Date:         Thu, 15 Oct 1998 22:04:08 -0400
Reply-To:     Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley-Hewlett & Associates <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dealers vs Independents?
Comments: To: Bryan <bryan459@PACBELL.NET>,
          "vanagon@VANAGON.COM" <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>

A general question, if you don't mind.
I'm interested in hearing your opinions re: the pros and cons of dealer
service/maintenance/repairs vs Independent service/maintenance/repairs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
During the last election, when asked whether he wore briefs, or bikini
underwear, Bob Dole answered simply, "Depends." :)

While the context is different, I would say that is the answer to this
question. For a few years, I was fortunate enough to live and work within a
mile or two of Stohlman VW in Tyson's Corner, VA. The caliber of their
service, I would dare say, is unmatched. Hands down, the best. There were
some good independents that I trusted, Paul's in Alexandria, and Ace German
in Woodbridge, and they excelled in certain areas, but overall the dealer
THERE was best.

On the flip side, I now live near one of VW's lesser dealers. I won't use
the name, but it is one of those VW dealers where you have a hard time
finding the VW's because their name is like: Jack's
VW-Subaru-Kia-Oldsmobile-Jeep-Chrysler-Plymouth-Range Rover-Chevrolet.
Although their parts dept is pretty good, I wouldn't take my bicycle to be
serviced there. Instead, I trust a couple of VW-loving independents, Hicks
in Durham, and West German Auto, in Cary.

So it depends where you are, and how great your dealer wants to be.


G. Matthew Bulley
Principal
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Communications for Organizational Development
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free