Pricing of hats in the FL Classifieds

[bond]

There seems to be a proper place for everything so I wanted to take the time and create a thread about hat pricing that takes place in the classifieds.
Let the comments begin.

 

[gtdean48]

Not sure I understand what you are attempting to discuss?
Do you think prices are too high or too low or about right?

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

If someone doesn't like a price then don't buy. If a hat doesn't sell at a price then the seller will reduce. Just that simple. Market conditions will prevail.

 

[gtdean48]

If someone doesn't like a price then don't buy. If a hat doesn't sell at a price then the seller will reduce. Just that simple. Market conditions will prevail.

Pretty much covers it, IMHO.... this thread can be closed.....

 

[Blackthorn]

No one should be criticizing what anyone else asks for a hat, and that's what prompted this thread. Personally I'd never pay what some folks ask for their hats, but if they can get that price, more power to them.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Interesting topic. Many old items, (antiques) have publications that show items and a value in general that are used to be a guideline for selling them. Classifications of those items are some times very valuable to know if a person is paying above or below a set value. But is there anything out there for hats?

On a personal basis, in viewing a hat price, I myself look at how much I would be willing to pay for a hat, if it was what I wanted. I am sure at times, I may have been willing to pay more than maybe anyone else would want to fork out, but actually my Wife does more hat purchases than what I do, on my behalf (bless her all over the place for showing me so much love and kindness for my having the hat addiction that I do).

Perhaps someone that is far more "hat savvy" than what I would be in my life time, such as Art Fawcett, could lend a hand in values or maybe he would know of a publication that would give an average break down of values on vintage hats that would help in setting a price? Even then however, what happens if a person elects to sell a hat worth (per that guideline) a hat worth $300.00 for only $100.00? Or in reverse, a $100.00 hat for $300.00 dollars?

My best offering from my own lack of being any expert on hats is that if I see a hat that I want to own, in a decent condition, that I really want, I am going to do what ever it takes to own the hat, as long as it is going to fit my head.

I still have yet to make a custom hat purchase, but I am sure that may change some day soon. I do know that if I was an outsider looking at what hats tend to bring more "spotlight" to them as far as being a desirable hat to own and for what seems to be a "norm" for what they sell for, the Stetson hats seem to be in front of other hats, that hats with a "one hundred" on them tend to be more wanted, that a vintage stratoliner or Open Road seem to get more "ooohs and ahhhs" than a dobbs. I always think a hat is a work of art. Beauty to the eye of the beholder.

The entire pricing of a hat is an interesting topic. And if I had the room to own about 80 percent of the hats I have observed being sold here on the lounge, that are my size, I would love to own them all. Hat addiction, badly here at my place! lol!

 

[Dan Allen]

To quote the fishing writer John Gierach on bamboo fly rods though hat or anything can be substituted, "It's hard to say whether a cane fly rod is actually worth , say ,$850, but if that's what it cost and you buy it then it was worth it to you. At least that's how I understand economics."
That being said, I cannot afford high dollar rods- or hats so I truly appreciate what is above my means and buy what I can

 

[bond]

Perfect ,see we can all be civil here and express our opinion regarding prices of hats in the classifieds. There is no right or wrong price for anything that's the point I am trying to make. If someone likes something they buy it. Plain and simple , and if they don't like the price then likewise they don't have to buy it.
Prices on vintage items which are rare and have qualities that are unreplacable have a value all their own and sometimes make them priceless. Also keep in mind that each if us have our own budget constraints and do we value things differently as well for a similar item whether it's a hat , vintage car or whatever.
Let me please add that if anyone is unhappy with a price on any item in the classifieds then maybe you can come back to this thread and voice your opinion rather than clogging up an ad with your opinions .
Thank you

 

[Blackthorn]

Perfect ,see we can all be civil here and express our opinion regarding prices of hats in the classifieds. There is no right or wrong price for anything that's the point I am trying to make. If someone likes something they buy it. Plain and simple , and if they don't like the price then likewise they don't have to buy it.
Prices on vintage items which are rare and have qualities that are unreplacable have a value all their own and sometimes make them priceless. Also keep in mind that each if us have our own budget constraints and do we value things differently as well for a similar item whether it's a hat , vintage car or whatever.
Let me please add that if anyone is unhappy with a price on any item in the classifieds then maybe you can come back to this thread and voice your opinion rather than clogging up an ad with your opinions .
Thank you

Right on. Let's show a little class here.

 

[Ordinary Guy]

Perfect ,see we can all be civil here and express our opinion regarding prices of hats in the classifieds. There is no right or wrong price for anything that's the point I am trying to make. If someone likes something they buy it. Plain and simple , and if they don't like the price then likewise they don't have to buy it.
Prices on vintage items which are rare and have qualities that are unreplacable have a value all their own and sometimes make them priceless. Also keep in mind that each if us have our own budget constraints and do we value things differently as well for a similar item whether it's a hat , vintage car or whatever.
Let me please add that if anyone is unhappy with a price on any item in the classifieds then maybe you can come back to this thread and voice your opinion rather than clogging up an ad with your opinions .
Thank you

Makes sense.

The price of anything is whatever the buyer is willing to pay for it...

I have bought hats and paid more than I thought I should. But I wanted that particular hat for whatever reason and paid more to get it.....

I have also wanted a hat and let it go because it was too high IMHO and didn't want it bad enough to part with the selling price...

