Things Unlimited????

[radioman]

Has Mike gone out of business? I have tried for two weeks to complete an order and get no email or phone response. That is not like him. Anybody know what is the deal? Is he sick? BTW: I need front and rear brake hoses THAT WILL FIT PROPERLY from somewhere. I always counted on Mike to send the correct stuff (and he always did). What should I order and from whom?
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It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

[Spanky]

I talked to him today. He's been down in Nashville, back in NY now and has read his Email but hasn't had time to get to answering them.

[radioman]

Well, I have tried yet another email...two days ...no response. After two years of great service, I really don't know what to make of his lack of response. I need 73 Thing front / rear brake hoses ASAP. I went into the system after Mike said he would ship ASAP but cannot run now because he failed to send the parts. Any one got a vendor for my needed parts?? I need the right size, and Mike always helped in that area. But if he isn't going to produce after 2 1/2 weeks , I guess I'll find someone else.
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It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

[amishman]

How about The Thing Shop?

or buy local. I was able to buy hoses and shoes locally once I knew what size mine were. I think what I purchased should serve me well.

My front hoses ended up being about 17" long and the rear, although I have not put them in yet, are about 9 3/4" long. The fronts worked perfect for me. I am about to move onto the rears this week sometime as I have the drums on now in the front and just need some new lug nuts to mount the tires and then adjust the brakes to be complete on the front side.

tj

[radioman]

thanks TJ, I'll go to my FLAPS and see what I can get. My Carquest shop if most accomodating.
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It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

[radioman]

BTW: What the hell with my typing????
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It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

[amishman]

By the way, I thought you had already done your brakes? Have you put that many miles on yours and need new parts again? I will say this, I can't wait until I get mine back on the road again. Even though I have not drive it much, was fun driving to town once in a while. I just wanted to get the brakes done on it before continuing to drive it since they were in unknown condition. It is my first time doing brakes and bearings and drums and all.

I do know I will need to do some CV boots sometime. I noticed some torn rubber boots but will explore that later. One thing at a time for me.

tj

[Buckly]

I talked with mike about two weeks ago. He was just heading out to a big VW show and said He will be shipping as soon as he returns. In the years I've been dealing with him I have never once caught him not home or working, so he final has taken a break(if you can call vending at a show a break) and I believe its well deserved. I can understand anyones frustration when they need a part fast, but hey we all need a little break now and again.
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Cool runnins,
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Bucky

[bucko]

Rather than email Mike, call him. About two months ago I emailed him about ordering brake lines, shoes, wheel cylinders, etc. for my military 181. I also gave him my cell number. He called me on my cell while I was at an airport flying of on company business!

Mike prefers to talk over the phone for orders rather than use email. Can't say I don't blame him; he can get accurate information this way.

[radioman]

I called him today and got a female helper who said he was way behind following his trip to Asheville. Looks like I'll get a response soon....although in nearly three years I never had a problem from email orders. It is hard to be a one-man operation I am sure. And at least I know he is OK.
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It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

[radioman]

Mike callled last night...order to come ASAP. He is REAL covered up....but OK. He is the best. I am so happy he is OK.....just busy as hell.
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It's a Southern Thing, 73, stock.
Bill

[Spanky]

Ain't that what I told U back on the 22nd?

[GregZA]

I am still having difficulty getting hold of Mike, email & phone...
Last time I called I got an answering service that told me the voice mailbox is full so I can't leave a message!
I'm really getting worried here
Cheers
Greg

[bucko]

Kubelmann reported on another link that Mike was in the hospital.

He's O.K., but I'm guessing he'll be out of work for awhile yet.

[GregZA]

Thanks Bucko, I saw that, it was reported in a couple of places at the begining of the month.
I sort of assumed that Mike would be back in the saddle by now, it must be pretty serious.
Does anybody have an update on how Mikes doing?
I'm still worried
Cheers
Greg

[Spanky]

worried, yes and rightly so. A staff (or other infection) can rapidly overtake you. A matter of a few hours' delay of treatment can mean the loss of a limb and worse. A friend of mine, a famous bone surgeon and head of a major southern university department was killed in his own hospital by a staff infection running riot through his body. No delay in treatment here, just nobody could stop it!
I'm worried too. This lack of news is not good news.
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1959 Renault Caravelle
1973 Citroen Maseratti SM
1974 Chevy Malibu Wagon
1979 Vespa Scooters (2), 1981 BMW R65
'73 Thingy.

