My New Montecristi

[The Outlaw Kyle]

Well, after several months, my Panama hat came.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enfield249/1501044068/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/1501044068_5977488b57.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_1017" /></a>
Side View
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enfield249/1500185721/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2194/1500185721_4e99059e67.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_1016" /></a>
Front
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enfield249/1500189213/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/1500189213_570cddd454.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_1018" /></a>
Inside

Now, the problem. This is a really great hat, and I bugged the heck out of PanamaBob, I know. Take a look at the side view on my head:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enfield249/1500190997/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/1500190997_ad7c022b3c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_1020" /></a>
I am sure that this is due to my big long oval head. So, do I get a bigger size, or is there something that I can do to minimize this? I think that I heard hair spray mentioned before. I want to make clear that PB did a great job getting this to me, and answered all my questions. That hat it self is beautiful. Thanks.

 

[indycop]

You have me in a panic! I am also a long oval and awaiting a montecristi. Hopefully someone will have an easy solution.

 

[Colby Jack]

Yikes!

I wouldn't know what to say or do....

 

[tinmanzzz]

Let me know if you find the answer

Now, the problem. This is a really great hat, and I bugged the heck out of PanamaBob, I know. Take a look at the side view on my head:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enfield249/1500190997/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/1500190997_ad7c022b3c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_1020" /></a>
I am sure that this is due to my big long oval head. So, do I get a bigger size, or is there something that I can do to minimize this? I think that I heard hair spray mentioned before. I want to make clear that PB did a great job getting this to me, and answered all my questions. That hat it self is beautiful. Thanks.[/QUOTE]
Looks lie my PB. Nice weave but no body
ps I'm a 7 5/8 oval

 

[Panamabob]

Tinmanzz, the record shows and you know that you had every opportunity to return the hat. You chose not to. Your choice.

Kyle knows we'll take care of him...and yes, we don't stiffen our hats directly from Ecuador. There is a reason that hatters charge their fees and the reason we offer hats blocked by hatters in USA. Ask Art how many times I've paid double by having him redo hats for people who have sizing issues. For every 100 A-OK transactions we'll have one like Kyle's. What would I do? I'd iron the hat and put some stiffener on it.

I've just answered Kyle's email and noted to him that my ever so thoughtful brother-in-law sent a size 60 cm when we asked for a size 61 cm. That should help, but I knew I shouldn't have sent the hat. Kyle's been waiting a long time (many of you know why!) so I told wifey that I would send it and her brother-in-law would pay for the refund or the hat to replace it.

 

[carter]

Now, the problem. This is a really great hat, and I bugged the heck out of PanamaBob, I know. Take a look at the side view on my head:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enfield249/1500190997/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/1500190997_ad7c022b3c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="100_1020" /></a>
I am sure that this is due to my big long oval head. So, do I get a bigger size, or is there something that I can do to minimize this? I think that I heard hair spray mentioned before. I want to make clear that PB did a great job getting this to me, and answered all my questions. That hat it self is beautiful. Thanks.

Looks lie my PB. Nice weave but no body
ps I'm a 7 5/8 oval[/QUOTE]

Interesting.

I received my 7 5/8 Cuenca long oval from Panama Bob today. It doesn't do that floppy brim thing. (I just looked in a mirror to be certain.) The hat is very soft and light but holds it's shape. The crown and the brim look great.
Of the five straws that I own, this is by far the nicest.

When I have time, I'll post some pictures.

Anyone have an opinion on Cuenca vs Montecristi bodies?

 

[Panamabob]

I'm hoping that it might be a sewing error or something simple, but as Kyle knows, we'll even pay a blocker in USA to redo the hat (which will cost almost as much as the actual cost of the hat). We know, and the many hatters who buy hats directly from us, know that we sell the finest Montecristi hats at the best pricepoints outside of the barrios of Montecristi.

 

[The Outlaw Kyle]

I hesitated posting this because I did not want it to appear I was bashing PB. That is not the case at all. The hat is AWESOME, it just turned out to be the wrong size. I started this post before I took a close look at the size. PB and I are working out the issues right now. I think it is mostly one of size. Thanks for the posts, and I will keep you all up to date with the developments.

 

[Laurence]

PB hat

PB has a lot of quality's and prices, what is this one?
To shape panama hats do you need stiffener?

 

[BellyTank]

I have the same problem with my German helmet.
Into the body shop for a re-block...

B
T

 

[The Outlaw Kyle]

Hopefully they won't need a ten ton press and a die to reblock my hat. But, I do have a huge head...

 

[The Outlaw Kyle]

PB has a lot of quality's and prices, what is this one?
To shape panama hats do you need stiffener?

Sorry I didn't answer your question Laurence. I don't know the WPI, as I sent back my first one, added some addtional money and said "Give me the best you can get for X". It's a Montecristi weave, Cuenca "Rio Plata" block.

I'm sending the hat back to Robert today, and he is sending it on to an american hatter (Gary) to get it re-blocked in my size. You can not get more behind your product then that. Customer service doesn't come from being perfect. I don't expect perfection. Customer service comes from how you handle the errors that do arise in ANY business. For a guy that does this part time, all while trying to raise a family, work, and go to school, I'd say this is pretty good.

I'll post a full report and pics when I get it back.