PM's work well also... PM the seller and discuss price, perhaps he will negotiate.. You won't know until you try....

 

[Zemke Fan]

The FL classifieds remain a GREAT place to buy and sell vintage hats. However, the true market is on eBay. There's a great (but not inexpensive) tool that I used to set my auction prices on eBay. It's called Terapeak.

It can tell you, for example, that for the 90 days ending on June 2, for these search terms: Whippet fedora 1/4 -style, there were six listings, five hats sold, the average sale price was $163.40, the average starting price was $57.24, and the average shipping cost was $18.33.

(Gotta throw the term -style in to weed out the clones.)

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

If you are unhappy with a price in the classifieds the best solution would be to PM the seller and ask what he can do about it. Be nice and maybe you get lucky.

If you ask a third person who doesn't sell this very hat...what's the use? It won't get cheaper if people complain and whine about it.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I just appreciate all the hats being sold here on the Lounge, as it gives me a chance to see a Hat I do not currently own. It also gives a offering and or chance to buy something I may not ever see any where else. Lets face it, we here have more to offer each other than to just jump on line to attempt to find a hat for sale from someone that does not know anything at all about what they are selling! And I love the fact if someone here buys a hat from another lounger, it stays in the "family".

I have to also say, when someone is selling a hat, you can learn much about the hat by viewing things stated about the hat, who made it, history of it, all things can be so very educational.

I do myself make comments on a listing at times of which the seller is merely wanting to sell a hat. I maybe should be myself more mindful that it is a listing of an item for sale, and that I should not put something on that listing to take away the sale itself should have attention wise. I am still learning every day here.

I can also value what others would inform me about such as GTDean would have to say about a hat, as he is far more hat savvy then I would more than likely ever be. So maybe the idea of having this thread exist is not a really bad idea, and maybe if it was to extend beyond the days issues, it would be of value to stay here and add to it the ongoing pricing of hats all over for sale no matter what "venue" the sale would be taking place on?

Another note here, I firmly believe that an honest request via the private message to anyone here from a member, to seek an opinion about the quality and value or price of a hat would most likely result in a well given response, if the person you PM the question to honestly knows an answer. So far, the factor of honesty seems to be the most noble of quality I have observed between us on the Lounge. To be able to share opinions and such is a blessing as far as I can tell, it is a part of learning and I for one, still appreciate that as much as owning a hat! lol!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

The FL classifieds remain a GREAT place to buy and sell vintage hats. However, the true market is on eBay. There's a great (but not inexpensive) tool that I used to set my auction prices on eBay. It's called Terapeak.

It can tell you, for example, that for the 90 days ending on June 2, for these search terms: Whippet fedora 1/4 -style, there were six listings, five hats sold, the average sale price was $163.40, the average starting price was $57.24, and the average shipping cost was $18.33.

(Gotta throw the term -style in to weed out the clones.)

Fantastic information, I never heard of that service. I have not yet sold anything on eBay, I guess it sort of makes me feel uncomfortable to use eBay to sell a hat and just find it better suited for my own ease, to sell either here on the Lounge or to someone in person I would meet local. But your information is very good to have and to know, thank you!

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I also always watch the Collector's Weekly Most watched page for hats.
Let's me keep track of what others have on their radar scope and what the prices are for hats.

collectors weekly.com/hats/mens-hats/auctions most-watched

 

[Rick Blaine]

Re: yeah, well...

xxx previously scourged verbiage removed xxx RB

Like I said in the thread. I mean no ill will towards anyone. I don't know why your making this personal by attacking me, but I don't like it and I informed the bartender about it.
If you are a man please say what you have to say on the thread in front of other loungers to see so I can right fully defend my integrity.
That which you seem to be lacking at the moment .

bond;

If someone uses this board primarily to shill overpriced felt, I don't like it.

It is taking & not contributing to the community. It is taking advantage of the good will & hard work of others.

It is crass hucketerism, it is being a parasite.

Though you are quite mistaken, bond, I could well afford a seven hundred dollar hat -I am simply not that gullible or stupid or slow in my processes!
So your' condescension; ("Obviously this hat may be out of your reach, but I have others for sale that may fit your budget"), is both misplaced & mistaken.

I think perhaps this patronizing behavior says a great deal more of you than it does of me.
It is what I found so very off putting & ungentlemanly in your post, when considered in concert with the previously mentioned posting pattern, possibly indicating a certain lack of integrity.
Loud & Clear?

 

[Undertow]

There seems to be a proper place for everything so I wanted to take the time and create a thread about hat pricing that takes place in the classifieds.
Let the comments begin.

And here I thought this was a legitamate concern as opposed to some technique to bait loungers into some kind of ongoing battle...

 

[RBH]

.... This thread can be closed.....

So it is written.... So it is done.

 

[scotrace]

2005: "$40.00?? For an old Borsalino?? That guy is NUTS"

2007: I never thought I'd see the day when a vintage Stetson would break the $100.00 mark..."

2012 (just last week): "He actually asked - and got - $500+ for a Stratoliner???"

Uh, we've kind of driven prices up... see? Cause we we collect what was once dusty attic junk. Now they're "rare and desirable."

The shocker for me? I used to buy hat boxes at flea markets, and toss the stingy brimmed Dobbs inside it in a dumpster on the way out. Now guys pay actual Jack for those goofy things.

The bottom line is that anyone can ask any price they want in Classifieds, and they may just get it. But that's no place to go bashing someone's idea of the value of their goods for sale.