Adventurebilt hats status update (read if you have an outstanding order)

[Duper]

Your "nice" and my "nice" may be a bit different but David Morgan could probably fix you up with a nice Akubra for your trip. Even one of the Aussie exporters should be able to get something to you in under 3 weeks if you order what they have in stock. Let us know when your hat arrives from Mr. Delk and have a very safe and fun journey.

 

[djd]

I ordered from Steve a couple of years ago. He said six weeks and I think I had it in seven. Fingers crossed for you.
The Fed IV is a very tough hat and as suggested above you should get it in three weeks. Personally in the conditions you're talking about I'd go for a fed IV rather than something too nice....

 

[99999]

Is a Fed IV difficult to learn to bash for someone who has never shaped a hat before? Else, any other alternatives you can think of which would work well out in the outdoor elements?

 

[DJH]

99999, it is pretty simple to make an open crown hat into an Indy style.

Check out this video from John Penman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozJKQVCgeZ4 (I was going to embed it, but didn't want to stray too far off topic)

Also, don't give up on Steve. The hat he made for me last year took a couple of weeks longer than he originally quoted, but he came through.

 

[Zombie_61]

Is a Fed IV difficult to learn to bash for someone who has never shaped a hat before? Else, any other alternatives you can think of which would work well out in the outdoor elements?

Speaking as someone who has only shaped one hat in his life so far (my own Fed IV), in the video DJH linked to John Penman makes it look easy because he's had so much experience shaping hats, but it really is just that easy if you want something as simple as a "center dent" bash. And Akubra's hats are known for their durability, so you can re-shape the hat later if you want to without worrying about damaging it (which makes the Fed IV, or any Akubra open crown hat for that matter, a good hat to practice on).

 

[mingoslim]

Glad I found this thread, but makes me skeptical about my recent order. I am leaving for Africa in 3 weeks, and 2.5 months ago I ordered a new hat from Mr. Delk based upon the promise that he could have it to me before I left. he said it would be 6 weeks, which puts it at a few weeks over due. wouldn't be a problem, but although Steve was quick to reply to my emails when I was looking at placing the order, he has not responded to a single one since, nor any voice mails. nothing. In the mean time, I really want/need a nice hat for Africa, going on Safari, up Mt. Kilemanjaro, as well as doing some humanitarian stuff. I really want a nice hat for this big adventure. I am also considering a Brent Black Safari hat, but now I am afraid I can't buy anything nice that can be delivered in 3 weeks... any ideas?

He promised you a hat in 6 WEEKS!??????
In 6 months, I will have been waiting 6 years.
And he has not responded to my voicemails, emails or certified letters . . .

I feel for you . . .

 

[99999]

Actually, he emailed me back last night and said it should ship out today! I will reply here with a pic as soon as I receive it.

 

[theinterchange]

Not to be a complete snot, but I don't think any amount of third-party excuses can justify the fact that he has people waiting HALF A DECADE (or more) for a hat while others have theirs in a few weeks or months. That's inexcusable, even with illness. Flat out, it doesn't make sense. What hold up on the 5+ year hats doesn't exist with people who ordered a few months ago and are getting hats?

I remember a few years ago when people would complain about lack of communication from Delk. He'd come on here and Club Obi-Wan and write essay length posts about the most trivial of matters [like, say the little bow on the sweatband back] that almost always ended with something like "I just don't have time to email and call my customers, I'm busy filling orders.".

I just don't get it... I really don't. I feel for anyone who has been waiting for their Delk hats, and am glad I decided against ordering one from him.

Randy

 

[djd]

I guess he's one of those guys who doesn't like having uncomfortable conversations? I don't agree with his business decisions but he's an honest guy. His health situation is just dreadful to hear and it makes me glad that we don't have that ruinous system of 'care' here.

 

[theinterchange]

I guess he's one of those guys who doesn't like having uncomfortable conversations? I don't agree with his business decisions but he's an honest guy. His health situation is just dreadful to hear and it makes me glad that we don't have that ruinous system of 'care' here.