[MedicTed]

Not to be fussy, but it's staph (as in staphinococus) infection. When you have a staff infection, it means that all of your co-workers are irritating you.
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Ted Wojton
70 VW Bus Westfalia camper
2003 GMC Sierra

[mytype181]

Hi all, sorry that i have not been able to keep up with everyones orders,
it has been very busy since i got back from Asheville, and then this staff
infection in my hand has really slowed things down, but little by little all
orders are being shipped pronto
This all started with a guy and his vw bus needing a repair.
I ended up installing a cv joint in the pouring rain,water, grease and mud
on my hand must have entered a puncture and infected me with MSRA, and it was
the worst possible kind, ventro something. three days later my hand looked
like a baseball mitt.
entered the ER and they wouldn't let me go for three weeks. I was hooked to
a IV antibiotic and couldn't leave. They cut a 3 inch hole in the top of my
hand to remove the infection, then it had to heal from the inside out, no
stitches.
today the two halves have finally come together, a pretty good scab has
formed and the skin has grown together, i can type, and just about pack boxes
again by myself.

The lesson here is make sure you use rubber gloves, whenever possible.
I am not about to drop my hands in any parts cleaner yet, but as soon as
possible will have some grease smearing shabby clothes again.
Sincerely,

Mike
THINGS UNLIMITED INC
3221 Old Carman Rd.
Schenectady NY 12303
_www.thingsunlimited.net_ (http://www.thingsunlimited.net/)
OPEN M- F 9-6 EST 518 630 0173


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Part 2



For two years, i have been at everyone's beckon call, late nights weekends
etc.
you call , and i have answered, as best i could.
Never took a lunch, never a coffee break. always always answered the phone.
I never just asked you for a part # and hang up on you, I care about things,
and thing owners needs that's why i got into this business.
during the summer i work 7 days a week, m-f at the shop, pack up my parts on
saturdays, vw show on sunday, unpack mon and start all over again.
I do my own books, i do all the invoicing, packing, billing, receiving etc.
dismantling cars,
lawnmowing, etc.......
And if you needed some little obsolete part, wasn't i willing to pick it off
a car for you personally, I have pampered most of my customers, coddled them
even.
"can i have a washer, bolt, nut, screw, etc..."
sure mike says, "i can get that for you."
if you get some personal satisfaction by badmouthing me why dont you drag
your ass out here and strip a car or two, i'll even pay you!


Vince was away at a week or two at a time, and folks understood.
Vince had his mike basso too, to help out, wheres my mike basso?

My parts have been to my customers just as quickly as vinces' was
usually ships within 24-48 hours.
i have returned folks calls on Sundays, day of rest?

Now that i have a problem, I hope that there can be a little more
understanding and less selfishness, i have always been there for you, will you
be there
for me?


PS i am back. Thanks for all the well wishes. its appreciated.

feel free to forward this to the other lists, comrades.

Mike
THINGS UNLIMITED INC
3221 Old Carman Rd.
Schenectady NY 12303
_www.thingsunlimited.net_ (http://www.thingsunlimited.net/)
OPEN M- F 9-6 EST 518 630 -0173
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'74 Thing Conv. (Yellow)
'72 Ghia Hardtop (Green)
Past VW's in Gallery

[Revis]

Mike, I've only done business with you once and it was a pleasurable experience. Everyone I know in the VW Thing community always have the best things to say about you and you business. Do not let a few chumps bother you. I for one appreciate what you do for all of us. Thank you.............Revis

[markie61]

I have to echo what Revis said. One order (so far) but many more to come.

I too am a one-man shop (I build furniture) and when I am sick, have a family commitment, or go on vacation it is tough to figure out how to handle every contingency. I always hope that my customers cut me some slack.

My mom had a staph infection (entered the elbow on a bicep curl machine at the gym) and her arm swelled up from wrist to shoulder - kind of like a baseball bat to go with Mike's baseball mitt.... Anyway, it took her weeks to recover from the infection and a couple of months to recover from the antibiotics.

Mike, if you read this - get well, take it somewhat easy until you fully recover, and I'm sure I'll be talking/writing soon.

Mark
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Whut is that-there Thang!?
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Chicks dig my Thing - so what if it's little and yellow...!?