Now those are some beautifully crafted hats. Sometimes, I think the word "artist" (in description of a craftsman) is overused and presumptuous, but not in this case....this hatter seems the point where good and inventive art meets the excellence of a crafted piece.
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Black Sheep Hat Works
- Thread starter jlee562
- Start date
Now those are some beautifully crafted hats. Sometimes, I think the word "artist" (in description of a craftsman) is overused and presumptuous, but not in this case....this hatter seems the point where good and inventive art meets the excellence of a crafted piece.
jlee562
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,103
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
I've got two hats with Bob, an old black Stetson No. 1 I bought from Garrett, and a new custom build. This one will decidedly NOT be vintage styled, so it might not be to everyone else's tastes, but, you know, it's my hat. 
A particularly dark black cherry felt with some vintage Japanese fabrics.
A particularly dark black cherry felt with some vintage Japanese fabrics.
- Messages
- 10,847
- Location
- vancouver, canada
Do you have pics of the finished black cherry?I've got two hats with Bob, an old black Stetson No. 1 I bought from Garrett, and a new custom build. This one will decidedly NOT be vintage styled, so it might not be to everyone else's tastes, but, you know, it's my hat.
A particularly dark black cherry felt with some vintage Japanese fabrics.
jlee562
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,103
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
None yet, still waiting on it.
I posted a few pages back about how long it’s been since my deposit, and I saw the recent posts about wait times and not wanting this thread to become a complaint fest, but I’m able to get zero contact back from them. My down payment was placed Aug 2018. I’ve sent emails, I’ve used their form on their site, and I left a voice message last month. Even if I wanted to get refunded at this point it doesn’t seem possible. My first hat from him went smoothly. Longer wait time than quoted, but not unreasonable and there was follow up. Now I wonder if my order is just lost. There’s little updating to his FB page or other social media. I’m assuming he is still in business?
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
He ignored all my emails once I ordered a hat and left my deposit. However, when I sent an email asking for a refund it was answered immediately and a refund was given without a question being asked.
It’s taking a lot or restraint to not say anything more.
moontheloon
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 8,592
- Location
- NJ
It's a shame because Bob is one of the best hat makers on the planet ... yeah, it pretty much ends there
The hat I have is amazing. When I ordered this second one I got what every got, target is 12 months. I’m well over 2 years and can’t even get a response to emails or phone calls. I’m hoping things are ok, no health issues (Covid) or anything, but it’s concerning there are zero updates to the website or social media.
- Messages
- 10,847
- Location
- vancouver, canada
This too was my exact experience about a year ago.
glider
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 389
Any hat is nicer than the hat you can't get !
- Messages
- 19,424
- Location
- Funkytown, USA
Unless you're Max...
Sent an email 3-4 days ago asking for a refund of my down payment. Haven’t heard a word. It would be nice to know that hats are being made and people are receiving their orders.
- Messages
- 10,847
- Location
- vancouver, canada
As a hatter that asks for a deposit, news of BlackSheep's lack of response saddens me, I think it casts its shadow on to all of us hatters.
- Messages
- 10,584
- Location
- Boston area
I hope all is well with Bob. As has been said, he’s probably one of the most creative and detail-oriented hatters going. The stale air on his website (the newest “What’s New” post is from 2018) is of concern to me. I really like Bob and his work. Let’s hope he’s well.
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Just wanted to follow up. The email I sent requesting the refund was answered and I got it back today. Not sure why I never got an answer to any other email or a voice message over the last 2+ years. I really wish this would have worked out because his work is amazing. I don’t like badmouthing a small business, but thought this was the place to see what was going on.
- Messages
- 10,847
- Location
- vancouver, canada
Well, not exactly a happy ending but at least an ending that got your money back.
- Messages
- 19,001
- Location
- Central California
Sorry you didn’t get the hat you wanted. I’m less inclined to excuse rudeness and appalling poor customer service no matter how great the hats are. Is there any doubt that he received all your previous emails and voice messages and just chose to ignore them? I’m not looking to tell anyone else what to do, but I’d never consider placing an order with a hatter who treated his customers this way.
Honestly can’t say. I used the same email address to contact again. Over the 2+ years I contacted them through their online form asking about it, two different email addresses, a message on a post they made on FB, FB messanger, and left a voice message. I really don’t mean to badmouth a business. Something got lost and who knows why I couldn’t get a response, but in the end I was very quickly refunded my deposit. Would I order again from them, no. I know others who received their order, so I wouldn’t tell someone else not to order if they are willing to wait.
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Tukwila
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,382
- Location
- SW of Antifa Central (PDX)
I have my hat and it was around 22-23 months as I recall. My wife's hat was also about 23 months. But I was quoted 12 months...
I would like another hat from Bob, but I just don't want to wait that long... and I like my hat, a lot. His Pinnacle edge treatment is really good, and Bob is the only hatter I know that can or is willing to do this.
But my BSHW hat is not my favorite hat. I like my natural from Michael Gannon more. I was actually surprised how stiff the felt was/is on my hat from Bob. He has mad skills and the details he can include are really something.
With that long of a wait, there is no way I would sell my BSHW fedora for less than what I paid, or maybe a bit more.
I would like another hat from Bob, but I just don't want to wait that long... and I like my hat, a lot. His Pinnacle edge treatment is really good, and Bob is the only hatter I know that can or is willing to do this.
But my BSHW hat is not my favorite hat. I like my natural from Michael Gannon more. I was actually surprised how stiff the felt was/is on my hat from Bob. He has mad skills and the details he can include are really something.
With that long of a wait, there is no way I would sell my BSHW fedora for less than what I paid, or maybe a bit more.
