Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

[HatsEnough]

Could someone please tell me what it is about a top hat that makes every ebay seller think they have a $150 or more item? Even the toppers that are basically destroyed the sellers think they have a $50 or $80 hat! Toppers aren't so rare that even a destroyed one is worth such big cash! Some of these people are expecting upwards to $400 for an average top hat, fer cripes sakes.

 

[DJH]

HE, indeed, there are a lot of hats that seem to get constantly re-listed for this reason. The seller starts with an unrealistically high initial bid price (or BIN) and the hat just sits there.

After not selling, the hat then gets posted again at the same price.

 

[scooter]

Well, I will say this, in spite of my daily reading on the forum, I still am not sure what some hats are worth. A 6 7/8 hat I purchased, absolutely pristine condition and in it's original box, drew no attention whatsoever here, to my surprise. Admittedly it is a SMALL hat, but the bottom line (and I expressed this to Scotrace before I posted it) is that I really had very little idea of the hat's worth when I posted it. Only point I'm trying to make here, is this, a hat's worth is highly subjective and many of us are not learned enough to accurately judge the value. It makes me nervous, thinking I might sell a $100 hat for instance, for $40 or $50 because of my ignorance. I will qualify this by saying, if you offer it at X and get no interest, common sense dictates you should lower your sights a bit.

 

[HatsEnough]

After not selling, the hat then gets posted again at the same price.

I have been the beneficiary of this in a few instances. I collect some other things, too, and one item has been listed and re-listed for the last 5 years! The guy started years ago with a price of $500. After years of him listing, and listing, and listing it I bought it from him for $150 just this week!

I have also seen items listed several times and finally after several times I offered a much lower buy it now and they took the offer.

Still, one wonders how these guys so constantly waste their time listing and relisting things at outrageous prices and never, ever getting a single bid. You'd think that after a while they'd either imagine that ebay is a waste of their time or that they have unrealistic expectations.

 

[HatsEnough]

Well, I will say this, in spite of my daily reading on the forum, I still am not sure what some hats are worth. A 6 7/8 hat I purchased, absolutely pristine condition and in it's original box, drew no attention whatsoever here, to my surprise. Admittedly it is a SMALL hat, but the bottom line (and I expressed this to Scotrace before I posted it) is that I really had very little idea of the hat's worth when I posted it. Only point I'm trying to make here, is this, a hat's worth is highly subjective and many of us are not learned enough to accurately judge the value. It makes me nervous, thinking I might sell a $100 hat for instance, for $40 or $50 because of my ignorance. I will qualify this by saying, if you offer it at X and get no interest, common sense dictates you should lower your sights a bit.

Scooter, I feel your pain.

On the small sized hats, though, anything under size 7 will be hard to sell regardless. There are very, very few collectors that will buy hats that aren't their size, even here on the lounge. Most collectors buy hats they can wear (or that they think they can sell at a higher price later, at least). Size 6-7/8 hats and smaller just don't fit many people, so you won't see many bidders on them.

Still, that aside, like any collectible, hat prices ebb and flow. About 2 years ago you couldn't find a Playboy for under $200. Last year every Whippet on the bay went for $180 to $300 (even the small sizes). Now both have had a lull in prices.

You just have to keep looking, keep paying attention, keep reading and you'll get it eventually. It just takes time.... and even then you'll always be guessing to a degree.

 

[Justin B]

Battle in the last few seconds...but I finally got a Whippet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320718618032

 

[HatsEnough]

Battle in the last few seconds...but I finally got a Whippet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320718618032

And just as I post that Whippets have come down in price, Justin wins one for under $100!! Case in point. Good job, Justin.

I bought a size 7 for $79 a few weeks ago. Last year you would never have seen a size 7 Whippet go for under $180.

 

[Terry "The Hat"]

Battle in the last few seconds...but I finally got a Whippet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320718618032

What a great deal. I had seen that hat but it was way too small for me. I'm glad you got it for such a good deal.

