Club Obi Wan

When you guys and gals are out and about, and get nice comments on your Adventurebilt, does anyone ever ask you where you got it? If so, do you tell them, fervently, about Fedora's website, and how great the Adventurebilt is? Would you go so far as to write down the URL for the site for the person?

I ask because, after starting my new job at The Village Hat Shop, I have gotten several people coming in and asking for Indiana Jones style hats. Of course, we sell the wool and fur felt versions of the Dorfman Pacific, but honestly, I don't feel comfortable selling someone this hat if I am trying to sell them an Indy style fedora.

I end up taking them to the computer in the back and showing the Fedora's website, saying "if you really want a nice Indy hat, this is the hat", followed by about 10 minutes of gushing about how great the hat is.

The other day, I even told a guy: "If you absolutely have to just shoot your way out of a situation, guns blazing, bad guys closing in on all sides, this is your hat. It'll come out less messed up than you will. Also, you can wear it with a nice suit and tie, and the hat will make your face look great!". I talked to this poor guy for about 20 minutes

So, do any of you do these sorts of things?

PS Mods: If this is in the wrong section, forgive me.

Regards,

Quick Question: Do your bosses approve of you selling customers on a hat that they don't sell? I really haven't gotten many comments on my AB, other than from family members. :junior: -IJ

I do it without them knowing I'm doing it. I'm slick...kinda.

Regards,

Yes I gave out steve's web address to a sells rep from aldens a couple a months back in a hat shop in portland. I thought it was kinda funny when this guy was looking at me kinda strange like. Then he came up to me asked about my hat and gave me his card ( small world).

IndianaJones wrote:Quick Question: Do your bosses approve of you selling customers on a hat that they don't sell? I really haven't gotten many comments on my AB, other than from family members. :junior: -IJ

Yea, I've only gotten comments from my family too.

I'd becareful Strider, I figure your boss wouldn't be to happy about you selling AB's on his time. If I were you I would start by asking them what their looking for in an Indy fedora (or hat in general). Most people aren't as anal about the hat being perfect like we are. However, if you find someone who wants a screen accurate Indy fedora and further more a hat that will last, then I would point them toward AB. I think the key is to sell your product, but yet be honest to your customers. I also think that most people appreciate this.

Edit: jpenman, was he with the Alden shop in San Francisco?

I used to get a lot of compliments on my Herbert Johnson. I would thank them and tell them that the hat came from England. I have not worn my AB out enough for the compliments to start rolling in.

J_Weaver wrote: I'd becareful Strider, I figure your boss wouldn't be to happy about you selling AB's on his time. If I were you I would start by asking them what their looking for in an Indy fedora (or hat in general). Most people aren't as anal about the hat being perfect like we are. However, if you find someone who wants a screen accurate Indy fedora and further more a hat that will last, then I would point them toward AB. I think the key is to sell your product, but yet be honest to your customers. I also think that most people appreciate this.

My boss is a she, first off . I also do ask people what they are looking for in an Indy fedora or "Adventerous" kind of hat, and when they tell me, I recommend them the Adventurebilt. I never try and sell them the hat before they leave. Most of the people I've talked to about it are happy to learn of Fedora's site, so it's not like I'm trying to mise all these poor people who just came in to spend 10 or 20 bucks. My boss also doesn't mind it, as she has seen mine, and agrees with me that it's better than what we sell here. I'm just not allowed to wear it in the store, because of the fact that we don't sell it. She's told me that she doesn't mind if I recommend the Adventurebilt.

Regards,

Strider wrote:I do it without them knowing I'm doing it. I'm slick...kinda.

Regards,

Strider wrote: My boss also doesn't mind it, as she has seen mine, and agrees with me that it's better than what we sell here. I'm just not allowed to wear it in the store, because of the fact that we don't sell it. She's told me that she doesn't mind if I recommend the Adventurebilt.

