Product and Vendor reviews

**Tommy Hunt** · 23rd October 08, 07:02 PM

Having just purchased a kilt and accessories here's my review of the companies I puchased from and the items I received.

Centaur Design
http://www.centaurdesign.co.uk/produ...op_pin_sporran

Ok let's get my one negative review out of the way first. I so regret going with these guys for my kilt belt and sporran strap instead of Oconee Leather Works. I loved the design and color of the sporran Centaur had on their site and since they advertised color matching the belt and strap to the sporran I thought it best to go with them. As you can see from the pic I didn't get the color match. These items weren't cheap so I was surprised when I received not only a color mismatch but cheap buckles and cheap clips. I had to wrap tape around the inside buckle so the prong wouldn't dig into the kilt. I placed a buckle I received from Steve of Oconee Leather along side for comparison (see below). The sporran wasn't the color of the sporran on their site either (see link). After some polite complaining and asking for a new sporran strap to match the belt (or simply a refund and return of items) I was told I could send everything back for color adjustment. When I realized what the shipping costs were going to be I emailed for a clearification as to what exactly they were going to do. The belt color was close to what I expected so I didn't want that darkened but rather the strap lightened. The sporran was too dark as well but I wasn't going for miracles. Well I never heard from them again and yes I emailed twice. I found these guys to be very unprofessional and contrary to their stated intent to please the customer they did anything but. I would never think of buying anything from Centaur Design again.

My next belt will come from Oconee Leather and to add insult to injury the belt they sent only fits on the very last hole so that next belt may not be a long wait.

Houston Kiltmakers
http://www.kiltmakers.com/

I've sent my kilt back to them for alterations so this review will have to wait.

Kinloch Anderson
http://www.kinlochanderson.com/shop/...ar/balmoral-1/

Nothing but praise. These guys were great and emailed me back straight away after my initial inquiry. I loved the balmoral they made for me and the fit was perfect. I would definitely order another from them if I need to in the future.

The Harp and Dragon
http://www.harpanddragon.com/

Again nothing but praise. Prompt and polite service. I loved the Justin kilt buckle and silver kilt pin (2 separate orders) I received from them and the prices was pretty good too.

Kilts Direct
http://www.kiltsdirect.com/kilt_acce..._dubhs/CB-SD80

Though a bit disappointed because the color of the horn handle of my sgian dubh wasn't anything like the picture in the ad I was really really pleased with the quality of it.

**Canuck** · 23rd October 08, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Tommy Hunt

.

The Buckle is on backwards. The roller part of the buckle is facing the wrong way so the prong is sticking out.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 23rd October 08, 07:31 PM

You win the prize for spotting the deliberate mistake.

**haxtonhouse** · 23rd October 08, 08:00 PM

Wow, just out of curiosity, what do they charge for a "matched" set like that?

**Tommy Hunt** · 23rd October 08, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

You win the prize for spotting the deliberate mistake.

That's the way it arrived. It's not detachable. You know I hadn't noticed they put the strap buckle on backwards.

**Tommy Hunt** · 23rd October 08, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by haxtonhouse

Wow, just out of curiosity, what do they charge for a "matched" set like that?

About 112 pounds sterling.

**Riverkilt** · 23rd October 08, 08:43 PM

Backwards buckle from the maker/middleman....that's a LOUD warning for others.

That's what makes this such a great board. We share the not so good as well as the really good.

Ron