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.