The Model
How Drops Work
We don’t keep shelves full of product nobody asked for. Every hat starts as a preorder — you vote with your wallet, we build what gets ordered. Here’s exactly how it works.
The Process
Three Steps. No Surprises.
01
Preorder Opens
A new design drops. You preorder at $50. No charge games — your card is charged immediately and that money funds production. The window stays open for 30 days.
Preorder Price: $50
02
We Build It
When the window closes, if the design hit minimum it goes into production. We’re talking 10–12 weeks from close to your door. Track exactly where things are on the Production Tracker.
Production: 10–12 Weeks
03
Ships to You
Preorder buyers ship first. Any remaining inventory moves to In Stock on the site at $60. When that’s gone, the orange tag colorway is closed forever. If the design proves itself, it may return as a black tag reproduction in a new colorway — but that’s a different hat, not a restock.
In Stock Price: $60
The Questions We Know You Have
QWhat exactly is a preorder?
A preorder is your commitment to a design before it’s made. You pay $50, we track the orders, and if enough people are in, we produce the run. Think of it as voting with your wallet — the community decides what gets built. If a design doesn’t get enough support, it doesn’t get made.
QWhat if a design doesn’t hit minimum?
You get a full refund — no questions, no store credit games. We’re not going to hold your money for a hat that didn’t get made. The design gets shelved and we move on to the next one. Simple as that.
QWhen does my hat ship?
Production takes approximately 10–12 weeks from the time the preorder window closes. We’ll email you when your order ships. You can also check the Production Tracker anytime to see where your design is in the process — from preorder close all the way to fulfillment.
QCan I cancel or exchange my preorder?
Preorders can’t be cancelled once the window closes and production is confirmed — that order is already part of the run and production is funded. If there’s a defect or something’s wrong when your hat arrives, get in touch and we’ll make it right.
QWhat’s the difference between Preorder and In Stock pricing?
Preorders are $50. In Stock is $60. You’re rewarded for committing early — you get a lower price and guaranteed allocation before the hat is even made. In Stock buyers pay a small premium for the convenience of shipping right away instead of waiting on production.
QWhat is In Stock?
In Stock is leftover inventory from previous drops — hats that were produced beyond the preorder count. They ship within 3 business days, no waiting on production. Once the orange tag colorway is gone, it’s gone forever. If a design proves itself, it may return as a black tag reproduction in a new colorway — but that’s a separate hat, not a restock of what sold out.
QWhere do the Whatnot shows fit in?
Whatnot is where we go live and auction off inventory directly to the community. Live, fast, and a chance to grab hats in real time. Follow us at Caddie Cartel on Whatnot to get notified when we go live. Preorder buyers still get first access and the best price — Whatnot is for the live crowd.
Ready to Get In on a Drop?
Browse what’s currently open for preorder. Join the list and you’ll know before anyone else.