Oh, I'm not calling him "dishonest" either! Just more than a little mixed up on how a business should be run. I know he's been through Hades and back in terms of his health, so delays were/are expected! Anyone who thinks a one man operation should flow smoothly when that one man is down... well... they have issues. BUT I don't at all agree with someone "skipping around" in the order queue, leaving some orders for years and filling others in weeks/months. Oh well.[huh]

I do feel for him in his health problems, I know it's murder.

Randy

 

[theinterchange]

I guess he's one of those guys who doesn't like having uncomfortable conversations? I don't agree with his business decisions but he's an honest guy. His health situation is just dreadful to hear and it makes me glad that we don't have that ruinous system of 'care' here.

Oh, I'm not calling him "dishonest" either! Just more than a little mixed up on how a business should be run. I know he's been through Hades and back in terms of his health, so delays were/are expected! Anyone who thinks a one man operation should flow smoothly when that one man is down... well... they have issues. BUT I don't at all agree with someone "skipping around" in the order queue, leaving some orders for years and filling others in weeks/months. Oh well.[huh]

I do feel for him in his health problems, I know it's murder.

Randy

 

[jlee562]

Gentlemen, considering the last Adventurebilt thread was closed because of such continuing disagreements, I suggest that we all agree to disagree and leave the issue to rest. At this point, nobody is covering new ground.

 

[bendingoak]

Not to be a complete snot, but I don't think any amount of third-party excuses can justify the fact that he has people waiting HALF A DECADE (or more) for a hat while others have theirs in a few weeks or months. That's inexcusable, even with illness. Flat out, it doesn't make sense. What hold up on the 5+ year hats doesn't exist with people who ordered a few months ago and are getting hats?

I remember a few years ago when people would complain about lack of communication from Delk. He'd come on here and Club Obi-Wan and write essay length posts about the most trivial of matters [like, say the little bow on the sweatband back] that almost always ended with something like "I just don't have time to email and call my customers, I'm busy filling orders.".

I just don't get it... I really don't. I feel for anyone who has been waiting for their Delk hats, and am glad I decided against ordering one from him.

Randy

I think you are getting people mixed up. I was the one who talked about the little sweatband bows not Steve.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I am getting the feeling this thread is running away a little. Wonder why it has not been brought back on topic. Its "status update for outstanding order". Not a complaint thread.

My thoughts.


With that in mind does anyone know where Steve is at? What year/month of orders he is at?

Johnny

 

[99999]

I was told last week that he was working on March orders, which was in line with my 6 to 8 week order projection... If it is any help to those with very long outstanding orders, a condition of my order was that I could have the hat by June as I am leaving for a bit trip to Africa, and that was the purpose of the purchase. so Steve may have been going overboard to get mine done in time per my condition for order.

 

[facade]

Not to be a complete snot, but I don't think any amount of third-party excuses can justify the fact that he has people waiting HALF A DECADE (or more) for a hat while others have theirs in a few weeks or months. That's inexcusable, even with illness. Flat out, it doesn't make sense. What hold up on the 5+ year hats doesn't exist with people who ordered a few months ago and are getting hats?

I remember a few years ago when people would complain about lack of communication from Delk. He'd come on here and Club Obi-Wan and write essay length posts about the most trivial of matters [like, say the little bow on the sweatband back] that almost always ended with something like "I just don't have time to email and call my customers, I'm busy filling orders.".

I just don't get it... I really don't. I feel for anyone who has been waiting for their Delk hats, and am glad I decided against ordering one from him.

Randy

Any money he had was burned through during his illness. In order to pay bills, eat, and make hats, he has to have new orders coming in. If he doesn't prioritize the new orders first, they will dry up and he will have no source of income. He is using the current income to purchase the resources necessary to full fill the back orders. So if he works on the back orders first and ignores new customers, in short order, no one will be getting any hats, new or old. That at least is my understanding of the situation.

 

[DJH]

That's my understanding as well. No income from new orders = no delivery of old orders.

 

[99999]

Got mine from Steve yesterday, took a couple of weeks longer and communication was scarce, but when finished he let me know, sent me the tracking number, etc... the hat is amazing. I'll post pics today if I can. just in time for Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa!

 

[Rogera]

:eusa_clap

 

[jchabalk]

Hi there, this thread's been dormant for a little while, just wanted to see if anyone's gotten a hat lately or knows where Steve might be in the current backlog.

cheers-