The cost of buying from Scotland: new Argyle outfit arrives

[James MacMillan]

I think this whole thread demonstrates the fact that you need to do your homework. Investigate fully before you buy.

Also, as we have learned before, there is more and more reason to buy where you live. If you live in Canada - but Canadian. If your live in Podunk - buy Podunkian....

Fore-warned is for-armed.

[Nick Fiddes]

Also, as we have learned before, there is more and more reason to buy where you live. If you live in Canada - but Canadian. If your live in Podunk - buy Podunkian....

I'm obviously biased James, but I can't agree that buying locally is always best. And if I can be perfectly frank (sorry, this isn't meant to sound offensive, so please don't read it that way) the voices that regularly express similar sentiments on this board can sound to European ears either a bit protectionist, or dare I say a tad parochial. I of course know that the US imports lots of stuff. But I think in Europe as consumers we're perhaps somehow more used to centuries of international trade with authentic goods coming from the best source to supply them (not least due to our colonial history) whereas Americans are maybe more used to (rightly or wrongly) assuming American is best, and looking first within their own borders. (What are the figures on passport ownership again?) But whether for kilts or anything else, I think the fact is that you'll often get a better choice, or a better product, or a better deal, looking further afield.

Anyway, taking into account the fact that most quality woven tartans do come from Scotland even for North American kiltmakers to make up, and they pay much higher import duties for the raw material than for made-up garments, which negates most or all of the advantage, plus the forementioned VAT that you don't have to pay, plus the fact that three quarters of the tartans Scotweb sells you'd be very hard pushed to source from any other supplier on the planet, I think it's at best more complex than the simple answer you propose.

[davedove]

I tend to be of the school which says that, all other things being equal, I will order from a US business. Of course, often, the US business imports its goods from other countries, so even then we're not buying local.

And we certainly all know that tariffs and duties are one way that governments give their national businesses a bit of an edge. Well, that and it's another source of income for them.

The main thing you have to consider is that duties are going to happen and figure that into your decision of where to purchase.

[Nick Fiddes]

I tend to be of the school which says that, all other things being equal, I will order from a US business.

And here I'd absolutely agree with you. My point was that all the other things aren't always equal. But if you can get the same goods at the same price and quality etc. locally, it's a no-brainer.

[Monkey@Arms]

I'm obviously biased James, but I can't agree that buying locally is always best. And if I can be perfectly frank (sorry, this isn't meant to sound offensive, so please don't read it that way) the voices that regularly express similar sentiments on this board can sound to European ears either a bit protectionist, or dare I say a tad parochial. I of course know that the US imports lots of stuff. But I think in Europe as consumers we're perhaps somehow more used to centuries of international trade with authentic goods coming from the best source to supply them (not least due to our colonial history) whereas Americans are maybe more used to (rightly or wrongly) assuming American is best, and looking first within their own borders.

I suspect your only partially correct here, Nick. The fact is most people in the U.S. never order anything directly from another country, even if the product is manufactured elsewhere, thus the amount of personal import duties come as a shock. (E.g. I may think Swiss watches are the best, but it would never occur to me to import one directly.) So part of the issue is one of consumer education.

Best regards,

Jake

[James MacMillan]

I'm obviously biased James, but I can't agree that buying locally is always best.

Heck no it isn't always best. You and I are both correct. But, the barriers in money if nothing else make looking for a local product very attractive. I don't think we are at cross purposes here.

I have purchased many, many things from Scotland, and will do so in the future. But, if I can find the same quality locally, why go abroad? And that works both ways. Why would you order something from the states, if you could get it down the street?

The majority of items originally purchased in the start of this thread could have been purchased locally.

Most of us of Scots blood lines are very frugal with our money. AND that doesn't mean that we won't buy quality items.

You are in business to sell to us. Good! We will buy from you. But, as I am sure you know, there are people across the pond here, that are in competition with you.

No offence meant or taken.

[McClef]

I know that they were within the UK but the packaging of the stuff I have had from Kiltstore has always been robust.

Competition too is a great thing but not easy when tariffs and taxes on international transactions skewer the comparison.

Quality fortunately is international although our assessment of it can be affected by factors beyond the control of the supplier.