The Best Hat Store — Local services in Fort Worth

For years, Best Hat Store has been our go-to for Americans. They were always extremely friendly and helpful in helping us find and shape the exact looks we needed. During the 2020 NFR in Arlington, Texas, one of the things we were most excited for during the trip was finally visiting the store in person! We saved it for our last day in town and had ideas of the 2-3 hats we were going to purchase. Upon walking in, we were greeted by Mark Lankey and asked if we had any questions. One of my intentions during this visit was to have them distress my hat by burning the shape it was already in - a very simple service most hat shops offer. I asked the girls at the counter for the price and they enthusiastically directed me to a gentleman behind the shaping counter. He was having a conversation, so I stood by until he was finished. When I stepped up, I told him they sent me over and asked him the price for the service. He quickly and rudely answered “$100”. I assumed maybe he was one of those people who joke in a way that you question, so I kind of laughed uncomfortably and said “well I’d say go ahead, but how much does it really cost?”. As if my presence was the bane of his existence, he repeated the same thing, “one hundred dollars”. Cue the nervous laugh and re-questioning. By the third time, I had concluded that this gentleman’s message was “you don’t look like you can’t afford to be here, therefore I don’t want to do anything for you”. Now, granted, I was not purchasing my hat there that day, but what they failed to know (and truly, there is no way that could have) is our home is filled with Americans loyally purchased from them and it was our intention to purchase a few more during that visit. All in, my point is I felt extremely disrespected and looked down upon during that entire encounter. Frankly, that was one of the visits I was most excited for and it kind of ruined the rest of the day. Seeing that this gentleman had just hours before done a hat for a local newscaster, I thought that maybe he must have been tired and worn out from all the tourists coming through. However, after reading other reviews it seems that Best Hat Store is extremely good at conveying one message - if you don’t have a gold buckle, then you are not worth a second of their time. The real kicker here is that my intention was to call and talk to the manager to let him know how we were treated, because anyone who works in retail should not condone that behavior... but here’s the thing. The man that spoke to me so condescendingly WAS THE MANAGER, DANNY ADAMS. After that day, it truly has been upsetting that for years we have been so loyal to them and spent thousands on their success only to be shown their true colors. It saddens me to say that we will never be returning and letting all of our friends who also purchase from them routinely know to bring their business elsewhere. Let it be known, Best Hat Store no longer holds the values that built them and seem to only be concerned with “wasting” their time on people who will bring in the big bottom line.

I would also like to follow this entire situation up by saying that I have also called two other local hat shops to price the exact same service on a hat I bring in and the values have ranged from $5-$15. On calling back Best Hat Store after the NFR concluded, I was now quoted $75... for the same service on a...

Flew into Ft. Worth for two reasons. One to see the Stock Yards and to also buy a hat from The Best Hat Store. Landed on Friday morning and drove to Ft. Worth and the store as it was the first thing I wanted to get done. I got into the store around 10:15am and there were already several customers with the staff and others looking around to buy. I came in looking to buy a Silverbelly. After confirming my size, I was ready to go. I walked up to the counter and Ryan stepped in to help me out. We talked about what I was looking for and we went over to the counter and he went to work shaping my brick crown and JB brim. Ryan was meticulous in the shaping and it was great to talk to him. Being my first time in the area, also gave me some good recommendations on places to go. Had to size my hat down a bit and when done, I walked out with a kick ass new hat. I see some reviews on here about not being helped out or slow service. I would like to address that as that was not my experience. However, I ask anyone that goes in here to keep a few things in mind. The hat you get from them is “YOUR” hat. Meaning, it’s shaped to your preference. Hat shaping is as much of a craft and art as painting or making furniture. It’s a personal process where the shaper takes the time to nail the hat you are looking for and while not taking an hour, it is going to take a little time as they make sure you are completely satisfied and get the hat you want. That reflects who you are. They know you are making an investment and want to give you the hat you want. They only have about 6 shapers so you can imagine that when the store is busy and they want everyone’s experience to be first class, it could take some time before they get to you. Be patient and appreciate the craftsmanship they put into every hat and when they get to you, you will get the same first class experience and walk out with a hat that will last you a lifetime! I couldn’t have been happier with my hat and the experience and I will absolutely be flying back into Ft. Worth to spend more of my hard earned money on another hat. Ryan, Danny and the rest of the crew, thanks for the great work you do and the hats you put out. Can’t recommend this store enough! Looking forward to...

They earned all five stars last time when I bought a straw hat. It looks amazing and was shaped to perfection with a minnick crown and a JB Brim. For my felt hat I had no doubts and put in my order on a Thursday and I had an inquiry about my order which was ignored. By Tuesday of the following week I was still being ignored. I asked them to follow up with the question that I had submitted previously .They finally had a cold response and slightly snarky and not their typical customer service that you would expect from the flagship store owned by the same family that owns American hat company. After having to repeat my original question they simply came back and said that the felt hats run small instead of answering my question they just passed the buck and I got the impression that they didn't want to deal with me. It was a very bizarre response to make a blanket statement that all the felt hats run small that's not a disclaimer that they put on their website and that was the first time that I've heard this. If there is any discrepancy in sizing it's usually between different brands but not within the same brand I got a professional opinion who was in agreement at another dealer. I requested a refund and also called them to make share my request was fulfilled because at that point the FedEx label was still in a created status after 5 days and the nice lady that answered the phone confirmed that they had not even started on my hat. It was not a holiday weekend nor was it a complicated order. Very disappointed as a repeat customer especially because I have bragged on this business and sent them referrals as well. I even showcased the straw hat on a YouTube video that I've got a good mind to take down. If you are reading this and still decide to go with best hat I hope that you have the same good experience that I did the first time. I hope that the management and owner give some remedial training to whoever responds to online orders to have better manners...