Aero: received jacket with wrong zip puller

[BloodEagle]

Am I missing something - why would they have to remake the entire jacket for a simple wrong zipper pull? Surely someone could just take off the wrong one and install the correct one??

 

[Zoro]

Am I missing something - why would they have to remake the entire jacket for a simple wrong zipper pull? Surely someone could just take off the wrong one and install the correct one??

The thread has degenerated into several different scenarios instead of simply waiting for Aero to reply.

 

[Webguy]

Am I missing something - why would they have to remake the entire jacket for a simple wrong zipper pull? Surely someone could just take off the wrong one and install the correct one??

According to Aero the zipper pull cannot be exchanged without having to exchange the whole zipper. That would mean that the chest pocket would have to be cut open.

I asked Aero about a possible zipper pull exchage for another Highwayman that I hat bought peviously at a another retailer:

<<

Hello **X,

Thanks so much for your patience!

I have spoken to my manager and he has advised that unfortunately they aren’t really compatible. The looped ball sliders don’t work well on the zip track of the ball and chain.

Also, in order to replace the slider unpicking of the pocket stitching is required which we would not advise due to the high risk of extra stitch holes right on the front of the jacket.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.

Thanks,
>>

 

[cl206]

First, for moral reasons—small businesses have a hard enough time as it is, and if we want to preserve jobs, we need to be mindful of returns and so on (though of course, that's not a purely rational argument).

Second, a repair could end up making things worse. For example, you might see traces of the rework that aren't actual defects but might still end up bothering you. Or you might receive a brand-new jacket that doesn't fit quite as perfectly as this one, just to get a flawless zipper.

Plus, there is all the hassle involved.

This is so well said! I was thinking the same thing. Sometimes things don't go our way but you need to decide if you can accept it or go thru the proper return process. Both will involve some sacrifice. But it seems like OP is hoping for a rather sizable?? compensation (which BTW is a word I really don't like b/c IME and IMO compensation = entitlement, I know not always but often).

 

[bobjones]

Because I am rather unhappy about this.

Afer paying €1600,- and waiting for 3 months I would expect the leather jacket to be made according to the agreed specifications.

And also I would like to know what can be expected of Aero to rectify this since the error is completely due to their lack of QC.

As a newbie I get it, but those of us dealing with bespoke/MTO jackets know that proper etiquette would be to fully explore the options with the manufacturer before publicly exposing the situation.

I have dealt with Aero for over 20 years, they are a first class operation from top to bottom, and I believe they would be willing to come up with a solution if given the chance.

The other member's take above is correct, while it might seem like a major issue, the zipper tag is not. If the jacket did not fit, the hide was damaged/discolored/wasn't uniform across the jacket, etc, that would be one thing, but this is a tiny detail that you will likely forget about after wearing the jacket for a short amount of time.

Trust me - no one outside of our crazy little community here will even notice the zipper pull, most people will see the jacket hide, color and overall styling.

Are you willing to lose half a winter of wearing time to justify having a whole new jacket made, whose fit might not be as good, and paying a lot to get through customs/duties - all for a zipper pull?

I've been through dozens of leather jackets in my life and I get it - you paid a lot for the piece and want it perfect, but perfection comes at a massive cost in this instance both in terms of time and money, and IMO I don't think it is worth it. Aero makes a superb jacket, over time you won't even remember this tiny detail and will hopefully have decades ahead to enjoy wearing it - an item your friends will envy and not care that the zipper pull was slightly different than the one you ordered.

 

[Bfd70]

And to add, if you hang around you’ll find there is no such thing as a perfect jacket.

 

[bobjones]

And to add, if you hang around you’ll find there is no such thing as a perfect jacket.

Clearly you know nothing because for us in this insane asylum - the next jacket is ALWAYS the "perfect" one

(Though I feel my Schott 562 is as close as I've gotten to the land of milk and honey...)

 

[jacketjunkie]

I don't see an issue with OP starting this thread. He didn't receive what he paid for, it is a luxury item (1600 EUR for an Aero, insane actually. Would never buy one at that rate), he paid luxury price, he didn't get what he ordered. Nothing wrong with putting that on record. This forum should be objective, offering readers both positive and negative experiences and all the same, this could still turn into a positive experience...