Regards,

Is it just me or do these two statements appear contradictory?

I have given out Steve's website to random people. I sometimes wish I had his business cards to hand out. Ren used to do that with a certain fedora not too long ago. I recently gave Steve's name to a gentleman at The Boston Museum of Science.

jpenman wrote:in a hat shop in portland. .

J, that must of been John Helmers, did you see the $245. borsalino? It's felt looks like 6 ply toliet tissue, thin and porous. I was in there last fall wearing a vintage Borsalino, when I held mine up next to the new one the salesperson was visibly embarassed at how the new one looked compared to the vintage one.

fedoralover

Hemingway Jones wrote: Is it just me or do these two statements appear contradictory?

Strider wrote:I'm slick...kinda.

One of my less slick moments.

She doesn't really see me doing it, so she has no idea when I do. She's okay with me doing it though, so technically, she doesn't know I am doing it, but is okay with it if that's what I AM doing. Phew.

Regards,

fedoralover yes that was John Helmers.
j-weaver I think the alden rep. was from him but, have to dig out his card to be sure. I'll post the correct info soon.

I can't wait for th AB to arrive. As you can see by my avitar I've slightly altered the FED deluxe for ken's movie.

You're lucky Strider.....most bosses would have you "representin'" in the unemployment line.
I would bet she would want you to push the DP's, altho I know it's tough to do, after wearing an Adventurebilt, and being a member here.
'Blues

I used to work in a music store, and when uneducated folks would come in wanting to buy their kids a guitar or just looking to buy for themselves, I would take the time and go over the basics of what to look for when buying an instrument. Many times if they had a VERY limited budget, I would even tell them to look in pawn shops or look for used if it would've been a better idea for the customer. I never told them what to buy or not buy, but I always gave them my honest opinion, even if they ended up buying elsewhere. I just couldn't help but be honest and helpful to uneducated consumers.

However, I can understand what "conflict of interest" means if I'm purposely selling a competitor's product in the shop I work in. If your boss truly says it's okay to recommend the Adventurebilt to coustomers in her shop, then it's fine. I'd just make 100% sure she knows that you plan to recommend them to specific descriminating customers. Since she doesn't want you to wear any other hats in the store other than what they sell, recommending the AB may be a bit risky unless you and your boss fully agree on what is and is not acceptable in the store. I'd just hate to see it blow up in your face.

bink

starting to sound like a mass produced product, and that's not Steve or the Adventurebilt.

Yeah I do too, btw I should have read this post before reading the one in which it said if you thought prices of gear would rise...

I did.

Strider, please don't feel you have to close the thread down.

It's a very interesting post.

To avoid businees conflict why dont you ask Fedora Steve to supply your shop with his fedoras? Then you are no longer obliged to show your customers of Steve's website and the shop can make some money out of the sales and everyone will be happy.

Strider, I don't think the thread needs to be shut down, nor do I think we're trying to be mean towards you. I'm not, anyway. I've recommended Steve to a handful of people, even giving the info to a vintage clothier friend I know for reference. And if your boss says it's okay to do so in her shop, then please don't let us stop you. My only concern is that I'd hate to see it bite YOU in the behind if your boss thinks it's a conflict of interest. But if she's fine with it, then no worries.

As to Steve getting overloaded with work, it would depend on the increase in demand. Personally, I don't know if I could see him taking on apprentices and setting up a larger shop. Even so, think how long it would take until he let his apprentices actually work on hats that left the shop. Steve has a high level of quality he won't allow to falter. And if it DID become a "job" for him, then he very well could close up shop. He's said so before. I mean, why do something you don't enjoy anymore?

Personally, I like that his hats are word-of-mouth products. It just means that the most discerning hat wearers are the ones who will come his way.

bink

binkmeisterRick wrote:Strider, I don't think the thread needs to be shut down, nor do I think we're trying to be mean towards you. I'm not, anyway...
bink

Strider, I agree with bink. We are all friends here. No one wants to see you lose your job. You work in a hat shop; how great is that?

