Panama Bob

[smp18055]

It is a shame that i have had to use this forum to show my disapoiintment in the way i have been treated. But when i was told 'no more emails' you can hardly call that the treatment a customer would expect.
I bought the hat from bob due to the excellent reports I read of him from here.
It seems when the hat does arrive that i must be in for a treat as i did not know that i was getting a higher grade had than what i had paid for and was expecting.
We have exchanged over 20 emails, BUT, when you email someone and he doesnt reply for 15 days, he tells you it will be dispatched that week and then are told in two weeks time it will be dispatched in a week and it still isnt, I'm sure you cant blame me for thinking something is wrong.

I suggested to Bob that perhaps he should have a diary system just to let his customers know if there is a delay.
In england we hear so many stories of the american customer service ethos.

As it seems he now refuses to communicate with me, i was merely trying to suggest that this regretable post would never of been made if
I was told how long the delay was
the fact i had been up graded to a superior hat.
emails were answered.

I'm not a man whos afraid to apologise if i have been wrong in my comments, I do not know ths size of Bob's company, or how busy he is. He seems so incredibly well thought of here, may be i've just been the unlucky customer where every thing possible that could of gone wrong has.
But may be a little better communication would of made this all so unnecessary and Bobs fabulous reputation would of been enhanced rather than questioned.

I hope after the weekend to be Posting what a super guy he is and how wrong i may of been in criticising him.

[1961MJS]

I thought I should add that the guy paid $150.00 for the hat that is easily worth $389 on the website. His $60.00 VAT will mean he pays $210.00...

Sigh, I'm SOOOO glad we don't have VAT. I like being able to look at something and say it cost $x, because that's what's labeled on it $x.

Later

[AntonAAK]

Sigh, I'm SOOOO glad we don't have VAT. I like being able to look at something and say it cost $x, because that's what's labeled on it $x.

Later

Most shops (almost all, I would say) do quote prices inclusive of VAT, so the price we see is the price we pay at the checkout. It's only when buying something from overseas that we are sometimes charged import duty. And no, that is not the fault of the vendor!

Don't you have a similar sales tax over there?

[Delthayre]

Most shops (almost all, I would say) do quote prices inclusive of VAT, so the price we see is the price we pay at the checkout. It's only when buying something from overseas that we are sometimes charged import duty. And no, that is not the fault of the vendor!

Don't you have a similar sales tax over there?

All but five states levy a sales tax, which is executed in an annoying manner. Price tags will list only the base price for a good; sales tax is calculated at the point of sale, leaving any customer who wishes to ascertain what he will pay in advance to calculate it for himself. It can be especially frustrating if, as is the case in most states, there are exceptions or different rates for certain kinds of goods or some local governments have the power to levy further sales taxes. It's a dumb system and I've never understood why merchants don't list the sales tax on their displayed prices.

[AntonAAK]

All but five states levy a sales tax, which is executed in an annoying manner. Price tags will list only the base price for a good; sales tax is calculated at the point of sale, leaving any customer who wishes to ascertain what he will pay in advance to calculate it for himself. It can be especially frustrating if, as is the case in a few states, there are exceptions or different rates for certain kinds of goods. It's a dumb system and I've never understood why merchants don't list the sales tax on their displayed prices.

Thanks, that's what I thought but I've only been to the US once unfortunately. I would love to visit more...

[monbla256]

All but five states levy a sales tax, which is executed in an annoying manner. Price tags will list only the base price for a good; sales tax is calculated at the point of sale, leaving any customer who wishes to ascertain what he will pay in advance to calculate it for himself. It can be especially frustrating if, as is the case in most states, there are exceptions or different rates for certain kinds of goods or some local governments have the power to levy further sales taxes. It's a dumb system and I've never understood why merchants don't list the sales tax on their displayed prices.

As he said, it is a "dumb" system and somewhat complicated. Here in Texas, there is a maximum amt. in total for sales tax and the State amt is at present set lower than that max amt to allow local cities to asses an amt. they need which often brings the sales tax amt. up to the State max. The city I live in does that to garner revenue so we pay the max in sales tax here. Also, certain items such as medicines and services are exempt from sales tax at the present. But given the economics we live in, that may change BTW, only firms which have a retail presnce IN Texas may charge sales tax even if they are NOT based in Texas

Onward thru the Fog

[Engrishman]

What's the VAT percentage markup in England? The VAT seems analogous to the Harmonized Sales Tax in Canada, which is inconsistent depending on province. For example, my province pays a 12% sales tax markup. Easily 30+ dollars on a 300 dollar hat.

[scooter]

Well, it may have appeared that I was questioning Panama Bob's integrity, and I want to publicly assure him that is not the case. I have never dealt with PB, and certainly have no reason to disparage him. From what I read here, the preponderance of his feedback is very good and I will assume that to be the case until it is proven otherwise.
Bob, please accept my apologies, it was not my intention to slander you.

[wgiceman]

Well, it may have appeared that I was questioning Panama Bob's integrity, and I want to publicly assure him that is not the case. I have never dealt with PB, and certainly have no reason to disparage him. From what I read here, the preponderance of his feedback is very good and I will assume that to be the case until it is proven otherwise.
Bob, please accept my apologies, it was not my intention to slander you.

I bet you end up with an ass-kickin' hat!!! I was more than pleased with those I received from Panama Bob.

Hope it all works out for everyone.

[monbla256]

Well, it may have appeared that I was questioning Panama Bob's integrity, and I want to publicly assure him that is not the case. I have never dealt with PB, and certainly have no reason to disparage him. From what I read here, the preponderance of his feedback is very good and I will assume that to be the case until it is proven otherwise.
Bob, please accept my apologies, it was not my intention to slander you.

For those of us who HAVE dealt with Robert, many times, circumstances with production of the hats and delivery are not totally within his control, but my experience with him ( 7 hats purchased over a year now) has been that he ALWAYS goes beyond the norm in quality /price in his hat dealings. As he has mentioned, he is NOT a full-time hat importer ( he's a school teacher by proffession actually ) and deals with a trade/tradition that is NOT N. American/European in attitude or execution at times. I would NOT (and do not) hesitate to order ANY hat from him knowing full well that what I will recieve will MORE than EXCEED my expectations. JMHO

Onward thru the Fog