New Era Quality Control Issues

[BamaHater]

We all know New Era has its major problems. When they are on their game the hats are like no other. When they are off all bets are off. Crooked logos, major sizing problems, not getting colors correct, incorrect color buttons on top of hats, logos too small or incorrectly placed. Well you get the picture. I mean is their any quality control over there. It seems and there has been proof to back it up that New Era sometimes knows there is a problem with one style of their hats but sends them out anyway because they know more than likely the business will not complain and sell the hats anyways. Also, have you ever noticed no matter how crooked the logos are on a New Era hat, the New Era logo is seemingly always centered correctly and straight. Damn you New Era. I still buy their hats but these problems need to be fixed.

[cappital92]

You must have bad luck buying 59FIFTYs. Save for the rare excess string, all my 59FIFTYs are good.

[Gothamite]

He's not alone - I have found problems with most of the 50fifty caps I've bought. I can't order them online, the problems are so bad.

Last time this came up, we had someone who worked at Lids tell us that he found problems with some ridiculous number of caps - 30%? Does that ring a bell to anyone else?

Bills not sewn on straight, logos not centered on the front of the cap, the panels coming together irregularly at the crown, to say nothing of the wide sizing inconsistency.

New Era caps are great when they're right, but that isn't nearly often enough.

[HatManTC]

I know that NE has their problems, sometimes. but it iant as bad as some people on this board make it out to be. right now I probably have over 4 thousand sitting in my store. I would venture to say at the most 5 have something wrong with them. sure the sizing might be inconsistant but you have to keep in mind the 20 some step process these caps go through. so sizing is going to very. you also have to remember that most of the people are anal-retentive about the smallest detail and could spot a miss sticked seam on the shoulder number on a linemen's uni from the nose bleed section.

[IronChefShark]

here's an idea......why not EXAMINE THE HATS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE STORE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT! That way you can pick out which one is of the best quality.

and if you buy most of your hats online, then stop buying them online and go to the store.

simple. problem solved.

[wman]

I have a 5950 Marlins teal & black that I bought online and it's like wearing one of those hats the Royal Guard wears at Buckingham Palace, it sits up so high. Like the polar opposite of a 'low profile', whic I love. I soaked the thing and wore it on my head for hours and it still looks like I'm wearing a cakebox.

Anyone has suggestions, I'm open to them...

[Chazberg]

here's an idea......why not EXAMINE THE HATS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE STORE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT! That way you can pick out which one is of the best quality.

and if you buy most of your hats online, then stop buying them online and go to the store.

simple. problem solved.

Word. Problem solved.

Anyone producing millions of something is bound to have a few slip-ups, overall though I think they make great hats and I can't wait to pick up my (moisture wicking) new Sox hat

[BamaHater]

I can understand the sizing problems but when you buy a hat and the MLB logo on the back of the hat is so crooked it looks like it's at a 15-20 degree angle then you have problems. I can understand small problems coming up here and there but when you have logos being sewn on crooked left and right then there is a problem. It's called quality control. They send these messed up hats out because they know they will sell no matter what.

[baseballking99]

I have a 5950 Marlins teal & black that I bought online and it's like wearing one of those hats the Royal Guard wears at Buckingham Palace, it sits up so high. Like the polar opposite of a 'low profile', whic I love. I soaked the thing and wore it on my head for hours and it still looks like I'm wearing a cakebox.

Anyone has suggestions, I'm open to them...

try this very carefully. It worked pretty good for me.

http://bugsandcranks.com/the-clubhouse/a-b...9fifty-surgery/

[VitaminD]

here's an idea......why not EXAMINE THE HATS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE STORE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT! That way you can pick out which one is of the best quality.

and if you buy most of your hats online, then stop buying them online and go to the store.

simple. problem solved.

That answer is so common sense that it shouldn't need to be said.

If you're going to buy things to fit your body without putting them on your body, then you get what you pay for. Everyone's acutely aware of the variations in sizing, so why would you leave yourself vulnerable to buying something that won't fit correctly? Moreover, if you're willing to trust one representative online picture to serve as a proxy for the exact item you're getting, the risk lies with you. Would you buy a $400 suit online without trying it on and having a professional tailor make sure the fit is proper?

Go to the store. Touch the cap. Try it on. Break the brim a little. Make sure everything is where it should be. Check the fit one more time. Buy. Leave. Smile. Get on with your life.

CAVEAT EMPTOR...

