !!!!!
Regards to all.

[slohairt]

Dia Dhuit!

The internet has changed all areas of commerce and Highland wear is no different. Unfortunately, some stores have not caught up with the times. Growing interest in the kilt means a growing market for kilt shops. They need to adapt and offer price variety if that is what people want. Some of the exclusivity from the business should be removed, too.

[gilmore]

Dia Dhuit!

The internet has changed all areas of commerce and Highland wear is no different. Unfortunately, some stores have not caught up with the times. Growing interest in the kilt means a growing market for kilt shops. They need to adapt and offer price variety if that is what people want. Some of the exclusivity from the business should be removed, too.

I totally agree. The days of low volume and high prices are over. Companies that do business that way will see their businesses getting smaller and smaller as time goes by.