Quality or quantity.....?

[Colin]

I think a low price can be very seductive.

There is also an "instant gratification" factor from purchasing mass produced stock.

And let's not forget the satisfaction of making multiple purchases.

In the end, I guess each of us does what works for us.

.

I couldn't agree more Blu. I have gone that route with vehicles, mp3 players, cordless phones, jeans, suits, jackets, etc. I am a big fan of instant gratification (ask my wife, she can't stand it) and when I want something, I want it right now. I just wish I could say that I had gotten quality with any of my instant gratification purchases in the past. We are not programed in North America, to wait for a quality product. We are trained to look for the best deal in the masses of flyers and commercials we see daily and than to buy that product asap. We are also trained to replace that product the next year with the "new and improved" updated version.

Parenthood taught me that anything worth really having, is worth waiting a little bit for.

[arrogcow]

Just because I had nothing better to do, I decided to try and figure out what it costs to weave a tartan.

Using the trusty internet, I set out to figure cost of raw yarn, how much yarn is actually needed, how many yards can be woven per hour and set up times.

I haven't completely succeded (I still don't know how many yards a commercial loom can do in an hour and how long it takes to set up).

With out boring you all with the details I have come up with a figure of appx $23.80 per yard for worsted wool fabric based only on materials alone (and that is using 70% of the retail price I could find for worsted wool yarn).

Assuming that 4 yards can be made in an hour, that adds $5.00/yard (loom operator salary)

The hassle and time to reset the loom (for a special run tartan $20.00) $5.00/yd (assuming a 4 yard run $2.50 for 8 yd $1 for a 20 yard)

Cost of the machine ($60-80 per day s)$2.50/yd

And we end up with $36.30 per yard before the weaver even makes his first dime (still 31.30 if they're just running Blackwatch all day every day)

Add cost of business (location, power additional employees etc)

20% Markup and we get to about $50 per yard

So maybe it is the yarn manufacturers getting rich

Adam

[Kilted_John]

I started out with traditionals only. Then, in 2005, started with UK's. For a while, I had six UK's. Now only have one, which is well-worn and getting close to being retired to the yardwork and auto repair clothes pile. I still have all three traditionals. Next kilt I get will either be an R Kilt or a Freedom. Custom made to my measurements. Might also be another traditional, if I can save up enough cash for one...

-J

[Macman]

Every kilt I have gotten from a member or advertiser on the board is well worth my investment and they all get used regularly for their intended purpose. O'Neille

This says it for me. I've got a range of types and prices in my four kilts and they all have a place in my wardrobe.