Hi, New member and Fed question

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 3:15 am

Hi to all,
I've been lurking for a few weeks reading the archives and enjoying every second of it.
I'm in England and have decided to order an Akubra federation in the new year, but am a bit concerned over possible customs 'tax' being asked for when it arrives? I get the feeling that a product from Australia to England doesn't need a tax paying, but I know in the past I've ordered stuff from America and been hammered by a charge

I'm determined to get a Fed, even if it costs me extra on the tax, but I'd like to know if I have to keep a wad of cash in my wallet for the postman!
This is a great forum by the way, and everyone seems to be a true gent

Jeff.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:38 am

Welcome to the party, Jeff!
I can't help with your question, but welcome to the forum. Let me know if I may assist you in any way.
Regards,
HJ

VP · Post by VP » Sat Nov 26, 2005 9:56 am

That was a NIM.

Some members here have an Akubra. I would ask Canyon and ob1al at least.

Indy_Railok · Post by **Indy_Railok** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 10:04 am

VP, doesn't you have a Akubra?

VP · Post by VP » Sat Nov 26, 2005 10:05 am

Yeah, but mine wasn't shipped to the UK.

Indy_Railok · Post by **Indy_Railok** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 10:07 am

Oh, right.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:42 pm

Thank you for the welcome and replies guys:D
Hopefully someone from the Uk will know. It's typical of England that the cheapest way to get a good hat is to have it sent from the other side of the planet

I'm only just catching up with my love of Indiana Jones. Last time I saw it was about 15 years ago (I know....Disgraceful!). I'm getting the box set for Christmas and will be staring at that fedora with the pause button poised...

GraveRobberGreg · Post by **GraveRobberGreg** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:32 pm

Welcome to COW. Now that your here get ready to have more fun than you could have ever imagined. Oh and start saving your money now cause you will be buying more things then you thought you would. First it starts out with a hat. then you have to have a jacket and pants and a shirt then the MKVII finds its way to your door and so on and so on.

ITS NEVER ENDING! But its loads of fun

You will find that COW is made up of the best people you could ever find in the world. I consider myself very lucky to have found such a wonderful family to share my lifes stories.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:55 pm

Welcome aboard Jeff! The Fed is a great hat.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:53 pm

GraveRobberGreg said " First it starts out with a hat. then you have to have a jacket and pants and a shirt then the MKVII finds its way to your door and so on and so on." (I haven't mastered that quote business yet!)

Haha! I'd better win the lottery....I can't wait to get the whip! I know some people at work who need a bit of a lash

Yes J_Weaver, I understand a certain Renderking fisk has a certain liking for it

I'm looking forward to getting one, and having fun doing the 'bash' !

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 4:25 pm

Welcome, Raindog. Another fan in England, whereabouts?

I'm interested in an Akubra too. It seems to be hit or miss if you get stung with tax. The Akubra is about £42 so maybe figure 17.5% VAT plus a "Service fee" of say £15.

It does as our friends over the pond would say: "Stink"!

Come on guys, I know a few of you have them, did you get taxed?

We can blackball any Customs and Excise guys who pipe up.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 4:43 pm

KT Templar said "We can blackball any Customs and Excise guys who pipe up. "

Or at least whip 'em.
I'm in Bournemouth KT. Maybe Akubra could write 'gift' on the box. I hear that works in some cases. The joys of rip off Britain....

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 6:07 pm

raindog wrote: Yes J_Weaver, I understand a certain Renderking fisk has a certain liking for it

When I first read that I though you were talking about Johnny Walker.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 12:56 am

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 1:57 am

Black label, baby!

Kidding aside, yeah, Fisk does like the Akubra, from what I've gotten from him when we talk.

As far as customs tax, I don't think you'll get hit with it. I didn't get anything like that thrown at me when my Wested was delivered here from the UK.

Have fun shaping your hat! Here is a little tutorial on getting a good "Indy" look (if that's what you're going for), by COW's JohnNdy.

Enjoy!

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 12:27 pm

Thanks for the info Strider

I look forward to moulding my hat!
I hope you're right about the tax. The only time I ever bought anything from America I got taxed (a Kukri made in Nepal and sold in America). I think it might be different with goods from Australia. I can only hope so.
I've just realised I can try and find the information on the net (Doh!) So I'll see if I can find any info and let people know the result.....

