FC v. SWK

[Brewboy]

Well. I've done it. I've ordered from both Stillwater Kilts and The Frugal Corner at the same time to pit each of them against each other in a bloody battle royal for supremacy of the affordable kilt market.

Well...maybe not, but I think it will be interesting to compare each company side by side.

What has been ordered:

From the Frugal Corner

A Wallace 13 oz. that was on special and a fake fur dress sporran

From Stillwater Kilts

An Economy Black Watch, brown belt and buckle, kilt pin (safety pin) and some kilt hangers

ROUND 1: ORDERING

The Frugal Corner

I went to the website and cruised their tartans and sporrans. The site suggested I either call or check the online inventory before ordering to see that my order was in stock. A glance at the online inventory told me they did not have the tartan I was looking for in stock in my size (MacLeod of Harris 32). I am immensely impatient, so I went about selecting an alternative tartan.

On the Specials page I found a Wallace 13 oz. in my size, but since it was a special, the site recommended calling to make sure it was still available. I called and left a message. Later in the day I called again. Further consulting on the website informed me that the store was closed on that day. The next day I called and spoke to Mark who said the kilt was in stock, as was the sporran I wanted. He then knocked $20 off the price of everything.

Kilt listed at $45 on the site = $35

Sporran listed at $35 on the site = $25

Shipping = $15

This basically equals free shipping plus $5, which I was extremely pleased about. One of the quickest ways into my heart is through my wallet. Good customer service is another, and knocking off the price of shipping for a first time customer qualifies as good customer service in my book.

Mark told me that the items would be placed in the mail that day, and they should arrive in 3 days. The waiting begins.

Stillwater Kilts

I went on the website and started shopping around for a first time kilt for my cousin. I was torn between the Black Shadow Tartan Thrifty and the Black Watch Thrifty (both listed his size as available). I settled on the Black Watch and picked up a kilt pin and belt for him as well. I also got myself some Kilt hangers.

I went to checkout and the credit card on my account with SWK was charged. Easy-Peasy-Japoneesy. I immediately got an email from Jerry that my payment had gone through and was told I'd get another email when my order shipped. Automated emails, but still...efficient.

Thrifty Kilt = $29.95

Belt = $22.50

Pin = $2.10

Hangers = $14.00

Shipping = $13.70

I love the ease of using the SWK website. Jerry keeps what's available up to date, and the process is efficient and painless.

The winner of Round 1

The Frugal Corner

Admittedly, Mark was operating with an unfair advantage seeing as I called him and did not call Jerry. If it was just about ease of the website, SWK would win hands down. The extra step in calling for FC is a bit annoying, but obviously worked in my favor. Needless to say I will be calling FC in the future, when and if I order from them again.

Coming soon...Round 2: Shipping and Receipt

[Ozman1944]

I always buy from both; the majority of my stuff comes from both companies.
Enjoy!

[Galb]

Both companies are great, but I know already who is going to win round two. Jerry at Stillwater has a well deserved reputation for being the fastest shipper. Rumor has it he either has a time machine, he is psychic and has it pre-boxed and ready to go prior to your call, or my theory is that he has magical swift unladen swallows that even when laden with a kilt, they still move faster than the wind. The only question is are they African or European swallows...
...but I digress, My bet is Stillwater's stuff will arrive there long before Frugal Corner's.

That being said, I've done business with both. Both were a pleasure. I got a sporran from Frugal and a kilt from Stillwater. I will return to both companies for future purchases.

I only have one concern with each company. First off, Frugal. Their measuring is a bit odd in my opinion. You definitely want to watch their video their describing how it works. They measure to the max, meaning that the belt is on it's loosest setting to get the measurement. This means that the kilts are adjustable down in sizes. (A 36" Frugal waist fits a few sizes smaller). This is a very minor detail, but an important one to the customer. Mark has instructions on the site explaining this so it really isn't a big deal. Plus he's quick to react if you made a measuring mistake.

The only concern with Stillwater is that they do not have many tartans. But this is remedied over time as I am sure Jerry is always looking to expand his line of available tartans. After all, they just added two more tartans.

Another bonus with Stillwater, you get free flashes with their standard kilts. This is a very nice bonus.

[Brewboy]

Yeah, I got a Royal Stewart Standard from Stillwater, and was surprised to find flashes that I didn't order came along with the kilt. Jerry denotes free flashes on some of the kilts, but it was a lovely surprise to find them when I wasn't expecting them.

[O'Neille]

Stillwater Kilts supports this forum. Game, set, and match.

[Robertson]

Apples & Oranges But I ordered a Gillie shirt from The Frugal Corner, tracking said
it should be here tomorrow less than a week not bad! I'll let you know how it looks
good price $35

[ncof300d]

By no means to I mean to 'knock' any other kilt maker, but I just want to add if you like SWK Economy try Jerry's Heavy Duty wool. Very nice for the money. After having a heavy wool I do not know if I can get myself to try anything else but a heavy wool kilt. A heavy wool kilt is just..........great!

When I first became interested in wearing a kilt it was in the context of a 'modern' kilt. My first two kilts were SWK Economy. I like them soooo much that I have not been able to get myself to consider 'non-tradition' type kilts.

[Tony]

........

The winner of Round 1

The Frugal Corner

Admittedly, Mark was operating with an unfair advantage seeing as I called him and did not call Jerry. If it was just about ease of the website, SWK would win hands down. The extra step in calling for FC is a bit annoying, but obviously worked in my favor. Needless to say I will be calling FC in the future, when and if I order from them again.

I think at best you should call it a tie since you're trying to compare apples and oranges. If you had called SWK you'd be very impressed with them too - as I was a couple of years back when ordering my first kilt.
Mark at FC is also very good on the phone (called him 3 days ago, and the kilt arrives today!). The only problem here is you have to get him on the phone.

[Brewboy]

The only problem here is you have to get him on the phone.

I hear you on that.

I know ordering over the phone and ordering online aren't entirely comparable, so just think of this as a simultaneous review of two stores...with a winner.

[Shriner]

Stillwater Kilts supports this forum. Game, set, and match.

O'Neille,

All I will say is that last year, Frugal Corner supported this forum....

Mark at FC is also very good on the phone (called him 3 days ago, and the kilt arrives today!). The only problem here is you have to get him on the phone.

Tony,

I don't think that a problem anymore. Mark at FC is doing it full time now. Frugal Corner now has a brick and mortor location.

I personally own a couple of Jerry's kilt a standard and heavey weight, but several of Mark's kilts 16oz.'s.

John