Date:         Tue, 9 May 2000 14:42:06 -0400
Reply-To:     Karl M <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl M <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: BusDepot Fuel Tank, have you installed one?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

'Doktor', I think your bashing of 'aftermarket' parts is totally uncalled
for. What you seem to be forgetting is that a lot of the so-called
'aftermarket' VW parts are in fact made by the same supplier that produced
the original. The lower cost is due to 'cutting out the middle men', i.e.
dealerships, parts warehouses. I believe some companies, such as Overland in
CA, and yes Bus Depot, sell at such a great discount quality parts because
they buy direct from the source, shipping in large containers. I for one
will never pay 3 times the price for the exact same part that I can buy from
Overland or BD, just because it has a little VW part # sticker on it.
Compromise, you say? Hogwash. Most Mercedes parts, I would agree, but not
the VW parts. Mercedes takes care not to allow suppliers to dribble parts
into the 'aftermarket'.

Karl

----- Original Message -----
From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 12:45 PM
Subject: Re: BusDepot Fuel Tank, have you installed one?


> Consider, how do you produce something for 1/3rd or less the cost of a
spec
> part? Can you say, compromise?
>
> Will the stock part function as intended if properly installed? Yes!!
> Will the aftermarket item function as designed? Maybe yes, maybe no??
> Will the stock part fit? Yes!!
> Will the aftermarket item fit? Maybe yes, maybe no??
> Will the stock part last as long as the original? Yes!!
> Will the aftermarket item last as long as the genuine article? Rarely!!
> Will you save time/money over the long haul with Genuine parts? Yes!!
> Will you save time/money over the long haul with wannabe parts? Rarely!!
>
> Today I am replacing an aftermarket water pump on a MB 500SEC. How much
did
> he pay to have this one installed less than 2 years ago? I don't know, the
> owner has no receipts. How much will he pay me to put things right with
the
> genuine parts, hoses and spec coolant? $700!! How much was saved by the
> prior compromise? Negative number in the hundreds meaning wasted
time/money.
>
> The answer to your question will be hard to come by, 'cause no one who
went
> the cheap route and had poor results will want to admit same. They will go
> to great lenghts to justify the wisdom of their compromises. Any problems
> that develop will surely be blamed on something/someone else.
>
>
>
> T.P. Stephens
> San Juan Island, WA