How to Buy Hats: Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: Your brand is very famous, how long is your waiting list to make a hat?
A: Most times of year, I can start to work on your hat within a few days of receiving your order (yes, the hand-blocking is done by my hands). From the middle of March through the middle of September, I am happily overwhelmed with orders. I know you are in a hurry to wear your hat and to hear all those compliments. I work very long days, but even so, delays occur. Order sooner, get it sooner. Now would be best.
Q: How long will it take to get my hat?
A: The more time you allow, the more you will enjoy the wait. Allow two to three weeks minimum in most cases. Rarely faster. Sometimes slower. Sometimes a lot slower. There are many variables.
Each hat is custom-made by hand when it is ordered. Some styles are easier to block than others. Very large and small sizes may require extra time. Non-standard head shapes can provide challenges.
I am not easy to please. That is not a variable. I often start over. It is not unusual for me to block two or three hats before I am pleased with one. Or the same hat two or three times. What? You think Da Vinci just picked up the brush and painted straight to the finish with no revisions or do-overs?
Everything is done by hand, one at a time, the old fashioned way. You will wear your hat for many years. Let me take the time to get it right.
Q: Those size test bands will take too long; what if I don’t want them?
A: It is entirely up to you. Most clients choose a test band that is a different size than the size they entered with their orders. Some need a second set of size test bands because the first size wasn’t even close. It takes less time to try on the bands and confirm your size before I make your hat than to return a wrong-size hat and have me re-size it, or start over. Like the carpenters all say: Measure twice, cut once. Be good to yourself, take the time to get it right.
Q: Do the size test bands cost extra for US clients?
A: No.
Q: Do I get a refund if I don’t want the size test bands?
A: No.
Q: If I live outside the US, will I receive the bands automatically?
A: No. If you would like to receive the bands, please select that option when your purchase your hat. Extra charges apply.
Q: Can I pay rush charges and get my hat faster?
A: Non-refundable extra payments of all types are always welcome. A 7-figure donation to The Montecristi Foundation, Inc., would attract my attention. The general rule is: first come, first served; first in, first out. All of my clients are eager to have their hats.
On the other hand, perhaps your needs truly are greater than theirs, your cause more worthy. Tell me your story.
Or perhaps you work for the government and understand the many efficiencies of a really big bribe.
A heart-warming story plus a really big bribe—that would be the way to go.
Store Questions
Q: How do I find your store when I visit Hawaii?
A: I don’t have a store.
At present, there is only one retail store where you can find some of my Montecristi Panama hats to try on. That is Sandal Tree at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui. I definitely recommend a visit.
Q: You have an address; can I just come there?
A: Yes.
The trip will be especially worthwhile if you want to ship a package. My mailing address, the address on my website, is a UPS Store where I have had a mailbox for many years. Very nice folks. But no hats.
Q: Can I come to your home then?
A: No.
There are many reasons why this is simply not possible. Thank you for your interest, and your forgiveness.
Q: What if I think you’re a jerk because you don’t want a really great person like me to come visit?
A: You won’t be the first.
If I stop work to enjoy the company of all the interesting people who call to stop by, I would never get any hats made.
I am a very private person with a lot of work to do. I block all of the hats myself. During the summer, my workdays are often 14 hours or longer, 7 days a week.
The reality of my studio is not at all what you imagine. It is nothing like a store with shelves full of ready-to-wear hats. Each of my hats is custom-made when requested. I do not have hats to “shop,” to try on, to see all the styles, none of that. Just chaos and disorder and a guy working his butt off trying to make beautiful hats amidst the chaos.
Thank you for your kind understanding.
International Questions
Q: Do you ship to countries outside the US?
A: Yes. Frequently. Here is a list of countries to which we have shipped hats successfully:
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North America
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Mexico
- United States
-
South America
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
-
Asia
- China
- Hong Kong
- Korea
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Philippines
-
Africa
- South Africa
-
Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- England
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Luxemburg
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Russia
- Scotland
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
-
Australia/New Zealand
- Australia
- New Zealand
-
Middle East
- Azerbaijan
- Dubai
- Iraq
- Israel
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
Q: Can I order my hat in centimeter sizing, or must I use inches?
A: You may enter your head measurement/size to the nearest one-fourth centimeter, or to the nearest one-eighth inch. If you enter your head size as an English or US hat size (discouraged) please specify which system you are using. (7 US, 71⁄8 UK, etc.) Some Canadian manufacturers use UK sizes, some use US sizes. We recommend that you measure your head (link to page) and express your size as a measurement, not a hat size.
Q: Will you automatically send me the size test bands to try on to make certain I have my size correct?
A: If you wish to receive the size test bands, please request them when you place your order. A charge of $15 will be added to cover postage for Air Mail. If you choose Global Express Mail, a charge of $30 will be added. That is accurate for most countries. If the postage charges are higher to your country, you will be charged the extra cost. You will be responsible to return the size test bands. Bands not returned will be charged $50 replacement cost.
Q: How do you ship the hats?
A: The normal choice for international shipping is Global Express Mail.
Q: Why?
A: The cost is much lower than UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.
Q: What is the cost?
A: The normal International Shipping & Handling charge for a hat with a regular width brim (under 3.5 inches) is $45. That includes Global Express shipping, preparation of required international documents, special packing and shipping materials. Charges for wider brim hats in larger boxes are slightly higher. If actual shipping charges by the USPS are higher than expected to your country, the additional cost will be added to your purchase. (The cost to ship with the other carriers is generally between $150 and $250 for a hat with a regular width brim.)
Q: What about customs duties and taxes?
A: All import duties and taxes are the responsibility of the client.
Q: How long does the shipping take?
A: That depends somewhat on what country you are in. From Hawaii, shipping time to Australia and Japan is less than to Europe. As a general rule, the hats move very quickly from Hawaii to the entry point of the foreign country. Time required to process and permit entry of a package varies from one country to another, and I believe from one day to another within the same country. You should plan for at least a week, two would be wiser. If it takes longer than three weeks, something is probably wrong and we should start a search.
Q: What if I have to return the hat?
A: If the reason for the return is due to an error on our part, we will reimburse you for the cost of the return shipping, and we will not charge you to re-ship your hat after the error has been corrected. Otherwise, all shipping costs are the responsibility of the client. So be careful to give us the correct size in the beginning.
Q: Can you ship my hat to a hotel where I will be on vacation?
A: Yes, of course. But remember that shipping and delivery time are variable and difficult to predict. If you will be staying in the hotel for only two or three days, then it would be better to receive your hat at home before you leave. If you will be at the location for a week or two, place your order well in advance, and advise the hotel to watch for the package and to accept it, then we probably could make it work. If you will be staying in a resort hotel in Hawaii or elsewhere in the US, then a timely delivery should be relatively easy.