Tartan tat kings go Scottish

[Galician]

I think that this shows that the Gold's feel that they have the economic clout to start taking on the regular kiltmakers. Isn't it an old economic stategy to weaken an opponent by underpricing him/her, till you can take over their business?

[auld argonian]

I think that this shows that the Gold's feel that they have the economic clout to start taking on the regular kiltmakers. Isn't it an old economic stategy to weaken an opponent by underpricing him/her, till you can take over their business?

You're absolutely right and there is nothing that anyone can do about it.

Unless a conspiracy between two or more companies to fix prices in order to drive some other competitor out takes place, it's still a free market and anything goes.

You may note, however, that there are still Jaguar, Audi, BMW and Lexus dealers managing to stay in business in spite of the Chevy, Ford, Toyota and Kia dealers that seem to be thriving all around them. Sometimes you just have to face the fact that your product has appeal to one segment of the market and you will have to kiss the other segment or segments goodbye. Mr. Nicholsby seems to have the problem of providing a quality upscale product on a street where he's surrounded by shops bearing signs that say "Cheap Kilts Here!" in big day-glo letters (I've not seen this but I'm speaking figuratively here). Further frustrating him is this problem of the kilt being a Native Scottish art form that's being crowded out by foreign made versions...thus the idea of having some kind of certification of a product made in Scotland versus one made "overseas". What does the competition do? They find a local contractor and short circuit the whole "nation of origin" thing.

Kilt Wars: The Gold Brothers Strike Back.

Best

AA

[auld argonian]

...and to follow up that thought...

From a marketing standpoint, this is where Mr. Nicholsby might consider his list of celebrity clients (or getting a list of celebrity clients to act as spokespersons).

I would sure as hell not want to settle for a cheapie when I know that Ewan McGregor, for example, shops at a place just down the block where I can get the genuine article just like Ewan for a couple of bucks more. I'm certainly worthy of a real kilt just like the celebrities wear, aren't I?

Look what Michael Jordan did for gym shoes.

Now, I don't know if Mr. McGregor shops at Howie's but that's just an example for argument's sake. One would think that some of the native Scots might rally to the cause to support the Scottish National Identity of the kilt.

As a buddy of mine used to say, "Why eat hot dogs when you can have steak?"

Best

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[highlander_Daz]

To be honest the only time I went in Howies shop i was enquiering for a price on a pipers doublet, the price I was quoted was VERY expensive and an attempt was made to persuade me to buy a SH one (complete with cigarette burn) for a very high price, I did however buy some ex hire cream hose for £2 for muddy funerals etc.

It really is frustrating to see the way the golds/singhes have turned symbols of Highland culture, Tartan, Kilts, Bagpipes etc. into ways of ripping people off.

[slohairt]

You're absolutely right and there is nothing that anyone can do about it.

Unless a conspiracy between two or more companies to fix prices in order to drive some other competitor out takes place, it's still a free market and anything goes.

You may note, however, that there are still Jaguar, Audi, BMW and Lexus dealers managing to stay in business in spite of the Chevy, Ford, Toyota and Kia dealers that seem to be thriving all around them. Sometimes you just have to face the fact that your product has appeal to one segment of the market and you will have to kiss the other segment or segments goodbye. Mr. Nicholsby seems to have the problem of providing a quality upscale product on a street where he's surrounded by shops bearing signs that say "Cheap Kilts Here!" in big day-glo letters (I've not seen this but I'm speaking figuratively here). Further frustrating him is this problem of the kilt being a Native Scottish art form that's being crowded out by foreign made versions...thus the idea of having some kind of certification of a product made in Scotland versus one made "overseas". What does the competition do? They find a local contractor and short circuit the whole "nation of origin" thing.

Kilt Wars: The Gold Brothers Strike Back.

Best

AA

True, but only one of those car companies is an independent company: BMW. Audi belongs to VW, Jaguar belongs to Ford, and Lexus is Toyota's luxury line.

[Frank McGrath]

companies is an independent Jaguar belongs to Ford, .

Ford sold Jaguar to an India based auto manufacturer. Is nothing sacred?

When one man builds a widget, the next guy will try to build a cheaper widget so he can sell more. It's just human nature. And the more people complain about it, the more advertising no. 2 gets for free. Like my mum used to tell me, Just ignore it and it will go away. But as long as people want a good deal (cheap prices), this kind of thing will go on forever.

[McClef]

In the spirit of your post, I respectfully disagree. Edinburgh is not unique and mostly they are just meeting demand. My sister has an office in S Africa and one in Lexington KY so we travel quite a bit, I have business (and pleasure) dealings all over the world and I don't mind visiting when necessary. I see CRAP being sold everywhere. Tourists have money to spend on trash, so they buy trash in Scotland, Mexico, Argentina, Botswana, Australia, I could go on forever. Those who want authentic study and pay accordingly.

Breeks are fairly expensive as well. Retailers here want $179 and up. I am still kicking myself for not having a nice pair made when the dollar was worth something.

David

I am completely aware that tourist trash is sold the world over David but its trash competing with other trash. And no matter that the name of the place on the souvenir is its probably been made in China.

Not trash competing with quality. You show me another place where you have trash kilt shops passing off the impression that their wares are genuinely Scottish (thanks to the misleading labelling) and those with the real home made article and I will believe you that Edinburgh is not unique in that respect. Economics is one thing, economics with ethics is another.

If you want to buy a particular TV for example it's the same entity no matter where you find it and no matter what the price difference for it may be between suppliers (and these difference can indeed be substantial). Golds are not selling the same entity but are trying to give the impression that they are.

[sharpdressedscot]

If it's not Scottish, it's crap!!!

[Nanook]

Much of the "discussions" regarding the "Gold Bros" is little more than bigotry motivated by economic desire and want of racially defined privilege. The same kind of talk one would have heard 100 years ago. The simple truth is: much of the textile industry in the U.K.--- including much of the Scottish industry--- has been since the late 19th century driven by migrants (and not just household names of today such as Burtons, Burberry, Marks and Spencer).
A suit is not a suit and a pair of pants are not a pair of pants, not all shoes are the same and kilts are not all the same. Does the availability of $30 suits have any impact of the business of Brioni, Kiton or Oxxford for $4000+ suits? Does the availability of $10 plastic shoes effect the business of Alden ($350-600+ shoes)? Absolutely NOT.
The "Gold Bros" sell cheap ("Tartan tat") kilts quite legitimately. "Designed in Scotland"? How about those $100 USD Adidas, Puma, Nike etc. training shoes? Made in Viet Nam, Thailand, Bangladesh, China! Designed (perhaps) in USA.. perhaps not.. How about all those $500-$600 designer suits? Most are made in China? How about U.S. colonial furniture? Nearly all of it: Made in China. And that Apple iPod? "Designed in California, Made in China".
Pakistani kilts? What do you think those replica (WPG) kilts are made? And most of the economy and "frugal" kilts mentioned here? ALL of them!
Are the "Gold Bros" cheating tourists selling them something different from what they think it is? Absolutely NOT. You think Scots don't buy these cheap kilts? Of course they do.. Cheap imported kilts, sporrans etc., shoes made in India or China. Food from discount shops with questionable economic and labour policies. Is the US any different? How often do I see the name "WalMart" mentioned in this forum!

[Raphael]

If the Gold Brothers are barred from trading in Edinburgh, how much more business will the traditional kilt shop made or will they force to sell cheap kilts because the tourists can't afford the 'real one.'

Tourists buy kilts because they want to bring home a piece of Scotland with them, but not all of them can afford hand sewn creations with them.