Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 21:06:56 -0500
Reply-To: The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: The Bus Depot <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
Subject: NEW BUSDEPOT WEBSITE!!!! (Big specials, too!)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Okay I'm jumping the gun by about a day because the Vanagon list is about to
go down just when I'm ready to announce my big news. But even right now you
can already access about 5000 items at the new site (still
http://www.busdepot.com), by simply choosing the year of your Vanagon (or
other VW) and part type on a dropdown menu. Virtually every item that we
have ever sold even one of of there now, with price, description, and part
number, so no more calling or waiting on hold for pricing!
By this time tomorrow, the database will be cleaned up a bit to fix some
pricing discrepencies, duplicate entries, etc. Also by then, an advanced
search by Volkswagen, Rocky Mountain Motorworks, or WCM part number, or
keyword, will also be up. This will access the same database, and is mainly
for use if you couldn't find the part you wanted via the drop-down menus.
Usually you won't even have to use this feature, but it will be another way
of getting at the data just in case.
By this time the following day, the shopping cart software should be
operational as well. (Right now there are links to it but it isn't
working.) In the meantime, to order, you can always copy the part numbers
and prices into an e-mail or call/fax your order in (voice 215-234-VWVW, fax
215-234-0890). Either way you won't have to call for pricing. The shopping
cart, when ready later this week, will let you just enter a quantity as you
go along and then send us your order via the form. There will be a secure
connection for people who have not already given me their checking debit
info, but if I already have it you will simply be able to click to indicate
that it's on file and won't have to enter it again.
Also within a few days, an additional 7,000 items will be added via
search-by-part-number. This will include the entire Bosch parts catalog
(where it applies to VW's), for example, plus about 2000 Vanagon parts that
are readily available but not commonly requested. You'll need to know the
part number (from the old part, a RMMW catalog, your dealer, etc.) but then
you'll be able to get quotes on a ton more items, and again order online.
Yet another 7,000 items are being prepared for the database for inclusion
several weeks later, although most of those items will be aircooled stuff.
The site uses advanced technology such as SQL server and cold fusion for
database search, so the sky's the limit as far as the number of items we can
add. The next generation of the site, in November, will be a little nicer
graphically and will also feature clickable links next to many items, to
show you pictures and provide more detailed descriptions/specs.
As promised, I have a bunch of new specials on the bargains page to promote
the new site, such as brake pads & calipers, upper control arm bushings,
heater cores, wheel covers, bumpers, and other goodies I stocked up on at
extremely deep discounts. The link to the Bargains page is at the bottom of
virtually every page on the new site. These specials are not yet on the
Members page.
You guys are now officially my "beta testers." :-) I'd really appreciate
it if you would try out the new site within the next couple of days, and
email me with any errors you come up with, both in content and in format. If
you come across an error on content, please e-mail me at ron@busdepot.com.
If it's an error regarding the way the site works, navigates, searches,
etc., the web developer, bob@justcallinc.com, has requested that you copy
him on the e-mail. I'm leaving for Europe next week to do some serious
parts hunting and *very* badly needed vacationing. (Evon and Haley have been
very patiently awaiting the completion of this site so we could spend some
time together again.) So I'd like to wrap up any loose ends with the site
this week, which I don't think will be a problem with your help.
The site will doubtless have some bugs at first, particularly during this
first week while it's still coming together, but I'm pretty happy with the
way it's shaping up so far. While a parts database of this scale has been d
one on the web before, it has never been applied to Volkswagen parts. I
believe that a cutting-edge website database is The Bus Depot's future. It
will enable me to maintain rock-bottom overhead (and thus rock-bottom
pricing) while freeing up personnel to focus on the things a computer can't
do, like customer service and fast shipping. The new site is a long-overdue
first step. I owe you all heartfelt thanks for sticking with me as
customers when getting through to the Depot to place an order was
challanging, to say the least. Hopefully your extreme patience will be
rewarded.
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
http://www.busdepot.com
(215) 234-VWVW
P.S. Any list member who orders $150 or more from the new site will get a
free pair of VW van mudflaps, while supplies last. I have 40 pair. They are
N.O.S. from Venezuala, and are black with a white VW emblem. They were
intended for Busses, but a quick check under my '89 Westy seems to indicate
that they could be modified to work behind the front wheels of a Vanagon.
(What the hell, they're free. Use 'em if you like them, use 'em as
doorstops and buy the "real" ones for $90 each if you don't like 'em!) You
must order via the website, and ask for the free mudflaps when ordering.
Before the shopping cart is up, you can place the order by phone/email/fax,
using the part numbers and prices found on the website, and still qualify
for the free mudflaps, as long as you used the website for price
researching, etc.
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