Date:         Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:05:55 -0700
Reply-To:     Andrew Martin <campahvan@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Martin <campahvan@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Ordering Vanagon Parts
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I buy from both The Bus Depot and Volks Café but I use The Bus Depot mostly
for preventative maintenance items and well planned "future" projects.  I
try to order well in advance so I'm certain to have the right parts when I
need them.  If something unexpected comes up in the middle of a project I
have to decide whether I can afford to wait for the additional parts from
The Bus Depot (or pay for expedited shipping) or place an order with Volk's
Café.  If I decide I need it quickly, 99% of the time I use Volk's Café's
web site rather than call them.  Volks Café has always shipped my parts to
Washington State in two days via USPS Priority Mail.  I also like that
Volk's Café e-mails me when my order has shipped or will call me if an item
I've ordered is out of stock to tell when it will ship.  You can probably
get this information from The Bus Depot if you call but when you order on
line like I do, you usually find out what you got when it shows up!  

I like using e-mail for resolving any problems I have with suppliers because
I want a record of our correspondence and it allows both parties time to
think about the situation (or cool off) if needed.  The Bus Depot's customer
service dept. has always been great about responding. 

I usually tell people that The Bus Depot does a good job for a great price
while Volks Café does a great job at a good price.  YRMV


Andrew