Ordering an Akubra from Everything Australian

[gtdean48]

I've done the +3 month wait for an EA Campdraft a few times now. Both were well over 9 weeks. Haven't they had wild fires in that part of Oz? For what you get, well worth the wait & then some. JMHO

 

[H Weinstein]

Nothing but top-notch service from Everything Australian for me

I've ordered at least a half-dozen Akubras from EA. Proprietor Sam Menche almost always replies to e-mails within a day.

He also goes above and beyond -- before ordering an Akubra Rough Rider western, I asked if he could tell me if the Light Sand color was appreciably lighter than plain ol' Sand. Can't really tell from online photos and the Akubra swatches are not much help.

He didn't just tell me -- he took the time to shoot not one but FIVE good photos with side-by-side hats in Sand, Light Sand and Quartz, with bright and consistent photo lighting, and they were waiting in my e-mail inbox the next morning.

I could have gotten the same hat from another Aussie place for $7 less, but I bought it from EA because I appreciated Sam's attention to service.

In general, for the styles I've purchased (mostly western), I've found EA's prices are as good or better than the competition.

 

[RBH]

I've ordered at least a half-dozen Akubras from EA. Proprietor Sam Menche almost always replies to e-mails within a day.

He also goes above and beyond -- before ordering an Akubra Rough Rider western, I asked if he could tell me if the Light Sand color was appreciably lighter than plain ol' Sand. Can't really tell from online photos and the Akubra swatches are not much help.

He didn't just tell me -- he took the time to shoot not one but FIVE good photos with side-by-side hats in Sand, Light Sand and Quartz, with bright and consistent photo lighting, and they were waiting in my e-mail inbox the next morning.

I could have gotten the same hat from another Aussie place for $7 less, but I bought it from EA because I appreciated Sam's attention to service.

In general, for the styles I've purchased (mostly western), I've found EA's prices are as good or better than the competition.

I agree.
Sam has never been anything but top notch in my book.
Plus he has gone above and beyond for us here on the Lounge a time or two.
Give the hat and Sam a little time, sometimes he is at the mercy of the Akubra factory.

 

[carldelo]

Sam finagled me the first Akubra Capricorn in size 62, I think he just pushed them into making it - it's a great hat. Since then, size 62 has been an available size for EA and the other vendors too, so he is certainly plugged in to the Akubra food chain. If it's taking a long time, I'd guess it's not him, it's the factory.

 

[Ankerstjerne]

I've ordered six Akubras from Sam at Everything Australian. Four have been on the three-month plan, the fifth is due about Dec 2. The sixth was a Flinders, a discontinued model that he stated as such and had in stock--it arrived in two weeks. My only annoyance with EA is the overly optimistic US dollar price on his website vs. the price at checkout a few minutes later--usually about $3. Too, shipping cost has increased from $7 per hat from $20 to $27 in the past year, but it may be helping to maintain the attractive hat prices. If I order another Akubra, EA will get my business--they do a good job.

 

[smokepiper]

The issues were all with Akubra. Lack of contact from suppliers is a huge issue for me, but I can't imagine being in retail and having no feedback after several weeks. I changed my order from silver belly to bluegrass green which was in stock. Hat ships tomorrow. Sam is a nice fellow to work with, but I think someone needs to slap Akubra and wake them up a bit.

 

[gtdean48]

... but I think someone needs to slap Akubra and wake them up a bit.

The model hat we like is not that big of a seller for them...

 

[DJH]

Yes, I seem to remember there being a post that listed Akubra's top 10 (or so) top selling models and the Campdraft and Fed IV (the two most popular models among the Loungers) were nowhere to be seen.

 

[Historyteach24]

Just curious....what are the popular Aussie models?

 

[DJH]

Here ya go: http://akubra.com.au/news/?p=953#top

A little outdated now so might have changed

 

[Zombie_61]

The model hat we like is not that big of a seller for them...

Here ya go: http://akubra.com.au/news/?p=953#top

A little outdated now so might have changed

If Akubra were to update that list, my guess is that it wouldn't be much different. I think most of us here think of Akubra's hats as casual or dress wear, but to most Australians they're work wear--they favor the considerably wider brimmed hats for protection against the elements. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out the Campdraft and Fed IV are sold to a lot more North American and European customers than to Australians.

 

[smokepiper]

Regardless, answering a distributor's email within 4 weeks shouldn't be an issue. I can't believe Akubra would ignore repeated emails with nary a production update. I'm sure I'll enjoy the hat immensely, but the odd way the order has been handled gives me pause. I'm sure I'm the oddball situation. Nonetheless just a tinge of disappointment will hang over this hat... Until I open the box.

 

[DJH]

I get annoyed if my emails don't get answered within the hour, let alone four weeks!

I've only ordered twice from EA, interestingly neither went 100% according to plan, but both times Sam was on the case and handled things very well. I'd buy from him again without hesistation, he's a good guy.

 

[Spats McGee]

I haven't ordered from Sam in a while, but then again, I haven't ordered from anyone in a while. At any rate, Sam has always taken good care of me. When I ordered my Camp Draft, there was a snafu, and Sam couldn't reach me by email. So he called me to straighten it out when he didn't hear back from me. That's an awfully long-distance call.

 

[nigeloscar]

Ive only bought hats from Everything Australian and Hats Directy. Exemplary service from both.

 

[Brian Niebuhr]

I ordered a Silver Spur back in July. It should've been shipped in October. No emails from EA other than the original order confirmation. Today I sent an email asking about the order. Now waiting for a reply.

 

[smokepiper]

I changed my order to a BG CD that was in stock. It shipped soon after. Been wearing it ever since. Great hat, but plastic tip liner keeps sticking to the top of my head and pulling the liner out when I take the hat off. Great fishing hat. Looks great with my A-2 as well. Lots of compliments the last couple of days.

 

[Brian Niebuhr]

You can cut the plastic layer out of the liner. I always do that when I get a hat that has the plastic in it.
I guess they made a mistake and the hat never got ordered. Now it's no longer made and I can't get it at all. I think I might change my order to a Woomera in sand color. Meh. Not real excited about it. They cut all the hats that I liked!

 

[ManofKent]

Brian - it might be on it's way soon. My order for a Squatter from late July has only just shipped.

 

[Brian Niebuhr]

ManofKent- Sam confirmed that there was a mistake and the hat was not produced. Nothing he can do about it at this point so I chose a Woomera instead. Not what I wanted but who knows, I might like it. A new hat is more exciting than a refund.