The cost of buying from Scotland: new Argyle outfit arrives

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Big Mikey, you've just described exactly our problem. Unpredictable! People (understandably) complain that we don't say how much duties will be. But the fact is that US customs in particular are just incredibly inconsistent. Sometimes they'll go by the letter of the law by its most stringent interpretation; then often other times things just glide through. And for whatever people say about particular shippers, there's no obvious pattern. It's not just which port of entry, but what day of the week, it seems. Our lives would be so much easier if they had single consistent set of rules that we could at least predict!

Nick is correct. I still remember several years ago getting a package imported from a particular company in Scotland that contained two kilts, a pair of ghillie brogues, a jacket (I believe), and I think one other item. Huge box, delivered USPS. Absolutely no customs fees whatever.

About two days later we received a box from the same company, containing exactly one kilt. That's it. Nothing else. Delivered USPS. Postman demanded $80 in customs fees.

I asked him to explain to me how the box with one kilt could cost us $80 to imort, while the box with two kilts plus other items cost us nothing. He couldn't. He explained it pretty much the way Nick did above -- a lot depends on who checks it in at customs, how they interpret the code, and what kind of a mood they are in.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I figured as much. Having an obscure name is a pain some times. I say "Wolfe" and people say "Oh! Titanic!" I have to correct them and say "No- that was Wolff. Mine is 'fe'" And no one other than you carries the Wolfe tartan, which in itself is impressive.

I'm not trying to steal a sale from kiltstore or anything, but I just wanted to mention that they might be the only store that lists it available on their web site, but they are not the only ones who can provide it. You'll notice on their web site that it is a custom weave, and lots of kilt suppliers can also provide you with custom woven tartans, even if they don't list each one separately on their site, as kiltstore does. It never hurts to ask your local kiltmaker!

M

[northernsky]

Canadian duties ran from a low of 8.5% for the kilt pin to 18% for the made clothing goods, which was the majority cost. Add 6% federal tax to the cost + duty and then add 7.5% provincial tax to the cost + duty + federal tax. The duty equaled $251.75, taxes $222.96, fedex customs charge $23.31, shipping (fedex) $70.00 and return shipping (post) $50.00. This makes the total of surcharges so far $617.92 on a cost of $1700+ for a total over $2300.00 The surcharges equal to an additional 36% to the original costs (or 33% without my return postal charges). The cost of Canadian taxes is about equal to the VAT so the difference between buying in the UK and buying in Canada is the Duty (for kilts, jackets, vests, socks and shoes it is 18%) and the shipping charges. So for a Canadian customer it would still be a significantly higher cost than for a UK customer.

[ChromeScholar]

No offense to any of the fine kilt makers overseas, but with the dollar being what it is, and the unpredictability in time, money, and condition of the arriving merchandise, I just don't picture myself (at least in the foreseeable future), buying a kilt from a business that has to ship it directly to me from overseas. Especially since there are so many fine kilt makers available in the US, kilt makers that turn out a product that is competitive in both quality and price (maybe especially price, when shipping and customs are taken into account). In fact, with a few of the US kilt makers that advertise and participate here, I'd wager that the only real difference between their product, and the Scottish kilts, is that their kilt doesn't say "Made in Scotland".

Like I said, no offense intended to the Scottish businesses. It's just the way I see things at this point in time. That may change eventually.

[Big Mikey]

Just a side note about duties into Canada. I called a government office to ask about liquor. The current rule is a qualified adult is allowed to bring home, duty free, 1.14 liltres or 40 ozs. of liquor. Hoping to travel to Britain in the future, I was curious about the cost to bring back "over my limit". I'm not talking about cases but 2 or 3 bottles. The duty alone, not including any applied taxes....................180%!!!!!!!!of purchase price. And then the bureaucrats wonder why people try to sneek it in!?!

[Nick Fiddes]

lots of kilt suppliers can also provide you with custom woven tartans, even if they don't list each one separately on their site, as kiltstore does. M

Matt, no problem at all with you saying this. And in fact I don't know if you're able to refer us to your weavers, but we'd be delighted to hear about further potential weavers for this service! Our own weavers tend to be working flat out to cope with our orders, and we'd love to find more weavers able to produce tartan fabrics on demand to the right quality. Please PM me if you are able to provide referals!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Matt, no problem at all with you saying this. And in fact I don't know if you're able to refer us to your weavers, but we'd be delighted to hear about further potential weavers for this service! Our own weavers tend to be working flat out to cope with our orders, and we'd love to find more weavers able to produce tartan fabrics on demand to the right quality. Please PM me if you are able to provide referals!

I'm pretty sure you and I know the same weavers. ;-) But I can PM you and we can compare notes.
M

[SFCRick]

I feel for you

[Nighthawk]

I'm not trying to steal a sale from kiltstore or anything, but I just wanted to mention that they might be the only store that lists it available on their web site, but they are not the only ones who can provide it. You'll notice on their web site that it is a custom weave, and lots of kilt suppliers can also provide you with custom woven tartans, even if they don't list each one separately on their site, as kiltstore does. It never hurts to ask your local kiltmaker!

M

Yeah, Matt, I know- I've actually discussed the subject with you. I guess I mean that with KiltStore, I won't have to wait 6-8 months. I may have a Scot for a grandmother, but I'm still American- I need instant gratification!! Actually, I have been tossing around the idea of asking you to make me a box pleat kilt in the Colorado tartan. I just need t seal a deal of my own so I'll have the cash for it!!

[northernsky]

So the saga is almost at an end. As you will recall I had to send my Argyle Jacket and shirt back because of sizing issues. Had to write to ask a week later to see if the return package arrived. Yes it had, but no one notified me. I had asked about the sleeves being too short and under the arms being too tight on the '42 short' jacket. Scotweb recommended I get the next size up, so that's what I did. The package only took 3 days to get here but I had to pay an additional $115 in duty--don't know why the package couldn't have been labelled personal items since I had already paid for them and paid duty once. And of course the jacket was too large... Not willing to spend anymore money on postage and duty I took it to a tailor who will reduce it for me. My outfit has now cost me over $2500.00. I have paid more than twice the posted price for the jacket alone. Let this be a warning to all who are considering buying by international mail-order--there are risks. Yes I know many many transactions are successfully concluded by mail, but the costs involved if some goes awry are prohibitive. When my jacket comes back from the tailor I'll take a pic and share it. Glad I am employed, at least I can pay my bills...