Waiting for my Keppler......

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:49 pm

Ordered a size 7 3/4 long oval last July, but still waiting on BB to get the larger sizes over to Lee's place. I'm not foaming at the mouth or anything - I've got a Christy's and a fur-felt DP ( shudder! ) on hand, but I am looking forward to coming home one day and finding a box on my front porch with THE hat inside.

Anybody else still waiting on their hats? Esp. the larger sizes? I wish I had a smaller head - I could have gotten the next size down last year! Oh, well. Maybe we could make this a Keppler fedora wait support thread?

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:57 pm

Just keep whistling the theme to Jeopardy. Everything will be okay.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:25 pm

Huh... That does seem like a long time to wait. Do they give you updates, or an ETA?

Jonny Whip Crack · Post by **Jonny Whip Crack** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:01 pm

I've been waiting since last Feb for a size 23 1/2 Raiders. I talked to him about 3 weeks ago, and it sounded like he had that size and that he was going to get to it soon. I'm going to call him in a couple weeks and see where we're at. I'm also waiting for 2 Adventurebilts, so I've learned to be patient, though Lee's not making the hats, he just bashes them and mails them out. I look forward to seeing my Keppler soon.

Lee if you're out there and see this, could you give me an update.
Cheers

Jonny from Calgary

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:14 pm

I think I waited about 4 months for mine. You'll be pleased when it arrives. It's a very nice hat--one of my favorites.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:24 pm

I like Lee as a person, but he's pretty slow on delivering. Partly because of Beaver Brand, then his hectic schedule. That being said, my wait was worth it, the hat's excellent.

Randy

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:41 pm

I have a Keppler ROTLA as well. I believe interchange and I were in the same batch. I can't believe you have been waiting nearly a year for your hat. You could have bought and received at least 3 Penmans in the same time period. No offense, but someone needs to get a hold of Lee and see if he is really "in" to doing the hat thing. A one year wait for a factory hat is nuts!

Jonny Whip Crack · Post by **Jonny Whip Crack** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:05 am

I agree, a year wait for a factory hat is insane. I understand he's busy with other things, but I've yet to see where my $150 that I sent him went. These days I don't just give people $150 and expect nothing.... I want my hat! When I sent him the money order, he said originally it'd be 2-4 weeks (approx) and that I'd have before the Indy IV premier. Then I asked if I'd have it before Halloween, and he said no problem. Now just recently he told me approx 1-2 months. 1 month has already passed. 1 month left...then I'm going to start to get upset. I really want this hat, but I'm getting close to asking for my money back and support another hat maker. Please Lee, I just want my hat.
Cheers everyone.
Jonny

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:32 pm

mcmanm wrote:I have a Keppler ROTLA as well. I believe interchange and I were in the same batch. I can't believe you have been waiting nearly a year for your hat. You could have bought and received at least 3 Penmans in the same time period. No offense, but someone needs to get a hold of Lee and see if he is really "in" to doing the hat thing. A one year wait for a factory hat is nuts!

We were in the same batch. I got the first, you got the second. I'm also waiting for another hat myself.

Randy

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:06 pm

Good for you. What did you order? How long is the wait? I went with Penman for my second hat. Decided on the CS and couldn't be happier. Really is a difference between a factory and a custom hat. I liked it so much, I ordered a grey CS w/ brown specs as a "just kept my job" gift.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:17 pm

For the money, a Keppler's a good deal. I ordered a SOC Raiders Kepp. I'm thinking of MAKING my third hat.

Randy

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:21 am

The look of the new hats and the price definetly sold me. I'll try to give Lee a call in a day or two, but my schedule is kinda nuts this week. Hopefully it'll arrive before next Halloween.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:56 pm

I just got off the phone with the man himself. He was working on hats and I let him get back to it!

Randy

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:12 am

All I know is Lee's new beaver fedoras are well worth the wait! And a great price too. Lee has to be the oldest(not personal age) Indy vendor out there. He is the original, and has the scars to prove it!

