Relevance of the Scottish Store?

[bikercelt1]

This is a thorny question. My local shop does have higher prices than the internet store, but not as much higher as what you quoted Colin They know me by name and greet me when I walk through the door, and they are are always looking for things that might be interesting to me. I like to spread my purchases between the two sources because I value having a local source and I want to do my part to ensure their success. If their price differential got substantially higher I would have to reevaluate that decision.

The local folks are filling a niche that no computer store can. They participate in most of the Scottish games/events up and down the Oregon and Washington I-5 corridor. They are a focal point for local pipers. They provide lessons, they are members of several local pipe bands, and they sell and service pipes. They have their own online store. (Some stores that we here may think of as internet vendors such as Geoffry(tailor) are in fact store-front operations who do the same thing and send their people to the states to tour the Highland Game circut.) These folks are trying very hard. I can't affort to shop there exclusively, but I feel a responsibility to help their small store survive. While I hate to draw this comparison, this is exactly the same discussion that many of us have had about Walmart versus the Mom & Pop stores. If we only support the mega retailers we will ultimately have limited choices. If we only support the Internet store we will lose the opportunity to "feel the product" before we buy. If we only use the local vendor as a place to touch the product before we order it online cheaper then the local folks will be out of business.

Jamie

[GMan]

I understand what you are saying Colin. Yet I feel very fortunate to live where I do, as in the Metro area we have two shops, which sort of compete with each other. One in Idaho Springs (about 40 miles west of me) and at least two in the Colorado Springs area.

When the festivals are going, many others arrive and show the goods that they have to offer, so that in itself keeps the cost down to a certain extent, especially when it is festival time.

I do like going into them and just chat with whoever is there, whether it is someone behind the counter or another customer, it is always a friendly atmosphere.

Yet as I always do, I shop around and may purchase something online instead of at the local place. Yes I know I am a lucky man, so I can empathise with those who are not close to a shop.

Just my thoughts.

[Kilted KT]

this is a very tough issue.

with the advent of the internet and "electronic commerce", the smaller shop owners can turn to the internet to expand their market, moving beyond their geographic limitations and sell to the world. One of the best kilted examples would be ( pick between USAK, AW, SWK, UK....etc...). While they have a small shop to serve their local clients, they have created a sizeable business based on internet sales.

to think of the internet as a killer of the small shops is a misconception. While they may have a bit more overhead than a purely internet shop, were they to expand to the internet to sell to the world, the possibility to compete with these web-only vendors is increased.

Keep in mind that most of the current scottish kiltmakers on the web either have a shop in scotland, or draws it's resources from shops there. I seriously doubt that the web vendors from scotland were able to train master kilt-makers in the past few short years. Regardless of where you get your kilt, wear it proudly.

Should you buy it from the kilt-maker up the road, or around the globe, I raise my pint to you who dare to keep the once outlawed traditions of the Scots alive and well!

[HeathBar]

Unfortunately, I don't have a shop close to me. I think the closest shop is in Gatlinburg (4 hours away). And its more of a Celtic shop than a highland wear shop. But if there was one, I would support it to the best of my ability. So those of you who have one (or more) close by, consider yourselves lucky.

[Hamish]

Well, this CAN work in the other direction! Yesterday, I decided to shop around on line for the best deal on the Saltire tartan kilt - having at last seen it in action on the video clip at the Scocha website ( www.scocha.co.uk ), I am even more inclined to have one for my Kilt Kollection, but I was only preparing for a price-check exercise, nothing more at this stage.

The first three stockists I checked out were offereing the kilt at prices of over £400, £369 and £350 VAT included. The last website also listed an accessory that I felt I could not live without, but it gave scant information - I decided to telephone Edinburgh for further details. In the course of my conversation with their Shop Manager, I asked about the fabric weight of the Saltire kilt which was not stated (16oz, by the way, but "it feels more like 15oz" I was told!) and mentioned the price (£350) on their own website. "Oh, that's not the store price. We sell it in the shop for £299." The Shop Manager even left me for several minutes to go and check the prices, which he confirmed by telling me that the retail and on-line sides of the business are run separately although they share the postal address. What I had seen was the on-line price, which was £51 dearer than the shop price. I was given his name and was told that if, after thinking about it, I wanted to order the Saltire kilt from them, I could call him back and we could 'do the deal' over the telephone with me getting the kilt for £299.

To cap it all, when he asked for my name for reference, I told him Hamish Bicknell from West Sussex, he asked, "You are known as Ham. aren't you? Someone told me about you months ago, and suggested I took a look at your photo album. I was very impressed." We then spoke for a few minutes about the Kollection (and "X Marks..." - but he doesn't have access to a computer so I doubt we'll be hearing from him!) before he told me that, "under the circumstances" he would be pleased to waive the postal charge of £9.95 - should I honour his shop with the order! How could I refuse? I checked my measurements, grabbed my MasterCard and called him back. Now I have 6-7 weeks of 'jonesing' !!

[mbhandy]

Good on you Ham. I had a good giggle

Our shop in Salt Lake has some what of a mark-up.

http://www.edinburghcastle.com/

MrBill

[Joe Gondek]

I've bought a few things there but no big ticket items

[John M.]

Your star power strikes again Ham! Nice deal too.

[GlassMan]

My nearest Scottish Shop is the Scottish Merchant in Alexandria, about a 15 minute drive away as long as there's no traffic. The prices there are a little higher than online but not outrageously different on small things, like kilt hose. I've never ordered a kilt through them but I have bought accessories. I love going down there to look at merchandise, etc... And I have to admit that I rarely leave without having purchased something.

Personally, I'm rather impressed that the price difference is as low as it is because they are in Old Town Alexandria where the rents are outrageous.

Even though I do a fair amount of shopping online (and my stained glass business depends on online shoppers for a huge part of its income) I still try to support my local shop as much as I can.

[Colin]

To cap it all, when he asked for my name for reference, I told him Hamish Bicknell from West Sussex, he asked, "You are known as Ham. aren't you? Someone told me about you months ago, and suggested I took a look at your photo album. I was very impressed." We then spoke for a few minutes about the Kollection (and "X Marks..." - but he doesn't have access to a computer so I doubt we'll be hearing from him!) before he told me that, "under the circumstances" he would be pleased to waive the postal charge of £9.95 - should I honour his shop with the order! How could I refuse? I checked my measurements, grabbed my MasterCard and called him back. Now I have 6-7 weeks of 'jonesing' !!

It's true, you wouldn't believe the deals I get when I tell people my name is Hamish Bicknell, too. (I would never....)
Only you Hamish could get the delivery fee waived based on your reputaiton. I am very jealous of the Saltire kilt. I can't wait to see photos and hear a review.