eBay hats outrageously priced

MondoFW · Dec 11, 2017

deadlyhandsome said:
Asking and getting are two different things. I hope no one is paying these prices. I've heard that Japanese collectors pay top dollar and then some. Still, this is crazy!

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You know, my Japanese 1 teacher told me how he was making a lot of dough by flipping vintage Levis to Japanese collectors (the teacher was a native Japanese man). It dumbfounded me that those jeans would carry so much value there. Well, out of interest of Japan, I've already planned a trip there for when I graduate. Time to make bank, I say!

Edward said:
I get the feeling prices on a lot of stuff from the era we favour in these parts are beginning to climb as it gets rarer, 1949 being 68 years ago now.

And then there's an overabundance of archaic items from the 70s that ironically appear more outdated than clothing of prior generations. It truly was a fashion purgatory, and incidentally, one can cop a suit from the time for less than $30. We must hold our favorite decades to treasure before it all disappears.

Short Balding Guy said:
If folks pay for the hat it is not over priced. It sells for exactly what it is worth to the buyer. This text may seem coy and is not my intension. If folks pay for it they have a need that was met.

I have paid much more than mentioned in the thread (so far) for a hat, not nearly the listed item in question, and have had no buyers remorse. In fact I have no illusions of re-selling and making a profit, but will continue to wear the hat as long as I can stand upright. The hats are worth exactly what I pay for them. I do purchase to wear. I am ot of the group who wishes to purchase and wear a couple times and re-sell or just purchase to collect or even purchase to re-sell. Not my preference.

Going farther, I have purchased duds. I am certain others have aquired these hats with promise that have appeared and are much less than anticipated. I rationalize it as the price of admission to wearing vintage hats. I generally have distributed them to others or offered them to my local thrift shop. BTW; Offering them to my local thrift shop has made me a prefered phone call away when something I would be interested in comes into the shop.

I do consider surrendering a vintage hat or two when I see the selling prices raise to very high prices. Being as I have more hats than 1 person should have, it is a consideration. But then, which hat do I offer? The gray Whippet, the dark grey Whippet, the brown Whippet, the Australian Whippet or even the chocolate Whippet? Inaction on my part. How in the world can we make such a decision? I help avoid the decisions by keeping a couple hats at the cabin or our vacation property. Spreading the wealth.

Vintage hats; It takes all kinds and prices to satisfy the market.

I hope I have contributed to the conversation. Best, Eric -

I hope the hat I purchased wasn't one of those duds. I mentioned it in the eBay victories thread, and I'm feeling pretty good about my find. We'll see.

deadlyhandsome said:
Capitalism in a nutshell. I get things being worth what the market will bear, but it's still hard for some of us to grasp. The collector paying millions for a baseball card that originally sold for pennies or someone paying hundreds of millions for a paining the artist couldn't give away. It's a fact of life, but it's hard to see the value as an outsider looking in. I'm sure that part of our troubles come from a bit of old fashioned envying.

I certainly don't begrudge anyone who has the resources spending whatever they want for any item; particularly when they are such gentlemen and share their finds with the rest of us.

But, there are definitely listings an "outsider" could observe and recognize as worthwhile. Other are, well, pretty damn obvious.

Interestingly, last night I contacted the seller of this:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/231816571323

I apologize if this is someone here, but he gave me a VERY convoluted and insufficient justification for the price tag of this item. If it was gracely worn by Fred Astaire, I'd somewhat understand.

deadlyhandsome · Dec 11, 2017

daddy0d0 said:
Funny this thread pops up. I'm trying to decide if I should pull the trigger on a new Stratoliner for 175.00 which includes shipping or order a Campdraft for 130.00 including shipping. Any preferences on the 2?

I think they are both nice hats. I think the 5.5" Stetson and the 6.0" Akubra open crowns are amongst the biggest differences. I will say that personally I'd only consider the Stratoliner in the Premier/Royal DeLuxe or the Excellent open crown versions.

For the price, it's just hard to beat the Campdraft.

Frunobulax · Dec 11, 2017

deadlyhandsome said:
Oh, I do hope you're right. I also hope that sizes 7 5/8 and 7 3/4 hats will be the most common sizes and the cheapest hats in the vintage market.

It's Christmas, I'm allowed to dream.

Just an observation. I feel for you larger sized guys, though. Those hats are fee and far between

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Frunobulax · Dec 11, 2017

deadlyhandsome said:
I think they are both nice hats. I think the 5.5" Stetson and the 6.0" Akubra open crowns are amongst the biggest differences. I will say that personally I'd only consider the Stratoliner in the Premier/Royal DeLuxe or the Excellent open crown versions.

