TARTANWEB Disappointment

**denmcdough** · 1st January 11, 07:20 AM

To say that I'm disappointed with my latest acquisition from Tartanweb is an understatement. In fact, I'm down right PO'ed!!! Here' the scenario:

I ordered a casual kilt back in August and had it in four weeks. I was pleased with this, enough so, that I decided to go for a tank...Robertson Red Modern, Marton Mills Jura heavyweight material. The jonesing lasted 7 weeks. Upon arrival, I was amazed at the beauty of the material and the heavy weight. All was well. Then the bomb dropped!! My wife took some pics and said the rear was not hanging correctly and, indeed, it was horrible. The photos below tell the tale!

I immediately contacted Tartanweb and they agreed that it was not right and to send it back. It was sent out to the tailors to correct the pleat issue; and was sent back to Tartanweb. However, upon inspection, Peter Reid, the sales manager, sent it back to the tailors to be corrected, again! I was assured that it was better.

The kilt made it here just in time for Christmas (arrived on the afternoon of the 24th). I was so excited to get it back. But, the bomb dropped again...it was NOT fixed entirely. The pleats on the left were better, but it still hung poorly in the middle...uneven pleats along with the sett being off (pulling to the right). Again, look at the pics for comparison.

I'm not going to send it back for fixing, but will demand a refund! This is not how a company should operate. Am I wrong in doing so??

One good thing about this...Peter Reid did an outstanding job of trying to correct the situation. But, he's leaving in January to start Reid Kilts. I will not deal with anyone other than Peter. Thus the demand for a refund.

these three pics were when I first received the kilt

these pics were when the kilt was sent back...improvement but not acceptable!

**llyd** · 1st January 11, 07:35 AM

Yeah, that is petty lame...I've made two kilts so far and they hang better than that...

**Jordan** · 1st January 11, 07:38 AM

The pics do make it look like you've just done a spin to the right as the photo was taken.

I agree that you were right in sending it back to get fixed, and I think they shouldn't have returned it to you until it was properly fixed

**cessna152towser** · 1st January 11, 07:48 AM

Well Tartanweb's Peter Reid seems to have done his best to try to resolve the issues with the individual kilt maker. From the pictures it looks like you have an acceptable, but not top quality kilt. If I was in your position I would probably start from a stance of asking for a refund but would be prepared to keep the kilt if they agreed to grant a reasonable discount.

**Jordan** · 1st January 11, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Well Tartanweb's Peter Reid seems to have done his best to try to resolve the issues with the individual kilt maker. From the pictures it looks like you have an acceptable, but not top quality kilt. If I was in your position I would probably start from a stance of asking for a refund but would be prepared to keep the kilt if they agreed to grant a reasonable discount.

I think Alex has hit the nail on the head here, thats probaly the best thing to do.

**denmcdough** · 1st January 11, 08:15 AM

Llwyd, yes, it IS lame! I have very acceptable, cheap acrylic, and PV kilts that hang better than this! I'd like to have a new one, but not from Tartanweb.

Alex, you're correct..it is acceptable, but not of quality. I'd love a refund or, at least, a huge discount! If not, then this will be a 'beater' kilt. I'd go for a new one, either, from Peter's new adventure, Reid Kilts, or with Bonnie Heather-Greene.

In fact, I contacted Bonnie and sent pics. She might (??) be able to correct it. But why should I pay for something that should have been done right in the first place. It's ludicrous to spend more $$ to have it fixed!

Again, I can't emphasize enough how wonderful Peter Reid was....extremely apologetic and fantastic with communications! He bent over backwards to see to it that the issue was corrected. I put the blame on the tailors that Tartanweb uses. Maybe they need to get new ones!

Peter, good luck on your new endeavor with Reid Kilts!!!! I can understand why you're leaving Tartanweb!

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 1st January 11, 08:29 AM

It looks as though the steeking was improperly done or not done at all.

I don't know how tartan web kilts are made but if you're handy with a needle redoing the steeking isn't the end of the world.

**ForresterModern** · 1st January 11, 08:33 AM

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Other than some less than perfect communications, and one kilt lost in shipment that had to be remade, I have had good luck from Tartan web. And Peter Reid was a great improvement in customer service and communication---sorry to hear he is leaving but would like to know where he lands.

I agree that the kilt hang is quite skewed in its initial build, and moderately but not completely better in its second build, and would agree that they should either refund your money, including your costs of return shipping twice, or at least offer you a significant discount off the original price. Looks like there is a flipping pleat at the left edge as well, probably a build mistake causing this plus the skew.

I had a similar skew problem that we believe was the result of poorly made fabric from a North American tartan weaver who shall remain nameless, that kiltmaker Barb T, with some telephone help from Steve, worked hard with some special heavy duty steaming and tugging to fix for me. Still ever so slightly skewed but not really noticeable without looking closely. If you end up keeping the kilt you might contact Barb T and/or Steve about options for possibly improving it further or even other possible solutions.

I never like to hear about good folks having trouble with a vendor or the quality of a product that they were, I am sure, very invested in emotionally in expectations of its arrival. I much prefer the happy happy joy joy stories, but we must be prepared to take the good with the bad, and hope the best comes out of the bad situations. Best of luck.

jeff

**Tartan Hiker** · 1st January 11, 09:31 AM

Does the skew lessen if you unbuckle that bottom strap? It looks like the skew is right at that level. If that helps, get rid of that strap altogether. The steeking is also right along that level, so if undoing the strap doesn't help then the steeking is at fault. As said earlier, redoing the steeking is not all that hard...you just have to get the lining out of the way. It is very easy to put the steeking in too tightly and get a bunched fell like you seem to have. Of course, this is a novice mistake and you should expect better from a professional kiltmaker.

**Chukta** · 1st January 11, 09:42 AM

Thank You so much for posting the story of your dealings with Tartanweb and the pics. You saved me a lot of money. I was just two or three days away from placing an order and sending them nearly $400 for a Weathered MacLeod of Harris 8-yarder! I would have been furious if what happened to you happened to me! Now to start my search again for someone to make what I want - without hassles.

Cheers and Happy New Year.
Chukta

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