Date:         Fri, 28 Jul 2000 16:08:46 EDT
Reply-To:     WarmerWagen@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Keezer <WarmerWagen@aol.com>
Subject:      Re: Parts Place - Dear Vanagon List Subscribers
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Dear Jack:
This incident reminds me of what I did for a friend(customer) when he
mistakenly gave me his 1982 Diesel Vanagon in February 1999. He had been told
by a shop that the motor was shot, so he called me up and offered it to me
for free. I accepted, as he had to move it off a friends lot. I knew how much
he had needed the Van, has a wife and 4 kids, and no money to fix it.
Out of curiosity, I brought a good battery as I suspected it from past
experiences with this vehicle. Sure enough, it started right up the first
try. I then drove it around the neighborhood, and it could climb the steepest
hill with ease. A trip at 60 mph down the freeway, and  another expert
mechanic and I were convinced that there was nothing wrong with the engine,
just the battery and some oil leaks.
I replaced the battery, fixed the leaks and called my friend. He was
absolutely delighted, and desperately needed transportation as the Taurus had
blown a head gasket.
The point is, Jack, that I couldn't keep the van as long as I knew just how
much he regretted giving it up. I was with him when he bought it four years
ago, and it meant so much to him-the best and most roomy car he ever owned. I
was able to understand that the Van was not just an automobile, but a member
of the family, "Pumpkin." The children and the parents were so thrilled to
see their Pumpkin come up the driveway. That, and the drive back thru the
mountains to home on my motorcycle was  reward enough. The Vanagon is still
running-4 years on a supposedly bad engine.
All you have to do is turn it around, feel as others do. Wouldn't you want
your car back if it was given up on by mistake? wouldn't you have the utmost
admiration for the person who gave it back to you?
Melissa doesn't need a disclaimer on how you aren't   perfect or how you are
99 percent right. A more conservative estimate right now would be at about
35%.
We already have enough archived testimony from dissatisfied customers so you
are a little late with the explanation.
If this was polled by the nation, I wonder how you would fare?
However that's how the salvage business is, someone's loss is your gain.
The honest thing to do is give the van back to Melissa minus the towing and
service charge.
Then you may possibly be able to salvage your reputation as well on this and
other Internet VW lists. The sooner the better, because there are very few on
the Vanagon list who will buy your alibi. Not even the judge.



Robert Keezer
1982 Westfalia
1983.5 Vanagon

WarmerWagen
19618-5th Ave so
Seattle, WA 98148
206 878-8423
Heaters for Vanagons
gas and catalytic