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Panama Hat Thread

GHT

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,793
Location
New Forest
I ordered two Montecristis and spent a few hundred dollars. The hats were shipped in one box with one inserted in the other. The ribbon on the inside hat predictably was seriously wrinkled and the hats were in general beat up condition. I sent Panama Hats Direct an email explaining the situation and they told me to try steaming the hats and ribbons. Seriously? Hundreds of dollars and they are poorly packaged and worse yet they accept no responsibility for their actions! I was thinking about ordering a couple more, but no longer.
Any idea where else I could look?
Why on earth did you not send those hats straight back? Arriving in that condition, they are not fit for purpose. Do you not have something similar to us in the UK, where we can report such shoddy service to The Trading Standards Officer? Something else that I find helps with complaint dealing, write a handwritten letter, but remember to keep a copy. List the bullet points that you are complaining about, don't deviate from each one, never be apologetic, as in using phrases like "I'm sorry, but......" Be assertive but not rude or discourteous, and don't forget that you expect the cost of returning unfit goods to be reimbursed.
 
Last edited:

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
Why on earth did you not send those hats straight back? Arriving in that condition, they are not fit for purpose. Do you not have something similar to us in the UK, where we can report such shoddy service to The Trading Standards Officer? Something else that I find helps with complaint dealing, write a handwritten letter, but remember to keep a copy. List the bullet points that you are complaining about, don't deviate from each one, never be apologetic, as in using phrases like "I'm sorry, but......" Be assertive but not rude or discourteous, and don't forget that you expect the cost of returning unfit goods to be reimbursed.
+1
 

Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,165
Location
North Texas
It arrived today. My third Brent Black.
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Two have 2 3/4" brims the other is 2 1/2". Two have black ribbons and the other brown. I am thinking I'm going to send the two with black ribbons to Art Fawcett. They both need cleaning and while there I will get the ribbons replaced. I want something with color. Maybe one blue and the other green?

The two Brent Black Montecristi fedoras I sent to Art Fawcett are back. One is a light gray and the other is forest green. Both have a tan accent on the bow. I also liked the idea of pugs that was suggested so I had Art send me 6 to play with. I must admit that I do like the versatility. The green does not photograph well - looks black.

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Messages
15,259
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Messages
10,584
Location
Boston area
The two Brent Black Montecristi fedoras I sent to Art Fawcett are back. One is a light gray and the other is forest green. Both have a tan accent on the bow. I also liked the idea of pugs that was suggested so I had Art send me 6 to play with. I must admit that I do like the versatility. The green does not photograph well - looks black.

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TOP shelf, Bill!!
Congrats, and wear them in good health, my friend.
 
The two Brent Black Montecristi fedoras I sent to Art Fawcett are back. One is a light gray and the other is forest green. Both have a tan accent on the bow. I also liked the idea of pugs that was suggested so I had Art send me 6 to play with. I must admit that I do like the versatility. The green does not photograph well - looks black.

View attachment 119932 View attachment 119933 View attachment 119934
That pug in the last picture......wow.......just wow!!
M
 

SHatfield

New in Town
Messages
46
Location
Western North Carolina
View attachment 119977 Hopefully this is the last update Panama Hats Direct sends before they ship the hat. The crown looks a bit tall in front but if it falls within specs it'll work. Seems to look good. They said it would ship with others this week. Not sure how long it will take but I'm looking forward to it.
Got a message it shipped on the 23rd. Said it would take 10-12 days to get to a destination in Georgia, be repacked and then mailed on to me with a tracking number. Patience is a virtue....
Steve
 

drmaxtejeda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,363
Location
Mexico City
The two Brent Black Montecristi fedoras I sent to Art Fawcett are back. One is a light gray and the other is forest green. Both have a tan accent on the bow. I also liked the idea of pugs that was suggested so I had Art send me 6 to play with. I must admit that I do like the versatility. The green does not photograph well - looks black.

View attachment 119932 View attachment 119933 View attachment 119934
I really like the light gray

Sent from my LG-H870 using Tapatalk
 

bond

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,535
Location
Third coast
Recently picked this up on Ebay. Planters type vintage Stetson Has a 3 1/2 brim with a kettle curl. Not sure of the age of it but it fits perfectly as a true 7 1/2. Good sun protection. I switched out the original crown ribbon (brown)for a standard black 1 1/8 and added a pinch protector in front. Ht. to top at front is 4.
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Messages
18,449
Location
Nederland
Here is the style I would like to find. I know some of the custom hat makers could and probably do make this but I don't have hundred of dollars to spend on one. Most of the commercial style brands don't have the narrow pinch I thinks sets the View attachment 119992 View attachment 119993 View attachment 119993 View attachment 119994 se vintage hat apart.
This is a Adam Barbosa
That is very nice indeed. I think we'd all would like to find hats in that style.
 

Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,871
Location
Minnesota, USA
Recently picked this up on Ebay. Planters type vintage Stetson Has a 3 1/2 brim with a kettle curl. Not sure of the age of it but it fits perfectly as a true 7 1/2. Good sun protection. I switched out the original crown ribbon (brown)for a standard black 1 1/8 and added a pinch protector in front. Ht. to top at front is 4.
View attachment 120409 View attachment 120410 View attachment 120411



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Lovely find Bond. Congrats.

What is a pinch protector? I see the material attached to the front crown, is that the protector? Interesting.

Thanks, Eric -
 

Bill Hughes

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,165
Location
North Texas
Lovely find Bond. Congrats.

What is a pinch protector? I see the material attached to the front crown, is that the protector? Interesting.

Thanks, Eric -

A pinch protector is a plastic piece that is placed at the front of the hat to keep potential buyers from changing the factory shape of the pinch. Once purchased you remove and discard. Think of the plastic collar protectors on a dress shirt.

This pic is of a pinch protector that came in a Royal Stetson Bluegrass I bought from @bond. I kept it so I just snapped a pic it removed.

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Short Balding Guy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,871
Location
Minnesota, USA
A pinch protector is a plastic piece that is placed at the front of the hat to keep potential buyers from changing the factory shape of the pinch. Once purchased you remove and discard. Think of the plastic collar protectors on a dress shirt.

This pic is of a pinch protector that came in a Royal Stetson Bluegrass I bought from @bond. I kept it so I just snapped a pic it removed.

View attachment 120502
View attachment 120503

Thanks Bill. Very interesting. I have not seen one before.

BTW: Now that is a gorgeous bluegrass hat!

I have a Panama with leather protector that is glued to the hat, I assume to prevent the straw from fraying?
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Dr.Max; A Leather protector - very upscale. Thanks for sharing.
 

bond

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,535
Location
Third coast
Lovely find Bond. Congrats.

What is a pinch protector? I see the material attached to the front crown, is that the protector? Interesting.

Thanks, Eric -

Yes, I use silk for mine that I put in straws and on felt hats for restoration work where pinch maybe thinning or cracking in some cases. I see that leather one also serves same purpose.
View attachment 120523



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Messages
12,384
Location
Albany Oregon
Here is the style I would like to find. I know some of the custom hat makers could and probably do make this but I don't have hundred of dollars to spend on one. Most of the commercial style brands don't have the narrow pinch I thinks sets the View attachment 119992 View attachment 119993 View attachment 119993 View attachment 119994 se vintage hat apart.
This is a Adam Barbosa
There are plenty of modern makers that have this style in their arsenal. Of course, if you could come up with a vintage Adam in this condition, mortgage the house, sell a child or rob a bank. I would look at the other pages of this thread and glean some ideas and websites to search.
 

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