Jeff.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 12:51 pm

Well folks, I just looked on the customs and excise site. Looks like bad news....Prepare for a dry read....
"When goods are posted from outside the EU customs duty is only payable if the amount of duty is £7 and over. This applies to both purchases of goods and gifts. However, import VAT is payable on purchases of goods with a value of £18 and over, and on gifts if the value is £36 and over. There are separate allowances for tobacco products, alcohol, perfumes and toilet waters ('excise goods'). The rates of duty and VAT are determined by reference to The Intergrated Tariff just like any other imported goods. Certain goods may also be prohibited.

Goods posted from the EU are normally admitted free of charge, but there are special regulations for excise goods. Where excise goods are sold by a vendor in another EU Member State to a private individual in the UK (eg goods ordered via the internet), and are transported directly or indirectly by the vendor, or on his behalf (for example mail order, transport by couriers or a postal service), UK excise duty must be paid or guaranteed before they are sent to the UK otherwise they are liable to be seized. Certain goods may also be prohibited."

I read this as they'll tax my hat. I'll just keep my fingers crossed when I order it. They're pretty haphazard with stuff I think!

michaeljcr · Post by **michaeljcr** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:25 pm

Hi raindog

This may be coming a bit late to help you, but I'm in the Uk and received my Fed Deluxe this week. They hand wrote the label and put 'Gift' on the box - no tax, no customs/duty. Hope that's good news!

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:59 pm

Hi Mjcr,
That's great news! I know the charge they add might be small, but it niggled me to think the Gov had yet another way of fleecing me of my hard earned cash

What's your deluxe like? Is the felt nice? I'm saving for 'the fedora' at the moment, and had actually forgotten about the Fed Deluxe as an option! The adventurebilt, though a great hat, is higher on the pain scale when it comes to price. What's the deluxe like in stiffness?
I hope you're sitting as we speak with it on your head and enjoying it

Jeff.

Indyjim · Post by **Indyjim** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:52 pm

That's what governments are in business for, helping you loose weight...
by making your wallet lighter

Welcome to COW!

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:59 pm

Cheers Indyjim!

Agree totally

Jeff.

michaeljcr · Post by **michaeljcr** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:40 pm

Hi Raindog

Glad the info wasn't too late! I was very pleased it came without extra charges and their customer service was teriffic. I ordered the regular Federation in Carbon Grey but they'd run out in my size so offered me the Graphite Grey Fed Deluxe for the cheaper price. It's much darker, almost black in fact, but goes well with my new black Aero horsehide Highwayman. The felt is quite stiff but pliable for bashing and while I'm no expert it seems like a great hat, especially for the lower price. I have been prancing around the house with it on a fair bit and wore it to work for the forst time today. I got two comments, one comparing me to Terry Pratchett (very cruel, especially as I work in the book trade) and one of 'good hat' that made up for it.
Now all I have to do is decide which brown fedora to save up for next...

Altern · Post by **Altern** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 1:28 am

Hey raindog !

Just wanted to let ya know that i'm in France and i ordered a Fed from HatDirect in late november, and it arrived exactly like mjcr described it :

- no custom taxes
- "gift" written on the box

I chose the Fed Standard and it's a wonderful hat !

You can find some pics of the box when it arrived and the bashing process here :

http://alternativ.free.fr/photos/category.php?cat=6

Or you can keep the surprise for yourself :p

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:27 am

Mjcr, you are lucky getting that Deluxe for the Fed price!
Altern, great looking Fed

Well packed too.

I've decided to get carbon grey. Still bouncing between the fed and deluxe

Jeff.

P.S..Have any of you put the Akubra poster on your wall??

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:03 am

raindog wrote: Or at least whip 'em.
I'm in Bournemouth KT. Maybe Akubra could write 'gift' on the box. I hear that works in some cases. The joys of rip off Britain....

I bought a Fed Regular last month, ordered about the 18th Dec got it on the 29th. Pretty good timing if you ask me. Without prompting they wrote, "Gift Only" "Merry Xmas" on the box in big black marker pen. Someone had stepped on the box and the top 8th or so of the box was popped in but no damage at all to the hat. And the hat is great. BTW!

michaeljcr · Post by **michaeljcr** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 8:09 am

raindog wrote:Mjcr, you are lucky getting that Deluxe for the Fed price!
Altern, great looking Fed Well packed too.

I've decided to get carbon grey. Still bouncing between the fed and deluxe

Jeff.

P.S..Have any of you put the Akubra poster on your wall??

