Panama Hats Direct

TheDane · May 18, 2016

Genuine Classic Gangster said:
As for the angry emails, I am reluctant to blame Casey for those, because Mystic obviously has expressed very strong negative statements against Casey that might not be objectively true. To say that Casey has pulled a "bait and switch" would naturally be extremely offensive to Casey if he had not actually done so (personally, I highly doubt that Casey would ever do such a thing). Who wouldn't be angry after being accused of that? I bet that every single hatter in existence would be angry if such a thing were said about him or her.

I agree, we don't have the story from both sides. On the other hand, a businessman should know, that there's always another solution than just answering the fire ... if Mystic at all fired any live ammunition, that is. We don't know what exactly went down.

This Casey could have chosen to clear up any misunderstandings and explain what he meant in the emails. Instead it seems he chose the confrontation.

In some ways shop owners and customers are like parents and children. The parent should act as the grown up and avoid "fist fights" ... at least if the person whishes to keep his/her respect and not loose "the battle" (and/or business). Some shop owners clearly don't share that view, though. Whether or not Casey is one, I don't know, but something points in that direction.

hatsRme · May 18, 2016

My .02... I've purchased 4 - 5 hats from Casey over about ten years (has it been that long?!!). I own two Special Reserves, (Thanks, Mom!!) two fino finos, and a fino. Value, value, VALUE are the key words in every instance. From the first purchase, a fino fino where I easily printed and used their "tape Measure" to accurately establish my size, to the "Special Sale" Special Reserve for my daughter's wedding, every deal was just that... a GREAT value. The communication and service was completely adequate throughout each transaction.

My ONLY gripe is that due to my very sensitive nature (Oh my yes!) I am allergic to the sweatband leather they use. The fix has depended on how impatient I was to wear the lid(s)... I still have one that I affixed a clear tape inside the front portion of the band to isolate my sensitive forehead from the leather. This approach still works, but not the preferred method. All the others have had the sweat swapped.

Technical note: The problem in the sweatband is that unlike here in the U.S.A., chromates are used in the leather curing process. Military Specifications here wound up influencing the hat industry to eliminate chromates due to the more frequent incidence of allergic reaction. To check if leather has chromate, simply cut a toothpick-sized sample, and put a flame to it. If chromate is present, the ash will be a lichen-like color of green, seen here.

Mystic · May 18, 2016

Genuine Classic Gangster said:
I've had dealings with Casey in recent months.

In my experience, he has been nothing like Mystic describes.

I've talked with Casey many times over the phone, through long distance calls which were paid for via his toll-free number, that is, on his own dime. He was likewise extremely generous with his time, answering all of my questions, and in addition, giving me tons of explanations that went far above and beyond just what I had asked him. He seemed always to try his darnedest to make sure I had as complete of an understanding of what I was buying as is possible.

In all of those conversations, Casey never tried to sell me on anything.

Casey also made clear to me that if he doesn't have a hat in stock that will meet the needs of a particular customer, then he is willing to try to acquire one that will. However, Casey told me that some customers do not like that option, because that means that they have to wait, and sometimes they do not want to wait.

Based on my good impression of Casey, and the way how his dealings with me contradict how Mystic describes Casey's dealing with him, I expect that Casey would have an alternative perspective to Mystic's interpretation of these events. For example, what Mystic interprets as a "bait and switch" on Casey's part, Casey might see as nothing of the kind. Rather, Casey might have been thinking something like: "I don't have a hat in stock that is already made to Mystic's liking, but perhaps I can still help him out by offering to modify a hat so that it will meet his needs after the modifications."

As they say, every story has at least two sides. But we aren't hearing both sides of this story, since Casey has had no chance to provide his version of events.

As for the angry emails, I am reluctant to blame Casey for those, because Mystic obviously has expressed very strong negative statements against Casey that might not be objectively true. To say that Casey has pulled a "bait and switch" would naturally be extremely offensive to Casey if he had not actually done so (personally, I highly doubt that Casey would ever do such a thing). Who wouldn't be angry after being accused of that? I bet that every single hatter in existence would be angry if such a thing were said about him or her.

Thank you for your VERY creative speculation about a incident you know absolutely nothing about.

As I said in my comment: "Others may have had a very different experience. Sad to say, my experience wasn't a good one."

Bob Roberts · May 18, 2016

Mystic said:
Thank you for your VERY creative speculation about a incident you know absolutely nothing about.

