FEDERATION IV PROBLEMS...

[jimmy the lid]

The discoloration thing is frequent? I would think that if it were, you'd hear plenty about it as vocal as folks are around these parts. [huh] As much as I like my Akubras, were I to experience something like this, I'd be squawking!

I'm not saying it's frequent. But from time to time, and over time -- yes, there have been reports like this.

 

[CRH]

Actually, I think that this is a more frequent event than is commonly acknowledged.
...

Possibly.

Those of you who follow Akubra Overload may remember that I have a willow green Squatter that showed some mottling after a light tap water bath for creasing, although nothing nearly as severe as what Dean has showed us. After wearing the lid through several rains the mottling is gone except for one small area on the underside of the brim. The rust colored undertones still show boldly in the right light but do not show up as mottling.

Dean, your hat should really should go back to Hatsdirect so that they can assess the severity of the situation. Shipping is expensive but that is the cost of International business I'm afraid - heck no! Hatsdirect should refund the shipping once they see the defect. :rage:

The other option is to give it a swim in a river. Maybe the dirty water could even things out a bit.

Don't forget your hatfetcher once you go next to a river....

Fedtch lV?

 

[Mr. Paladin]

I wondered if you'd chide me for that remark! I know you're an avid fan of the modern Stetsons. I haven't personally had a bad experience, but know folks who have, the last Stetson I've owned was a licensed Indy from the 80's.

Actually, the adamant praise you've given your Stetsons has made me rethink my prejudice. Especially when your hats are outlet finds of quality!

Randy

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Dean]

Well, its been a week since I e-mailed both Akubra and HatsDirect (plus a follow up e-mail to HD), but no reply?

The e-mails were polite and asked for further advice on the problem as cleaning really does not seem to work.

It has now been almost a month since since I first raised the matter with HD -
I am becoming less impressed by the day.

DEAN.

 

[bobbyrab]

Long-time listener, first-time caller, to paraphrase the talk radio cliche. I, because of this forum, have collected 4 Fed IVs and am generally happy with the quality however, my dark-brown Fed, which maybe I have worn all of four times has the white lining separating from the body of the hat. I guess it can be readily sewed back in. And...on my carbon gray Fed IV, the hat arrived with a slightly pinched ribbon which no matter how I try to stretch it, it remains pinched. I didn't bother contacting HD on these problems but they were sure helpful to me during the ordering process.

Now that I have made my "virgin" post, perhaps I will contribute a bit more often. Thanks to you all for stimulating my inner-hat passion!

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Welcome to the Fedora Lounge bobbyrab!!!!!

Dean you think it is time to be more assertive?

 

[Aristaeus]

I had the same problem with my fed IV, every time I got caught in the rain you could see where the drops hit the hat, also at the top of the crown there was a discoloration where I would grab the hat to take it off and put it on. Bothered me real bad at first but I just took the hat for what it is, a low cost fedora. I never cleaned it and ovr time the spots faded and the hat is fine. I think where you went wrong is the cleaning you only made it worse just let it be and the spots should fade ovr time. If not well then you have a hat for bad weather use.

 

[Dean]

Cheers guys - for anyone else who may suffer the same problem, the cleaning hasn't made the discolouring any worse. In fact, it hasn't changed it at all.

I've tried water test patches on the hat and it would appear that the dye is affected in limited areas (remember secret ink, that appears when wet? - think of the opposite, a lighter colour that appears when wet, or the darker dye getting washed out?....).

I can get a slightly lighter colour elsewhere on the hat, but this can generally be brushed out and is barely noticeable.

I'm not sure that I would call £75 a 'low cost'......it may be cheaper than some other models, but it ain't the budget range (Christy's?). And so far, it doesn't do what it says on the tin....


DEAN.

 

[frussell]

Really Surprising

I've had such good luck with HatsDirect. I agree with the get more "stern" suggestion. If this is indeed a defect, they should pay for shipping as well. From my experiences with this company, that doesn't seem like something that would be a problem. They are always prompt with answers (allowing for time differences, of course), and have accepted returns from me with no problems at all. Keep trying. Your experience reminds me more of the Christy's purchase I made than my several excellent deals with HatsDirect. Good Luck, Frank

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Good Luck, Frank

Is it Frank or Dean??? I have been calling you Dean all along Frank..[huh]

 

[frussell]

I'm Frank, he's Dean.

