Let The Buyer Beware

[MacWage]

So, with all this talk about NEGATIVE online ordering, who are the best online companies to deal with? I read repeated references to "our sponsors"....are they just the 4 companies (USAK, FK, SP, SWK) with the mini-logo-banners at the top of the page, or are there others?
Specifically, I just need some new hose/flashes/belt buckle. It's crazy that hose varies from $9 - $30 for basic, coloured hose (not diced/popcorn/handsewn, etc...) on different sites...

p.s. I CAN recommend Sport Kilt for superb customer service to all who read this. Seamus is very accommodating and professional. Slainte!

If it SAYS anything, we know the FIRST NAMES of the owner and operators of those companies (and Josh at Neo Kilt) and call them by name, AFFECTIONATELY!
I would recommend dealing with the ones that post on the forum. THEIR reputation is on the line, ALL the time (and they know it-> as they SEE and READ the complaints and compliments ON HERE!) and are some of the BEST folks in the business.

[wscottmac]

McWage -- again, vague, laddie! Name the names o' the good uns, nay just an ambiguous "the ones that post on the forum." I kinnay tell who's got a store, and who's just blabbin'!
(wish I was still up in the carolinas -- i'd make it to yer kirkin wi' pride, as a born, baptized and raised Presbyterian)

[McMurdo]

That sounds like great news it gets better as well, good for you for taking the first step.

[Livingston]

We do have help for you with your kilt addition in our 12 step program:

Step 1. Buy kilts.
Step 2. Buy Hose.
Step 3. Buy flashes.
Step 4. Buy sporrans.
Step 5. Buy kilt pins.
Step 6. Buy fly plaids.
Step 7. Buy jackets.
Step 8. Buy sgian dubhs.
Step 9. Buy shoes.
Step 10. Learn to make kilts.
Step 11. Learn to make everything else above.
Step 12. Hang out on X-Marks.

Repeat as necessary and have a good time with friends and family.

[James MacMillan]

We do have help for you with your kilt addition in our 12 step program:

Step 1. Buy kilts.
Step 2. Buy Hose.
Step 3. Buy flashes.
Step 4. Buy sporrans.
Step 5. Buy kilt pins.
Step 6. Buy fly plaids.
Step 7. Buy jackets.
Step 8. Buy sgian dubhs.
Step 9. Buy shoes.
Step 10. Learn to make kilts.
Step 11. Learn to make everything else above.
Step 12. Hang out on X-Marks.

Repeat as necessary and have a good time with friends and family.

I know that this is supposed to be a twelve step program (for some obscure reason) but I had bad hicoughs at number 10 and 11.

I suggest:

Step 10. Have a kilt (or kilts) custom made for you.
Step 11. Learn who the best suppliers of all the above are.

[Mr. MacDougall]

Well, let's see... that would be Jerry of Stillwater, Matt of the Scottish Tartans Museum, Rocky of USA Kilts, Barb of Barbara Trewksbury Kilts, Steve of Freedom Kilts... at least, those are the ones I think of off the top of my head.

[MacHenderson]

I had a bad experience with Clansman Knitwear as well. I ordered one of their embossed celtic-knotwork belts; the guy said I'd get it within 3 weeks.
5 weeks later, I emailed asking about it. I got a prompt answer back saying the belt was out of stock, and they had to put an order in, and that I should get it within another 3 weeks. As a way of apologizing for the wait, they offered to throw in a free belt buckle, which made me feel a little better towards them.
Another 6 or 7 weeks later, and I had neither belt nor buckle. Numerously repeated attempts at contacting them, via email and phone, failed. I had sent a money order, though I was able to detract it and get my money back. I don't know if they ever got it, but I sent them one last e-mail cancelling the order, while informing them that I detracted the money order, as well as my reasons for cancelling the order.
Yet contrarily, a buddy of mine ordered a kilt shirt and some hose from them, and recieved it within the 3 week period. So while I myself will never do business with them again, it left me wondering if they're disreputable, or if they just flaked off with my purchase.

What we need is a nice, big list of all the vendors, along with people's general opinions on them. Does anyone think this is a good idea? If so, I'd be willing to organize a list.

[wscottmac]

What we need is a nice, big list of all the vendors, along with people's general opinions on them. Does anyone think this is a good idea? If so, I'd be willing to organize a list.

MacHenderson - I think that's a great idea! I'm always left searching around 6 or 7 sites for something I need. What we need is: Vendor name/website/phone number/address/what folks have ordered from them - then, some sort of rating scale on price/quickness/quality/customer service/etc. (like a 1-5 stars rating, mebbe?)

I'll certainly contribute.

We'll need a way to allow people to fill out a form (mebbe w/ dropdown menus) to input their info, then have this uploaded to a list. Mebbe we need an Admin to help with this....

GREAT idea...

[MacWage]

Well, let's see... that would be Jerry of Stillwater, Matt of the Scottish Tartans Museum, Rocky of USA Kilts, Barb of Barbara Trewksbury Kilts, Steve of Freedom Kilts... at least, those are the ones I think of off the top of my head.

Those are the main ones.
I was sure I would forget someone.
Sorry for the vagueness. I didn't realize the post requested specificity. I didn't want to leave someone out, like Robert of R-Kilts. Pete of Canadian Casual kilts, Rab Gordon in Inverness-sgians, and some of our other friends.

I have PERSONALLY dealt with Steve Ashton/Wizard of BC (Freedom Kilts in British Columbia), Rocky (USA Kilts), Pete (Canadian Casual), MAC (Matt) Newsome (Scottish Tartan Museum- STM), and Barb.
And for accessories: Steve/Cavscout (Oconee Leather), Turpin (Thorfinn Sporrans), and Matt Newsome (STM).

All have been pleasant to deal with and had NO problems with any of them.

[Beertigger]

The folks at Celtic Croft and Kiltrental.com should be added to the list of gud'uns.