As I said in my comment: "Others may have had a very different experience. Sad to say, my experience wasn't a good one."

Sarcasm. You're coming across snarky...

Mystic · May 18, 2016

Bob Roberts said:
Sarcasm. You're coming across snarky...

It was supposed to be sarcasm. Snarky is good also......

Mystic · May 18, 2016

hatsRme said:
My .02... I've purchased 4 - 5 hats from Casey over about ten years (has it been that long?!!). I own two Special Reserves, (Thanks, Mom!!) two fino finos, and a fino. Value, value, VALUE are the key words in every instance. From the first purchase, a fino fino where I easily printed and used their "tape Measure" to accurately establish my size, to the "Special Sale" Special Reserve for my daughter's wedding, every deal was just that... a GREAT value. The communication and service was completely adequate throughout each transaction.

I don't doubt you and others like Ole and Daniele Tanto have had good experiences in the past with PHD.

The reason I bumped this thread to begin with was to ask about experiences before I contacted PHD.

It didn't work for a good experience for me is all I have said.
With that being said; there was a time when the people on the Lounge swore and raved about Panama Bob's integrity, service and hats. Not so much anymore.

For all I know this guy could be having a tough time with his business because of the earthquake down there. Perhaps he needs to try everything to sell out of inventory because of some earthquake related problem. I don't know.

Perhaps he guessed I knew as much about making straw hats as he does and figured I should just take him at his word about altering and re-building a hat. Again, I don't know.

All I know is when I contacted PHD after spending a few nights going over their "new" website after being switched over from the old website to ask about ordering a hat their website stated they NEVER carry in stock. It went down hill from there.

I most likely would not of contacted PHD in the first place had it not been for the past good experiences of people on the Lounge.

What I posted was my experience with PHD. That's all.

End of this incident.

hatsRme · May 18, 2016

WHAT incident?! I just hope you end up with a nice new lid, Mystic, regardless of the source. Life's too short to be upset with some guy selling hats in Ecuador - or anywhere else.

And, you are absolutely right... you already have an enviable collection, my friend!!

Mystic · May 18, 2016

hatsRme said:
WHAT incident?! I just hope you end up with a nice new lid, Mystic, regardless of the source. Life's too short to be upset with some guy selling hats in Ecuador - or anywhere else.

And, you are absolutely right... you already have an enviable collection, my friend!!

Thank you, I do have way more hats than I have heads to put them on...

WHAT incident? "Like the sand through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives..."

This episode "As the world turns" is over.

Duper · May 18, 2016

I have ordered 4 hats from PHD. Each time both Casey and his assistant were great. They even had my first order size on file and correctly sized my next 3 orders. I found good value for the what I had paid. I would not hesitate to do business with them again. I am sorry others had grief, but sometimes it does work out as planned.

Remember when Panana Bob was all the rage. I ordered something basic from him when everyone else was praising him up and down. I waited months and months and what I got did not compare in value to what Casey provided and shipped in days. I never talked Bob down as I figured it was just one of those things but I switched to PHD for future orders. A couple of years later Bob left everyone hanging and disappeared off the airwaves.

,,,Mike in Canada

Shanghailander · Jul 7, 2016

Back in the summer 2011 I ordered a fino fino from Panama Bob. Took forever to arrive. I was able to wear it in the end of August, 2012.

After just 6 weeks, it looked like hell. Bob took it back and had it reblocked at no charge.

In March 2015 I purchased a wonderful hat from Homero Ortega e Hijos in Quito while I was visiting. It was fantastic. Just last week I lost it when I put it down on the ground during an outdoor concert. You guessed it - five minutes later it was gone.

So I am looking for another Fino Fino.

What vendors would others recommend now, if I am not going to Ecuador?

tropicalbob · Jul 7, 2016

You might want to take a look at Tom Gomez' site on Etsy.

ingineer · Jul 7, 2016

Another vote for Gomez
https://www.etsy.com/shop/GomezHatCompany?ref=pr_shop_more
his on etsy are generally in the 57 range, but half the price of made to order.
i found a 60 there last year and i love it. the ribbon work makes the hat special over a PHD

Shanghailander · Jul 8, 2016

I did contact Tom. I asked if the hat is returnable after I looked at it - he told me no, but was willing to speak to me about concerns I might have.

