Seattle's KING-5 Blasts Clansman Knitwear

[Rex_Tremende]

Kilt ordered at festival never arrives
11:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 4, 2009
By JESSE JONES / KING 5 News

Joshua Jay is proud of his Scottish heritage, and he even has a tattoo to prove it.

"I'm just big on history and knowing where I'm from," he said.

He traces his family roots to the Buchanan clan.

Four years ago while at the Highland Games in Enumclaw, Joshua made a down payment for a family kilt with a company called Clansman Knitwear out of California.

"You put $100 down and if you don't get the actual kilt in twelve weeks, then the rest of it is free," they said.

Well, 12 weeks turned into 12 months.

The next year, Joshua went back to the games and talked to the owner. He got part of his order, a shirt, belt and sporran, but no kilt.

"Every time I actually called, I got to his voicemail. It would say the voicemail is full," said Joshua.

Joshua gave up a few years ago, but his mother told him to call us.

Turns out, Joshua wasn't alone. Clansman Knitwear had other problems filling orders at the Highland Games. So many, the organizers gave the company the boot.

We called Clansman Knitwear. The company admitted Joshua's order had fallen through the cracks and they promised to make good on the free kilt.

But just to make sure Joshua gets something, I spoke with the organizers of the Highland Games and they'll make sure Joshua is taken care of, no matter what Clansman Knitwear does.

The Better Business Bureau says if you buy anything from a festival this summer, get it all in writing. Also, get as much contact information from the vendor as possible. If a down payment is required, use a credit card. The charges can be disputed if the sale goes wrong.

How is it that the reporters can get through, but customers can't?

Regards,
Rex.

[ghostlight]

Mistakes are one thing. It won't cost an otherwise good business my future business if they work with me to correct a simple mistake. Mistakes happen, life goes on, no problem.

Cracks are something else entirely. All business includes pitfalls and hazards. Build bridges so that your customers don't have to fall into them.

[RamsayClanCommish]

LOL>...good for them for putting the spotlight on this particular vendor!!

I imagine they got through because they introduced themselves as reporters. The guy probably thinks he has a reputation ot save still or he wants to save what little business he has.

I certainly wont do business with him again after all of the word I have gotten on him and not getting the merchandise I wanted.

I hope the fellow gets his kilt. And maybe Mr. Jay will find this board and become a X-Marker.

[JolyStNicholas]

As far as I can see he has no reputation to save. There is no excuse for what he is attempting to do.

There are several terms that come to mind that would fit a business man like him!

[KeithM]

Clansman knitwear took me for $700 and Ralph will not answer the phone or respond to emails. Unfortunately, I am deployed with the US Army and cannot pursue this more. I hope to find him one day or his company at a games. I urge no one to buy from his company or allow him into their games.

[Monkey@Arms]

For any new members of the board, a search of the forum for term "Clansman Knitwear" will reveal that why no one should place an order with this company.

Best regards,

Jake

[Rex_Tremende]

I just re-read the story...

"You put $100 down and if you don't get the actual kilt in twelve weeks, then the rest of it is free," they said.

Well, 12 weeks turned into 12 months.

The next year, Joshua went back to the games and talked to the owner. He got part of his order, a shirt, belt and sporran, but no kilt.

For $100, CK still probably turned a profit on that transaction. I doubt there will be a kilt from them in Joshua Jay's future.

Regards,
Rex.

[SteveB]

This business has been on complaint with the Better Business Bureau in Pennsylvania since June 2001. Many unresolved complaints.

[Colonel MacNeal]

I'm glad I never bought from Klansman Knitwear, and I never will!

[RamsayClanCommish]

I wonder with all the complaints and the undelivered merchandise how many times Ralph has been taken to small claims court?

I also wonder how many relatives he has over in Scotland that have died and he couldn't get to those orders due to "funerals".