Not happy with Buzz Kidder!

[Captain]

I'm at my wit's end!

This Monday I receive my Inverness Sporran from Buzz Kidder Originals... Adjust the chain because I don't have any CavScout's straps yet... attach one side of the chain, run it through the belt loops and attach the other end... Everything's fine... until I put something in it...

I put my wallet and keys in it, just to see how it lays with some weight (mind you only carry about 6 keys... this isn't some ginormous key ring or anything)... and POP! The rivet holding the D-ring on the right side pops off.

Now that's annoying, but easily fixed... I'll just send it back. Now, I've bought plenty online and the one thing I've learned is to double check with the vendor to see what they want you to do before sending it back... They may have a different address for returns, they may need to give you a Return Authorization... or maybe they want to send you a replacement and you can send the broken item back while the new one is in transit... whatever...

I'm now on day 5 of trying to contact Buzz Kidder Originals... I've emailed the email address on the website... I've left messages on the phone number listed on the website... Nothing... not one reply, not one call back... I'm about to take the stupid sporran to a local shoe repair place and just have him sew the leather on in place (which in my opinion is how it should have been attached in the first place!)

Sorry for the rant, but I'm not about to just ship it back without BK being aware of it's impending arrival (no need to lose $60 bucks to the "We never received it" fairy) and I don't really feel like going out and spending another $20-$40 to have it fixed when it's brand-stinkin' new!

Any one got any advice on how I should proceed (or know the BK peoples)?

[IEScotsman]

Keep doing what you're doing...
...but in the mean-time, a call to the Better Business Bureau might be in order.

[thescot]

I know it's basically a family business. If something is up family-wise, they're probably all out of pocket.

My one purchase from them was satidfactory, but I did find that actually contacting someone was a bit challenging. And they're spread over a couple of state.

Yeah, keep it up. I like to think it's a probablem that'll be fixed.

[cavscout]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I've been very happy with my two BK sporrans.

I've only ever tried to contact them on one occasion to request purchasing a sporran just like the pewter medallion but without the medallion (plane jane sporran). I never received a response so I just chalked it up to not being interested.

This may be inappropriate to suggest, but if it was me, you might try contacting one of our forum retailers that sell their products and see how they get in touch with them.

I hope you get it worked out as BK has so many nice products.

Thanks by the way for the positive plug

[Sciuropterus]

Just send it back with signature confirmation, they should take care of it. I've had to return items to them, it was never a problem.


Regarding the advice to call the BBB, don't bother.

The BBB is NOT a government authority, and has ZERO enforcement power.

They are a private organization that has an "official-sounding" name, which I think is misleading, as most of the people who "report" someone to the BBB think they are dealing with a government agency that has the power to actually do something.

Buried in the BBB website, you will find this admission:

"...the BBB is not a government or law enforcement agency, the Bureau cannot force a reply from a company; nor can it administer sanctions"


The BBB has been reported to use questionable sales tactics to get businesses to join.

[Captain]

Yeah, I've been in retail management and was basically told to try really hard not to laugh when people say they were going to report us to the BBB...

Just to update everyone... Mark from BK finally called back... He's got another Inverness ready to go, and he's going to throw that and a couple of T-Shirts in the mail tomorrow for me and asked that I send the damaged sporran back at my convenience.

I'm happy again, though I did notice how soon the call came after posting my "rant"...

[cavscout]

If you talk to Mark again, ask him about a "plain jane" sporran

oh and congratulations!

[McMurdo]

Good to hear, glad it has worked out.

[Captain]

I'll ask him about if I talk to him again... I can't imagine it would be a problem, since they pretty much make them when you order...

[The Wizard of BC]

Captain,

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with a Buzz Kidder retailer.

As soon as I saw your post I put in a call to the Kidder Brothers, (Buzz and Randy) because I know they do not check this forum often and I also know that they care about their reputation.

I got a call back from Buzz personally within an hour. Here is the jist of the conversation I had with him.

Please, everyone remember, I am not affiliated with Kidder Bros. in any other way than I carry their sporrans and belts in my shop and have always been very pleased with the service I have recieved.

Kidder Bros. (this is the company that actually makes things) is located in Arizona and is owned by Buzz and Randy Kidder. They also own an electronics firm which is where you have to call them if you wish to place a wholesale order.

There are Retail outlets of Kidder Bro. products all over N. America.

In California there is "Buzz Kidder Originals of CA". This is the company which you dealt with and which is owned by Randy.
In San Antonio TX there is "Buzz Kidder Celtic Shoppe". This Company is owned by Buzz's daughter.
Then there are others who also carry BK products such as Matt Newsome in NC, Rocky in PA, "Great Scot in IN, etc.

Each of these retail outlets is not owned or run by Buzz Kidder personally but it is his name on the product. So when I placed a call to AZ I was pretty sure I would get you an answer and solution to your problem.

I'm very glad that Randy got back with you and am glad you are happy with the solution.

This world of kilts is a small one. Most of the people in it know each other and I call many of them among my friends. Buzz and Randy Kidder are good businessmen. They care about their product, its quality, and the satisfaction of their customers with their product. This is only the second time in over 4 years that I have ever heard of someone being unhappy with a Kidder product. But as in the other case I heard of it was resolved to everyones satisfaction