Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:25:15 -0500
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Frugal Mechanic?
In-Reply-To: <499417DD.2@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
While you might occasionally find something cheaper on this site, on the
average the prices are higher than what you would find shopping with me,
or the other List Vendors. I actually had a guy come to me not too long
ago and wanted me to match prices on the other vendors on a big
project. So I made up an Excel spreadsheet that showed all of the
prices across the board with the three and we actually came out the
cheapest! Yes there were a few parts here and there that were cheaper
elsewhere but we are very competitive. And when you buy from us you get
support over the phone and via email. When someone buys a head or
engine gasket kit from me, they get a step by step how to guide on how
to do the job correctly. When they buy a fuel line kit or a Westy
Canvas, or many other parts they get the same treatment. Try getting in
touch with someone at "Parts Train" or "Parts Geek" that even knows what
a Vanagon is! Good luck on that one. Would they go to the trouble of
tracking down that obscure part for you that costs only a few dollars
from a dealer shelf somewhere? Would they fabricate replacement parts
that are no longer available from any source? That is what you are
supporting when you are supporting the list Vendors. Not only some guys
that love Vanagons but also guys who are dedicated to keeping them alive
and so we will search the world over for parts, or make them ourselves,
just to keep your van on the road. We are here for you, but that only
continues as long as you are here for us.
Thank you for supporting us at Van-Again. It has been a great 10 years!
Sincerely,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
John Rodgers wrote:
> Ryan Alfonso wrote:
>> http://frugalmechanic.com/cars/1989-volkswagen-vanagon
>>
>> Hmmm. May pose a threat to our beloved suppliers. "Buy local!"
>>
>>
>>
> Whoa!!! This is heavy! Some items are as much as $200 less on
> Frugalmechanic.com than on websites of our beloved suppliers.- and this
> is for same brand, same condition stuff. Money talks, but money isn't
> everything. With our "Beloved Suppliers" you get a lot of techie talk
> and support. That alone is worth a bunch. Even before seeing this
> FrugalMechanic website, I buy my stuff from a list vendor that typically
> charges just a tiny bit more, but I get what I pay for - exemplary
> service.That's worth a lot to me. But $200 difference on some critical
> items? Sheesh - that's enough to make you sit up and take notice.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
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