 

[Justin B]

Went ahead and grabbed this one too while I was at it. So much for taking a break from hat buying...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320718623504&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

 

[T Rick]

Battle in the last few seconds...but I finally got a Whippet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320718618032

Glad you grabbed it, and glad I didn't bid. I was seriously considering it, but am still reluctant to buy a 7 and stretch it to my 7 1/8. Had trouble with my Trimble (now better that I have a steamer), but it may have been undersized/shrunken even from a 7.

So far, every Stetson I've tried at 7 1/8 has fit great. I have an Open Road in 7 from eBay on the way, and if it fits or is easily stretched, it'll be "game on" for anything in size 7 that looks like it'll fit my collection/needs (which are getting much less as I've got quite a few hats over the last 6 months).

ETA: Yep, the OR was actually waiting for me here when I wrote that. Unboxed, it very nearly fits as is, will take just a slight stretch (no trouble at all!). I'd say you're lucky it didn't get here a day earlier, or the Whippet would have either been mine or cost you a good bit more! Well done., looking forward to see your pics of it when it arrives. Your head, as well as one of your favorite Nurses.

 

[HatsEnough]

Went ahead and grabbed this one too while I was at it. So much for taking a break from hat buying...[/url]

Man, there sure have been a ton of brown hats up for sale lately!

 

[Joshbru3]

I had to laugh at the despcription of the topper...

"Solid construction, no seam inside."

No seam inside! LOL. Obviously this person has never dealt with real hats before.

Probably not. It was re-listed twice I believe. I just figured for 15 bucks, it was worth having it as an example piece. There is something about felt top hats that really get me every time. I love the silk ones, but the felt ones seemed like more of a daily wearer and not so much of a black tie affair piece. That could also be why almost every felt top hat that I have seen has been beat to hell.

 

[Joshbru3]

So much for taking a break from hat buying...

Tell me about it buddy...[huh]
I now have more hats than I did when I first started my summer hat sales. Oh boy. Well, this hat addition sure beats many of the others in the world. By the way, congrats on the Whippet and Marathon grabs. You seem to be filling in your Stetson models collection very nicely.

 

[Justin B]

Yup, still need a Playboy though. And I'm still looking for a kitten finish Resistol...

 

[Iyor]

Well it seems every time that I sell off some hats to save money, I always find myself buying more. Damn this hat obsession....

Here's a couple that Ive fished off the bay

1920's The Lion Brand
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320716356933&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I think this one is the same as LION HATS which was made by the Langenberg company which turned into Beaver Brand hats. I love the frayed ribbon work on this one. It should clean up nicely. Looks pretty dusty.

1890's/Early 1900's Top Hat with Bell Crown
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290578149418&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

This one is in pretty rough shape. Its missing the sweatband, the original ribbon, and edge binding, but the felt is in nice shape. I did some research on the company that sold it and I can only find references from around the turn of the century. I thought it was interesting though.

Nice lion hat I got one recently on the bay as well but the sweat in mine is unreeded. I thought lion hats switched names by the time they started putting in reeded sweats? Well Josh if you decide you don't like that lion hat feel free to drop me a pm.

 

[Iyor]

Just received a georgous dobbs swansdown hat I paid quite a bit but after seeing it I might have paid even more for it. The guy told me that a bunch of people contacted him about cutting a deal. I'm happy to have gotten it since really nice it has a really soft feel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130539163774&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Terry "The Hat"]

I'm thinking I did pretty good on this "Kevin McAndrew." I lost one (a nice JCPenney Towncraft) earlier but won this one without having to increase my max bid.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300571525191&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

 

[red71veloce]

Just received a georgous dobbs swansdown hat I paid quite a bit but after seeing it I might have paid even more for it. The guy told me that a bunch of people contacted him about cutting a deal. I'm happy to have gotten it since really nice it has a really soft feel.

http://cgi.
.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=130539163774&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

You got a good deal at that price.....his hats are special!

 

[Mario]

Lovely old 6 7/8 Whippet went for a fantastic price (not mine!).

 

[adouglasmhor]

Ha, ha. That almost would seem to be the sort of off track thing I'd go for, wouldn't it? Still, I am a Scot, not a Corn... Conish..der... Cornishian... Corn.. uh... one of them.

Cornwallian.