Most things I buy are exchanged, cash for product, at the time of sale.

Most clothing products I order on line or from a catalog are billed when the product is shipped.

I understand why the small shops need the money up front. But even Kathy's Kilts - my hand sewn tank - only charged me half up front to bring in the tartan from Scotland to sew, then the balance when completed. I understand that they needed my money upfront for my UK leather kilt.

My perception of UK is that they are a large manufacturer with their own sewing plant plus contract workers sewing kilts at home.

A large operation like that should operate like other clothing manufacturers and bill when they ship the product.

Tell me the difference between one lady at Kathy's Kilts sewing and shipping in 5 weeks with half down and half on delivery and a big factory of folks like UK that wants 100% down, uses my money for 12 weeks, then ships my kilt?

Even the folks at little ol' Macabi Skirts bill their riverskirts when they ship...or at least ship promptly after payment.

I grew up in cut and sew factories...worked for a company that had four large plants. Worked in the money end for a while and know how critical funding is to buy fabric, sew up all the different styles, sizes, and colors...it ain't easy. But they never billed up front for products shipped 5 to 12 weeks later.

Sorry, I just don't think that saying "they're kilts" is an excuse for billing so far in advance for finished goods. Yes, for the small shop with a craftsman or two like Bear, Steve, or Jeff. But for a plant...no way.

Maybe I'm too much the Scotsman not to be irritated as a consumer when they have both my money and my product for three months.

I like UK. I have the leather, two workman's, two originals, and a denim. I admire UK for what they do, and especially for their spirit.

Still, its a bitter pill for me as a customer to loan them money for so long just to get a kilt. Think for me, the shortest wait has been five weeks.

And, I guess I kinda fear for their solvency if they need to business that way even now that they're big.

Ron