Fedora

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:49 pm

Has anyone gotten a hat from Lee recently?

Randy

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:10 pm

Still trying to get a hold of him. I've called several times now, but his voicebox is full - e-mails haven't been working either. I'll try again tommorrow - is Lee still having problems with his computer?

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:52 pm

He was SUPPOSED to ship 7-8 hats today. [mine included] That's what I was told by him on Thursday.

Randy

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:06 am

Spoke with Lee this afternoon - said he'll be shipping my hat next week. $\:D/$

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:05 pm

Did he say anything about having shipped hats Monday?

Randy

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:43 am

No - I just asked about my order when I spoke with him. I didn't want to keep him tied up too long ( it was close to dinner-time ). Hopefully, Lee sent your hat and the others out on Monday.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:48 pm

I was walking and the mailman stopped me to see if I wanted to go ahead and accept the package he had for me [and knew I was waiting on

] sure enough it was from Adventure Supply!

Randy

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:42 pm

Excellent news

- I'll be checking my front porch this next week....

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:17 pm

After waiting for the hat, I ended up not wanting to keep it.. I put it up in Cairo Bazzar.

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... 94#p550194

Randy

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:47 am

You kiddin' me?

If I had a smaller head and hadn't already paid Lee, I would have snapped your hat up in an instant! Still waiting on mine.

I'll just be glad when the darn thing finally arrives. Oh, well.....

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:58 pm

LONG story on why I sold the hat.. I was tired of the excuses and once I got the hat. I don't think I would have enjoyed it.

So it got passed on to someone who will love it!

Randy

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:39 pm

Yeah, being told my order will be mailed on this date, and then this date and this date is starting to wear on me a bit. I'll try calling and e-mailing again ( his phone message box is still full ). If he's too tied up with other things, I'll request a refund ( but I hope I don't have to go that route ).

( I might have to rename this the Solent/interchange Keppler fedora discussion thread before long!

)

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:23 pm

haha, true true. I was actually going to call and do just that on the day it arrived. Ha, we may be scaring people off.

His mailbox is full... again... huh?

Randy

Jonny Whip Crack · Post by **Jonny Whip Crack** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:33 pm

I'm very tempeted to get a refund aswell. I ordered 13 months ago with ship date promised after ship date. I'm hoping he took care of mine last week and is in the mail. I even had to e-mail him my address 5+ times because he didn't think he had it on file, along with proof of purchase. I'm trying not to put Lee down in any way. He sounds like a nice guy, but when people send you money (mine was by money order for $150 US), you expect something for it. I'm patient.. I have 2 AB's in my future, ordered in 2007....hand made mind you. I'm going to have to scan my money order receipt, and remind him a paid customer is wating. I'm not angry, just losing patience from empty promises.
Thanks for listening

Jonny

(if you're out there Lee, Jon from Calgary.... 7 1/2 Raiders

)

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:52 pm

I don't know what's going on with him. He seems to be alienating customers and prospects.

Randy

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:03 pm

Seems to be a virus thats going around...

Dave

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:16 pm

I hate to pile on here but I've had the same experience of being promised time and again that my ordered items would be shipped to me ("I've got them right here! I'll send them out tomorrow. Now just give me your address again..." Oh, how often I have heard those words!

).

I ordered several items back in December 2007. I was told I would have them in January 2008. Then February. Then March... and so on.

I have politely emailed, called, and even sent 3 letters via snail mail with details of my order, the number of the money order I sent, and my shipping information.

*Sigh* I have no clue how to break this endless cycle.

Like you Jonny, I'm not angry, just puzzled. I know in this hobby you have to be patient. From reading posts on the boards here it seems that many people do receive their items from Lee, and I agree he's the nicest guy you could speak with over the phone. However, I did hand over a fair bit of money and would either like the order or my money back. No big deal to me either way - just anything but this limbo!

