Date:         Thu, 13 Jul 2000 15:49:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Geoff Wilke <gwilke@livemusic.org>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Geoff Wilke <gwilke@livemusic.org>
Subject:      Re: First Order from Bus Depot
Comments: To: =David-M= <dmc@cyburban.com>
In-Reply-To:  <396E43BE.6567@cyburban.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Since I just placed my first order with 'bus depot," I'd like to relate MY
experiences. I phoned in my order, and they had it in the mail the day that
I ordered the parts which BTW was a real flus for me. The parts arrived
earlier than I expected and they also had the best price. Yep...I'd do it
again.



-----Original Message-----
From:   Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
=David-M=
Sent:   Thursday, July 13, 2000 3:34 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        First Order from Bus Depot

Since I just placed my first order with the 'Bus Depot', I'd like to
relate my experiences.

The Bus Depot lists a lot of stuff on their website, at good prices. But
how much of it is actually in stock and ready to be shipped is a
mystery.

It took me 2 weeks to get my order. I got the impression (though I could
be wrong) that many items in the catalog are not in stock. Otherwise,
why would it take them 9 working days to get something off a shelf, put
it in a box, and mail it.

Perhaps I'm spoiled, but I'm used to ordering computer parts over the
internet where the website clearly states if the item is in stock or
not, and if it is, shipment is the same day or the day after I place the
order.

The Bus Depot often does not respond to emails. The most reliable way to
contact them is by phone, which is a long-distance toll call if you are
enquiring about an order. And don't call early, they don't open until
11am - a fact which is not prominently shown on their website. So I got
a recording on my first call and wasted my money.

As a listmember I did not get any discount when ordering. Perhaps
there was some secret code I should have entered somewhere but if so I
did not know of it.

So I would buy from the Bus Depot again, but if I was in a hurry I might
investigate other sources for the parts first.