Good if you know how to work their system.
Written: Jun 17 '08 (Updated Jun 17 '08)
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I've been using their website for several years now, and I have likely made over a thousand dollars worth of purchases from them during that time.
Generally my experience has been positive, but that is from trial and error and knowing how to "work" their site. Doing so has gotten me a few bargains!
Some things to know about Haband: They are first and foremost a mail order clothing store. They mainly cater to the 55 and over crowd, as well as maintaining an inventory of clothing for larger, hard to fit people (myself included), and clothing with snaps, zippers, and velcro for those with limited mobility. They are as far away as you can get from what what would be considered "trendy" these days. (They actually still sell polyester Leisure Suits!) The best you can hope for is something of a "retro" style, which is generally the stuff I buy.
There are two types of items there that you must AVOID purchasing from Haband at all costs:
1) Give a pass to all of the items in their "houseware" section. This includes any sort of decorative item, electronic item, bathroom item.... you get the idea. The stuff they sell in this section is whatever they can pickup cheapest off the last boat coming in from China. That is why the section has such strange items like "coin counters", etc. Look at the cheapest junk you find at your local flea market, that is what this stuff is. My mom has bought some of this stuff in the past, and has been left feeling cheated every time!
2) Men's pants. Don't bother. I mean it, they are just terrible! Every pair I've purchased have one or more of the following issues: Zippers that stick, ill-fitting, horrible material selections, in-accurate waist sizes, colors in-accurately depicted, easily breakable belt loops, and they almost NEVER look as good as the one in the photos.
That said, there are some consistently good items available:
1) Guayabera shirts These are those 4-pocket button down shirts originally of Cuban origin. These are usually available all the time, and are available in sizes all the way up to 4XL! In fact, all men's shirts in general are of respectable quality. Sizing has been fairly consistent. Shirts with zippers seem to be fine (as opposed to the pants mentioned earlier) Colors and quality are "true to photo".
All of my current work shirts (mostly polos or Guayabera's) are from Haband.
2) Men's outerwear NOTE: That ALL SWEATERS in this category are "thinner" than you would expect. (Which is fine for me as I live in Florida, and I like the thinner material). The jackets however have always been exactly as expected.
I mentioned earlier you need to know how to "work" their site. I don't mean how to USE the site, anyone can do that.
Here are some tips:
1) About the never ending mailings: Items in it seem to fall into two categories; stuff that is nearly sold out, or stuff that is not available yet. I think these mailers are printed weeks or months in advance, and Haband has difficulty timing these correctly. The website seems to be the final authority as to what is available and what is not. I use the mailings for one thing, and one thing only. To get the special printed code if I like the free gift in the mailing. You get one free gift with any order, and regardless of what it may say on the paper copy about "with any order from this mailing"; it has been my experience that any order from the website will get you that gift. I also use them for free shipping codes that come with some of the mailings. (Yes, I know the free gifts are generally junk, but the ones in the mailing are generally better than what is offered on the website.)
2) Clearance items: Want outerwear? Buy it in the spring/summer! Want light short-sleeve shirts? Buy it during the fall/winter! I've picked up awesome bargains on winter coats in April/May. I've gotten nice coats for $5!
3) "Gaming" their inventory. Try to put at least TWO (preferably more like 4 or 5) of the item you want into your shopping cart. If it lets you, they have plenty in stock. If it doesn't let you put even 2 of the item in your shopping cart then their stock is almost depleted, order at your own risk!
4) Ignore all offers after you complete your order!
The "rewards" program is a scam from a third party that I've seen on other retailer sites, best not get involved. I've seen many online complaints about this sort of thing.
5) Shoes Be very careful with this category. I occasionally buy shoes here as I have wide feet and they are one of the few online retailers that consistently have wide sizes. I'm batting about 60-70% in this category. Most of these shoes are generally only slightly better than what you find in Payless Shoes.
6) Branding I am the least label conscious person on the planet. However I recognize that some brands (Levi's, Ralph Lauren, Dockers, etc.) make superior products to generics, this is NOT always the case. Another reviewer mentioned his frustration at them running out of "Botany 500" shoes. Botany 500 may have meant something in the 70's, but these days it is simply cashing on the name. They produce nothing themselves, and simply license their name to any company that will take it. (Same thing happened with Polaroid, RCA, Bell & Howell, etc)
7) Customer Service There really isn't any to speak of. On the rare occasion I have needed it, I had difficulty getting in touch with anyone at the company. They claim to have a call center somewhere in America. Perhaps it would improve by outsourcing abroad!
Alternatives to Haband: Their major online competition with similar product lines is a company called BLAIR. I've found Blair more expensive (sometimes significantly), but generally better quality, and (slightly) trendier.
Well, I hope my experiences have been helpful to some. I've purchased lots of good clothes at Haband over the years and will continue to do so. However it helps to know what you are getting into and how to work their system.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Men''s clothing.
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Epinions.com ID:
oarias
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Member: Oscar Arias
Location: Sarasota, FL
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 0 members
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