It's fun to work there.

I covered all my bases, work wise, before I started showing people the hat. I'm smart enough to realize that I needed to do that before I started showing off Steve's hats to people. Thanks for the concern everyone, I'll be fine.

Happy Memorial Day,

You must remember that Steve is doing this as a hobby. He enjoys making hats for us. But, he has said many times that he will just stop doing it if he gets tired of it. He is not doing it for the money, otherwise his price would be higher.

I am sure he appreciates the fact that we are so pleased with his product that we can't wait to tell other people about it. But, he has already expressed his own fears that if so many orders come in that he has trouble keeping up, he will just quit. Then, we won't even be able to get an AdventureBilt hat anymore.

I am not running up to every stranger that I meet that expresses some interest in my hat and try to convince them to order an AB. I may tell a close friend or relative that is a big Indy fan, that is really interested in the hat, but that is it.

Steve is trying to do something in his retirement that is a fun hobby. He is not doing it for the money or as a business. When it becomes a job, he will no longer be retired. That is when we will no longer have AdventureBilt hats as an IndyGear option.

Some of our vendors make IndyGear items as their livelihood. Steve does not. I hope that the power of the internet does not do him in.

Yes please lets not scare him away.

Email sent to Steve:


Steve,

I'm really sorry if recommending your hat to people isn't what I
should be doing. I'll stop. I don't want you to get flooded and stop
making the hats at all. I really feel like an idiot now.

Regards,
Alan


Sorry guys.

Don't be sorry Strider. If someone is really interested in the hat then by all means tell them about it. But I don't think we need to put Steve's name up in lights if you know what I mean.

Yeah, I know what'cha mean

I just thought this was an interesting thing, and wondered if it was only me that it happened to. I understand, no harm no foul.

Thanks for the reassurance though, fellas. I know I can be a little sensitive sometimes.

Highest Regards,
Strider

The Adventurebilt is the first fedora that I'm featuring on The Fedora Chronicles.

If I'm out and about, at least one person asks me about my fedora. A few times a week someone e-mails me and askes me where to get a good fedora and I send them to Steve, Art Fawcett or Hats Direct if they don't tell me exactly what they're looking for.

Yeah, Strider, no harm done. Besides, I'm jealous that you get to work in a hat shop! Steve makes a great hat, so why wouldn't you want to tell people about it? I get compliments on my AdventureBilts quite often, but only a few of those compliments end up in short conversations about the hat. Those I find who are interested in the quality and custom make of the hat are the ones I give more specific details to. If they ask me where I got the hat, then I tell them. I figure the truly serious inquiries will want to know more about the AdventureBilt, but of those, there are probably fewer who will actually act upon it and look into buying one.

bink

I am thinking that we should let Steve decide. It is his business/hobby and he is the only one who should have a say in it unless he solicits opinions from us. This thread has gone full circle and the main player is the only one who has not said a word yet. I am as concerned as the rest of you as we all wish Steve the best, but we can only speculate. Fedora can tell us exactly what he prefers however.

rick5150 wrote:IThis thread has gone full circle and the main player is the only one who has not said a word yet.

Actually....

Email sent from Fedora to me:

Fedora wrote:Ha, ha, ha. You keep recommending my hats, just do not get into trouble doing so from your employer. I want to sell hats, so any help is welcomed.
Thanks. Steve

Regards,

Booyaa!! There you have it!
"Blues

And there we have it.

bink

Heh heh

Yeah, my boss loves the Adventurebilt, and has told me that she won't bring the farm down on me Buster Keaton style (that's my phrase for it, not hers, lol) if I recommend the AB to customers who are specifically looking for an Indy hat, and are not happy with the Dorfman Pacific model we carry. So, as long as I show them something we have in that area first, everything's peachy back at the ranch, fellas.

