Quote Originally Posted by McClef View Post
I regret that I cannot comment on the Palm Springs shop so must defer to your experience there Hamish. But I am surprised that you only saw accessories at the Paisley Close shop as when I was there they had several kilts hung up and awaiting collection by customers in the back room in the shop and they were able to demonstrate the care they take with the fell and the triple selvedge fringe on the apron. Got very technical!
Trefor,
I am afraid I did not express myself at all well here! What I intended to convey was that the only accessories I saw were of the highest quality - in other words: no cheap rubbish was being sold at The Celtic Craft Centre! There was, I think, a kilt-wearing mannequin on or near the stairs but I do not recall seeing anything much more of yer actual kilts on view there. However, you have visited more recently than I, and so it is my turn, Trefor, to defer to your experience there.

I further regret that my experience as a potential customer at Geoffrey (Tailor) has not been encouraging. Upon neither of my visits has 21st Century Kilts been open and although there is a sign stating access via the shop I could find no such access within. Further, no member of the staff in the shop appeared interested in me as a potential customer and approach me to enquire if I required assistance, they appeared to be too busy chatting amongst themselves. Not even a nod, smile or "Good Afternoon." Despite the fact that I was kilted too! I found that rather off-putting to say the least. It's not as if they were busy or crowded out either. I have no doubt that they have an excellent product or you would not have used them so often, but a certain excellence in greeting people who enter the shop and of volunteering their assistance would not be a bad idea. No matter what one thinks of Gold Bros, I would venture to suggest that how they treat potential customers is better.

A better customer experience too from the Celtic Craft Centre, and Hector Russell. Maybe I'm being too old-fashioned but the idea of you having to court the staff rather than the other way around is still a difficult one for me to handle.
I have to confess that I am truly shocked by this report of your experiences at Geoffrey (Tailor) and TFCK, and I intend to print your words and show them to Howie Nicholsby when I meet with him in London on Saturday. Might I ask, Trefor, did this occur on your recent visit to Edinburgh, or was it a while back? Whilst I do know some of the sales staff personally, I do not know them all and nor do they all know me but whenever I have called in at the High Street shop, I have never had to wait for assistance - unless they have all been busy. Let us see what Howie has to say to all of this.