TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bugcity In Connecticut

Fri Jun 02, 2006 3:44 am

Bugcity In Connecticut.

Recently purchased a thermostat from Bugcity, located in Connecticut. This purchase was via e-bay

The experience was not so good. First, I sent them a USPS money order. A few weeks later, I contacted them asking where the thermostat was? They informed me that the USPS money order was flawed. They made some lame excuse that the money order was paid payable to someone else. Before I sent the money order, I scanned it and offered to e-mail it to them. Obviously, they didn’t want a copy of this!

Then, the item was suppose to be shipped UPS. Instead, it was shipped USPS mail. I was charged for UPS shipping, and instead, they mailed it a less expensive way. They offered no refund for reduced shipping costs.

The thermostat finally arrived (nearly a month after I bought it). The e-bay listing stated that it was used, but in usable condition. The thermostat they sent is damage so much on the bottom that it is unusable.

Before you purchase from this e-bay and Samba vendor, make sure you clarify what you are buying, the shipping terms and condition of the item(s)

Kris (Kansas)

Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:57 pm

I bought a used thermostat from their online website and it was in great condition.

Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:03 pm

I've bought a number of parts from Dave at Bug City. I never had a problem.

I once needed a part next day and told Dave me since he's in CT. and i'm on Long Island, ground shipping would get there. It did and he saved me a extra cost.

Not only do they sell the standard aftermarket stuff, they also have many German and high quality parts. Then there's Dave's large supply of NOS and nice used stuff.

For the Northeast, he's hard to beat.

I understand that you had a problem, but after a number of years, i've not had a problem.

Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:49 pm

Glenn:

Appreciate your comments and hope that my situation is isolated, although I have received a number of e-mails from SAMBA members that have had experiences with Bugcity that make my issue small in comparison.

Thanks again,

Kris

Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:52 pm

Kris,

You should call their toll free number and ask for Dave. He should at least replace the thermostat with a good working unit.

Shipping is always a sore point with ebay transactions.

Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:38 pm

I've bought various NOS parts from this person on eBay with no problems.

Sat Jun 03, 2006 1:52 am

"E"

Why such a glowing recommendation when you wrote me this......

"" I not going to post this for the public, but I will tell you the story to make you feel better. Bug City is shady! The owner tried to steal a perfect OEM override bumper from my buddy at the Englishtown NJ/Raceway Park VW show earlier this year. My friend was behind his bus and the guy just picked it up from his blanket and started walking away, he ran after the guy and the owner of Bug City said "this is my bumper, I just bought it for $90" My buddy got his bumper back, but he was pissed!

Funny part was Englishtown/Raceway Park jacked their vender prices that year from $20 to $275 without telling the venders until they got there. My friend was the former president of Central Jersey Volkswagen Society and they were in charge of the show. CJVWS protested the price jack and had Raceway Park refund all the venders except Bug City!!!! Bug City was never informed about the refund! Dude lost $255 because he tried to rip off my friend!

Thought you would enjoy.

From now on buy parts from

http://www.oeveedub.com/index.html

these guys have the best parts and they know about the cars

no more Bug Shity! ""

SAMBA MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE FOLKS!

Kris (From Kansas, where we "say what we mean and mean what we say"

Sat Jun 03, 2006 5:24 am

I've "followed" Dave a number of times at the swaps at E-town, Litchfield and other shows. He's a shrewd buyer and a tough negotiator, but he's no thief. I've seen him but a part in the morning and sell it the same afternoon for more. That's just business, but sems to piss off people.

I know alot of people are rubbed the wrong way by him, but he's always been fair in the 20+ transactions I've had with him. All of which were for single parts and most were for NOS or good used stuff. So he had no reason to be nicer to me than any ohter customer.

Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:13 pm

I have bought some parts from Bugcity on Ebay. I have always paid with PayPal. I live in CT and usually get the part within two days. Everything has been exactly as listed. No complaints here.

Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:44 pm

They or he needs a people skills class. I emailed about a fuel pump and his response to the email made me fell like I was "bothering" him. Short and rude.

I deleted the link to his business and will continue to spend my money with people who understand the concept of "friendly customer service" and that there are many people who sell the same parts.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:01 am

I've dealt with Dave at BugCity numerous times. Yes, his people skills leave a lot to be desired, but he is *the man* in the northeast. Anytime I need anything quickly, I call him up and and I've got the parts next day. I've been out to his shop for larger stuff -- front beam, etc -- and while there he was incredibly helpful about various questions I had. He's a wealth of information, and while he might seem impatient at times, I think sometimes you have to live without the hand-holding and remember that guys like Dave (and John over at aircooled) are indeed doing you a favor by sharing their knowledge.

Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:31 am

I just sold Dave a hinge pin tool and he paypal'd the money while we were on the phone. It went out yesterday and he should get it tomorrow. Seemed to be a very "business like" kinda guy who I will call on for some parts that I am needing.

Joey

Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:21 pm

Dave is very much a business guy. He knows his stuff. Having him a state over is an asset for me. I've dealt with him at shows, and have been to the shop once. Yes, his emails are short and to the point, but do they really need to be long? When I was out at the shop picking up parts for the 1776 I was building be answered all the questions I had. I continue to do business with him for the same reason I do business with Aircooled, you get something you can't get at some of the other places... tech help.

Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:25 pm

Bought many parts from Bug City over the years. The deals are good and never had a problem with shipping.

Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:46 am

Been out to Bug City a couple more times in the past few weeks for the new Super: parts for brake conversion, cylinders, heads, etc... Once again, Dave proves an invaluable resource, very friendly, and incredibly helpful.

I'm not shy about calling out suppliers that deserve it, but so far, after a lot of dealings with him, I've had nothing but good experiences at Bug City.

Thu Oct 02, 2008 3:00 pm

Bought many, many parts for my '71 Super (which my wife bought from him as well). Now fitting up a 71' Ghia Coupe. Same thing. Good service. Very fast shipping. Lot of knowledge. He can be harried on the phone, but once he knows you he's a rather nice guy.

Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:27 pm

that's Dave, love him or hate him he knows his shit. treats me awesome and I won;t go anywhere else.

just gotta know him that's all.

Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:20 am

dave is a easy guy to deal with and honest

Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:47 pm

Thanks Dave, ordered on Friday received a tracking number the same day and package arrived on Monday. Could not ask for better service.

Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:29 pm

Just wanted to chime in here. I drove down to BugCity this weekend to look at some rear fenders for my 63 project. I had given up hope on finding good used fenders here in New England and wanted to compare the Brazilian and Italian repops first hand before buying anything. I had never met Dave before and didn't even know there was a VW parts supplier to CT until last week. He spent almost an hour with me explaining how to identify repops from original and what the drawbacks/benefits are with each different version. I ended up buying two really nice used original fenders he had stashed away rather than the repops. He gave me a really fair price on the set too. He seemed like a good guy, patient, extremely helpful and very willing to share his knowledge. His business/shop seemed pretty low tech...perhaps not ideal for internet and mail order transactions but he definitely knows his stuff. Anyway, he has earned my business...I'll buy from him again in the future...especially when I want the good stuff.