Akubra Delays

[nickn5]

Sorry I can't help based on personal experience, however it does seem that Hats Direct have a responsive and helpful attitude so it might be worth trying them first.

N.

 

[Atticus Finch]

I just ordered a Campdraft from Hats Direct. The exchange rate used by my credit card company was not exactly that which was noted by the seller, but it was close enough. The total price (with shipping) was $94.40 USD. Just for comparison, Quality Hats is currently asking $159.95 for an Open Road; their shipping is free.

But, truthfully, the reasonable price was not what made me decide to buy a Campdraft. I already own one felt and two straw Open Roads, all of which are bashed with the standard "cattleman's crease". But for some time I've wanted an Open Road style hat bashed as a fedora. It seems that the open-crown Campdraft is the best avenue to this end. Sadly, and as much as I love them, I just don't believe that I have the skills or the tools necessary to re-bash a modern Stetson. Perhaps, with some luck, I'll be able to handle the Campdraft, though.

AF

 

[Atticus Finch]

I just got an e-mail form Hats Direct. They said that my Campdraft was in stock and would be shipped very soon. Frankly, I had prepared myself for news of a long backorder time. I'm very pleased to hear that I'll be able to wear my new hat this season.

AF

 

[citRon]

NO MOONSTONE FEDERATIONS!!

:rage: in my size, 57 until the end of MARCH!!!! AAHH!!!!
I got an email reply, from HD, said they had one coming in at the end of Feb, but it was already spoken for, next to come in won't be until the end of March.
That stinks. I like the 'Fedora' too, but I want the Moonstone color, and the black band.

 

[Carlisle Blues]

:rage: in my size, 57 until the end of MARCH!!!! AAHH!!!!
I got an email reply, from HD, said they had one coming in at the end of Feb, but it was already spoken for, next to come in won't be until the end of March.
That stinks. I like the 'Fedora' too, but I want the Moonstone color, and the black band.

When I ordered my Fed Deluxe IV in Moonstone Hats Direct informed me it would take a few weeks. Just received email that it was being sent. They have been very accurate with my several orders:eusa_clap .

 

[ET]

I ordered a Campdraft from Everything Australian- size 58 Silver Belly-on January 15th and got a shipping confirmation this morning. I fully expected the 3 month delay listed in the product description so I am pretty excited. First time I have ordered a "new" hat, so I hope it exceeds my expectations as far as fit and style too...

 

[citRon]

When I ordered my Fed Deluxe IV in Moonstone Hats Direct informed me it would take a few weeks. Just received email that it was being sent. They have been very accurate with my several orders:eusa_clap .

yeah, Jenny said they had the Deluxe in a 57, but no 'regulars'. I shoulda' just went ahead and got the Deluxe.

 

[skyvue]

Tomorrow marks the two-week mark since my pair of Stylemasters should have shipped from EA (I ordered them on 10/29), and I have no word on when they'll go out, other than an email from EA on 2/2 saying they were expecting the hats "any day now."

It's very frustrating, especially since I'd like to order a couple more hats -- perhaps even three -- but I wanted to wait until I could compare the fit of the 63s I have on order with the 62 I already own.

And I only have one hat to wear in the interim (I've abandoned my grey Largomarsino, as I just don't like the shape of it) -- a charcoal grey (black, for all intents and purposes) Sydney.

Alerting the buyer that he'll have a three-month wait for a hat is one thing, but missing that mark by at least two weeks (and counting) makes for a disgruntled (and potentially lost) customer.

grrr....

 

[nickn5]

Have to say I'm very pleased with Hats Direct, they shipped the Stylemaster Acorn out immediately, and it arrived with me on the opposite corner of the world about 10 days later.
They also warned me the day after my order that the Fed IV Deluxe in 58 would not be arriving with them until the end of the following week. Two days after that week ended, I had an email "your Fed has been shipped".
They have also done their best to reduce possible Customs problems etc.

So :cheers1: to Hats Direct, a happy customer here..

N.

 

[Woodfluter]

Just want to add that I've ordered 4 hats from Hats Direct, and they have been very communicative, very personable, friendly and prompt as they could be with shipments. Price quite reasonable. I have nothing but good things to say about them.

They don't carry all the Akubra models, however. I have a Flinders on order with another vendor since early October, that was expected "early 2009"; and it's still early, so I've no complaints there either. The merchants are at the mercy of the manufacturer, and I'd sure rather see them get things right than rush.

= Bill

 

[Hoss & da Posse]

Well, maybe I'm one of the lucky ones but I'll stand in defense of Everything Australian. Ordered a black Stylemaster on 10/30 or 31 and added a brown olive Tablelands on 11/1. The Stylemaster was a 3 month lead item and the Tablelands was not listed on their website as being available. Sam answered my emails within a day or two (I never took the time to figure out if the 2nd day was a result of when I sent the original email...maybe it was already tomorrow there) and was always brief but helpful. Received an email around the end of January notifying me that the items had shipped and I received the hats on 2/5...right at the 3 month mark. Priorities will vary, but for an Akubra at the best possible price including shipping charges, I'm very happy the EA is in the business of selling these fine hats. I will buy again (and again, I'm sure) especially as I have followed the thread reviewing the Capricorn straw as summers comin' in Georgia...

