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I Flew To Scotland to Pick up My Aero Leather Coat in Person

r0c1nant3

New in Town
Messages
25
I'm not going to lie, I love Aero leathers. Maybe their cuts just work for me. But in any case, my wife scheduled a ten day vacation in Scotland. (we live in the rocky mountain west) And what do you suppose my first thought was? Exactly right!

About two months in advance I contacted Aero to order a custom coat and schedule an in-person pickup. Sent them my measurements, and then spent hours picking every single detail. Leather, color of thread, color of zippers, pocket details. Too many choices, but, lets be honest, it was also a lot of fun.

The night before, they posted what I thought to be my jacket on Instagram. I was so excited. Cafe Racer in Chromexcel FQ Horsehide in Natural, with creme stitching, Lochcarron Tartan liner, and nickel hardware.
1699894308846.png

We took the train down to Galashiels, about an hour ride. The station is about a half mile away from Aero, so really easy to get to. It's a very unassuming building, but easy to find.

1699891659593.jpeg


My expectation was that we'd go in, pick up the coat and be on our way. That was not the case. I was warmly welcomed by name and led to their showroom where I first saw the jacket,

1699892735393.jpeg


Before I could get too touchy-feely with the new coat, my wife and I got a complete tour of the facility where I was walked through the entire process.

1699892030768.jpeg

1699892156835.png


Including getting to meet the Janice, who made the coat.
1699892713691.png


As it turns out, they actually made my coat twice. The first one had/got a scrape/mark on the back, so they made it a second time.

1699895469147.png

I think, the jacket is brilliant! The stitching is perfect, the fit, exactly as I'd hoped. And as they say, the best and worst day is the first day because it was insanely stiff.
1699893319199.jpeg

I really wanted and every-day wear coat, not something to be overly pampered so off we went for ten days of Scottish weather. So, lots of wind and rain, and the jacket just got better.

I have so much fondness for hand-made, durable goods like this. But the experience of picking it up in person, meeting the fine folks at Aero who made it, along with their warm hospitality, made the whole experience a lot more fun.

So my humble advice. Save on shipping, and pick up your coat in Scotland. Plus the highlands ain't bad to look at either.

1699894082014.png
 
Last edited:

Drzdave58

One of the Regulars
Messages
286
Location
Ontario, Canada
I'm not going to lie, I love Aero leathers. Maybe their cuts just work for me. But in any case, my wife scheduled a ten day vacation in Scotland. (we live in the rocky mountain west) And what do you suppose my first thought was? Exactly right!

About two months in advance I contacted Aero to order a custom coat and schedule an in-person pickup. Send them my measurements, and then spend hours picking every single detail. Leather, color of thread, color of zippers, pocket details. Too many choices, but, lets me honest, it was also a lot of fun.

The night before, they posted what I thought to be my jacket on Instagram. I was so excited. Cafe Racer in Chromexcel FQ Horsehide in Natural, with creme stitching, Lochcarron Tartan liner, and nickel hardware.
View attachment 560332
We took the train down to Galashiels, about an hour ride. The station is about a half mile away from Aero, so really easy to get to. It's a very unassuming building, but easy to find.

View attachment 560280

My expectation was that we'd go in, pick up the coat and be on our way. That was not the case. I was warmly welcomed by name and led to their showroom where I first saw the jacket,

View attachment 560294

Before I could get too touchy-feely with the new coat, my wife and I got a complete tour of the facility where I was walked through the entire process.

View attachment 560281
View attachment 560282

Including getting to meet the Janice, who made the coat.
View attachment 560293

As it turns out, they actually made my coat twice. The first one had/got a scrape/mark on the back, so they made it a second time.

View attachment 560347
I think, the jacket is brilliant! The stitching is perfect, the fit, exactly as I'd hoped. And as they say, the best and worst day is the first day because it was insanely stiff.
View attachment 560307
I really wanted and every-day wear coat, not something to be overly pampered so off we went for ten days of Scottish weather. So, lots of wind and rain, and the jacket just got better.

I have so much fondness for hand-made, durable goods like this. But the experience of picking it up in person, meeting the fine folks at Aero who made it, along with their warm hospitality, made the whole experience a lot more fun.

So my humble advice. Save on shipping, and pick up your coat in Scotland. Plus the highlands ain't bad to look at either.

View attachment 560323
Great story dude! Love the jacket!
 

IrishStu

One of the Regulars
Messages
268
Location
Ireland
Great story
I'm not going to lie, I love Aero leathers. Maybe their cuts just work for me. But in any case, my wife scheduled a ten day vacation in Scotland. (we live in the rocky mountain west) And what do you suppose my first thought was? Exactly right!