Regards,
Strider

PS: My boss is cool.

Strider, your boss does sound cool. It sounds like you've got it all figured out between the two of you. That's good! It makes sense that you should at least try to push the DP first to customers wanting Indy hats, but that it's okay to recommend the AB to those who want nothing to do with the DP. The understanding you and your boss have is the kind of understanding I was talking about above. I'm glad it's working out!

bink

Thanks to the advice from you fellas

I appreciate.

Regards,

You mean we actually did something RIGHT for a change?

bink

Let me chirp in here. First of foremost, this hatmaking is an enjoyable hobby for me, and it gives me a little bit of mad money. But, I cannot do the hobby unless folks want a hat. I know that it could get too big, but I will not let it do so. To date, I have made over 200 hats, maybe close to 300, as I have lost count. When, and if, it gets to the point that there are too many orders, I will just have to tell the folks there is a waiting period(like the other hatters do). I think the wait time from Jacksonbilt is 6 months, or so I was told recently. But, regardless, this will never be more than a one man operation, as anything beyond that is no longer a hobby, and a passion. To me, the quality/price/looks of these hats are worth a little wait. And, I do think as time goes on, there will be other hatters stepping in the ring to offer a more accurate Indy fedora, than what has been out there for years. That will take pressure off too. There is a fine line to walk here, and hopefully I will be able to do it. Thanks for the support guys, and just remember, that this hat venture started here, for the folks here, and COW members will always get moved up in the production, and will always get the discount. Ok, time to head down and work on some hats. And mail a couple out. Might even play a bit of guitar in the process. I enjoy doing this, and cannot see me getting burned out anytime soon. regards, Fedora

Thanks Fedora for those kind words, and as always keep up the maaaaaaaagnifiiiiiiiiceeeent work!

Fedora, for all the talk of 'nostalgia' and quality the businesses tend to spew, you are a man who actually "walks the walk".
I appreciate your hobby/work ethic. That attitude as well as the quality, care and craftsmanship that you put into each hat makes me want to own one.

I'll have one soon...

Thanks for chirping in. Pretty soon that little red guy with the horns and pitchfork will be sitting on your left shoulder whispering "pick up the guitar more.. pick up the guitar more..."

This thread didn't feel right without your input Soon, the name Adventurebilt will be known by the "big guy" hatters as the hat to beat if you want an Indiana Jones hat... That is, if it is not already.

Pretty soon that little red guy with the horns and pitchfork will be sitting on your left shoulder whispering "pick up the guitar more.. pick up the guitar more..."

Might be worse than that Rick. Already, my LP sits on the stand, touching distance, and whines and wheedles when I am sewing in a sweat. Oh, her name is Jo Ruth(what a southern name, and the name of my first romantic crush at age 12), and she has turned into a jealous gal. Almost got in a fight with my nephew last weekend, when he had the audacity to try and pick her up............and play her!!!!!! OK, enough of the weirdness. Fedora

Oh, the humanity!!!!

At one job I used to work at, I had ordered a guitar and had it delivered to me at work. Needless to say, when it came, Ididn't get any more work done that day.

And I'm glad you want to keep it a one man operation, Steve. As much as I'd love to be an apprentice, I think it'd only lessen the majic of your hats. Here's to MANY more AdventureBilt hats!

bink

Oh, I don't know....there's SURELY a market for a 'binkmeister benie' in this world! Regards! Michaelson

I'll send you the first hat, Michaelson!

bink

I'll put it in the collection. Yet ANOTHER one of my 'firsters'. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Oh, I don't know....there's SURELY a market for a 'binkmeister benie' in this world! Regards! Michaelson

Instead of a propeller on top, it'll have a coffee grinder!

EVEN BETTER!!!!! High regards! Michaelson

It should also have two mugs on the side, with the Michaelson Rocks logo...and two straws coming down.

Coffee through a straw...

Regards,

Regards! Michaelson