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

**creagdhubh** · 17th May 13, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by 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/

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** · 17th May 13, 06:43 PM

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** · 17th May 13, 08:27 PM

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** · 17th May 13, 08:57 PM

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** · 18th May 13, 05:47 AM

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** · 18th May 13, 03:42 PM

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/

**cessna152towser** · 19th May 13, 08:13 AM

I would agree with CMcG here.
I've also met Peter (McHummel) and he is a decent guy, if somewhat laid back.
If I were you I'd try to push this a bit further to see if you can reach some sort of compromise with him and then report the outcome back here.
Try to find a win-win situation.
For you to lose funds and for Peter's name to be tarnished would be a lose-lose situation for you both and would please nobody.
I once had a problem with a part-time kilt maker who took my money up front via Paypal then failed to deliver the goods as she had family issues. However I persevered and she eventually delivered an excellent kilt after more than a year's wait and we are still friends.

**Stan** · 19th May 13, 08:58 PM

I've read all the responses here, and the other thread (s) related to experiences with this guy. It looks to me like he has "chronic" problems, and I'll just leave it at that.

My suggestion? Move on, or sue him. I've dealt "companies" (people) who have an excuse for every "lack of performance" under the sun, and we all know where that goes, and how it originates.

Now that the members of this "community" know who he is, THEY can make the decision as to being, or NOT being a consumer or customer of his.

Personally I'm saying "Thanks for the heads up" . I'm not very (ever) concerned about being politically correct, and am for calling this deal just like I see it.

It just is what it is.

**BBNC** · 21st May 13, 04:51 AM

When my kilt order was approaching the far end of the time estimate, I received a phone call from the vendor explaining that the maker was ready to weave the fabric, and wanted to re-verify the tartan. The kilt took a couple weeks longer, but I was satisfied with the service. The vendor threw in the extra long garter ties I had also ordered at no charge.

On the other hand, a different vendor made no attempt to contact me after an order for hose was placed. Two weeks later, I inquired about a shipping date. The response was it would take "1 or 2 weeks for an update". I waited another week and sent an email explaining nicely that this was not how I do business. They apologized and finally indicated that my item had been back ordered and was expected within another week or two (coming from Scotland). Vendors, if you are reading this, take note...promptly saying something is back ordered is better than saying nothing.