For the price, it's just hard to beat the Campdraft.

^^^^^^^What he said.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Hurricane Jack · Dec 12, 2017

Short Balding Guy said:
If folks pay for the hat it is not over priced. It sells for exactly what it is worth to the buyer.

I agree 100%. If you see a listing & you're not a buyer at the price, then you scroll & roll on down the page.

MondoFW · Dec 12, 2017

Hurricane Jack said:
I agree 100%. If you see a listing & you're not a buyer at the price, then you scroll & roll on down the page.

Even if it is infuriating that goods you so desire to add to your collection or wardrobe are objectively unfairly priced.

deadlyhandsome · Dec 12, 2017

MondoFW said:
Even if it is infuriating that goods you so desire to add to your collection or wardrobe are objectively unfairly priced.

I think that it is "subjectivity" unfairly priced. Yes?

Redfokker · Dec 12, 2017

MondoFW said:
Even if it is infuriating that goods you so desire to add to your collection or wardrobe are objectively unfairly priced.

Tis life as we know it today

About the only way to find "deals" is to nab something while thrift store shopping I'm afraid. The prices for all things vintage are what the market will bear. $500+ for that suit, as nice as it is, is out of my wheel house. Of course, in my size (48R) beggars can't be choosers.

MondoFW · Dec 12, 2017

deadlyhandsome said:
I think that it is "subjectivity" unfairly priced. Yes?

Nuh-uh.

jlee562 · Dec 12, 2017

No such thing as a fair price on an auction site. Besides, what's "fair" anyway? I mean, try to define that.

deadlyhandsome · Dec 12, 2017

MondoFW said:
Nuh-uh.

Hmm. It appears we have a different vocabulary. If someone will pay it then it is by definition subjectivity worth it to them. If you are not willing to value it as being worth it then it is subjectivity not with it to you. Where is the "objective" value in this?

I'm right there with you in wishing that the vintage hats I desire were cheaper, but that's just not our reality. Maybe I should start hoarding Campdrafts now for my grandchildren? I'm sure a nice taupe fawn will be worth hundreds of thousands in 50 years.

MondoFW · Dec 12, 2017

deadlyhandsome said:
Hmm. It appears we have a different vocabulary. If someone will pay it then it is by definition subjectivity worth it to them. If you are not willing to value it as being worth it then it is subjectivity not with it to you. Where is the "objective" value in this?

I'm right there with you in wishing that the vintage hats I desire were cheaper, but that's just not our reality. Maybe I should start hoarding Campdrafts now for my grandchildren? I'm sure a nice taupe fawn will be worth hundreds of thousands in 50 years.

Bahh, I was just using that specific diction to develop my characteristic of a needy westerner. Like it has been iterated a few times, auction site prices merely lead to what consumers are willing to pay, and that market influence connects to a central idea of capitalism. However, it's odd to see a rift of, say, fedoras around $20-100 and fedoras that garner way beyond that.

That leads to another question; what brands or styles frequently fetch a lot from buyers? There seems to be high demand for Stetsons and Cavanaghs.

deadlyhandsome · Dec 12, 2017

MondoFW said:
Bahh, I was just using that specific diction to develop my characteristic of a needy westerner. Like it has been iterated a few times, auction site prices merely lead to what consumers are willing to pay, and that market influence connects to a central idea of capitalism. However, it's odd to see a rift of, say, fedoras around $20-100 and fedoras that garner way beyond that.

That leads to another question; what brands or styles frequently fetch a lot from buyers? There seems to be high demand for Stetsons and Cavanaghs.

In my case, size is the bigger market force. Wonderful hats that sell for quite reasonable prices in size 6 3/4 all of a sudden bring huge money in size 7 5/8. If I was size 6 3/4 I'd have to build an addition to my house to hold all my hats. Again, just market influences as there are so many more small size vintage hats floating around and the current market consists of more larger sizes (this is the primary reason I'm buying more new hats rather than vintage).

Edward · Dec 12, 2017

Frunobulax said:
From my wholly unscientific and anecdotal observations, I'm thinking prices are actually on the decline. I've seen (and won) some nice hats over the past few months that I think would have gone for a decent amount sell for half to two-thirds less than a year or so ago.

