Date:         Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:14:17 -0800
Reply-To:     Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Subject:      Re: Boston Bob engines - Use caution
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

> Perhaps frustration and a sense of powerlessness might be closer to the
> mark. Whether right or wrong, finding yourself in such a situation can be
> very difficult. I once ordered a new chain for my XS650 from a vendor in
> Florida. Needed a specific length as I had bought new sprockets as well, I
> asked the vendor what length of chain I should buy with these none stock
> sprockets and he quoted me the part. Now this guy is to XS650s as Gowesty or
> Busdepot is to VWs.  What I got was the wrong length and it wouldn't fit.
> When I sent a note telling him he had sent the wrong length and asking to
> exchange it, he told me that "since they give bad advice they shouldn't sell
> me any more parts". And that was it. No refund or exchange and I lost an
> invaluable source of parts for my bike. He was in Florida, I am in Canada,
> what was I going to do? When I went on the XS650 forum, it was to vent and
> rant my frustration; I didn't think for a moment that I was going to "shut
> the guy down"  or even effect his business, but man, was I mad. Because I
> felt screwed over and there was nothing I could do.
> 
> I would not pass judgment on this current situation, but I can empathise
> with it. Both for the guy doing his best and trying to make a living dealing
> with the public (no easy feat), and for the guy who feels ripped off.
> 
> Nathaniel