Hi again Jeff - the poster will be going up! I don't know if they do the Fed Deluxe in Carbon Grey (although if they do I'd go for it) and remember the Graphite Grey like mine is very dark - someone posted saying it was about 90% black and I'd say that's pretty close. The Carbon grey seems great though, probably more sutable for wearing with a range of colours than the Graphite (although I'm very pleased with mine now I have it!).

I'll post some pictures if I can get a good shot - my camera *****.

Michael(JCR).

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 1:08 pm

Graphite grey sounds cool Michael. I won't be too concerned about matching it with clothes, as it will be worn with everything from jeans to paint covered work trousers to smart suits. Glad you put the poster up! It's actually a good looking poster as well, unlike other freebies you see around.

Kt, that's good news again. It seems it's regular practice to put that on the box then

I'm really looking forward to getting one now

Jeff.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 1:44 pm

Raindog and mcjr, welcome to Club Obi Wan!

Always nice to see new members, especially from the UK.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 1:51 pm

Thanks Canyon

I feel I already know you a bit, having read a few posts, seen a few pics of the conventions, and even read some of your writings at the fedora chronicles! Good to see you're still active here and wearing the hat

Jeff.

michaeljcr · Post by **michaeljcr** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:09 pm

Canyon wrote:Raindog and mcjr, welcome to Club Obi Wan!

Always nice to see new members, especially from the UK.

Cheers!

Indyjim · Post by **Indyjim** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 3:52 pm

I wasn't aware there was a Graphite Grey in the Fed Deluxe. Only Loden is listed on the website.

michaeljcr · Post by **michaeljcr** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:42 am

Indyjim wrote:I wasn't aware there was a Graphite Grey in the Fed Deluxe. Only Loden is listed on the website.

Yeah, I wondered about that, perhaps it's an old line?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:43 am

They discontinued the Graphite color a couple years ago, if I recall correctly.

bink

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:18 am

Let me see… my ears were ringing. I wonder why? Could it be the words “Fedora,” “Akubra” and “Johnny Walker” were mentioned in the same thread?

Personally, when it comes to fedoras, there’s three ways you can go.

The Akubra Federation has been one of the best fedora's I've ever owned. It was exactly what I was looking for all these years, not too expensive but held up wonderfully. You have to bash it yourself, then you're on your way.

Yet, on the other hand... if you want a fedora that's made EXACTLY the way they were made during the 1930's and 1940's (by hand) and made by a member of this community who spent his own time and money in perfecting the craft, I would go with an Adventurebuilt.

I have two pages dedicated to Steve's work which you can find on the top of The Daily update on The Fedora Chronicles each day.

Or you can see them Here and There

Then there’s Art Fawcett’s Vintage Silhouettes… his fedora’s lean more towards the 1940’s and 1950’s… or what fedora’s would look like today if they were still in the main stream.

All these are great products, and you can’t go wrong.

The only way you CAN go wrong is by not getting a fedora. I believe that’s as a world citizen of The Nation Of Retro-Centrics and Vintage Aficionados, I believe it’s our right… no, OUR DUTY to wear our fedora’s daily and to help keep our fine vedors busy and in buisness.

Welcome to the madness... first drink is on me!

You came for the Gear, you’ll stay for the people.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:31 am

Any news on when Art hopes to be up and running again? I know he moved recently, but his page says he's hoping to be up and running again in the fall, and it's well into winter now... I may have something for him to block in the spring...

bink

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:25 pm

Renderkingfisk, as a member of the NRVA perhaps you can tell me if it's possible to soften up the Fed by the Keppeler method (massaging and manipulating the felt) as mentioned in another thread? I've been put off the deluxe because you can't get the carbon grey anymore, and the fed is the only affordable option for me now, but I'm put off the fed by the stiffness of the felt

Is it possible to get the fed a bit floppy? Sort of Bogart soft (as in the Maltese falcon) ? Or will it always be a bit cowboyish in its build?

Jeff.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:20 pm

Jeff, my dad got a grey Fed last November. its was cowbot hat stiff when new. However, after about a year wear its really softened up nicely. Its now as soft as my rabbit AB. Its not quite what I would call floppy, but it is quite soft.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:27 pm

Good news J_Weaver

If I attack it enough then it should be possible....Hmmm A years wear in a day? Get my tool kit!

Thanks for the info

Glad your Dad likes the hat as well

Jeff.