Date:         Mon, 5 Nov 2001 13:22:48 -0500
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Best Way To Get Factory Parts From The Dealer
In-Reply-To:  <4.3.2.7.2.20011102122347.02cf3210@pop.rcn.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

>  So far as I know, both Rennie and Camelback are sources of factory parts.
>  If you would like to place European parts orders, then you can also ask
me for
>  a price quote as I can usually beat USA prices by a European VAG factory
parts
>  importing system I set up to help list members. As a result of this
system,
>  Before using this system, however, check with Bus Depot
(www.busdepot.com)
>  to see if they have a method to obtain OEM parts through aftermarket
sources because this
>  will be cheaper still.



We obtain "genuine VW" or OEM parts from a number of sources, opting of
course for the cheapest alternative for like quality.

In some cases, we can obtain the part directly from the OEM supplier to VW,
rather than via the VW distribution chain. This is what Derek was referring
to above. In such cases, the price may be as much as 90% cheaper than the
dealer charges.  Sometimes we will have such a part even if other suppliers
do not, because while the part may not be available in the U.S. directly
from the OEM source, it may be available overseas that way, so we import it
directly.

In some cases, where no direct OEM source is available here or abroad, we
import the genuine VW part from Europe, South America, or South Africa,
rather than via VW's U.S. distribution.  Generally we will do this if the
part is either cheaper overseas, or no longer available here. For example I
get some coolant hoses that way, because the same VW hose can be 30% cheaper
in Germany than here.  However, other VW hoses cost more there, even though
they are also German made. Go figure.

As a last resort, we order the part from VW of America.  This typically
results in a discount of about 10% off of the dealer's retail price.
However, by the time you add shipping costs, it may eat up much of that
savings, particularly on an inexpensive part.  We get only a small portion
of our parts this way.  Most of them we can get from one of the other
sources mentioned above, so the savings are typically much higher.

If you can't find the part you're looking for using the drop-down menus on
our website (for vehicle type and part type), you can try searching the
website by keyword or part number.  Try this last, as it is not as reliable
as using the drop-down menus due to potential variations in the part number.
Examples are cases where two different part numbers are interchangeable.  We
may have the part under one number, while the dealer has it under another.
So if you merely search by part number you may think we don't have it, and
end up paying a lot more elsewhere. Best is to start with the drop-down
menus, then try the search by keyword or part number, and if all else fails,
email sales@busdepot.com or call customer service at 1-215-234-VWVW if you
just want to make sure.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  (215) 234-VWVW
  www.busdepot.com

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