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Date:         Wed, 13 Feb 2002 10:57:49 -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: parts supplier
In-Reply-To:  <000901c1b49d$964bcde0$1483bb18@mike>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> I have checked out Aplusparts web sight and it looks good, prices > are not bad. I have a few items to order from them like rear > brake drums for my 90 vanagon.

They're using the same wholesaler's database as the other "new vendor" mentioned last week, the Parts Bin. Different web interface but same parts database. Not surprisingly, just like the other vendor their pricing is all over the board, from very good to horrible. Brake drums a little cheaper than mine, tailpipe twice my price, clutch kit about the same (but only one version offered whereas I sell 3), and so on.

Remember that we offer the listmember discount, and often ship higher quality for about the same price (i.e. OEM German brake pads and shoes rather than generic, stainless-bodied 2.1L muffler rather than mild steel, etc.). So make sure you're comparing apples to apples. I think that averaged out, while another vendor may be cheaper on an isolated part or two, you'll still end up paying less overall at the Depot, and for better quality parts.

Not to mention that by supporting dedicated specialists such as me, Ken, and the others on this list, who are committed to Vanagons, you are supporting vendors who in return support the Vanagon community - by contributing regularly to this list, and by going to great lengths to keep finding new parts supplies that keep our Vanagons on the road. A jack of all trades might have a better price on a part or two. But he won't have the commitment. He won't care if a certain part that Vanagon owners need becomes unavailable, because that part represents a miniscule portion of his sales compared to all the parts he sells for Nissans, BMW's, and everything else. A Vanagon specialist will go out of their way to find new or better quality sourcing, come up with alternatives, etc., because we have a real desire to keep Vanagons on the road affordably - not only are they a major part of our business, but we drive them everyday ourselves!

Long after the jack-of-all-trades parts places have let their selection of Vanagon parts dwindle in favor of parts for newer, more lucrative vehicles (and they always do; they already have with Bus parts!), it will be the dedicated specialists/enthusiasts on this list whom you will need to be able to turn to in order to keep your van on the road.

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

_____________________________________________ Toll-Free for Orders by Part # 1-866-BUS-DEPOT


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