Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2021 20:04:56 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Venders and shipping
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Just some personal observations. YMMV.
I made an order from Chris at T3 recently and a similar order from GW the same day.
The T3 order arrived today. The GW order was charged today but not yet shipped. This is typical for GW for me.
I wonder what other folks experiences have been. With regard to vender service?
Here are my experiences with the venders I use the most.
Listed from strongest on top and equal ones on the same line.
Fastest shipping
T3 , Uniwerks
Vanagain
Bus Lab , Vancafe , Bus Depot
Go Westy
Most affordable shipping
T3 , Uniwerks
Vanagain ,Bus Lab, Vancafe, Bus Depot
Go Westy
Not sure about other venders but curious about your experiences.
My experience is based on least expensive shipping options.
I’m, on the East coast so that helps the East coast venders get to me. This may be why Vanagain comes quick but Bus Depot usually takes about as long as some of the faster west coast venders. But, it has been awhile sense I made a Bus depot order.
Also, Web site use is different for me being blind but here is my preference.
Easiest to use sites
Go Westy
Bus Lab
Van Cafe RM
T3, Uniwerks
Vanagain, Bus Depot
For me web issues will be different than for the sighted users. software issues may not be a problem for sighted users.
For T3 and Uniwerks the check out was a bit harder, for me, but the sights worked well.
I appreciate all our venders, but sometimes I select a vender by speed of delivery, and sometimes because I have someone I can talk to to help with the order.
Otherwise it is item availability or price.
Most likely to respond with helpful information
Vanagain, Uniwerks, T3
Bus Lab, Bus Depot, Go Westy
I rely on fellow list members for links because when I ask for assistence I find getting help on the phone hard and the person usually doesn’t know the products.
Vanagain is the big exception always helpful and will answer the phone.
And T3 and Uniwerks also respond well by email
Persistence has paid off with other venders but is more challenging.
There are lots of other vender’s out there. I try to use the VW bus folks when possible but have found needed items at
Rock Auto
Fits in the middle of most categories for price and shipping.
I’ve seen some strong recommendations for other venders carrying our bus products and I try to remember to check them but again web issues sometimes slow me down.
Amazon is helpful for general items and surprisingly often for some unusual items
Example are some of the great tips from Dennis on things like fuel pumps and starters, not to mention some tires and wheels.
Another category
Vender that often has items know one else has that are of special usefulness
Go Westy,
T3, Uniwerks, Vanagain, Bus Depot,
Vancafe Bus Lab
Now, I’m going back under my bus, ongoing trailing arm cleaning project. Obsessive Compulsive, who me?
Eric Caron
85 GL Auto Westfalia