Date:         Thu, 1 May 2003 09:24:18 EDT
Reply-To:     Willolyn99@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Marshall <Willolyn99@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dealer repair disaster '89 Westfalia
Comments: To: scstrawn@EEE.ORG
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi Sally,
Get you van out of there as fast as possible.  These folks have something bad
going on, and the attitude problem indicates they've given up caring.

Get a lawyer to write a letter to the shop, demanding all records and shop
work orders and threatening legal action.  Often, the lawyer letter is enough
to scare folks straight.

Have your trustworthy mechanic look over the engine and determine what
failed, and exactly what was damaged.  Engine replacement isn't the only
option if 1 part failed.  The failure may have been due to poor workmanship
at the dealer.

If that doesn't work, try the back door: take them to court about the cat pee
in the van.  Everyone knows cat urine is permanent, so the entire inside has
to be re-upholstered and the driver's seat MUST be replaced.  Of course, get
a quote for a NEW driver's seat.  That should get you some cash back and some
leverage.  At the very least they should pay for a professional cleaning.

It's a crying shame, for that much money you could have had a new Tiico or
Subaru conversion, or a Boston Bob rebuild.  I hate getting screwed, had it
happen before, now I never go to a dealer.

That's my humble opinion, for what little it is worth.

Bill Marshall
85 GL Tiico "Pandora's Box"
Aurora, IL