Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 16:15:25 -0400
Reply-To: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: I wish to add my 2-cent on Internet communication. (In reply to
the Bus Depot problem post)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I sent an inquiry e-mail about VDO gauge and sender for a 2.1L last week to
4 differents parts supplier
--Bow Wow auto parts in BC ( http://www.bowwow.ca/ )
--California export parts in BC (also located in California)
http://store.cip1.com/
--The Bus Depot (http://www.busdepot.com/)
--Volks café (http://volkscafe.com)
All have reply to me. (Time to reply vary)
Th following are fact:
Time & comment from all 4:
---Bow Wow (no pictures on the web site): 3 days to reply---Good answer but
not complete enough for me, I still wonder if the parts will need some
modification (oil pressure sender). I have a last question for them but the
e-mail is not working since 2 days. They say that they have the direct-fit
sender parts in stock (the only one to have the direct fit parts / sender
to replace the existing one)
First e-mail from them:
(((Good Morning Benoit, In response to your e-mail, the pressure sender is
$56.95, the guage (52mm size) is $45.80 (CAD), the mounting cup for the
guage if there is no room to mount it into the dash is $50.70(CAD) but
that would require drilling 52mm hole. Thank you for inquiring at Bow Wow.
Last e-mail from them:
(((Good Morninng Benoit, In reply to your latest e-mail, the oil pressure
sender is sending information to the gauge electrically. You would need a
sender with two connections and that could replace either sender. You have
two existing senders, one
on the head which is the high pressure and one by the oil filter which is
the low pressure. Thank you for inquiring at Bow Wow.)))
---California export parts(many very good pictures): 3 days to reply---
Very good answer, first e-mail to say that they are working on my question
and a day later to tell me that they don't have the direct fit part
Here is the first e-mail:
(((Hello Benito! I am currently looking up info for the gauges you 2.1
requires. There is some specific info I need. I wanted to let you know I am
working on it and I will get back to you. Thanks, Kris Kahle@ CIP.)))
---Volks Café (very good picture also): 12 hours to reply---they don't
carry VDO gauge or other with a very good explanation of why they don't
carry those, (for now they make sense)
---The bus depot (No picture on the subject, not many picture on the web
site either): 5/7 day to reply with very good apology--- they carry some
non direct-fit parts with a VERY good explanation on how to do the
"Fitting" and link. (but I don't want to add an extension to my sender,
thanks anyway guys)
In conclusion, Internet is not as ready as we think, all smaller company
are working very hard to do better. I have done business with 3 of them so
far and all packages came to my home safe and sound with a reasonable delay
(including Bus Depot--heavy box with exhaust parts) Internet as one good
reason to be there; PICTURES!!! But yes, the good old phone still exists.
I have my own Internet business so I know that over charge e-mail days can
be a pain in the ass. Especially question!
http://www.eurokitplane.com/ (my company /hobby product RC plane and
retractable landing gear)
I never take more than 24 hours to reply, even if it's a: " we have receive
your e-mail questions, we are working on it and will come back to you very
soon with an answer".
I do send a little something so at least the customer knows that I have
received is e-mail.
My site is very complete, all part / section are full of pictures to help
understand the product with all size and dimension. It is the only way I am
able to sell by Internet only. Lots of good explanatory pictures so the
customer as no surprise or deception when the product arrives at is home.
(what you see is what you get), you will also see that I add a lot of
technical comment.
I also put a page up for Bow Wow so those guys know what I am talking about
(pictures are from California export parts web site):
http://pages.infinit.net/engine/vdo.htm If you take a look you will see
that the California Export web site as very good picture but sadly they
mostly sell parts for older bus.
So with all those questions I still have no idea if I can find and buy a
direct-fit electronic oil sender and a gauge for my 2.1L Westy.
Regards, Ben