About two months in advance I contacted Aero to order a custom coat and schedule an in-person pickup. Sent them my measurements, and then spent hours picking every single detail. Leather, color of thread, color of zippers, pocket details. Too many choices, but, lets be honest, it was also a lot of fun.

The night before, they posted what I thought to be my jacket on Instagram. I was so excited. Cafe Racer in Chromexcel FQ Horsehide in Natural, with creme stitching, Lochcarron Tartan liner, and nickel hardware.
View attachment 560332
We took the train down to Galashiels, about an hour ride. The station is about a half mile away from Aero, so really easy to get to. It's a very unassuming building, but easy to find.

View attachment 560280

My expectation was that we'd go in, pick up the coat and be on our way. That was not the case. I was warmly welcomed by name and led to their showroom where I first saw the jacket,

View attachment 560294

Before I could get too touchy-feely with the new coat, my wife and I got a complete tour of the facility where I was walked through the entire process.

View attachment 560281
View attachment 560282

Including getting to meet the Janice, who made the coat.
View attachment 560293

As it turns out, they actually made my coat twice. The first one had/got a scrape/mark on the back, so they made it a second time.

View attachment 560347
I think, the jacket is brilliant! The stitching is perfect, the fit, exactly as I'd hoped. And as they say, the best and worst day is the first day because it was insanely stiff.
View attachment 560307
I really wanted and every-day wear coat, not something to be overly pampered so off we went for ten days of Scottish weather. So, lots of wind and rain, and the jacket just got better.

I have so much fondness for hand-made, durable goods like this. But the experience of picking it up in person, meeting the fine folks at Aero who made it, along with their warm hospitality, made the whole experience a lot more fun.

So my humble advice. Save on shipping, and pick up your coat in Scotland. Plus the highlands ain't bad to look at either.

View attachment 560323
. Thanks for sharing.
 

TartuWolf

One Too Many
Messages
1,175
Location
Tartu, Estonia
Lovely story! Congratulations!
I remember talking to Aero about the VAT thing and they mentioned that if you come pick it up in person you can ask for a VAT refund at the Airport to get the UK VAT you paid back and (hopefully) not get to pay your own local VAT upon arrival. Basically saving not only on the shipping but also ~20% off the jacket price as well.
Would love to test out one day if that actually works that way or not.
Definitely one of my life goals is to have small vacation in Scotland and pick up a custom Aero or SB, get a tour of the factory at the same time, get to meet the person who made my particular jacket.
 

r0c1nant3

New in Town
Messages
25
Lovely story! Congratulations!
I remember talking to Aero about the VAT thing and they mentioned that if you come pick it up in person you can ask for a VAT refund at the Airport to get the UK VAT you paid back and (hopefully) not get to pay your own local VAT upon arrival. Basically saving not only on the shipping but also ~20% off the jacket price as well.
Would love to test out one day if that actually works that way or not.
Definitely one of my life goals is to have small vacation in Scotland and pick up a custom Aero or SB, get a tour of the factory at the same time, get to meet the person who made my particular jacket.

I'm not sure of how it all worked, but I did not pay VAT when purchasing the jacket, so I didn't even have to bother with the refund at the airport.

And Scotland is amazing! Better than I had hoped. I'm a kid from the mountains, but man oh man, the Highlands have to be one of the most stunning places I've visited.
 

Mickiemac

One of the Regulars
Messages
233
Location
Just passin' through
I'm not going to lie, I love Aero leathers. Maybe their cuts just work for me. But in any case, my wife scheduled a ten day vacation in Scotland. (we live in the rocky mountain west) And what do you suppose my first thought was? Exactly right!

About two months in advance I contacted Aero to order a custom coat and schedule an in-person pickup. Sent them my measurements, and then spent hours picking every single detail. Leather, color of thread, color of zippers, pocket details. Too many choices, but, lets be honest, it was also a lot of fun.

The night before, they posted what I thought to be my jacket on Instagram. I was so excited. Cafe Racer in Chromexcel FQ Horsehide in Natural, with creme stitching, Lochcarron Tartan liner, and nickel hardware.
View attachment 560332
We took the train down to Galashiels, about an hour ride. The station is about a half mile away from Aero, so really easy to get to. It's a very unassuming building, but easy to find.

View attachment 560280

My expectation was that we'd go in, pick up the coat and be on our way. That was not the case. I was warmly welcomed by name and led to their showroom where I first saw the jacket,

View attachment 560294

Before I could get too touchy-feely with the new coat, my wife and I got a complete tour of the facility where I was walked through the entire process.

