Hi, Riverkilt-

I don't feel that your expectations are unreasonable. In my opinion, offering prompt communication is a very important part of good customer service. At least that is one of the measures which I use in assessing a business. It is really aggravating to wait a few days [or into infinity] for the answer to a quick question, and unless a subsequent reply prefaced with an apology and a good excuse is tendered, having to do so does color my opinion of the purveyor in question.

Secret handshake? I figure that showing interest in a product or service should suffice. When it doesn't, I take it as a sign to find another purveyor.

So far, where traditional kilts are concerned, I have seen exceptional service from TFCK and Kinloch Anderson with the former answering multiple emails per day while KA tends to answer once per day. Nicolson Highlandwear has been bad about answering my emails, slightly better in returning phone calls. Linda Clifford and Chris from Southern Celt have been good, as has Shetland Piper. Kiltstore.net has been good sometimes and slow to respond other times. I would like to throw some biz their way since they are our sponsor, but I admit to still having some reservations in that regard. David at Scottishkilts.net has been VERY helpful, and The Scottish Lion has for the most part shown good customer service though at times I think that they could be a little faster responding to email.

Where the casual kilt is concerned, your list is pretty accurate when compared to my experience. PK and USA Kilt are good at answering questions. Where USA Kilt is concerned, I would like to try one of Rocky's kilts but first want to see my pair of Bear poly/vis kilts to judge if I like the fabric. Speaking of our friend from Vancouver, Bear can be zippy, or he might take a day to get back to you, or he might not respond at all. Bear sees great press on this board, and that helps boost his rating with me. AK has been okay... I recall a question I once asked taking a week to be answered. I also asked a basic belt question another time and received a phone call what seemed like 3-4 weeks later with the answer. I haven't dealt with SK or FK. The few times I have had occasion to query UK, they have taken a couple of days to return my emails. I recall one email never having been answered at all.

That'd be MY list.


Mychael