Anyone here in UK ?

[deeds]

So this is maybe a bit of a weird one.

I am looking at getting an aero shawl collared barnstormer or a Thunderbay. Both of these are exactly what I’ve been looking for I.e. a shearling lined horsehide jacket. The thunderbay is even my dream jacket but better (almost a B2 and with a shearling lining).

I am travelling to England next week for a couple of weeks. I called up aero about visiting them to see their jackets and they said sure. When I asked if they had any of the barnstormers or thunderbay in stock so I could see and try them they said something along the lines of if it’s on the sale page then yes, otherwise no.

Looks like they don’t have any on the sale page in stock so even visiting them I’ll most likely not see one of these two jackets

So, my question and point of this post:

Does anyone have one or both of these jackets and is in or around London (within about 3hours train out of London probably ok)? If yes, could we meet and you show me your jacket?

I’d be very thankful and maybe we could have lunch, my treat!

I’d just rather actually see the jackets before putting down big chunks of money and getting them and not liking them in person and losing money having to sell secondhand.

Anyone?

 

[TartuWolf]

A bit unrelated but there are a few stores in London that stock nice jackets like Bill Kelso or Freewheelers. Would also highly recommend visiting Leilah from Rugged West.
My experience when I visited London:
Post in thread 'Leather jacket meetup in London' https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/leather-jacket-meetup-in-london.114069/post-3085824

 

[deeds]

A bit unrelated but there are a few stores in London that stock nice jackets like Bill Kelso or Freewheelers. Would also highly recommend visiting Leilah from Rugged West.
My experience when I visited London:
Post in thread 'Leather jacket meetup in London' https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/leather-jacket-meetup-in-london.114069/post-3085824

This is a good shout, thank you. I would like to check out what else is also available while I’m there.

Still, really hoping to see at lease one of these two jackets in person before I decide to put money down.

If Aero themselves actually have them in stock, that would be ideal for me. I don’t mind a long day trip up to Scotland!

 

[TartuWolf]

You should definitely do the trip to Scotland. Can visit SB as well while you're at it, check out their stuff.

 

[Will Zach]

Maybe you can expand your search to more of England, not just London. Much better chances, and more sightseeing!

 

[GHT]

So this is maybe a bit of a weird one.

I am looking at getting an aero shawl collared barnstormer or a Thunderbay. Both of these are exactly what I’ve been looking for I.e. a shearling lined horsehide jacket. The thunderbay is even my dream jacket but better (almost a B2 and with a shearling lining).

I am travelling to England next week for a couple of weeks. I called up aero about visiting them to see their jackets and they said sure. When I asked if they had any of the barnstormers or thunderbay in stock so I could see and try them they said something along the lines of if it’s on the sale page then yes, otherwise no.

Aero stockists in London are Bolt Motor Cycles. They are in East London.
229-231 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AN https://www.boltlondon.com/
Hours:
Open at 11:00 am ⋅ Close at 6 pm
Phone: 07963 747389

They retail The Barnstormer at £1350.
It's worth calling them to see if they
stock your size.

If you are arriving at London Heathrow Airport, you can catch the train towards Central London, get off and change trains at Hounslow. From there catch the train on The East London line to Haggerston Road Station. Arriving there, it's just a few minutes walk to Bolt Motor Cycles.
Just a heads up: The UK charges a tax on purchases called, value added tax, it's expensive at 20 % but keep your receipt, when you leave the UK show your receipt at the customs office and the tax will be redeemed in full.

 

[deeds]

You should definitely do the trip to Scotland. Can visit SB as well while you're at it, check out their stuff.

I didn’t know they were in Scot too?! Thanks

 

[deeds]

Maybe you can expand your search to more of England, not just London. Much better chances, and more sightseeing!

I’m open to it! Don’t think I can change the thread title at this point can I? @modsquad?

 

[deeds]

View attachment 655679
Aero stockists in London are Bolt Motor Cycles. They are in East London.
229-231 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AN https://www.boltlondon.com/
Hours:
Open at 11:00 am ⋅ Close at 6 pm
Phone: 07963 747389

View attachment 655680
They retail The Barnstormer at £1350.
It's worth calling them to see if they
stock your size.

If you are arriving at London Heathrow Airport, you can catch the train towards Central London, get off and change trains at Hounslow. From there catch the train on The East London line to Haggerston Road Station. Arriving there, it's just a few minutes walk to Bolt Motor Cycles.
Just a heads up: The UK charges a tax on purchases called, value added tax, it's expensive at 20 % but keep your receipt, when you leave the UK show your receipt at the customs office and the tax will be redeemed in full.

This is great news! Thank you. I’ll give them a call

 

[Aloysius]

Just a heads up: The UK charges a tax on purchases called, value added tax, it's expensive at 20 % but keep your receipt, when you leave the UK show your receipt at the customs office and the tax will be redeemed in full.

Just a heads up: This has not been the case in years. (And it's hurt the British economy of course, because people now don't come as a shopping destination in the same way.)

All that said I would suggest not basing your trip around leather shop visits. Maybe do your planned Aero visit, but only as a side thing; there is so much more to see, even as shopping goes. Many makers that do not otherwise sell abroad, actual British goods rather than British reproductions of American clothes, etc.

 

[GHT]

Just a heads up: This has not been the case in years. (And it's hurt the British economy of course, because people now don't come as a shopping destination in the same way.)

Good Heavens, I am three years out of date. VAT refunds for overseas visitors in British shops were removed in 2021.
The perk is still available to Overseas visitors who can still buy items VAT-free in store. But they must have them sent direct to the overseas addresses.

 

[deeds]

Just a heads up: This has not been the case in years. (And it's hurt the British economy of course, because people now don't come as a shopping destination in the same way.)

All that said I would suggest not basing your trip around leather shop visits. Maybe do your planned Aero visit, but only as a side thing; there is so much more to see, even as shopping goes. Many makers that do not otherwise sell abroad, actual British goods rather than British reproductions of American clothes, etc.

Oh I'm coming (back) to visit parents. Just figured might try find some leather shops while I was there. In the past, its been camera shops. Oh the "hobbies" and new interests...

 

[deeds]

Good Heavens, I am three years out of date. VAT refunds for overseas visitors in British shops were removed in 2021.
The perk is still available to Overseas visitors who can still buy items VAT-free in store. But they must have them sent direct to the overseas addresses.

at which point you pay import tax/customs, duties and admin fees which depending on the country may be higher than the UK's 20%