Hats Direct: "No One Wants an Open Road"

[scotrace]

My letter to Hats Direct:
What is the possibility of getting Akubra to build a Campdraft in the same higher grade felt as the Fed Deluxe? Since it's the old Open Road hat body, I truly think it could easily become a best-seller. But I think it requires the softer felt to properly take that popular (old style) Open Road shape.

Thanks for listening,

Scott

Their response:

Hi Scott,

thanks fore the letter and feedback.

Akubra have a minimum order for any special style which is generally about 100 hats. It is not something we would have enough demand for.




So what do you think? Would anyone want one of those silly old Open Road hats?

 

[WEEGEE]

100 EASY PIECES

To Sell...what do you think Scott open crown and tan?

 

[scotrace]

I'd think there'd be a hundred takers among our 2700 members, if the price were manageable.

 

[jeboat]

100 Hat buyers?

Not to be negative but on COW there has been a year long effort to get just 10 guys to sign up for a gray Indy fedora.

So far no gray Indy hats...

jeboat:eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh:

 

[Pilgrim]

In terms of setting up a mass buy, let's note that there are an awful lot of nice Open Roads on OFAS (Our Favorite Auction Site) at reasonable prices. In deference to my own budget (one daughter enters college next month, the second daughter enters next fall) I'm not a great candidate to buy new hats when older models of known quality are available.

 

[scotrace]

Unless you are a 7.5 or larger, in which case the norm is $150+.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Count me in. I think we can do it...

 

[jake_fink]

I'm not sure how many Open Roads I need, but it is the kind of style I'd consider buying, especially in a colour like (dove) grey or dark brown. Consider this a tentative hussah.

 

[scotrace]

Well, I'm not collecting orders...

I think that if members here were to, as a large group, let it be known with HD that buyers are out there, they might take it on. Hats Direct is probably the only reseller who could take it on with Akubra.

Does anyone else think it's just ODD that they would think there are no buyers for such a hat? I can't imagine Aaron saying this.

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

I have to agree with Pilgrim. My three girls are having a baby (#2 daughter), getting married (#1 daughter) or (#3 daughter) wanting to do a complete show season of Hunter class jumping. I'm needing that cash money. I'll be trolling eBay and the vintage shops for the tantalizing but very elusive..... BLACK..... Stetson Open Road/Resistol San Antonio.

 

[BellyTank]

Not so odd if their intended product and perceived market is 'Bush Hats'- Australian style.

B
T

 

[scotrace]

Unless you are a 7.5 or larger, in which case the norm is $150+.

Like This, $255.








.

 

[Pilgrim]

I suspect that the words "Open Road" have no traction with the public today. That hat and style have been gone from the public eye for many years. When my daughter's boyfriend (works in western wear) complemented a couple of gents on their Open Roads during the recent Greeley Stampede, they were amazed that anyone knew what the hats were.

It's certainly possible that a slightly modified form of the hat might sell - perhaps with a bit of brim dip front and back - but it would need to be marketed as a different model and name.

I'm sorry that I can't contribute to a buy along with those here who actually know what an Open Road is.

 

[shoeshineboy]

i wrote my letter

sent it this morning....just another to add to the list...

mark tssb

 

[scotrace]

All that is needed is the Campdraft body in an open crown, made of the better felt. Presto!

 

[Michaelson]

Not to be negative but on COW there has been a year long effort to get just 10 guys to sign up for a gray Indy fedora.

So far no gray Indy hats...

jeboat:eusa_doh: :eusa_doh: :eusa_doh:

Well, just to be fair, that's been the fault of the felter, not the lining up of buyers. The felt order is made in small batches, and the line is long. Good news is, the hats bodies are being built as we speak, so at least it's still moving forward.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[shoeshineboy]

what does this mean...

i got this after several hours from hatsdirect......

Your message of Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:43:41 -0500 regarding ``the fedora lounge''
has been displayed by Sales Team.

any guesses...

mark the shoeshine boy

 

[Michaelson]

Ron reads this forum (when he gets the chance. He's about the hardest working man I know!), so more than likely he printed off a copy of this discussion for review at HatsDirect and Akubra.

That's what he did when we were working on the Federation projects.

Regards! Michaelson