Panamahatsdirect.com They sold me an incorrectly styled $200 custom made Monticristo Panama Fedora Straw hat and when I returned it they would never replace it, refund my money, or respond to my emails or letters. Cuenca, Ecuador Internet

In Summer 2004 I placed an order for a man's custom made by hand, Montecristo Fedora style Panama straw hat. It cost $200 plus shipping and was prepaid via American Express. The deal was done over the internet with Panama Hats Direct of Ecuador, South America.

When the hat finally arrived inlate October it was not the correct shape ( brim too wide and top made it look more like a Stetson cowboy hat). I emailed the owner Casey Dazell and he said no problem just send it back.

He specifically told me "not" to insure it or put it's correct value on it as the mail service was rather bad for theft in Ecaudor etc. I followed his instructions and mailed the hat back in Nov. 2004. I never heard from him or his company ever again.

Mr. Dazell would never respond to my repeated emails or letters over the next year asking for a replacement hat or my $200 plus shipping costs to be refunded to me.

Recently I heard of your web site service for consumers and coincidently Mr. Dazell also just happened to send out a blanket notice to all former customers ( obviously forgetting who I was ).I decided to file a complaint to warn others not to deal with Panamahats direct.com. Thank you.--Mr. J. Dunn

James
APO, New York
U.S.A.