I've been wearing hats for fifty years, own over a dozen, and know my way around a Panama. My concerns are the fit, feel, and how it will look on ME. None of those things can be answered without having the hat in front of me. For the same reason, I would never buy a suit without trying it on first.

As a businessman, Tom must set his own policies as he sees fit and I respect that. By the same token, it is my prerogative to decide whether to conduct business, knowing those policies in advance. If I can't return a hat, I am not going to buy it in the first place, so I am going to pass.

belfastboy · Jul 8, 2016

Shanghailander said:
I did contact Tom. I asked if the hat is returnable after I looked at it - he told me no, but was willing to speak to me about concerns I might have.

I've been wearing hats for fifty years, own over a dozen, and know my way around a Panama. My concerns are the fit, feel, and how it will look on ME. None of those things can be answered without having the hat in front of me. For the same reason, I would never buy a suit without trying it on first.

As a businessman, Tom must set his own policies as he sees fit and I respect that. By the same token, it is my prerogative to decide whether to conduct business, knowing those policies in advance. If I can't return a hat, I am not going to buy it in the first place, so I am going to pass.

Fair enough we all have the prerogative to set our own standards. But my thought is that for a $150 hat, there probably is not a great deal of profit to be had there and to end up eating the risk of time and money to ship it back and forth across the country from a business sense, to me, does not make a tone of sense. Best to find a local hatter and pay the premium for an in house try on.

RJR · Jul 8, 2016

belfastboy said:
Fair enough we all have the prerogative to set our own standards. But my thought is that for a $150 hat, there probably is not a great deal of profit to be had there and to end up eating the risk of time and money to ship it back and forth across the country from a business sense, to me, does not make a tone of sense. Best to find a local hatter and pay the premium for an in house try on.

+1

AndyR · Jul 9, 2016

PHD has a sale going on now. I had a size issue with my purchase and was perfectly able to return the hat for exchange or refund. The problem is the shipping back and forth gets expensive, but at least the return option was there.

I chose to take the chance and it was worth it, but yes, a local place to try the hat on is probably best.

Ld1422 · Jul 14, 2016

Ranger1 said:
Hello to all,
I am new here and I am interested in buying a new panama montecristi hat. I am interested in two different companies on the internet and would like to know more about Panama Hats Direct. com (PHD). The site is www.panama-hats-direct.com. I have already visited Panamabob's website and his is great site. Has anyone ordered a hat from PHD before and what was the quality and service like?

I have decided to purchase a panama hat because of skin cancer in my family and I am very fair skinned and work in the sun alot.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ranger1

I have ordered from PHD without any problems or issues.

JeffOYB · Nov 27, 2021

I've bought a few hats from PHD over the years. Love em. They've made two custom hats for me at their lower price points -- with my special-request ventilation amount and pattern. What fun!

They have a Black Friday sale right now. I love how you get the hat that is in the photo. I've been itching to try a high end Montcristi but when I look at the close-up pics the weaves look uneven to me in the Super Fino hats. But I don't really know hats. I have looked at the close-ups of their hat-band pics and see some very tidy weave lines. Well, all I can guess is that they're near the end of their summer inventory so you just gotta see if there's anything you like... Slim pickins'?

Also, I see a hat with a narrow brim marked 2.3" and a hat with a wider brim marked 2.1"? ...Here I'm guessing that things get hectic and stuff happens.

Also, I see Cuenca Grade 8's with rather different thicknesses of weave. I suppose there's a range. But one looks pretty coarse, another quite fine -- both at Grade 8. Again, I suppose life gets busy and Casey and company are just doing their best.

Lastly: are their weavers in-house? I see pics on their website which suggest this -- pics of the staff show a couple weavers. So do these guys make all the hats?

JeffOYB · Nov 28, 2021

PS: I also see visual patterns in many of even the Fino Fino hats. So it doesnt look like a uniform weave but there are sometimes big "X" lines or diagnol lines of dark areas that stand out. Or other patterns that repeat like a moire effect. It's not an even, smooth result. The last hat I got from them was a very nice favor and I like it a lot. But it had different colored straws in the weave so the color wasn't uniform. I suppose uniform color is a higher value. ...Yet in the Fino Fino I see how the pattern seems to create light and dark areas, even if the straws are same color. Or maybe I am seeing different shades of straw/grass?

JeffOYB · Nov 28, 2021

think it's a case of the end of the year inventory slim pickins?

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