I put a comma instead of a period. Thanks, smarty pants. Where is "Beautiful Horse Country," anyway? Where do the ugly horses live? Thanks... Frank.

 

[Dean]

I'm Dean, he's Frank.

Ironically, I do live in ugly horse country - we have the relatively famous New Forest Ponies here in the National Park. Dopey buggers for glue, unless you hit one with your car (they roam 'free') then they become thorough breds on the insurance....

Cheers, Frank.

Dean.

 

[Carlisle Blues]

When I was in college I had a Dean named Frank. I still am a little confused, however, whoever (Dean/Frank) has that problem you should be send the hat (certified/insured) with your documentation of contact. I am sure the store will make it their business to resolve the matter.

Beautiful Horse Country is in New England.

 

[CRH]

Our friend, HATCO, has stated that Stetson uses powder in the felt finishing process to prevent the kind of mottling we are talking about in this thread. He also mentioned that he had seen mottling in Akubras.

I'm linking this thread into Any questions for a hat seller and specialist in Akubras?

We'll see what happens.

 

[Dean]

Copy of e-mail to HatsDirect, which I think is self-explanatory:

Dear HatsDirect

Further to my previous correspondence, I am disappointed that you have chosen to ignore my most recent polite e-mails regarding the problem with my Federation Hat (likewise Akubra has ignored my e-mail).

As you are aware, my Federation has discoloured after only a brief rain shower. Whilst attempting to research the problem, I came across a website called the Fedora Lounge (a hat fanatics site, who rave about your services and Akubra hats) and the general opinion is that there may be a problem with the felt / dye?

However, I have no way of confirming this given the lack of response? (cleaning does not seem to work). Currently, I seem to have an inferior product that cost £75 and no way of clarifying the problem or any solution. You suggested that you would raise the issue with Akubra, but they have denied any contact - it has now been six weeks since I first raised the problem.

You suggested in your previous e-mail that you would replace the hat if there was a problem with the felt. Whilst I am tempted to simply post the hat back and request an exchange or refund, I have no confidence that this will be forthcoming given the above.

Please have the courtesy to respond to this e-mail with a possible solution. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dean *****

 

[Carlisle Blues]

^^^^

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[avedwards]

Our friend, HATCO, has stated that Stetson uses powder in the felt finishing process to prevent the kind of mottling we are talking about in this thread. He also mentioned that he had seen mottling in Akubras.

I'm linking this thread into Any questions for a hat seller and specialist in Akubras?

We'll see what happens.

I think it was on the Hatsdirect site that I read that Akubra does not use powder in its dye. As a result I'd expect the colour of an Akubra to remain the same regardless of age. As yet, my moonstone Federation is exactly the same grey shade it was when it was new. However, I haven't had it long enough to testify how it will stand up to heavy rain.

Considering how many members here have had good experiences with Federations, I can only suggest what's already said: that Dean is unfortunate enough to have come across a rare case of a poor quality hat. Even a company like Akubra which has high quality control will make one bad hat once in a while, considering how many thousands they must make. I'm just sorry for Dean that his Federation was the one bad one amongst all the good ones, if that was the case.

 

[Dean]

PROBLEM SOLVED....

Well, I have received an almost immediate response from both Akubra and HatsDirect - they are replacing the hat, which I think is very generous.

HatsDirect stated that they had not responded as I had not sent any pictures, although they acknowledged receiving three seperate e-mails, all making specific reference to the attached pictures....

Still, no harm and it would be pedantic for me to argue this minor point when they have agreed to replace the hat. I don't know why I have felt on the back-foot about all this - if it had been an item of clothing from a shop, I would have been in immediately crying foul....perhaps because it's my first 'proper' hat, new ground and all that.

My apologies again that my first foray into this website was a complaint, but I've found some great stuff here (I'm definately getting a suit from Magnoli when I'm next in NZ).

Given the high praise for both HatsDirect and Akubra, I wouldn't hesitate to order again regardless of this hiccup - I am still very tempted to get a wee collection like FFF's!

Cheers again guys - Dean.

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

That's great news Dean. I hope everything works out. I've ordered 6 hats from Hats Direct with no issues. They've always been great to deal with.

 

[John in Covina]

It's a triumph of communication and using proper leverage. If you have a problem with an item from a small to medium sized company and you're not getting any results a series of letters to the President of the company will often help. As at that position they hate to be bothered with bad news and have the ability to make it go away with a conversation to their underlings.