Greetings

[RBH]

Welcome Mr. Range!:eusa_clap I quite sure there will be mutual sharing of answers to questions in the near future.
I think the two concerns I would have with the current production models is the quality of the felt (will it wilt in the rain or bounce back similar to a vintage lid?) and the colorfastness (will the color run when wet?) I think this will be a recurring pair of questions on this forum for some time.
Again, welcome to the Lounge!

Cheers!

Dan

Dan I agree but would add brim width and crown height. I think alot of us are once again looking for the higher crowns, and along with that the wider brims.
Just look at the threads here on Akubras hats. Also a open crown would be nice also.

 

[HamletJSD]

Overwhelmed much, Mr. Range?

Welcome! And please take everyone's fast and furious response to your appearance as optimistic enthusiasm ... I have only been a member here a short time, but I hear a lot of reverence for the name of Stetson (some posts lament that modern day quality is not what it used to be, but that complaint is fairly universal, not restricted to Hatco or Stetson by any stretch).

Anyway, welcome and welcome!!! :eusa_clap

 

[HATCO]

Hi Matthew. I dont think we met when I was last at the Stetson factory earlier this year . We have been dealing with Hatco since the factory made Resistol felt hats for the dress market. I am on the phone with Gary Rosenthal every week . I would love to talk to you more about the Stetson brand as everyone knows it is the most well known branded hat today on the market. It needs a little "push" in the quality control to get it up to where it was from a few years ago . I also hope to see more advertising done by Hatco as this is one of the biggest problems in the market today. In order to get the product out there , you need to advertise it and not just in the Clssic Style magazine. Those ads are great ,but that is to an audience that already knows the product. Magazines such as GQ have a far greater amount of readers who are very much affected by what they see in magazines.


Steven
Bencraft Hats
Sellers of Stetson, Dobbs and many more!!

Hi Steven,

I was actually the one taking pictures when you and your father visited. I would be more than happy to talk with you about dress hats. I'll be available on Friday. You can reach me by calling the front office or PM me for my direct line.

 

[carter]

Originally posted by HATCO
PM me for my direct line.

I don't believe it is possible to PM you. This is not available when we click on your avatar. (Considering the volume of response, this may not be a bad thing.)

 

[Fletch]

Once HATCO has made 15 postings to the board, he may send and receive PMs.

 

[Aaron Hats]

Welcome Matthew. I'd like to second what Steven said about the quality control. In particular the Weekender. I've had to return more of those than any other. In addition to more national advertising I think more could be done for in-store merchandising. Tilley Endurables is the king at this. A lesson could be learned from them. Hatco does a lot of posters for the western market but a little more for dress would be great. If I'm not mistaken you are responsible for the new Stetson metal sign which I think is great. I've actually asked my sales rep if I could buy some to sell in our store as I'm sure some of my customers would love to have one.

If you or anybody at Hatco wants a hat store owners perspective on things feel free to contact me.

Aaron

 

[Rick Blaine]

WELCOME!

How wonderful to have you here!
This is a dream come true for many of us.
I am sure you will be an asset to the forum.
I look very fwd. to your future participation.
...first one's on me...
:cheers1:
Cheers!

 

[HATCO]

Besdor and Aaron Hats,

Thanks for the messages. As far as advertising goes we have started working closely with a PR firm to get Stetson Hats placed in magazines and with celebrities. Hopefully you will see more soon.

I am open to doing posters. I would love to hear your opinions on what a successful poster would include.

 

[J.T.Marcus]

Is Knox a HATCO brand? Thanks JTM

 

[Aaron Hats]

For posters, you could use the ad in Classic Style and another with a 20 something wearing jeans, t-shirt and a stingy brim fedora. A tattoo on the arm might not be a bad idea either. Even though we call them dress hats there's a huge market out there who don't wear them with a traditional suit or sportcoat.

Aaron

 

[scotrace]

If I'm not mistaken you are responsible for the new Stetson metal sign which I think is great. I've actually asked my sales rep if I could buy some to sell in our store as I'm sure some of my customers would love to have one.

Uh... where can one see it?

 

[HATCO]

Is Knox a HATCO brand? Thanks JTM

Yes we own the brand Knox. It is sold in some select stores.

 

[MattJH]

For posters, you could use the ad in Classic Style and another with a 20 something wearing jeans, t-shirt and a stingy brim fedora. A tattoo on the arm might not be a bad idea either. Even though we call them dress hats there's a huge market out there who don't wear them with a traditional suit or sportcoat.

Aaron

I'm one of them. I've worn my stingy brims out with t-shirts plenty of times -- especially my stingy Crofut & Knapp straw.

 

[Aaron Hats]

Uh... where can one see it?

We haven't hung it yet because we're about to re-arrange the entire store.

Aaron

 

[Brad Bowers]

As far as advertising goes we have started working closely with a PR firm to get Stetson Hats placed in magazines and with celebrities. Hopefully you will see more soon.

What, if any, marketing plans are there for Dobbs and Cavanagh? I realize Stetson has the name recognition with the public. Dobbs and Cavanagh were originally high-end hats, so is that how those are being marketed? Something to differentiate them from the Stetson line.

Brad

 

[RBH]

I say take a look at some of the old Stetson adds, dont make them the same but as the saying goes''style never goes out of style''.
Some if not all of the old adds were so cool. While I would surely market to the younger crowd, a few vintage type adds would be wonderful!
Take any of the Stratoliner adds, they were so good.
Stetson has such a great history. Its great to see the name looking as if it will be back where it belongs!

As an example, here is a little mini poster that came with my Federation.
I really like the looks of it.
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9481/akubrawr5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>

 

[carter]

Originally posted by RBH
here is a little mini poster that came with my Federation

Hey Dumbjaw, I love the Federation I bought from you. What happened to my little mini poster?

 

[fatwoul]

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9481/akubrawr5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>

Hey I got one of those too. I haven't decided what to do with it, yet. Hopefully pretty soon I'll have my Camptown sticker to put somewhere too.

 

[RBH]

Hey Matthew, I hope you dont think we have gotten too off track.
Anyway, the Lounge is a great place to see what hat wearers like and what gets our attention. The posters and stickers are little side items, BUT they help keep your product OUT THERE.
One of the best production felts I had in the last 10 years was a Stetson Three Forks from Cabelas, the only reason I wanted to replace it was the crown and brim was just too short for my taste. But the felt was wonderful.
Once again , glad you are here and I hope we as a group can add to the Stetson line.

 

[Fletch]

Akubra doggie poster

Hey I got one of those too.

[huh] Hmph, I didn't. And I bought TWO Federations. (Note to self: Sweet-talk Jenny at HatsDirect.)