Of course, rarity isn't the only thing.... as the mainstream vintage trend dies off, the market gets smaller, so I suppose it can go either way.

scotrace · Dec 12, 2017

I guess on the west coast USA, anyway, prices and supply for 20s-60s menswear are soft. Dealers and collectors are turning their attention and higher price demands toward 80s and 90s T-Shirts, where the money is.

And as I remember us complaining here about Whippets skyrocketing to $40... these prices all seem like paying $60K for a truck because "Cadillac."

MondoFW · Dec 12, 2017

scotrace said:
I guess on the west coast USA, anyway, prices and supply for 20s-60s menswear are soft. Dealers and collectors are turning their attention and higher price demands toward 80s and 90s T-Shirts, where the money is.

And as I remember us complaining here about Whippets skyrocketing to $40... these prices all seem like paying $60K for a truck because "Cadillac."

I suppose that's right. There's been a surge of people wearing punk/new age, retro, etc., particularly among youth. The market demand for items from that era reflect this. I'd say, it's contributed by pop culture through music, movies, and shows that appeal to the adolescent audience. We can hope for a trendy new Netflix series that depicts life in the Golden Age, but those my age will still think everyone was a gangster at the time, and only wore black pinstriped zoot suits.

itsallgood · Dec 13, 2017

deadlyhandsome said:
Still, this is crazy!

I think the eBay person asking $1,300 for a Whippet is hoping for an impulse buy from someone with stupid money. I define stupid money as someone that has so much money that the money itself now has no value, such that the person can wantonly do stupid things, buy stupid things.

There are a lot of people out there today with stupid money. There always has been(*), but today there are so many more. Had 1000 shares of NFLX five years ago? You now have stupid money. Had $10K in bitcoin five years ago? You now have stupid money.

(*) As an aside, the film "My Man Godfrey" is on Amazon Prime right now. Interesting, interesting film. Focused on the actions of the "empty headed nitwits" of second generation stupid money. Highly recommend the film.

deadlyhandsome · Dec 13, 2017

itsallgood said:
I think the eBay person asking $1,300 for a Whippet is hoping for an impulse buy from someone with stupid money. I define stupid money as someone that has so much money that the money itself now has no value, such that the person can wantonly do stupid things, buy stupid things.

There are a lot of people out there today with stupid money. There always has been(*), but today there are so many more. Had 1000 shares of NFLX five years ago? You now have stupid money. Had $10K in bitcoin five years ago? You now have stupid money.

(*) As an aside, the film "My Man Godfrey" is on Amazon Prime right now. Interesting, interesting film. Focused on the actions of the "empty headed nitwits" of second generation stupid money. Highly recommend the film.

As others have pointed out, there are also enthusiasts who desire certain rare hats and that is the price the market supports. Some people have more disposable income and who are we to judge them for following a hobby where they spend that money? I originally thought the prices were ridiculous too, but I've since seen it from another perspective. Also, I'd bet that most of the buyers are not doing it on impulse; they are more likely to be obsess over all the details and know the market.

It's also a matter of perspective: people in the developing world could see a $100 hat purchase, their monthly income, as excessive, wasteful, and unjustifiably excessive. To them, you have "stupid money" if you can spend $100 a month on your cell phone bill or any of the other things we don't give a second thought to.

Wesslyn · Dec 14, 2017

A big thing to consider, in my opinion, is where you're shopping.
Typically a site like ebay or etsy is visited by folks looking for something specific and since those sites and their vendors are catered towards certain demographics, you'll be paying more. Finding a Stetson in the Halloween section at Goodwill is going to be dumb luck (especially if it's your size!)
I like what Eric said earlier. If you're paying for it, then it must be worth it. I'd certainly spend a lot more if I had more to spend.
A nice hat is a nice hat regardless of what you pay, so wear what you get with pride.

Although I do still think Timothys Closet is price gouging...
When I do sell hats, I try to keep them affordable.

Aaaand now I'm rambling...

itsallgood · Dec 14, 2017

deadlyhandsome said:
there are also enthusiasts who desire certain rare hats and that is the price the market supports

You may be right, but what causes me to retain my skepticism is an earlier comment in this thread that MondoFW made, as it doesn't sound like the seller knows the market:

(Interestingly, last night I contacted the seller of this:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/231816571323
I apologize if this is someone here, but he gave me a VERY convoluted and insufficient justification for the price tag of this item.)

Separately, I had a thought about My Man Godfrey... the fedora worn by the protagonist, William Powell in this 1936 film, looks very much like Art Fawcett's Off The Rack in Dove. Great looking hat! Carole Lombard was good in the film, but William Powell stole the show, IMO.

eBay hats outrageously priced

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