Bad experience with Aero Leather

[ButteMT61]

Interesting. There's never been a lack of info here and that includes negative experiences/outcomes. The differnce as I see it is the way it's delivered. We've all read posts of new jackets that were less than perfect, but the tone and the apparent intent was nothing more than to be informative, learn, and move on.
Now, we need to do this? Really? Is it for the "good of the forum" that some propose this? Because I've never seen the need for it as opinions and outcomes have been posted for years.
Are we now going to get the errant p*ssed off GW client that didn't get a great fit? Does that really need it's own thread? We've seen a Good Wear Ventura posted up that apparently shrunk from rain.
We see JeffM still waiting on a BK.
Two newer guys got hosed up Alexander jackets.
It's here for all to see with no malice as are many others from Alexander, Bill Kelso, LW, etc.
If this is indeed deemed a necessity, make I generic. And start populating it with complaints.
Or, leave it as is and we'll open others that are sure to grow quite large quite soon. I'd rather the former, but I'm not a host.

 

[Insurrection/ThurstonBros]

Aero has a wonderful product, a product that gives jacket aficionados things that few others can--Horween's C/X hides, incredible design, and design options that are numerous. Aero also has retailers set up around the world to help facilitate the very best access to and success with their product.

The OP, despite being just down the road from an Aero retailer (we've been a stocking Aero retailer since 2008), decided to purchase "from a distance." There's nothing wrong with this in theory, but, in practice, this can be a very difficult endeavor.

We provide Aero fit jackets to EVERY North American customer who would like one, we have effective, daily communication with Aero, and we understand and implement Aero fit like few others in the world! This is why our Aero jackets come through to specification each and every time. This is also why our customers are very, very pleased with the Aero products that they receive.

We urge all who are reading this to go through their "local" retailers, whether that's a local Aero retailer, a local Vanson retailer, a local Schott retailer, etc. This facilitates the best possible outcome and the highest level of product satisfaction. In fact, we have very few, less than 2%!!!, unsatisfied Aero customers, so the need for refund (an issue that the OP brought up) is essentially moot when it comes to obtaining an incredible Aero product. If a customer uses established channels for getting the perfect fit, the best model for their body type, the hide that they want, etc., satisfaction is the by-product of using these channels!

 

[ButteMT61]

Ah, I see I even get the blame for rip 'n' snorts bad Aero jacket! I see now, I should post bad things about Aero even though I had no such bad experiences witht them!
And I even dealt with the old Aero! Man, I missed a golden opportunity to lie about them both.
I can't wait until I get blamed for a bad Good Wear or Pike Bros jacket too. I'm not sure why I've gotten away with promoting Gustin. With the problems posted there, I'm sure some of those are my doing too.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Well that's what happens Butte when you are a FANBOY..!! lol

 

[ButteMT61]

Well that's what happens Butte when you are a FANBOY..!! lol

I learned from you and JanSolo. I'm just a plebe. :rofl:

 

[ButteMT61]

One other request. When someone has a "bad jacket" from anyone, I'd like to see the pics, not just a story. I think that's fair?
One man's hell is another's sale page bargain. Or maybe histrionics. Photos is worth lots of words as we know.

 

[Feraud]

One thing which I don't like is how the Outerwear section has become increasingly bipartisan over the last year or two, sadly it seems in relation to some Aero fans who have attacked other makers and especially those members who have supported other makers - nearly always without any experience of dealing with the makers they so vehemently attack. The recent thread in which a new member (FredS) was belittled and insulted (which ended up having to be censured) was a real low point in the 7 years I've been a member here and typified how nasty things have gotten around here. Although I know Paddy is on the warpath now in relation to such behaviour so I doubt that anyone engaging in similar rudeness will last too long here as a member.

It's been noted.
We may need to reconsider dealing with those that choose to bulldoze their opinions over others. This is not the Aero forum and we don't want that minority dictating the terms of posting policy here.

 

[mihai]

So far I ordered 2 standard jackets from Aero, while Amanda was still there. Good service, fit of the jackets ok. There was def place for better in regards to this. Perhaps I did not know what to ask for(bc of my lack of documentation).

My 2 cents on customer relationship with Aero:
- I find it fair to have individual threads for each bad exp (just like as for good ones), this way is easier to follow the evolution of the case.
- for the substantial pricing of this kind of items I have quite some expectations: quality, delivery on time (a reasonable margin is accepted), good service. If an order cannot be fulfilled by any reasons I expect to have this promptly communicated and work things out (change order, refund). It's like with cars you pay Merc price, you expect that kind of quality.

 

[Jack Burton]

I waited 2 years to get an Aero and finally just gave up on them. The first incident involved Mark Moye. After a couple headaches I did get my money back from citibank over a year after being charged (always use credit cards!). I then placed an order with Aero directly and went back and forth with Amanda a couple times. Come 10 months later, after Amanda left, they told me they had no record of my order. I wondered how that was possible unless Amanda just deleted my order when she left. By that time, the nonsense, incompetence, and excuses just got to be too much for me.

I'm sure Aero makes great jackets but I'm sticking with Johnson Leathers.

 

[Otter]

One other request. When someone has a "bad jacket" from anyone, I'd like to see the pics, not just a story. I think that's fair?
One man's hell is another's sale page bargain. Or maybe histrionics. Photos is worth lots of words as we know.

Agreed, we see very few of these photos. I can foresee the Invasion of the Sock Puppets !

 

[rippsnorter]

It's been noted.
We may need to reconsider dealing with those that choose to bulldoze their opinions over others. This is not the Aero forum and we don't want that minority dictating the terms of posting policy here.

Thanks for this. I was honestly a bit worried that I'd be banned for speaking out against Aero in any way.

I haven't spent all that much time here, and didn't realize there were several cliques developing. I felt that the entire board was pro-Aero and to dissent was to get locked, deleted or myself banned.

Thanks to those that, even if they don't agree with me, have let me say my piece.

 

[rippsnorter]

Aero has a wonderful product, a product that gives jacket aficionados things that few others can--Horween's C/X hides, incredible design, and design options that are numerous. Aero also has retailers set up around the world to help facilitate the very best access to and success with their product.

The OP, despite being just down the road from an Aero retailer (we've been a stocking Aero retailer since 2008), decided to purchase "from a distance." There's nothing wrong with this in theory, but, in practice, this can be a very difficult endeavor.

We provide Aero fit jackets to EVERY North American customer who would like one, we have effective, daily communication with Aero, and we understand and implement Aero fit like few others in the world! This is why our Aero jackets come through to specification each and every time. This is also why our customers are very, very pleased with the Aero products that they receive.

We urge all who are reading this to go through their "local" retailers, whether that's a local Aero retailer, a local Vanson retailer, a local Schott retailer, etc. This facilitates the best possible outcome and the highest level of product satisfaction. In fact, we have very few, less than 2%!!!, unsatisfied Aero customers, so the need for refund (an issue that the OP brought up) is essentially moot when it comes to obtaining an incredible Aero product. If a customer uses established channels for getting the perfect fit, the best model for their body type, the hide that they want, etc., satisfaction is the by-product of using these channels!

Had I known you guys existed I would have happily driven up to you.

At the time of my orders I thought my only options were Mark Moye or Aero directly from Scotland.

 

[sshack]

As the poster who started the aforementioned "praise Aero" thread, lol, I have no qualms about this "bad Aero" thread. I think it is presented fairly. Also, just to remind everyone, my "praise Aero" thread began with a "there's something wrong with my Highwayman" post.

As someone else posted, there are two sides to every story. And I think it's fair to say that Aero stories usually end with them doing the right thing.

 

[Fanch]

Well Rippsnorter, after reading your detailed liturgy of complaints regarding your experience(s) with Aero, it seems that you did receive a bootlegger that is accepable to you and another that probably is too, with the exception of an extra pocket. I hope that I am not the only one who would love to see pictures of what you currently have along with a critique regarding impressions, fit, etc.

 

[Highwaymanman]

Well Rippsnorter, after reading your detailed liturgy of complaints regarding your experience(s) with Aero, it seems that you did receive a bootlegger that is accepable to you and another that probably is too, with the exception of an extra pocket. I hope that I am not the only one who would love to see pictures of what you currently have along with a critique regarding impressions, fit, etc.

Agree with this 100%. The bootlegger is one style of jacket that has mass appeal on here! It's always a good day on FL when a nice example of one gets posted up.

 

[scotrace]

This is something I know the bartenders are trying very hard to avoid. I'm pretty sure this thread will be allowed to stay open, so long as folks can avoid accusing each other of schilling or trolling. Also avoiding any ongoing litigation might be worthwhile. Hold off for just a few short weeks on that one, friends!

Thanks, Old Man. Saved me the typing.
It doesn't matter what the product or who makes it, not everyone is going to be pleased 100% of the time. Any manufacturer who values their reputation will expect this and work all the harder to meet that 100% ideal, taking (politely delivered) criticism in stride. We don't close down criticism, we close down behavior problems. The bad stories are a part of the overall tale.

 

[schitzo]

For the record, I am an aero fan. I like the jackets and I trust the Calders to look after me.

As I see it, problems with jackets - and this goes for all of the makers - are invariably down to ordering them over the internet as with the number of variables involved there is just too much possibility for human error to intervene at some point. Whereas if you actually can visit in person then my experience, and this goes for Aero and AL, is that both can deliver very well made jackets that fit perfectly.

In fact, re aero the only thing I can say that I positively dislike - and the reason that I am in the main a non-vocal supporter on these pages - is the way they're 'represented' here on tfl. In my mind those members who are so evidently intent on promoting the brand actually achieve the opposite. I know that is the case for me and I feel quite sure that is also true of a few other members, who probably likewise appreciate the jackets

 

[Fanch]

Schitz, I don't think of myself as promoting anything other than what I have in my possession or what I personally like. As far as I can determine, you have also done the same, although your collection of jackets far exceeds mine. Furthermore, your posts that include pictures and description of fit of your various jackets is far better than mine, and you have contributed greatly to the overall knowledge base for many of us on the FL. You are correct in saying that a personal visit to a specific company is extremely worthwhile in order to nail down preferences, particularly regarding sizing.

My personal experience with the people at Aero has been favorable and have found them accomodating and incredibly cordial. If I wanted something done, I always asked nicely. Ken told me that one of the things that I had requested on a jacket was not a great idea, and I went along with his recommendation. I have talked to Lydia, Christine, and Rachel on the telephone. They all commented on my southern drawl. I have communicated with Holly by email on numerous occasions and conclude that she has the patience of Job! I have said before Aero is a small family owned business that has been under extreme duress over the past year.

As I said earlier, I would like to see pictures and comments by Rippsnorter of his jackets. I would encourage anyone who is critical of whatever has been received from any company considered to be substandard to educate us by showing us pictures and description of the product. Sometimes what we perceive as wrong is open to question. I think that Mark Twain is the one who said "it ain't what we don't know that gets us in trouble but what we do know that just ain't so!'

 

[handymike]

I agree and feel that I must echo Schitzo here-
Most fit problems seem to be due to inherent "buy over the web" issues. If we could all get ourselves fitted (and now in the US we can) I'll wager these jacket makers would be up over 90% approval rating. I read recently that 1/3 of all Amazon sales are returned. No one seems to be questioning quality here....

Off Topic- Happy New Year Everybody...

 

[rippsnorter]

I could agree mostly about the fit issue just being a problem of communication. Mostly.

But if you read my initial post, the majority (side note, I'm a bit under the weather today and when I typed "majority" my tired fingers made it came out "mammary". Freudian slip? )

Anyway. The majority of my problems had to do with long delays, no call backs, and the 5 month wait for a refund.

Happy New Year back at ya'll. About 11 and a half hours away for me yet!