If he'd said to begin with "It'll take 2 years to get you your items", then cool, I could've factored that into my purchasing decision. As it was, I was told I would get items in time for the premiere of Indy IV (doh!)... yeah so plan B was put into effect (thanks Akubra and Todd!

).

Anyone have any advice? I really do want to resolve this amicably. Thanks!

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:22 pm

Vindy, you mean you STILL haven't received your stuff?!

I'm not sure, he's VERY hard to get in touch with.

Randy

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:44 pm

Try contacting him again, Vindy. If you can't, open a dispute with your bank and ask that your money be refunded or goods delivered. Hate to say it, but that may be the only way to get his attention.

Dave

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:08 am

Sadly, harsh but true. The problem will be getting your money back.. if you've had this problem getting you item, I hate to think what it'll take to get your money back!

Randy

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:39 am

theinterchange wrote:Vindy, you mean you STILL haven't received your stuff?!

That is correct...

DR Ulloa wrote:Try contacting him again, Vindy. If you can't, open a dispute with your bank and ask that your money be refunded or goods delivered.

Yeah, I will contact him again. I can usually get through - eventually - but the problem is when I do I will be told that my items are all there, and that he will ship them in the next day or two - Monday at the latest, for sure! So I'll give him my address again, and then.... well you all know how this will go.

So I will keep trying, but hey - there are worse things going on in the world than me not getting a hat and holster I ordered!

Life is good - gotta put it in perspective, right?

I still think this is a great community full of great people! I've learned a lot from the hard work and research done by the folks here - Mr. Keppler included (since he pretty much started a lot of this!)

Thanks for the input guys!

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:38 am

2007.

- "Hi, Lee. I'd love to place an order for a bunch of stuff. You say I'll have it next week? Greeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaat!"

2009.

- "Still haven't gotten my stuff, but that's ooooooookay. There are worse things going on in the world than me not getting a hat and holster I ordered! Life is good!"

I feel bad when I see this happening to newer members. This has been going on since the beginning of Indygear. Possibly even earlier. But...oh well. You're all right that Lee is the nicest guy and can talk anyones ear off for hours with gear talk and more, but he has never done anything to improve his business ethics even though the scenario playing out here has played out before, over and over and over again.

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:04 am

Point well taken, agent5. Just call me "Bob".

But that's not quite what I was trying to say, so I'll try again. You're absolutely right, it's not okay that I haven't gotten my stuff. Not saying I am happy about it, I paid good money and I've gotten jack in return - that is no way to run a business, no matter how nice of a guy you are. No arguing there.

I mean, c'mon, I even used the "head-banging-against-the-wall" smilie to supplement my fine prose and indicate my frustration!

I was just trying to say that despite the fact that I've been wronged by a vendor, that I still enjoy the hobby.

I am sorry to hear that this is SOP with Lee and has been for years. I wish I had read that earlier, obviously, but from my initial readings of forum posts, it seemed like a safe way to go.

I'll keep after him. Caveat emptor and all that.

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:47 am

I wasn't really poking fun at you personally, although I can now see how it may seem that way, but the post above is generally the way almost all members handle these situations not only with Lee, but with all vendors here. That's what I was thinking about when I posted it. If you didn't see problems with Lee's delivery times then you probably didn't dig too far into the archives here. I like Lee very much and respect his standing as the "Godfather" of gear, but I wish, and I'm sure many here do, that he would really be up front about his delivery times as others like AB does. If he did that there would not be so many people like yourself upset that they've been pushed back again and again after being told their items will ship next week.
I've always felt that if this site chooses to have Lee's company and name as a choice of gear on the main page that there should be a disclaimer as to the possible wait times. Not only that, Lee should also post that on his site (whenever it's working) so that people will be told up front that these products may take some time. I'd think it would save him some headaches. Unfortunatley the mods do not see this as a problem and that is their business. It's just unfortunate that newer members who don't check past posts sometimes end up in the situation that you're in. If the disclaimer was up then you would be able to make up your mind before placing the order and also would not have reason to complain if it did take longer than expected since you knew the deal going in before placing your order. I would think it would be more fair to the customer and also, more fair to Lee, taking pressure off of him as well.

