Date:         Sat, 7 Sep 2002 10:59:16 -0700
Reply-To:     "Loren A. Busch" <lbusch@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Loren A. Busch" <lbusch@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Re: VW obscene parts pricing
In-Reply-To:  <200209061102.17Nnr12sC3NZFlt0@elektra>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

On two occasions in the last few months I went to the parts counter at
the local VW dealer for minor trim items.  When they told me the price,
I said no (each of these parts was under $25 and available from the
on-line vendors).  The counter person then said 'How about...? and came
up with a price (including local sales tax) that was very close to what
I would pay with online ordering plus shipping.  In each case I said yes
and purchased.  It seems that at least at this dealer the staff has some
'wiggle room' on the prices. I have also compared prices on the same VW
part at two of the VW dealers in the area, and found more than a 20%
difference in the quoted price.  In that cas they were still way above
the on-line vendors and I ordered on-line. (more expensive items in this
case)