BobJ
Practically Family
- Messages
- 609
- Location
- Coos Bay, OR
About a year ago I discovered the Fedora Lounge and became fascinated with the wealth of freely shared knowledge here. I read most of the posts in the Outerwear section going back over two years. I learned more about leather and leather jackets than I ever imagined was even possible. And I began to think about the details I wanted in my "perfect, once-in-a-lifetime jacket".
In July I made contact with Amanda at Aero Leathers and requested the first leather samples of my life. In quick succession came samples from US Authentic, Schott, Bill Kelso, Goodwear, Lost Worlds and Langlitz. Wested charged me but never sent them, even after repeated queries.
Thanks, in large part, to the high esteem Aero seemed to garner among the more experienced here on the forum, and the fact that I definitely wanted horsehide, I began exchanging emails with Amanda, asking all the newbie questions about fit, styles, customizations and leather. I was just about ready to make the final order - just one more short email and it was going to happen … then everything blew up. Will and Amanda left. The horsehide/cowhide debacle unfolded. Waits at Aero shot up to six to eight months and my emails weren't being answered for weeks at a time. Arrrrgh!
So, I didn't know what to do. I put everything on hold and began looking at other brands. But I couldn't get Aero and horsehide out of my mind. John at Goodwear had some beautiful horsehide, but his waits were over a year and I didn't want an A2. Andy at Bill Kelso also had some nice horsehide and I was getting close to getting one of his "Relic Hunters" …when Alexander Leathers made a small, humble appearance.
At first there were no pictures, then a few of a limited number of styles, and now there are new styles and copious pictures rolling out all the time. Anyway, something about their Drifter struck a chord in me, so I emailed Amanda and started the process of a thousand questions again – this style, that style, taking the back from one style and adding it to another, removing cinch straps and side panels, changing pocket shapes and collar height, tapering sleeves and changing cuffs. She never made me feel like a bother. In fact, just the opposite occurred.
As time went on, the exchanges became more personal and friendly, and I began to feel that she wasn’t just trying to sell me something, but that she sincerely wanted to help me create the jacket of my dreams. Every harebrained customization idea I came up with, they were cheerfully willing and able to do – with only the occasional bit of advice. I was even able to communicate directly with the person who was going to sew the jacket together. Before it was over I told Amanda I felt the jacket was being made by friends.
I can’t imagine they’re not busy at Alexander – there have got be a million and one details involved in getting a new business up and running – so I was more than a bit surprised at the level of personal attention, the patience, the helpfulness and the good cheer I experienced. In all my sixty years I have never had a more pleasant experience dealing with a company. I now understand why Amanda had such a dedicated fan base when she was over at Aero: I didn’t feel like I was dealing with a company, but with a kind-hearted person.
Shameless shill? -- Yeah, I guess I am now. But I started out cautious and skeptical.
As helpful as Amanda was, it was what I learned from you guys here on the Forum that enabled me to even have a conversation with her. I owe so many of you a huge debt of gratitude. I wish we could all get together to compare jackets and I could thank you personally!
Many thanks and best wishes,
Bob
PS - Jacket has been ordered, description and pics later!
In July I made contact with Amanda at Aero Leathers and requested the first leather samples of my life. In quick succession came samples from US Authentic, Schott, Bill Kelso, Goodwear, Lost Worlds and Langlitz. Wested charged me but never sent them, even after repeated queries.
Thanks, in large part, to the high esteem Aero seemed to garner among the more experienced here on the forum, and the fact that I definitely wanted horsehide, I began exchanging emails with Amanda, asking all the newbie questions about fit, styles, customizations and leather. I was just about ready to make the final order - just one more short email and it was going to happen … then everything blew up. Will and Amanda left. The horsehide/cowhide debacle unfolded. Waits at Aero shot up to six to eight months and my emails weren't being answered for weeks at a time. Arrrrgh!
So, I didn't know what to do. I put everything on hold and began looking at other brands. But I couldn't get Aero and horsehide out of my mind. John at Goodwear had some beautiful horsehide, but his waits were over a year and I didn't want an A2. Andy at Bill Kelso also had some nice horsehide and I was getting close to getting one of his "Relic Hunters" …when Alexander Leathers made a small, humble appearance.
At first there were no pictures, then a few of a limited number of styles, and now there are new styles and copious pictures rolling out all the time. Anyway, something about their Drifter struck a chord in me, so I emailed Amanda and started the process of a thousand questions again – this style, that style, taking the back from one style and adding it to another, removing cinch straps and side panels, changing pocket shapes and collar height, tapering sleeves and changing cuffs. She never made me feel like a bother. In fact, just the opposite occurred.
As time went on, the exchanges became more personal and friendly, and I began to feel that she wasn’t just trying to sell me something, but that she sincerely wanted to help me create the jacket of my dreams. Every harebrained customization idea I came up with, they were cheerfully willing and able to do – with only the occasional bit of advice. I was even able to communicate directly with the person who was going to sew the jacket together. Before it was over I told Amanda I felt the jacket was being made by friends.
I can’t imagine they’re not busy at Alexander – there have got be a million and one details involved in getting a new business up and running – so I was more than a bit surprised at the level of personal attention, the patience, the helpfulness and the good cheer I experienced. In all my sixty years I have never had a more pleasant experience dealing with a company. I now understand why Amanda had such a dedicated fan base when she was over at Aero: I didn’t feel like I was dealing with a company, but with a kind-hearted person.
Shameless shill? -- Yeah, I guess I am now. But I started out cautious and skeptical.
As helpful as Amanda was, it was what I learned from you guys here on the Forum that enabled me to even have a conversation with her. I owe so many of you a huge debt of gratitude. I wish we could all get together to compare jackets and I could thank you personally!
Many thanks and best wishes,
Bob
PS - Jacket has been ordered, description and pics later!
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