Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 11:31:14 -0700
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Thoughts on the roadhouse.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I have helped a lot of Vanagon owners over the years, with my time and
sometimes free parts I did not really much need anyway. I guess I wasted
my efforts as none were homeless as far as I know. I even bought some
parts at a junkyard for ERIC ZENO and sent them to him as he could not
find them in his locale. I neglected to ask him his financial status
before I helped him. Can any of you complainers give me a sure fire
method of determining who qualifies for help based on financial
hardship? I have been doing it wrong for years it seems, often times
just helping people when I could and not first asking for a financial
statement.
I have met and camped with Larry Chase a few times. I find him to be
humble, generous, and kind. He very recently gave me a NEW $100 part
that would not fit his Syncro as the VW parts guy ordered the wrong one
and Larry could not return it by the time the error was discovered. It
is a Syncro only part and only on non-AC models and Larry could never
find anyone who really needed it. I have a couple of models it fits and
though I have never seen a bad one of this version I am happy to have it
instead of someone who could never need it.
I always thought helping each other was why we had this list. Lately I
wonder why I am still here.
Mark
Tom Miller wrote:
>
> I have to agree with Adam. We are not talking about helping a homeless
> person here. Do what you want. I will use the money to keep my own van
> running and to try to keep the tank full ($31.50 per fill up!) of midgrade.
> TEMiller
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Vanagon Man" <vgonman@MSN.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 6:22 AM
> Subject: Thoughts on the roadhouse.
>
> > Well by now a few have sniped at my take on this.
> >
> > Ask yourselves this question. How many of you contributing to this great
> > cause have gone out of their way to help a newbie on the list keep there
> > $500 car running with a $2000 motor or a $20 donation? Vans that were
> > rusting into the ground, had head leaks, etc? Wouldn't they be worth or
> our
> > financial support? They do not have the money for GPS or internet links
> in
> > their vans, or fancy wheels or High powered engines.............just
> people
> > trying to get by and keep their car on the road.........NOT joyride around
> > the US. Believe it or not, I have helped people on Sunday afternoon the
> > dealer referred to me to get their vanagons back on the highway. Did I
> make
> > money? Yes, but also i had given untold bits of advice via pmails and
> > postings over the past several years.
> >
> > When I decided to upgrade my stereo to MP3 did i ask for handouts? No, I
> > sold my old radio and didn't go out to eat with the family for 2 weeks. I
> > made it just fine.
> >
> > When my van broke down in Rock Hill 2 weeks ago did i instantly fire up my
> > mobile internet link and ask for money for my new alternator? NO. I
> walked
> > to advance and bought one and installed it with my own tools that i always
> > bring on road trips. I didn't need to have it towed to a mechanic.
> >
> > Now granted, it would be cool to joyride around the US. But don't ask for
> > handouts. Sell some of your toys. That's what those of us in the real
> > world have to do when times get tough................draw money out of
> > savings, etc. With all that has been done to this vehicle, I seriously
> > doubt its owner is broke.
> >
> > Adam P
> > Charleston,SC Coburn, WV
> >
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