Date:         Sat, 22 May 1999 00:33:05 -0400
Reply-To:     Shortlidge D Joel <shortlid@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shortlidge D Joel <shortlid@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Screwed at Sandusky Motors
Content-Type: text/plain

        Well, I went and got her.  I took my Mom's '96 Chevy Astro AWD with a
200hp Vortec 4.3 V6 put a Uhaul class II hitch on it.    Rented a Uhaul
Tow dolly since my drive shaft is out and headed for Sandusky, a 530 mile
trip ONE WAY!!!
The dolly liked to bounce on the way there but the fun was when I got
there!!!
        They were only open till 5 and had no Sat. hours, which is par for the
course in the Midwest.   I had to do eighty with this dolly bouncing the
whole way!  She was siting there look sad that I had left her to fend for
her self.  She had company though, two Vangons to her left that were in
pretty bad shape.  I went into the service area at Sandusky Motors to
settle up.  The cashier promptly handed me a sheet of paper that said:
$150 dollars for two and a half hours of diagnostic work, $12.50 shop
materials fee, $30 tax.   The result of all this work:  Engine done!!!!!
 So, I asked them nicely what all they did and what the Materials fee was
all about.  The shop manager was called in a told me that they did a Fuel
injection test a fuel delivery system test and found nothing!  Then they
did a Compression test and found 80 psi on two cylinders and 180 on the
other two (On a rebuilt motor using OEM parts and 20,000 miles on
it)!!!!!  I told them It would run for a while then buck after a while
and it didn't sound like the engine!  They said that is what the mechanic
said and that is what it is!  Then a inquired about why it took two and
half hours to determine this?  They said they have never worked on
Vanagon's before and didn't know there way around them.  They said the
other two out front came in yesterday, and they had never seen one before
that?  Then they insisted I pay in CASH???  I guess so I could not have a
record.
        Then after I paid a backed my dolly up to pick up my Syncro.  I BUMPED a
new Civic in the TIRE!  It did not even move the thing!  You could not
even tell it ever happened.  But one of the sales man came out yelling
and screaming that we were going to have to pay for a new hub cap and a
new tire and a Four wheel alignment!!!!!  I calmly said i just paid you
guys $200 dollars I don't have to do nothing for me!  He yelled at me a
little till he sensed me and my brother were about to kick the 4&$$^&&($
out of him.  The he said he was NICE enough to let it go.  So we drove
this enormous 6000lbs plus, rig at 55mph all the way back to New York.
We had to ask for gas money!!!
        When we got it in the driveway we replaced the fuel filter just to see
($32).   It has run great ever since!!!  nothing in 40 miles!!!
        This was my first experience with VW dealers and now I never want to OWN
ONE AGAIN!!!!!!  I AM EVEN THINKING OF GETTING RID OF SYNCRO IF I HAVE
THIS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!   I could not find the Better
business bureau in Sandusky, OH.  Is there any kind of VW arbiters to go
through so this never happens to anyone again!!!!!!  My hard earned
College tuition money back would be nice also!!!!  The dealer is Sandusky
Motors in Sandusky,Ohio USA  There number is 419) 626-1061

Dis heartened  Vanagon owner,

Joel Shortlidge

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