[Sodboy13]

here's an idea......why not EXAMINE THE HATS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE STORE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT! That way you can pick out which one is of the best quality.

and if you buy most of your hats online, then stop buying them online and go to the store.

simple. problem solved.

Okay. Well then, tell me of a brick-and-mortar retail outlet in the Chicago area where I can examine and try on an assortment of Modesto Nuts caps in size 7 5/8.

There's your problem.

It's all well and good to limit your shopping to your local, physical store, as long as you have no issue with limiting your choices accordingly. Lids and Hat World are great if you want local teams, pseudo-retro, a couple of select styles, or those white USC hats that say "COCKS" on the front. But if I want a fitted game Brewers cap that isn't ball-in-glove, I better fill up the tank and start heading north on 94. So tell me why I shouldn't expect to get a hat of consistent quality and proper sizing if I order it online. I'm buying a flippin' hat, not a suit.

You're asking me to lower my expectations because a company can't be bothered to properly manufacture its product. So who's at fault here, the consumer or the manufacturer?

[BamaHater]

They can't get the problems fixed yet charge $30-$40 a hat. If I buy a $10 hat my expectations about the quality are less than if I spend $35.

[FiddySicks]

I know that NE has their problems, sometimes. but it iant as bad as some people on this board make it out to be. right now I probably have over 4 thousand sitting in my store. I would venture to say at the most 5 have something wrong with them. sure the sizing might be inconsistant but you have to keep in mind the 20 some step process these caps go through. so sizing is going to very. you also have to remember that most of the people are anal-retentive about the smallest detail and could spot a miss sticked seam on the shoulder number on a linemen's uni from the nose bleed section.

Also you have to factor in the fact that its hand made. Anything hand made isnt going to be exactly the same every time. And one thing ive noticed is that ive only seen serious problems in the New Era Authentics. The fashion hats tend to be pretty tip top.

[timparry]

here's an idea......why not EXAMINE THE HATS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE STORE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT! That way you can pick out which one is of the best quality.

and if you buy most of your hats online, then stop buying them online and go to the store.

simple. problem solved.

My thoughts exactly! I used to but the sized ones from Starstruck (being a loyal Connecticut guy), but returning for the same size or another size is always a hassle. Keep your local Lids in biz.

[dahatman]

My main problem with NE hats is the sizing inconsistencies. I used to order via the Internet but too any times the normal 7-1/4 that I wear would be too loose/too tight. For a handmade product, I would expect a little variance but I have received hats that have fit like a 7 and as large 7-1/2. So, I went to the local retail outlets and it is not much different with the sizing. As for the complaints regarding the logos not being centered and the MLB logo on wierd angles, I have seen that but no one is forcing you to purchase the hat.

[timparry]

here's an idea......why not EXAMINE THE HATS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE STORE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT! That way you can pick out which one is of the best quality.

and if you buy most of your hats online, then stop buying them online and go to the store.

simple. problem solved.

Okay. Well then, tell me of a brick-and-mortar retail outlet in the Chicago area where I can examine and try on an assortment of Modesto Nuts caps in size 7 5/8.

There's your problem.

It's all well and good to limit your shopping to your local, physical store, as long as you have no issue with limiting your choices accordingly. Lids and Hat World are great if you want local teams, pseudo-retro, a couple of select styles, or those white USC hats that say "COCKS" on the front. But if I want a fitted game Brewers cap that isn't ball-in-glove, I better fill up the tank and start heading north on 94. So tell me why I shouldn't expect to get a hat of consistent quality and proper sizing if I order it online. I'm buying a flippin' hat, not a suit.

You're asking me to lower my expectations because a company can't be bothered to properly manufacture its product. So who's at fault here, the consumer or the manufacturer?

You're right that New Era should be consistent though, but answer this one for me... Is your life complete if you DON'T have the Modesto Nuts cap?

I haven't been to Wrigley in 7 years, but I thought there were a few shops there that sold every minor league cap under the sun.

[Gothamite]

here's an idea......why not EXAMINE THE HATS WHEN YOU ARE AT THE STORE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT! That way you can pick out which one is of the best quality.

and if you buy most of your hats online, then stop buying them online and go to the store.

simple. problem solved.

...which is what I do with New Era caps.

I have no problem buying Twins Enterprise caps, Mitchell & Ness, Ebbets Field, American Needle, Nike, or Reebok caps online.

New Era though, I have to see before I'll buy. The quality control is that bad.