 

[skyvue]

Well, maybe I'm one of the lucky ones but I'll stand in defense of Everything Australian.

Your defense of EA reinforces my complaint: We both ordered a three-month-lead Stylemaster (I ordered two) in late October -- me on the 29th, you a day or two later.

You've had yours for nearly a week. Mine has yet to ship.

I love the price, but if they can't guarantee a three-month delivery (or, at least, something better than a four-month delivery, which is what I'm probably looking at now, let's face it), they should specify that on the website.

I had every reason to expect to be able to wear my hats for the entire month of February. Now, I'll be lucky if they're on my head before March.

I mean, I'm happy it worked out for you, but why your order -- similar to mine but placed a day or two later -- got to you at least two weeks before mine will get to me is a mystery.

 

[gtdean48]

...I mean, I'm happy it worked out for you, but why your order -- similar to mine but placed a day or two later -- got to you at least two weeks before mine will get to me is a mystery.

It has to do with size & color & when runs are planned by Akubra. I know IndyCop got his Campdraft in the same size as what I ordered at about the same time but his color was a tawny fawn & mine was different. They may run a set up for particular model, size & color in a sequence that made yours a couple of weeks later due to number of requests. It is all about production schedule & EA running just in time = NO stock on hand, which equals their prices & their low shipping charges. Also, I've always read the 3 month as a MINIMUM wait, not max or a guarantee to get it to you by 3 months...IMHO...

 

[Spats McGee]

Like Hoss & da Posse, I've got to step up for EA here. I've ordered two hats form them, both Stylemasters. The first was mid-brown and was labeled as having a 3-month wait. I knew that when I ordered and it arrived just shy of that mark. The second hat was mid-grey and not marked for the 3-month wait. When it didn't arrive by the time I thought it should, I emailed Sam. When he emailed me back, he was very honest about the reason for the delay: he'd forgotten to order it. It was a simple mistake and Sam 'fessed up to it. I'm good with that. Sam usually takes a few days to respond to my emails, but he's never failed to respond. I am sorry to hear that others haven't gotten such good service.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

We ordered my black Squatter from EverythingAustralian on 12/7 and haven't heard a word about it since. [huh] I'm assuming it'll be here by 3/7, as the site said 3 months.. but it would be nice if it came earlier.

 

[gtdean48]

My 11/21 order is expected some time in March, my 12/11 order is expected some time in April = this was reply I got from Sam at EA on Monday when I asked for an update. Both same style, same size, different colors...

 

[skyvue]

We ordered my black Squatter from EverythingAustralian on 12/7 and haven't heard a word about it since. [huh] I'm assuming it'll be here by 3/7, as the site said 3 months.. but it would be nice if it came earlier.

I never heard a word after the initial order confirmation until I reached the three-month mark and inquired by email.

I don't mean to sound unreasonable or difficult, but if the site's going to specify "three month wait" for particular items, they need to either hit that mark or let the buyer know a few days in advance that they won't be hitting it. In my case, they did neither. The three-month mark came and went, and I heard nothing from them until I followed up with an inquiry via email.

And different wording on the web site would be a good idea, too -- "3-4 month wait" would cover it. Then the buyer would know not to count on the hat by a particular date. Experienced hat buyers probably understand this going in, given their superior grasp of the vagaries of hat production, but newer customers might not.

 

[gtdean48]

I never heard a word after the initial order confirmation until I reached the three-month mark and inquired by email....

This being my first transactions with EA, I too reached out to them for an update after 2.5 months & only communication was the initial order acknowledgement. I used PayPal, so EA has actually had my funds. I think others that used credit cards only saw the charges when the hats were ready to ship from EA....

 

[Doctor Strange]

I've got my own test case going with EA.

Two weeks ago yesterday, I ordered a mid-Grey Stylemaster. I got an immediate confirmation email. Two days later, they charged my credit card. When I saw this, I asked via their online message system if my hat was backordered or in stock. I got no reply.

This strikes me as poor customer service, unless - as a reading of their stated shipping policy indicated - they don't send any notices when shipping immediately from stock.

If the hat shipped going on two weeks ago, it should turn up in the mail in the next couple of days. If I don't get it by this Saturday, I will be writing to them for clarification at the address that's been floating around here - and complaining that I really should have been notified when I was charged if the hat was backordered.

Having just been through an Akubra nightmare with Hats By The Hundred (AVOID THEM!), I'm hoping for better results with EA. For the record, all my past Australian-dealer buying experiences, with HatsDirect and Aussie Bush Hats & Oilskins, were fine...

 

[Spats McGee]

If I may ask, Doctor Strange, what did happen with Hats by the Hundred? I thought you had put them on the Good Guys List.

As for when we're charged for the hats, I have a theory. I can't verify this with 100% certainty, but from what I've read, it appears that merchants are charging at the time of order for debit cards, PayPal and the like, while credit cards aren't charged until merchandise ships. Can anyone confirm this?