Kirkland Signature (Costco) Italian Ties

[MadAboutPlaid]

I received the November edition of the Costco Connection in the mail today. There is an article about their new Italian ties.

"Kirkland Signature Ties are made by the same artisans who make high-end European labels."
It goes on to say they they are hand made it Italy by a "small group of women paying attention to every detail. The craft has been passed down from generation to generation. In an Italian tie, they don't use an iron to press it. It has rolled edges, no creases."

It then states that they would normally retail for $135 to $175 but they are $19.99 and there are 24 patterns.

I know that Costco only puts their Kirkland Signature name on high-quality products. Has anyone seen them in person? I may need to make a trip to check them out.

 

[D.B.Cooper]

That sounds really interesting. I'm always on the lookout for their "Made in Italy" Kirkland trousers, but they've never had them at the Costco I frequent.

 

[contactme_11]

Unless they tell us who the real maker of the "italian made" ties are, I'm going to assume they were really made in china.

 

[MikeDT]



Unless they tell us who the real maker of the "italian made" ties are, I'm going to assume they were really made in china.

A US retailer is passing of something as made in Italy, when in fact it isen't. Surely that would be unlawful? I'm sure the BBB would have something to say about this as well.

 

[Grenadier]



A US retailer is passing of something as made in Italy, when in fact it isen't. Surely that would be unlawful? I'm sure the BBB would have something to say about this as well.

Not necessarily. The legal definition of what constitutes "made in" often has almost no relationship to what most people would think "made in" means. Many luxury products are labeled made in Italy even though the great majority of the product is assembled in China; often the only part made in Italy is the label.

Besides, you can't get a tie that retails for $150 at another store for a retail price of $20. Something will be different.

 

[justinkapur]

ive seen them before and they look like crap


never really felt them or anything but they look really bad from what i saw

 

[Nicola]



Besides, you can't get a tie that retails for $150 at another store for a retail price of $20. Something will be different.

From the sound of it the ties are a store brand. They aren't sold anyplace else for $150. They're just claiming that would be the MSRP

 

[Grenadier]



From the sound of it the ties are a store brand. They aren't sold anyplace else for $150. They're just claiming that would be the MSRP

Yes, but Costco is claiming that it is selling a $150 tie for $20. Obviously, the tie is not actually a $150 tie. No doubt Costco is selling the tie at a much lower profit margin than the store selling the $150 tie, but the difference is too big. Costco may be selling a $60 tie for $20, but I doubt it is selling a $150 tie for $20.

 

[comrade]

If I remember correctly, I saw them on a recent visit.
They were, IMHO not worth looking over. Full disclosure:
I have my own preferences for neckties, so half of the
I-gent approved stuff from Drakes, Marinella, etc that my
fellow-members obsess over is of no interest to me.

 

[Pawz]

Why would Costco go through the trouble and expense of buying/fabricating Italian neckwear merely to sell it for $20 (and really - do you believe Costco has a fashion house in Milan)? The supposed demographic cannot be label whores; why would such a person flaunt a tie that came from the same store as their dog's food?

You know the ties are garbage. All right, they are perfectly good as ties (just... don't... dry clean them... unless you like paisley tie-dye), although the idea that Costco believes their product is just as good as (say) a tie by Isiah is stupid and implies that 80% of the mark-up resides in the name stitched to the product.

Methinks Costco is trying to make the statement that luxury brands and exotic materials are overpriced (Costco products are just as good if not better!). Personally, I view this implication as condescending on the part of Costco - which must view its customers as ignorant, impoverished peasants who are desperate to save a dollar. I guess I will buy my peanut butter elseplace.

 

[Trompe le Monde]



and implies that 80% of the mark-up resides in the name stitched to the product.

It is.

One trip to a developing country and you'll see the true base cost of things

 

[MikeDT]



It is.
One trip to a developing country and you'll see the true base cost of things

^^^^
This.

 

[Pawz]

Fine. *buys a Costco tie... and a box of Pop-Tarts while he's thinking about it*

 

[JohnGalt]

They may be "made in the same factory" but obvi costs are being cut somehow. Off hand, I would think:

- Less expensive fabric
- Large order volume
- Not as strict QC
- Less folds/finishing detail
- Less experienced workers

 

[Imhoff]



That sounds really interesting. I'm always on the lookout for their "Made in Italy" Kirkland trousers, but they've never had them at the Costco I frequent.

Made in Italy pants at Costco?? These exist??

And any pics of these ties??