Date:         Mon, 24 Jan 2000 14:14:40 -0500
Reply-To:     Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Bulley's recommendation AGAINST Mark Stephens High Performance
Comments: To: Vernon Craddock <Vernon@CRADDOCK.COM>
Comments: cc: "type2@type2.com" <type2@type2.com>

Just a quick note to my VW friends regarding Mark Stephens High Performance
a.k.a. MSHP.

Back in July of 1999 we did a major motor overhaul in our 1982 (2.0)
Westfalia. The overhaul included a counterweighted crank, 96mm alloy
pistons, 2 oil coolers, larger oil pump, the works. One of my suppliers for
parts was MSHP.

I should have gathered it was a questionable business when their website
first page featured an image of a dancing lady opening her fur coat to
reveal her lack of clothes beneath (taken down now). I, sent them money,
and eventually, after a number of phone calls, excuses, etc. they sent me
parts.

(STORY MERCIFULLY OMITTED)

Although I was fleeced for some of my parts (a $25 oil cooler for $45), I
said 'bygones'. But the last straw in this "merchant's" act: one of the
parts I needed was a simple EMPI oil filter block off. "Norm Stevenson's
Price" (the Shipping/Sales overseer), $37.50 (ironically, exactly the
amount remaining from my core charge after gouging me on the other parts).

Three months after ordering the block off, (phone calls, excuses, etc) no
part. Found it locally for $6.00. Asked Mark Stephens High Performance for
my $37.50 back. To no avail. Another dozen long-distance phone calls, a fax
of the original invoice, and finally the threat of sharing this story with
you and the BBB in his desert home, still no dice. No dollars. Gone.

So not only was the service slow and lousy, not only did I pay too much (my
fault) for some stuff, but these 'businessmen' won't return the money that
is rightfully mine. Draw your own conclusions about where to spend your
hard-earned greenbacks.

Caveat Emptor: Mark Stephens High Performance.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree