Optimo Fedora on ebay

[hatflick1]

Anybody catch the midnight black Optimo fedora listed recently on ebay?
Size 60. There's a Buy It Now option for $275. Is that realistic? No, I don't plan to grab it. I was simply curious as to what such a hat would actually go for new..

 

[Johnnysan]

The seller indicated that a custom hat of this quality would sell for over $400 if ordered directly from Optimo. Based on what I've seen on this board and others, that is accurate. $275 for this hat seems very reasonable - even if beyond my price range! :cry:

 

[feltfan]

It was here first

That seems to be the hat listed on this site.
I guess it didn't sell.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=3143&highlight=Optimo+Midnight+Black

 

[Matt Deckard]

If you have a size 60 head and you like dark hats then go for it.

 

[Johnnysan]

Very strange...I placed a modest bid on this hat that did not meet the seller's reserve. I assumed that someone would, given that this was an exceptionally good-looking hat made by the venerable Optimo Hat Company. Earlier this evening, I received a message from eBay indicating that the listing had been removed by eBay for violating of one or more of their policies.

I don't recall seeing anything funky with the seller's description, but I may have missed it. Did eBay save someone from something or were they just being squirrely?

 

[feltfan]

If you have a size 60 head and you like dark hats then go for it.

I sent a note to the seller to find out what's up.

Meanwhile, Matt, would you say this Optimo at well over $200
is a better buy than, say (to take a current controversy)
a used Stratoliner or pre-war Royal Stetson on eBay in
comparable condition? As someone who owns both Optimos
and vintage hats, where do you come down on this?

 

[photobyalan]

I can't say if this is the reason, but the listing indicated that the buyer would have to pay the fees for Paypal, which is contrary to ebay's listing policies. I learned about that particular policy first hand a year or two ago. I'm guessing that, since ebay owns Paypal now, they figure it would discourage buyers from using that service if they had to pay the fees. This would obviously cut into the profits. FWIW, the policy says sellers can't charge extra fees for ANY kind of payment.

 

[Johnnysan]

Jeez...like eBay isn't making any money! Thanks for the explanation.

 

[JerseyJones]

Hello All,

Yes I made the error of the PayPal fees mistake and I am sorry about that :cry: . I have been PM'd by a member about the hat and you will know who you are. I am a vendor of hats, so I would not roll the dice on my reputation by playing a shady game.

Apologies to all. Truly.

Regards,
Ken

 

[Johnnysan]

Ken,

Thanks for the resposne...I assumed that it was something like this. A truely gorgeous hat that is unfortunately beyond my meager allowance! Too bad eBay spends more time and effort towards collecting their fees than on finding and booting out the folks who are selling suspect merchandise and pirated copies of DVDs. Good luck when you relist!

 

[Matt Deckard]

M

The reason I buy Optimos is because Graham can make me styles and colors that I sometimes can't find in vintage felt. If i had a choice between a stratoliner and a cusom made stratoliner copy from Optimo I would go for the stratoliner simply for the fact that the felt wont taper over time. I will say though that optimo hats are the best modern dress felts I have seen today. Pliable enough to roll up like some of the higher end vintage felt, they don't droop and if their new Pre Blocking process works, they wont taper (still to be seen).

I will buy the occasional optimo here and there for certain styles and colors and the feeling of having a custom made hat, though vintage in my opinion has still yet to be met when it comes to quality. You can see on other forums how the hype for all beaver died down when people found out that it tapers and can't be rolled up. graham still has a unique felt in his beaver nutria blend when it comes to modern hats.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

A Optimo is Vintage today!

I have 4 Optimo hats and they are beyond words. :cheers1: