Communicating with Aero for USA Buyers

[Vespizzare]

I see on threads about people talking to Amanda and others at Aero, hashing out details of orders, etc. Obviously a lot of communication is occuring and I was wondering is this by phone or email or how? I've asked a few preliminary questions via email and, while the answers were prompt, there was nothing that would lead me to believe that people were available to work with a customer beyond processing an order placed via the website's shopping cart.

 

[MillersCrossing]

They were very responsive to my annoying questions via email but I did also call them up initially.

 

[ButteMT61]

I think there's limited time one can expect from them pre-order as they are very busy and in a big transition. They get hammered in emails from folks with orders. I know, I've done it.
Every vendor here that's respected gives a great amount of time to customers and potential customers. Just put yourself in their place. How much time do you have in a day to work and answer emails? They do a great job from my experience. But brevity is to be expected.

 

[Vespizzare]

I think there's limited time one can expect from them pre-order as they are very busy and in a big transition. They get hammered in emails from folks with orders. I know, I've done it.
Every vendor here that's respected gives a great amount of time to customers and potential customers. Just put yourself in their place. How much time do you have in a day to work and answer emails? They do a great job from my experience. But brevity is to be expected.

I'm not a pest and I'm not complaining one bit. I was just wondering how all this negotiating takes place: incremental emails or what? I don't usually even think about calling Scotland or know how much it costs, but it just sounded like people were genuinely communicating at a level beyond what seems possible via email.

 

[ButteMT61]

Couldn't tell from your post. Nothing magical. Place an order, send in numbers, and then discuss options such as color, how you want it to fit, linings, etc. again, helpful folks, but busy. It's a fine balance. Most of the custom makers are busy but as helpful as possible. Even with assistants to do emails and calls, they've lots of folks to help out. Just be as specific as you can and ask questions here to get better prepared before another email to Aero (or whoever). People here can help a lot. Free Aero staff as their known

 

[cordwangler]

Yes, just normal emails. I doubt anyone here has any special line of communication with Aero.

Overall, what you're hearing on this forum is simply customers' appreciation of good service.

 

[HorseHide]

Nothing magical. Place an order, send in numbers, and then discuss options such as color, how you want it to fit, linings, etc.

You didn't include what I did (and what I suspect others do) - change mind 15 times, think of new things at the last minute...

 

[ButteMT61]

You didn't include what I did (and what I suspect others do) - change mind 15 times, think of new things at the last minute...

On, I made reference to it above - just more subtly. Or not. I had a ridiculous number of emails first time 'round and now in retrospect, feel bad. Many of them though we're with Aero USA (Mark) but same thing. They're overloaded with emails and calls. Gotta be reasonable...

 

[Mojo1975]

I see on threads about people talking to Amanda and others at Aero, hashing out details of orders, etc. Obviously a lot of communication is occuring and I was wondering is this by phone or email or how? I've asked a few preliminary questions via email and, while the answers were prompt, there was nothing that would lead me to believe that people were available to work with a customer beyond processing an order placed via the website's shopping cart.

Here in the US, Insurrection Apparel & Boots, in Seattle, WA, (www.insurrectionvintage.com), is your go-to source for Aero leathers, both custom and off-the-rack. We can communicate with you during normal waking hours here in the US and make sure you get everything that you desire with your new Aero purchase. We are fit specialists, vintage specialists, repair / restoration specialists and will get you exactly what you want! Insurrection also has a fit guaranty policy to assure customers that custom, made-to-order Aero pieces are exactly to the customer's liking! Also, since we're a repair facility, if you purchase through us, and a zipper breaks, a liner snags, you'd like an interior pocket, you need your jacket relined, etc., we are here to meet your needs. This precludes expensive shipping and customs fees to Europe that are simply unnecessary! We have daily communication with the Aero factory, a monthly allotment to satisfy the US customer base and time to work with US customers via phone.

As Aero's presence expands in the United States, Aero hubs may become regional (i.e. another in Chicago and one in NYC). However, at this point, Ken and I have talked, and we feel that the current situation with Insurrection will help serve US customers quite a bit. There are two caveats here. First, if you're a customer who has been working with Aero of Scotland for a long time, it's probably best to continue to go through Aero of Scotland. Second, if you, yourself, desire to go through the Aero factory, this obviously is an option for you; however, we cannot repair, alter, modify, etc., Aero jackets that were not purchased through Insurrection. Our workload with Vanson, Schott, RS Taichi, Ballistik, the AMA, etc. is simply too much and we are keeping repair wait times down for original Insurrection customers.

Insurrection's monthly allotment of Aero pieces should also help keep US wait times for new Aero pieces at, ideally, less than 8 weeks. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us on our business line--(206) 550-3545--between 9am and 6pm PST, seven days a week!

 

[cloudylemonade]

As Wade has pointed out you can go to Insurrection if you'd like to deal with an American supplier for easy access on the phone, or if you're in an easy commute of their store in Seattle its a great option to go in and see jackets from their stock, and help pin down the perfect size face to face.

Otherwise, as others have pointed out we are at the moment very, very busy and are dealing with a big change in staffing and getting things together as quickly as possible to ensure the business running seamlessly, and iron out any problems in systems we've found while we do this. As a result, Amanda is also very busy and if there are any delays in responses please bear this in mind. We're doing our upmost to keep on top of everything.

Of course, if you want to call the factory and talk directly with Amanda or Ken about fit questions this can be done. Our office hours GMT are currently 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Thursday with an early close at 12 noon on Fridays, however we're looking at extending this in the coming weeks when my brother is back at the factory.

 

[Mojo1975]

As Wade has pointed out you can go to Insurrection if you'd like to deal with an American supplier for easy access on the phone, or if you're in an easy commute of their store in Seattle its a great option to go in and see jackets from their stock, and help pin down the perfect size face to face.

Otherwise, as others have pointed out we are at the moment very, very busy and are dealing with a big change in staffing and getting things together as quickly as possible to ensure the business running seamlessly, and iron out any problems in systems we've found while we do this. As a result, Amanda is also very busy and if there are any delays in responses please bear this in mind. We're doing our upmost to keep on top of everything.

Of course, if you want to call the factory and talk directly with Amanda or Ken about fit questions this can be done. Our office ours GMT are currently 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Thursday with an early close at 12 noon on Fridays, however we're looking at extending this in the coming weeks when my brother is back at the factory.

Thanks Holly!

Ken and I felt that with the limited hours that the Aero factory is available, due to the time difference between the United States and Europe as well as due to the production demands that are currently on the Aero factory, having a knowledgeable and accessible dealer with a proven track record of selling Aero products, both custom and off-the-rack, would be very beneficial for US consumers of Aero products. Insurrection is looking forward to expanding Aero's presence in both the United States and North America, and couldn't be more pleased to be a part of the team!

www.insurrectionvintage.com

 

[cloudylemonade]

You're very welcome Wade.

As Wade pointed out above our product demands are very high, and we're working as hard as possible (7 days a week right now) to fulfil as many orders as possible and get as many jackets to our customers as soon as we possibly can.

With Will gone we have taken this as a good opportunity to make a few changes which we have long discussed with him, but had never gone into practice. Although the nucleus of our workforce is the same as it has been for quite a few years, this has been the perfect time to sharpen up our workforce.

As most people here on the FL are aware, we've been taking on more and more trainees recently, to expand our workforce and help cut down wait time which has been something I have seen to be a priority since I rejoined the firm back in 2011. These are almost exclusively Heriot Watt Graduates who, other than at Aero, are finding it very hard to find jobs in clothing industry in the UK despite four years extensive study only to find the few firms with "jobs" were really offering unpaid placements. We won't do that at Aero, we believe in a fair days wage for a fair days work. These new young people are enthusiastic, competent and very willing and are a real breath of fresh air around the place. A real credit to our local textile university and are turning out some fabulous work.

Julie Leitch is now our manager in charge of production. We've never had a better machinist or employee than Julie so she's more than earned her promotion. And helping her oversee things is her right hand lady, Bertie Mills (who is another textile college graduate).

So although we have lost a few of our older machinists, many of whom were due for retirement very soon, the factory has a new found vibrancy that there hasn't been for quite some time. And more importantly the work being turned out is of an impeccably high standard!

 

[Mojo1975]

You're very welcome Wade.

As Wade pointed out above our product demands are very high, and we're working as hard as possible (7 days a week right now) to fulfil as many orders as possible and get as many jackets to our customers as soon as we possibly can.

With Will gone we have taken this as a good opportunity to make a few changes which we have long discussed with him, but had never gone into practice. Although the nucleus of our workforce is the same as it has been for quite a few years, this has been the perfect time to sharpen up our workforce.

As most people here on the FL are aware, we've been taking on more and more trainees recently, to expand our workforce and help cut down wait time which has been something I have seen to be a priority since I rejoined the firm back in 2011. These are almost exclusively Heriot Watt Graduates who, other than at Aero, are finding it very hard to find jobs in clothing industry in the UK despite four years extensive study only to find the few firms with "jobs" were really offering unpaid placements. We won't do that at Aero, we believe in a fair days wage for a fair days work. These new young people are enthusiastic, competent and very willing and are a real breath of fresh air around the place. A real credit to our local textile university and are turning out some fabulous work.

Julie Leitch is now our manager in charge of production. We've never had a better machinist or employee than Julie so she's more than earned her promotion. And helping her oversee things is her right hand lady, Bertie Mills (who is another textile college graduate).

So although we have lost a few of our older machinists, many of whom were due for retirement very soon, the factory has a new found vibrancy that there hasn't been for quite some time. And more importantly the work being turned out is of an impeccably high standard!

Holly,

You've given one of Aero's secrets away ...LOL... ! Julie, for some time now, has done most of the prototypes for Insurrection and is the machinist who produces the highest percentage of our shop's Aero jackets. Her work is simply amazing, unparalleled even! Carrie is always remarking, "Wade, look at how smart Julie was with _______!", or "Look at how well Julie did this!" Julie is truly an asset to Aero!!!

www.insurrectionvintage.com

 

[Vespizzare]

Here in the US, Insurrection Apparel & Boots, in Seattle, WA, (www.insurrectionvintage.com), is your go-to source for Aero leathers, both custom and off-the-rack. We can communicate with you during normal waking hours here in the US and make sure you get everything that you desire with your new Aero purchase. s line--(206) 550-3545--between 9am and 6pm PST, seven days a week!

Well that certainly answers my question. I'll definitely be calling you guys in about a week. (And BTW, this board has been a fantastic resource for me. Thanks to all.)

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Then..I am lucky! I have several Aero jackets made by Julie(including my Hwymn..HB..and newest Stuart). My Bootlegger is made by Vickie...fits like glove..and put together very nicely as well(probably my fav Aero jacket).
HD

 

[cloudylemonade]

Holly,

You've given one of Aero's secrets away ...LOL... ! Julie, for some time now, has done most of the prototypes for Insurrection and is the machinist who produces the highest percentage of our shop's Aero jackets. Her work is simply amazing, unparalleled even! Carrie is always remarking, "Wade, look at how smart Julie was with _______!", or "Look at how well Julie did this!" Julie is truly an asset to Aero!!!

www.insurrectionvintage.com

Totally agree! Will pass this on to her

 

[wdw]

I am lucky! I have several Aero jackets made by Julie HD

There you go. I actually shook Julie's hand a couple of weeks ago just before she made my Stockman, after Ken decided that she'd be the one to make it. What I like about Aero is that there's a real personal touch that you very rarely get nowadays.

Anyway, good luck to Julie in her promotion and also to Aero in the new direction they're taking. Here's hoping they also really do get the waiting list down a bit.

 

[Mojo1975]

Great Julie Leitch-made Slimfit Stuart, sold just today to one of our favorite customers!!!

www.insurrectionvintage.com

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Julie made regular cut Stuart...

 

[HoosierDaddy]