So, would you publicly trash someones work if you had not made them aware that there was a problem and given them the chance to fix the problem? If you would, that is what I would call "mean spirited and vindictive".Mike in Seattle said:
**************Bebop said:You can't feel screwed if you never complained to the hatter. He might have made me a new hat or refunded money or given me good reasons for the problems I found. If you feel screwed and don't complain, you kind of screwed yourself.
I know that Fedora and Art are hatters that are idolized and defended by people no matter what and I certainly did not mean to offend your hat heros. They are fine hatters that deserve the good reputation they have. :eusa_clap There are thousands of custom hats out there that prove how great they can be. (If anyone wonders why not everyone wants to complain about a hatter, the reasons are laid out in Mulceber's posts. Not worth the rath).Mulceber said:
Seriously, I did do those free, and everyone knew at that time that I was just in the learning stages. I am still gratified that so many trusted me with their hats!! I figure I reblocked 60 to 70 hats back in those days, and it would not surprise me that the early ones may not have been up to snuff. But, that was a learning experience. He had just gotten over the flu, so this may have had something to do with it. I never tried to get the hat replaced, I gave it away. Cost me 450.00 bucks too. But, Gary prompted me to make my own hats, and therefore save the big bucks. So, I owe him.......kinda, sorta. Fedora[Before Fedora started making hats he reblocked Akubras, PB's, etc. There was one complaint he did on the job he did on one of those jobs. /QUOTE]
Guilty as charged!!! Although, I do not remember the incident. But, please remember, that this was when I was doing all of those refurbs and reblocks free, no money involved. I guess I must have done 50 or so hats, perhaps more. I was learning the craft, and I am still amazed at the number of folks who trusted me with their hats. Although, I can recall a couple that would send an old beater, and then once they saw I could actually make the hat look better, they would send me the good ones!!!LOL But, I can honestly say, that each and every one of these trusting people, got their money's worth.
Back on topic. I too have bought a hat from Mr. White. Around 8 or 9 years ago. Cost me 450.00 and the sweatband fell out a week later. Gary had just got back to work from a bout of influenza, and apparently had forgotten to put the permanent stitches. The temporary stitches would not hold the leather in the hat. I never called him, or tried to get him to make it right. I guess I should thank him, because I sewed that leather back in, and that was the start of my learning the craft. I gave the hat away shortly thereafter. I think Michaelson still has the hat. I have worked on the hat once or twice since that time, and discovered later on, that the felt was fairly low quality stuff. Yugoslavian felt.(this is not to say they do not make some good felt) Once the war broke out over there, he changed suppliers, and I have no clue what sort of felt he is using now. But, Gary is a nice fellow, very affable. And, I think that he actually makes his hats, unlike some hatters who only do the blocking. I think he makes the hat, from start to finish. I like that. Now, not that it really matters, but many custom hats are actually made by hourly employed girls, once the body is blocked and the brim is cut. So, what you basically see is their work, and not the actual hatter himself. The neatly seated, and belled sweat, the stitched in liner, the ribbon and bow work, the brim binding.......all done by a seamstress of sorts. Just like the old Stetson factories were run. The men made the felt, did the blockwork, and the girls put it together. Fedora