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:00 am

Oh, I really didn't take it personally. My post wasn't very well written and I thought yours was funny.

You're right, I didn't research it very well and (hopefully) I've learned something from my mistake.

Thanks for the insights!

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:18 am

What irritates the 'mods' is that folks seem to think we're the 'vendor/seller police'. This site was created and is run to supply information and a discussion site for folks to find and talk about gear. It is the responsibility of the vendor AND buyer to do their own deals.

A LOT of our vendors are kitchen table sellers. They have no brick and mortor stores, and pretty much work from their own homes.

We are still puzzled how folks got the idea we are a liason between vendor and buyer. We are not, and never HAVE been.

The 'buyer beware' posting is scattered all OVER this site, and always has been.

Regards! Michaelson

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:24 am

My first hat was a Keppler. I had a bit of trouble receiving it but it wasn't anything near what Vindy is going through. I ordered the hat as I was waiting for my account here to become activated. I wasn't a lurker for a couple months, years even, and then decided to join. No, I joined as soon as I found COW. I did some topical research on Lee and found great things about him, but didn't dig much deeper. Now, I go back into the archives almost weekly and see that he, and other vendors here, have been suffering from the same problems they are suffering from now for ages. What upsets me is that if a vendor waited two years for a customer to pay, he would flat out give their order to another customer who had paid and move on with it. If a vendor is two years on an order, he is running a business and the wait times fluctuate so it is ok? I can understand that being acceptable and even understandable when dealing with a custom made product. I've been told two different ETAs for my AB and have not been upset when it didn't show becuase I know I'm dealing with a handcrafted item. Lee is dealing in factory made products. This, to me just doesn't make sense. Being Lee Keppler doesn't make it right.

Dave

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:28 am

Well put Dave. As you said, waiting on a custom product like the AB is reasonable. This would be about like buying a pair of jeans from the Gap and waiting 5 months for them to deliver.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:56 am

Just sticking my head in here one more time...and not defending Lee, but he is not totally dealing with 'factory made items'.

Like Jersey Jones and Camptown, Lee receives the hats from Beaver Brand, then hand shapes and brim cuts each and every hat to each specific order he receives. He handles every hat, and anyone who works hats knows how long that can take.

I can't speak for his other supply line problems, as they are 'in one door, out the other'...but the hats require individual 'hands on' work before he ships....once he receives them from the factory.

Ok, back to the car....

Regards! Michaelson

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:02 am

Speaking to some hatters on this and other forums, it is my understanding that cutting down a brim takes about five minutes. Lets say shaping takes another five to ten if he wants to make it great. That doesn't add up. I know where your coming from Mark, but these are factory products no matter how you spin it and I know you weren't trying to spin this.

Dave

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:07 am

Nope, no spinning here....no NEED to spin anything.....just pointing out that a factory item is just that...a factory item. This is a semi-finished item that still requires handling.

Maybe Lee's best bet would be to stop offering customized hats and just supply them open crown and uncut brim.

Regards !Michaelson

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:11 am

I do agree with Michaelson 110% about contacting the mods with vendor problems. What will that do? The only amount of pressure the mods can do is make sure the problem vendors cannot sell their stuff here on this site or ban them for faulty business practices. Other than that it's completely out of their hands.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:12 am

That's true, '5', we do go that far.....but other than threatening them with removal from the site (including removal, which we've had to do in the past), there's nothing else we can do.

As long as they're making an effort to sort things out, we leave things alone.

Regards! Michaelson

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:59 pm

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:48 pm

Regards! Michaelson

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:21 pm

I think you took me the wrong way. PM sent.

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