I get your point Raphael. I have used eBay a few times on items from $10 to $13,000. But the kilt that my dad bought on eBay was the worst eBay deal I have seen - I think it put me off.

One factor that has me leaning towards renting a package is that my time is limited (I am supposed to be working on Newtonian physics in non-intertial reference frames at this moment), and waiting for the perfect kilt to show up on eBay, and then the perfect jacket, and so on will be extra work that I don't have time for. Also, the event I am planning for may very well not come to pass. I might not know until six weeks before the date. And finally, with a rental there is very little commitment. This will be an opportunity to see if I like Highland dress, before taking the very expensive plunge.