ever heard of kowil group of industries?

[Riverkilt]

You can have any two of price, quality, or service.

My guess is they offer price and service...or maybe just price.

Too lazy/cheap to take their own pics of their own products is a huge red flag with an alarm bell ringing loudly too.

[wildrover]

When I browse the tents at the various "Celtic Festivals", I do notice that a great deal of the small detail items are made in Pakistan...jewelry, cheap sporrans, cords/knots, inexpensive knives and sgian dubhs...

Some of the goods are very nice. Some are dubious, like the sporrans made from imitation "leather" (the leather dust stuff). I've no doubt that a talented sporran maker in Pakistan could turn out an excellent leather sporran, if only they'd use real leather, just guessing based on the quality of some of the other Pakistani origin stuff I've seen.

It's a shame that low quality has been associated with Pakistan...since it's more the desire for inexpensive goods that drives down the quality, than any inherent failing of the people making the goods.

IIWY, I'd look at festivals first, to see if anyone has any of the items you're looking for in stock and able to see in person. Also, again this is just me, I'd try to set up a purchase through a major reseller or importer...they are more likely to get goods and services along with the price, so you don't end up screwed like a few people here have been.

-Sean

[artificer]

You can have any two of price, quality, or service.

My guess is they offer price and service...or maybe just price.

Too lazy/cheap to take their own pics of their own products is a huge red flag with an alarm bell ringing loudly too.

Aye, stock (or worse, stolen) photos always screams "SHIFTY" (and you're welcome to replace an F, if you take my meaning and are so inclined)

Too lazy to have ACTUAL pix of their ACTUAL products should be a warning to all. If you're too lazy to pick up a camera, you're too lazy to get something right.

Or worse, they're trying to hide the actual product...

I'm not saying EITHER of these is the case, but that's how I read this type of situation.