Comments on: City Hatters, a review of Melbourne’s 99-year-old hat shop http://opencrown.com/city-hatters-a-review-of-the-melbournes-99-year-old-hat-shop/ Men's hats and the love thereof Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:47:34 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Steven Lewis http://opencrown.com/city-hatters-a-review-of-the-melbournes-99-year-old-hat-shop/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Steven Lewis Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:14:50 +0000 http://opencrown.com/?p=51#comment-19 I feel your pain, Wynter. The retail hat experience is the hatlover's bane. My experience with City Hatters was wonderful. Yours sounds dreadful. How could they ignore you in such a small shop, not even to say hello. In a niche industry, you'd think everyone would be working very hard on building relationships. There's one thing most hatlovers seem to have in common: they're not shy about spending money and there's no such thing as enough hats. I've never been in a hat shop without being keen to walk out with a hat. We must be some of the most "qualified" customers in retail. Despite spending a fortune on hats -- certainly relative to how much I spend on clothes generally -- I'm the member of no loyalty program, I'm not on any mailing lists (although I'd love to be), etc. This is definitely something the shops need to work on. I feel your pain, Wynter. The retail hat experience is the hatlover’s bane. My experience with City Hatters was wonderful. Yours sounds dreadful. How could they ignore you in such a small shop, not even to say hello.

In a niche industry, you’d think everyone would be working very hard on building relationships. There’s one thing most hatlovers seem to have in common: they’re not shy about spending money and there’s no such thing as enough hats. I’ve never been in a hat shop without being keen to walk out with a hat. We must be some of the most “qualified” customers in retail.

Despite spending a fortune on hats — certainly relative to how much I spend on clothes generally — I’m the member of no loyalty program, I’m not on any mailing lists (although I’d love to be), etc.

This is definitely something the shops need to work on.

]]> By: Wynter http://opencrown.com/city-hatters-a-review-of-the-melbournes-99-year-old-hat-shop/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Wynter Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:37:59 +0000 http://opencrown.com/?p=51#comment-18 Perhaps I was just unlucky then, my own experience at City Hatters was quite different. I finally decided that it was time for me to get a couple of good quality hats and not knowing what made one any different from another I had been doing some online research. In that process I had found a number of quite positive reviews (very like your own) of City Hatters. I extended my lunch break last Monday and was looking forward to my shopping experience. When I entered the store, and for most of the 20 to 25 minutes I was in there, I was the only customer. In that time neither of the two staff even greeted me, let alone offered any assistance. I was ready to buy, a little help with size and colour, and confirmation that I was on the right track with style was all that was needed. A simple greeting or offer of assistance and I would have been leaving as probably a very satisfied customer. As it was, even as I walked out there was no acknowledgment. I was very disappointed to tell the truth because I love the atmosphere of the store and I can certainly appreciate the huge range available. Unfortunately the only reason I would go back, is if I am unable to find what I am looking for elsewhere. Perhaps I was just unlucky then, my own experience at City Hatters was quite different. I finally decided that it was time for me to get a couple of good quality hats and not knowing what made one any different from another I had been doing some online research. In that process I had found a number of quite positive reviews (very like your own) of City Hatters. I extended my lunch break last Monday and was looking forward to my shopping experience. When I entered the store, and for most of the 20 to 25 minutes I was in there, I was the only customer. In that time neither of the two staff even greeted me, let alone offered any assistance. I was ready to buy, a little help with size and colour, and confirmation that I was on the right track with style was all that was needed. A simple greeting or offer of assistance and I would have been leaving as probably a very satisfied customer. As it was, even as I walked out there was no acknowledgment. I was very disappointed to tell the truth because I love the atmosphere of the store and I can certainly appreciate the huge range available. Unfortunately the only reason I would go back, is if I am unable to find what I am looking for elsewhere.

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