View attachment 560281
View attachment 560282

Including getting to meet the Janice, who made the coat.
View attachment 560293

As it turns out, they actually made my coat twice. The first one had/got a scrape/mark on the back, so they made it a second time.

View attachment 560347
I think, the jacket is brilliant! The stitching is perfect, the fit, exactly as I'd hoped. And as they say, the best and worst day is the first day because it was insanely stiff.
View attachment 560307
I really wanted and every-day wear coat, not something to be overly pampered so off we went for ten days of Scottish weather. So, lots of wind and rain, and the jacket just got better.

I have so much fondness for hand-made, durable goods like this. But the experience of picking it up in person, meeting the fine folks at Aero who made it, along with their warm hospitality, made the whole experience a lot more fun.

So my humble advice. Save on shipping, and pick up your coat in Scotland. Plus the highlands ain't bad to look at either.

View attachment 560323
Thanks so much for sharing your in person Aero experience and the wonderful series of images reflecting the event. The jacket is super nice and the locale (especially the last image of you/your companion) is almost like being there. Congratulations on your Aero jacket and thanks again for sharing!
 

SteveOneMoreAero

New in Town
Messages
13
Location
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
I'm not going to lie, I love Aero leathers. Maybe their cuts just work for me. But in any case, my wife scheduled a ten day vacation in Scotland. (we live in the rocky mountain west) And what do you suppose my first thought was? Exactly right!

About two months in advance I contacted Aero to order a custom coat and schedule an in-person pickup. Sent them my measurements, and then spent hours picking every single detail. Leather, color of thread, color of zippers, pocket details. Too many choices, but, lets be honest, it was also a lot of fun.

The night before, they posted what I thought to be my jacket on Instagram. I was so excited. Cafe Racer in Chromexcel FQ Horsehide in Natural, with creme stitching, Lochcarron Tartan liner, and nickel hardware.
View attachment 560332
We took the train down to Galashiels, about an hour ride. The station is about a half mile away from Aero, so really easy to get to. It's a very unassuming building, but easy to find.

View attachment 560280

My expectation was that we'd go in, pick up the coat and be on our way. That was not the case. I was warmly welcomed by name and led to their showroom where I first saw the jacket,

View attachment 560294

Before I could get too touchy-feely with the new coat, my wife and I got a complete tour of the facility where I was walked through the entire process.

View attachment 560281
View attachment 560282

Including getting to meet the Janice, who made the coat.
View attachment 560293

As it turns out, they actually made my coat twice. The first one had/got a scrape/mark on the back, so they made it a second time.

View attachment 560347
I think, the jacket is brilliant! The stitching is perfect, the fit, exactly as I'd hoped. And as they say, the best and worst day is the first day because it was insanely stiff.
View attachment 560307
I really wanted and every-day wear coat, not something to be overly pampered so off we went for ten days of Scottish weather. So, lots of wind and rain, and the jacket just got better.

I have so much fondness for hand-made, durable goods like this. But the experience of picking it up in person, meeting the fine folks at Aero who made it, along with their warm hospitality, made the whole experience a lot more fun.

So my humble advice. Save on shipping, and pick up your coat in Scotland. Plus the highlands ain't bad to look at either.

View attachment 560323
Excellent. I consider Aero one of the top ten attractions of my country.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,078
Location
London, UK
I'm not sure of how it all worked, but I did not pay VAT when purchasing the jacket, so I didn't even have to bother with the refund at the airport.

And Scotland is amazing! Better than I had hoped. I'm a kid from the mountains, but man oh man, the Highlands have to be one of the most stunning places I've visited.

As I understand it, a company set up for it can sell to an overseas customer VAT free (it probably makes a big difference that you ordered and paid from the US). In theory, you then pay the relevant tax when you arrive back in the US, though, eh..... sometimes the matter Does Not Arise when someone is just Wearing their Own Jacket through customs. I think (as a lawyer) that's the best way I can put it. ;)
 

r0c1nant3

New in Town
Messages
25
Well, by the time I arrived in the US, it was just a used jacket, correct?
As I understand it, a company set up for it can sell to an overseas customer VAT free (it probably makes a big difference that you ordered and paid from the US). In theory, you then pay the relevant tax when you arrive back in the US, though, eh..... sometimes the matter Does Not Arise when someone is just Wearing their Own Jacket through customs. I think (as a lawyer) that's the best way I can put it. ;)
 

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