Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2023 11:02:21 -0700
Reply-To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Shout out to Ken and Dennis The RARE vW bus vender
In-Reply-To: <61373E9E-885E-41EA-A651-5C4A43239959@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
In part, this is a matter of "aging out." If these folks are to stay in
business, they must hire young folks into their shops. There just aren't
enough old folks who know our vehicles still around. Just this past week,
I tried to set up a shop visit for my camper. Best shop locally by
reputation is one called European Auto Haus. Best tech there used to be
"Obie," who was trained in Germany on VWs back in the day. He was super.
But Obie of course could not work forever. He had to move on to
retirement, well deserved. Sadly, European Auto Haus responded by saying
that there are six Vanagons in shop currently for work, but none of them
will get serviced before summer, and that they could not promise a date for
my van earlier than
August. And from my perspective, would the person servicing it be
capable? mcneely
On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 10:52 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> The recent post about why do you purchase from Amazon reminded me of the
> good old days of purchasing from our venders like Vanagain. One of the
> best things was that I could ask questions about the products especially
> about correct fit or how to install.
>
> I realize that now, Ken is the only vender that I can still do
> that with. He is incredibly generous with his time. I really don’t know
> how he does it and runs a family business as well.
>
> In tech emergencies I have called Ken and he has answered the phone and
> helped. Last time was when a friend was helping to install Ken’s power
> steering rack. It was a simple thing but we would not have figured it out
> without Ken answering the call.
>
> I try not to call unless I need to. Another time when a friend
> was here we were stuck and called Dennis. And sure enough he talked us
> through the problem.
>
> In the old days I used to talk to folks at Bus depot, but though I really
> appreciate the business, and I hope to drop in to visit one day, the folks
> on the phone can’t help with issues, as they don’t know VW buses. And,
> sadly the site is very hard for me to use. They do however, have a lot of
> great bus items and nice to have them on my coast!
> Van Cafe, was great before it was sold. Peter and others there talked me
> through many part installations.But, that ended.
>
> I even once got tech help from GW, but they don’t seem to do work there
> any longer. Though to be fair, They were very helpful in emailing
> information back about specific products like how to update the engine
> management system.
>
> So, I really appreciate that Ken sends out help videos, has useful
> articles and info on his site, and I don’t know how he does it, but even
> answered the phone and gave help directly.
>
> I do miss the days of calling the different venders to make orders, and
> get personal direction on the products.
>
> I think they mean well, but other then Ken I don’t think vanagon or VW bus
> people answer the phone, or can directly assist.
>
> Hang in they're Ken.
>
>
> Eric Caron
>
| 