In regard to the actual problem the OP has with the jacket, "wrong chest pocket zipper pull", I don't understand the problem really. I have owned enough Aeros to know this chest pocket won't ever be used regardless of zipper pull, these small #5 zippers are annoying to operate and the leather facings plus zipper teeth on that pocket make it an absolute hassle to get anything in or out of it. In other words, this is entirely cosmetic on an entirely cosmetic pocket and wouldn't bother me the slightest. I wouldn't waste a minutes effort to get a different pull on that zip and risk further problems and complications down the road. That being said, OP evidently isn't as deep into the game as most of us and expects perfection in what is meant to be a high investment once in a life time purchase as the first jacket was for any of us.. so if you insist on having it fixed, have Aero fix it. Legally this is a sound claim and all that morals talk is horse **** to be blunt. Aero is not a small enterprise speaking relative in terms of vintage styled leather jacket. They may in fact be the biggest player out there. Plus, they can sell the jacket for full retail on their sales page and it will certainly sell, beautiful as it is. So no real financial damage caused.

 

[cl206]

And to add, if you hang around you’ll find there is no such thing as a perfect jacket.

Hey now My most recent acquisition, the DHW western pioneer, woooo, checks all the boxes. It is possibly, too early though, maybe my perfect jacket

It's funny b/c everytime I see a denim trucker at a store, I just want to grab and wear it. Makes me feel cool and younger lol! Now I got this DHW WP I can grab everytime at home!

 

[dinhnguyen57]

I know you did not get the exact jacket that you want, but I can tell you the next and all the other jackets that you acquire will not be exactly what you want. A scratch, a stain, a loose stitch, slightly the wrong size, or even the right measurements but it doesn't seem to fit right. Or you did get the perfect jacket but you gain or lose some weight then it becomes not the perfect jacket anymore. The jacket will inevitably age too.

I find the risk of re-working the jacket with an even less than perfect jacket is huge and likely inevitable would make me very weary of trying put on a different pull.

I know your issue is getting what you asked for and paid for is the issue for you and not trying to be forced to accept an alternative.

 

[Webguy]

Hi,

Thanks for everyone's opinion and advice on this matter.

For the record I own jackets from RMC, Rainbow Country, The Flathead, Schott NYC and also 2 Aeros (bought a local retailer).

I spoke to Aero earlier today.

Since as stated by Aero themselves the zipper puller cannot easily replaced without a high risk damaging the jacket
I asked for a complete remake of the jacket.

I was offered a 10% discount which I declined. Everytime I would wear this jacket I would feel disappointed and just see the wrong puller.

I asked for the replacement jacket to be fast tracked so I don't have to wait another 3 months for this.
Also the remake should be marked as a free replacement for customs (since I don't want to pay taxes and tariffs twice) and I would hold on to the current jacket (with the wrong puller) until I have the replacement in my hand and have confirmed that there no problems with it.

I also asked Aero to mail me some pictures of the replacement jacket before they send it off.

The salesman (Dom) agreed to this but wanted to confirm with his manager Denny who is on vacation this week.

I consider these conditions reasonable and I hope it will work out for the best.

If this was a mall jacket for €50,- I wouild not have bothered but a price of €1600,- and having given detailed instructions which were confirmed by Aero I don't want to take any compromises.

 

[Biff42]

Regardless, it's a nice jacket, is it FQHH? That cordovan color with the gold accents really pops.

 

[Tom71]

Hi,

Thanks for everyone's opinion and advice on this matter.

For the record I own jackets from RMC, Rainbow Country, The Flathead, Schott NYC and also 2 Aeros (bought a local retailer).

I spoke to Aero earlier today.

Since as stated by Aero themselves the zipper puller cannot easily replaced without a high risk damaging the jacket
I asked for a complete remake of the jacket.

I was offered a 10% discount which I declined. Everytime I would wear this jacket I would feel disappointed and just see the wrong puller.

I asked for the replacement jacket to be fast tracked so I don't have to wait another 3 months for this.
Also the remake should be marked as a free replacement for customs (since I don't want to pay taxes and tariffs twice) and I would hold on to the current jacket (with the wrong puller) until I have the replacement in my hand and have confirmed that there no problems with it.

