Akubra's from Hatsdirect...up in price-?

[citRon]

I've noticed the prices have been creeping up; is th US dollar losing against the Australian, or are they just raising prices? I started looking at the Fed and Fed Deluxe a couple months ago, and it seems both were ~$20 cheaper then. Fed is up to 90, Deluxe up to 148! Add in $36 bucks for shipping, and wow! -that gets up there!

 

[Havana]

Their prices fluctuate, sometimes daily, according to the exchange rates. They do go down sometimes but not by much. Many of the models they carry can be found on other sites for less and at lower shipping rates. HatsDirect does have a few exclusive models like the Federations and their customer service is top notch.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Now you know how Canada feels. We have been on an almost 1 to 1 basis with Australia for a very long time. But they were always cheaper then buying from the USA.......... well until now.
Johnny

 

[Kaosharper1]

Aussie Dollar

Yes. The US dollar is losing value vs. the Aussie dollar. With the drop in interest rates yesterday we can only expect that to get worse. The lower our interest rates are vs. everyone else, the lower our currency will be.

 

[Edward]

Seems constant from the UK to me, so it probably is an exchange rate thing.

 

[citRon]

Just looked at the Fed Deluxe...up again! $149.65. Add $36 bucks for shipping, your looking at $185 bucks now! Wow...guess I waited myself out of luck on buying one of those suckers!

 

[AlanC]

It's largely our third world currency.

 

[Marcus Brody]

I remember when I got my Fed back in earlier half of this decade it was closer to 100 USD with shipping or so. I think it was even less when it initially came out. But yes, I'd have to also say that this is mostly due to the dollar really losing its value in this decade.

 

[Simon82]

Makes some U.S. makers' wares more tempting...

I don't own one yet, but what I've seen of the Camptowns make them look like a steal, being 50/50 rabbit/beaver and roughly the same price as the Fed Deluxe (with shipping to America from Australia added in).

And then there's Jimmy Pierce's rabbit felts, too. Whether or not you're American, it might be the best time to buy American!

 

[RJCNTX]

I don't own one yet, but what I've seen of the Camptowns make them look like a steal, being 50/50 rabbit/beaver and roughly the same price as the Fed Deluxe (with shipping to America from Australia added in).

And then there's Jimmy Pierce's rabbit felts, too. Whether or not you're American, it might be the best time to buy American!

I've got one I'm ordering from Jimmy presently. I'll second the "time to buy American!".

 

[indycop]

Don't forget Peters Bros.!

 

[citRon]

I like the Peters Brothers, but he's about 3 months out for new orders from what I understand. I've been meaning to call Jimmy, but quite frankly, the feedback I read here and on other forums has kept me from dealing with him.

 

[indycop]

I like the Peters Brothers, but he's about 3 months out for new orders from what I understand. I've been meaning to call Jimmy, but quite frankly, the feedback I read here and on other forums has kept me from dealing with him.

I think its just during rodeo season that they have a wait. I ordered mine early last year and it took 10-14 dqays.

 

[citRon]

I think its just during rodeo season that they have a wait. I ordered mine early last year and it took 10-14 dqays.

I just peed in my pants.

I'll try to call today.

 

[tandmark]

Hi,

HatsDirect prices are going up due to currency exchange rates. Yup.

As long as it's not a Federation or Federation Deluxe you want, you can still find reasonable prices on Akubras at EverythingAustralian.com.au or HatWorld.com.au.

HatWorld has the better prices of the two, but they don't list custom color choices on their Website. Whether they'll let you order custom colors is something I haven't asked 'em yet.

As for Jimmy Pierce, I've read through most of the Fedora Lounge and Fedora Chronicles posts for the last year or so, but I don't recall anyone complaining about his work or his business practices. Are you sure it's him that you're talking about?

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Hondo]

I recall an old the lyrics from an old Sly Stone song,
"The higher the price, the nicer the nice, Happiness is what you pay for what you need"
Buy it if you really want it, what really holding you up funds?
If thats it save for it.
Just think what you pay for at some fancy hotel, a weekend get away
with wife or girlfriend plus,
gas, meals, entertainment, you see? its the enjoyment.
You own it!!!
Basically prices go up these days, its a given.
I've done business with Hatsdirect and
Soon I'll be ordering Akukra's Federation Deluxe

 

[indycop]

I just peed in my pants.
I'll try to call today.

Might be a little more info than we might need to know! lol
I am extremely pleased with my PB and it is made in America!

 

[citRon]

Hi,

HatsDirect prices are going up due to currency exchange rates. Yup.

As long as it's not a Federation or Federation Deluxe you want, you can still find reasonable prices on Akubras at EverythingAustralian.com.au or HatWorld.com.au.

HatWorld has the better prices of the two, but they don't list custom color choices on their Website. Whether they'll let you order custom colors is something I haven't asked 'em yet.

As for Jimmy Pierce, I've read through most of the Fedora Lounge and Fedora Chronicles posts for the last year or so, but I don't recall anyone complaining about his work or his business practices. Are you sure it's him that you're talking about?

Cheers,
Mark

yeah- COW thread:
http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=24636
...and from Indylounge:
A word for the wise about JPD... service, communication, and meeting of deadlines are a big problem there. In my experience (and that of others I know), you won't get a hat until you get angry enough to demand your money back. JP posts occassional appologies and excuses, but never seems to remedy them. Buyer beware.


******I do know however that there are always 2 sides to every story. I have also read a lot of recommendations for him as well.

 

[Spatterdash]

This isn't aimed at you, citRon, just some general comments here...

Is it possible that with Jimmy we're seeing a new hatmaker trying to get a business going and suffering the learning curve of all new businessmen?
I'm not interested in making excuses for him, I just want to make sure we give the benefit of the doubt to a new hatmaker and support him through his first few years, not cut the legs out from under him.

Comments on a board like this can have devastating effects to a business. I'd rather practice a little caution. I for one look forward to ordering a hat from Jimmy in the next year. He makes fantastic looking hats and his customers seem quite excited about their purchases.

In the meantime, Jimmy, you might wanna stay in touch with your market just a little bit more if you can manage it. I can understand why citRon has some concerns.

 

[Donato]

New "Factory" Indy by Adventurebilt

If you can wait until May 22nd, Adventurebilt is releasing a new "factory made" Indy fedora modelled after the one worn by Harrison Ford in the new Indy film, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." According to the threads I've read at COW, it will be a high quality fedora, enough to bear the "Adventurebilt" name and will be reasonably priced. The price has not been released but the vendors are trying to keep it "reasonable," i.e., perhaps about $175.00. That is less than the Federation Deluxe + $35.00 shipping from Hatsdirect. I am eager to get my hands on a quality Indy fedora and have decided to wait until the Adventurebilt is released and some owner reviews are posted. The Fed. Deluxe and others will always be available but the new Adventurebilt is worth waiting for IMHO. Adventurebilt is already taking pre-orders for their new Indy.