The cost of buying from Scotland: new Argyle outfit arrives

[northernsky]

I want to thank Nick for replying on this thread. We will work out our differences through the proper channels rather than through a public forum. Working with kids and adults as I do, I know that there are always at least three versions of events: my version, your version, and what actually happened. I wrote my entry as a narrative, trying to show what happened from my side, but of course my story was coloured by my disappointment in getting a damaged package and then having some items not fit, and of course, after I had paid all the additional charges.

I want to state here categorically that the quality of the kilt is superb. I actually wore it last night as an outfit (without the jacket, and substituted a shirt of my own). The reviews were rave. I was certainly the talk of the event. I did not hesitate to say where I had got my kilt and vest, etc.

My disappointment comes in three ways:

First the packaging: Nick says that this isn't usually a problem and as someone whose business it is to mail order, he should know. I do suggest though for overseas orders, thicker gauge cardboard is used.

Sizing: I followed the directions, written and pictograph, to my best ability. As Nick says, different manufacturers use different methods, but the customer can't know that. I even sought out a professional to help me measure, and it seems we ended up measuring incorrectly.

Extra charges: Customs, duties, taxes and shipping are wholly my responsibility. I should have checked out with Canada Customs how much they would charge before hand--I did not. However, never in my wildest dreams did I think that the surcharges would amount to an additional 33%+. Had I taken that into consideration before I ordered, the story might have been very different. Mail-order businesses might want to include a rough guide as an extra bit of information to the customer.

And my comment about the belt buckle: I stand corrected. If this is the standard way of making them, then I can't really complain. It just wasn't what I had imagined.

Again I want to make very clear that the quality of the merchandise is first rate. The kilt is luxurious, fits perfectly (those measurements worked). The vest is very fine quality. Nick stands behind his product and did not hesitate to say return anything not to my satisfaction.

If someone wants fine Scottish made goods and knows/understands the extra charges, then Kiltstore would be a very good choice. I am sure I will have many years of proud wear of my outfit. I am looking forward to having the jacket and shirt in the correct sizes to complete it.

What have I learned? Make sure of all the charges beforehand. Use the telephone, as e-mail is not the best way of communicating. Be sure you know your sizes, and be prepared to wait a little longer than you had thought. Ask lots of questions. Mail-order is not the same as being in the shop and so you have to know exactly what you want and what you will get before you order.

[ccga3359]

I glad that you will be able to work things out. I've learned the hard way about shipping overseas. Always go with the national postal service and request the same from the shipper. Fed-Ex, UPS are their own brokers and charge exorbitant fees for that service. I purchase a lot on ebay and if they're not willing to ship USPS or Royal mail I'll look elsewhere. Can't do anything about duty, just hope that they're close to what you'd pay in GST & PST had you bought it in Canada. Also when returning merchandise amke sure that the postal service knows that as duty has already been paid for that and you don't need to be dinged twice or three times. So when are you going to post pics? Being proud to wear it and to show it off to others who'd appreciate it might help to take the sting out a little. Might I also suggest that your next kilt you look closer to home there are a couple of kilt makers in BC and we've got a couple in Ontario.

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Glad you are delighted with your kilt and you are going to be able to talk with Nick about your concerns. I did the mail order thing for my first kilt (I lived in Japan at the time) and I don't think I'd want to do it again, purely because I don't trust myself with measurements etc. I'm much more relaxed this time having the kiltmaker measure me up!

[Nick Fiddes]

Many thanks for your very courteous response northernsky. I'm grateful for your understanding. And I'll look forward to trying our best to sort things out to your satisfaction. I have to say I am very surprised to hear about the level of duties you were asked for, which is double or more what I'd expect to the US. I'm hoping we can maybe look into why.

[Nighthawk]

Thanks for this post, NorthernSky. I myself am planning on ordering a special weave kilt from them in the very near future. I had planned on possibly ordering a few other odds and ends. I had no intention of making a large order, as FedEx... abuses you... on taxes and duties, and I just refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for shipping. That's just plain silly in my view. I'll get my Argyll from USA Kilts. However, KiltStore has some beautiful kilt pins that I want. So it sounds like the wisest direction with KiltStore for those of us in the US is kilt and one or two small accessories, and get everything else here. I have been lucky enough to learn that lesson the easy way. FedEx rips you off, but they're also a little more reliable than public mail, so pick your poison.

[Nighthawk]

Many thanks for your very courteous response northernsky. I'm grateful for your understanding. And I'll look forward to trying our best to sort things out to your satisfaction. I have to say I am very surprised to hear about the level of duties you were asked for, which is double or more what I'd expect to the US. I'm hoping we can maybe look into why.

I've heard similar stories about these kinds of duties and tarriffs from other sources. That's the only reason that I haven't yet ordered my kilt from you.

It breaks my heart a little, too, because everyone who gets a kilt from you loves it. I really want one... which brings me to another question. The $48 for shipping on a $307 kilt. Is that including duties or do I have to buy my kilt from FedEx once they get it here?

[Nick Fiddes]

Hi Nighthawk, I'm afraid that the shipping is just for shipping. As I've explained elsewhere on these boards before, import duties aren't something we can cover, not least because they are so unpredictable. It's exactly the same for us in Europe when we import from the US - we have to pay duties this end. But do remember you're saving the 17.5% VAT we pay, so you're usually ahead! If you prefer (and specifically request it) we CAN ship an item like this airmail, but if so it's untracked and we have to ask for a disclaimer against it going missing in transit. Sorry!

[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.