I also asked Aero to mail me some pictures of the replacement jacket before they send it off.

The salesman (Dom) agreed to this but wanted to confirm with his manager Denny who is on vacation this week.

I consider these conditions reasonable and I hope it will work out for the best.

If this was a mall jacket for €50,- I wouild not have bothered but a price of €1600,- and having given detailed instructions which were confirmed by Aero I don't want to take any compromises.

Wow. There you go. All this for the wrong zipper puller. Customer of the year.

 

[Monitor]

I was offered a 10% discount which I declined. Everytime I would wear this jacket I would feel disappointed and just see the wrong puller.

I mean, I lowkey understand but honestly, this it's kind of embarrassing to obsess over this kind of thing while wearing a leather jacket. This is the sort of thing that suit people whine over. If the break in the trousers is at the right height or some such nonsense.

Take the 10%, tell Aero to send you the zipper pull you wanted and replace it yourself. And yes, I've read through the thread and yes, you can absolutely replace the zipper pull.

 

[Peacoat]

I mean, I lowkey understand but honestly, this it's kind of embarrassing to obsess over this kind of thing while wearing a leather jacket. This is the sort of thing that suit people whine over. If the break in the trousers is at the right height or some such nonsense.

Take the 10%, tell Aero to send you the zipper pull you wanted and replace it yourself. And yes, I've read through the thread and yes, you can absolutely replace the zipper pull.

That's exactly what I was thinking as this thread unfolded. I mean it isn't a slider that would require some skill to replace. As I understand it, the pull is problematic. I think I would ask Aero to send me two pulls in the event the first one got damaged during the installation.

But maybe I am missing something.

 

[floater]

I mean, I lowkey understand but honestly, this it's kind of embarrassing to obsess over this kind of thing while wearing a leather jacket. This is the sort of thing that suit people whine over. If the break in the trousers is at the right height or some such nonsense.

Take the 10%, tell Aero to send you the zipper pull you wanted and replace it yourself. And yes, I've read through the thread and yes, you can absolutely replace the zipper pull.

That's exactly what I was thinking as this thread unfolded. I mean it isn't a slider that would require some skill to replace. As I understand it, the pull is problematic. I think I would ask Aero to send me two pulls in the event the first one got damaged during the installation.

But maybe I am missing something.

I had already told him on Reddit that he can absolutely swap the pullers, at most he’ll just need another small o-ring to attach the new one to the zipper head once he chops the old one off.

And that even though aero told him they’re not directly swappable, it isn’t rocket science either.

I even suggested he ask aero for 2 pullers just in case he fubar’s the first one, or just to have a spare in case his swap fails down the road.

But I guess he’d rather have another long agonizing wait, only to be slightly disappointed with something else on the new one.

And what’s with holding the first jacket hostage until he gets the new one?

I mean, is he actually considering keeping the first one if the second doesn’t fit as good as the first?

 

[BloodEagle]

The mind boggles - I run a small business (nothing to do with clothing) and this thread showcases the exact worst case scenario for a customer return from my perspective. I get that it cost OP a relatively large amount, but - holding onto the jacket until a full remake is received and approved (or not) - give Aero a break sheesh.

 

[Biff42]

The mind boggles - I run a small business (nothing to do with clothing) and this thread showcases the exact worst case scenario for a customer return from my perspective. I get that it cost OP a relatively large amount, but - holding onto the jacket until a full remake is received and approved (or not) - give Aero a break sheesh.

If I were Aero, dealing with a customer like this, I'd make good-faith efforts to please the customer then ban them from future business.

Sometimes firing the customer is warranted.

 

[barnabus]

And what’s with holding the first jacket hostage until he gets the new one?

Indeed.

Why? The OP doesn't want that jacket.

What is gained by holding on to it? Other than the intent to somehow punish Aero for a small error (that they're probably already pretty unhappy about).

 

[Pandemic]

I bought a cloth jacket from an overseas maker a few years ago and the zip puller broke within the first week. The seller was very apologetic and sent my three replacement pullers along with $20 so I could pay to have someone solder the new puller onto the slide. I was very happy with that response.