What do you do if a small vendor doesn't keep their promises?

[davidlpope]

I just went to your wedding thread and saw that the retailer was Peter MacHummel with Canadian Casual Kilts.

When I searched for "Peter MacHummel" here at XMarks this thread popped up right away:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...er-here-51100/

[creagdhubh]

I just went to your wedding thread and saw that the retailer was Peter MacHummel with Canadian Casual Kilts.

When I searched for "Peter MacHummel" here at XMarks this thread popped up right away:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...er-here-51100/

Well done, David. I'm glad this particular vendor has been brought to the fore once again. Businesses should never operate in this manner.

[Riverkilt]

Sadly, some vendors take advantage of the trust on this board...I believe in sharing the facts, including the vendor's name, to warn others.

Not all are crooks...some are trapped by circumstance but remain too hopeful something will bail them out.

There have been many over optimistic kiltmakers come and go - its a tough business. Sadly, some customers get hurt on the going out of business side.

The best protection is to deal directly with the maker - which you did with the kilt. Middlemen are at the mercy of their sources...

But not standing up and making it right someway, somehow deserves fair warning for the rest of us. And, as mentioned, methinks this isn't the first time for this vendor.

[CMcG]

I'd like to add some background to this situation. I'm not trying to make excuses for Peter, who I've actually met in real life, but rather just giving some context.

Canadian Casual Kilts is a very part-time business and is run on an amateur basis out of Peter's home. He is a full-time school teacher and has young children at home, so I'm sure his attention is scattered. I've had dealings with him in the past and I felt like I was dealing with a buddy who happens to make kilts, instead of a business. This means his logistics can be haphazard and he needs to be reminded about things.

Long story short, I'd advise Llama to stick with it, because he can probably work something out with Peter. It's not cool to get the run around from a vendor, but I don't think that hope is lost yet, in this particular situation.

[seanachie]

I have dealt with other part time vendors and people who supplement their income working their crafts on these boards. I have had one instance when someone had a family issue that cropped up and they notified me immediately, and I was OK with it. Oconee Leatherworks, (CavScout) was another one where Steve said he needed to spend more time with his family and bowed out. But this was completely transparent and upfront. I am pretty tolerant and understanding when someone explains things and lets you know what exactly is going on.
When that does not happen it is pretty frustrating. Their is another vendor that immediately comes to mind who provided lower priced kilts
and has left many customers without product that comes to mind.

To my mind the service and communication are critical and if those are missing it is a significant issue.

[CMcG]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning what happened or the way it went down. I totally agree that service and communication are key.

I still think, however, that Llama could get some satisfaction, which would be better than writing off a couple hundred dollars to experience!

[tundramanq]

I am glad there was interest in these Ravenswood kilts on the board, causing me to make what became a journal string on a transaction that went south.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...er-kilt-73814/