Date:         Mon, 5 Nov 2012 12:47:13 -0800
Reply-To:     Zeitgeist <gruengeist@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Zeitgeist <gruengeist@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dealers and Vanagons, was Re: Pics Of The Blue Star
In-Reply-To:  <509820EC.1070701@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Back when I first started frequenting my local dealer, they were a full
service Volkswagen Porsche + Audi affiliate stocked top to bottom with full
on marque enthusiasts in every department.  Now they're just a VW, Subaru
and Kia profit-focused dealership.  I wouldn't know what to ask them to do
for me at this point.  I doubt they still have the old microfiche slides
nor care to cater to my fanboy ilk anymore.  Vanagon parts and advice
acquisition has all been shifted to the interwebs nowadays.  Dealers are
irrelevant to old skool VW fans


On Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 12:26 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> You guys ...n' galls,
> you have to go to your dealer parts department .
> and 'train them' ....get them used to looking up vanagon parts ..
> help them  ( if they'll let you ! ) find the parts in their pictures, etc.
>
> And defenitely, develope a relationship with one parts person. That
> helps a lot.
> heck ..it would be worth it to just buy a light bulb or whatever from
> them a few times a year so they get to know you.
>
> and really ..without 'some relationship' ...many are not likely to care
> or try very hard. Seriously.
>
> Of courseit always seems they don't want to show you the pictures on
> their screen that they are looking at ..
> ( maybe they don't want to let it be known that they barely know what
> they are looking at in the parts pictures ) ..
> so ya gotta help 'em...a lot sometimes.
> And they resist that too ..
> all of why it helps, or is mandatory almost actually - to develope a
> relationship with one smart person there.
>
> they often will do this ..
> they'll print out the picture they are looking at on the screen ..
> then you look at your copy ( and keep it and take it home ) while they
> look at their screen picture.
>
> And patience is required asthe grouping of vairous parts is not always
> logical ..
> say crankshaft bolts might be with either the clutch picture or the
> crankshaft picture, or some other picture yet.
>
> Also ..I have dealt with one VW dealer in Canada ..Guidlford Motors in
> Surry BC ..
> every time I have ever called them for the last 22+ years...they've been
> eager,
> smart, accurate, pleasant etc. etc. etc.
>  Never one mistake , or any complaints by me ( that's saying something
> too ) ...
> just totally knowledgeable and pleasant.
>
> And I deal with the same two guys there every time too , and that always
> helps.
>
> the parts pictures are sort of a limiting factor.
> IF you have a part number ...then you are in good shape ..
> as long as it's in their price sheet. Then next is how many there might
> be of that part in the system ..
> and where that part might be.
> so ...whenever possibly have your part #.
>
> otherwise ...regardless of bone stock US model your dirty part on the
> counter is ..
> if they can not find it in the pictures ....ya got bubkis there.
>
> and save all the printed out parts pictures they'll give ya.
> For most vw parts dealers these days, in the US anyway, for vanagons ..
> they need our help.  lol. Just be nice and pleasant and patience.
> And if they know you some..
> that makes all the difference in theworld.  Heck ....bring them a box of
> chocolates sometime.
>
> Scott
> www.turobvans.com
>
>
>
> On 11/5/2012 8:06 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>
>> The VW dealer nearest to me, and the only one in Oklahoma City, is Cable
>> Volkswagen.  Every time I have tried to get a part from Cable Volkswagen
>> the response has been that it is an "obsolete vehicle," and that parts are
>> not available.  Even parts that I have determined are available from the
>> distributor, Cable refuses to even try to look up.  A new dealer has opened
>> in Norman, and I have been told that it is a much better place to do
>> business.  But, I haven't tried them yet.  mcneely
>>
>> ---- David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET> wrote:
>>
>> --
>> David McNeely
>>
>>


--
Casey