TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bugcity In Connecticut

Mon Aug 25, 2014 7:19 am

Gotta leave some positive feedback here for Dave @ Bug City. I have been buying parts there going on 17 years now, before the internet scene I only found out about them from word of mouth of an old-time vee-dubber who was friends with my dad. Back then all I knew was Rocky Mountain Motorworks, JC Whitney and Bug City, and Bug City is the only one that continued to get my business. They almost always have the part, and for the East Coast you can't beat getting it the next day. I know others who have issues with Dave and won't use them, but he's always been easy to deal with for me. I research the part I need, go to their website, see what they have and give him a call. I've never ordered through the website. I have never been to his warehouse or met the guy. On the phone Dave will give you straight talk about the parts he has, what quality they are, what your options are, and he can make suggestions on what else you might need off the top of his head. I have bought some very hard to find stuff from him for "fair" prices (nothing really to compare them to most times).
My most recent order was for tie rods and some front end components for my bus. Dave told me they were busy and he might not be able to get the parts out until the next day. I explained to him that I had the bus scheduled to get an alignment on Monday and really needed the parts before the weekend. Next day they were on my doorstep.
Sorry for the long post but if I posted every time I had a good experience with Bug City this thread would be 3-4 pages longer than it is. DO NOT HESITATE to call them up!

Tue Oct 14, 2014 4:20 pm

I recently bought some NOS parts from Bugcity and had them shipped internationally. You expect to pay a 300% mark up on NOS parts but the 300% mark up on the shipping is a little harder to swallow. I contacted Dave to query why his shipping was triple what I pay with other US vendors and he basically said take it or leave it with no explanation and was pretty rude about it.

A number of other people in this thread have referred to Dave as a businessman who lacks people skills - if this means he is a price gouger and is rude to his customers I fully agree.
Unless you desperately need NOS parts that others don't have and are prepared to pay through the nose for them, give your business to someone who deserves it more.

Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:37 am

I contacted Dave two days ago with a list of things I needed for a couple of off-season projects on my '69 Bug. He contacted me back promptly with news that all of those things were in stock (including some quality used OEM VW parts that are so much better than today's repro crap), and at a very reasonable price. I drove up to his shop the following day, and Dave had all the stuff together for me and ready to go, plus helped me out on one more part that I realized I needed at the last minute. I can't thank Dave enough for his help, supplying me with the right parts, the right quality, and at the right price. I have done business with Dave many times in the past and look forwarding to doing lots more business wth him in the future. Thanks again BugCity Dave!

Wed Sep 23, 2015 10:10 am

Just thought I'd share my two experiences with Bug City. I have found them very good with the two orders I've placed. The quality and description of their parts are spot on. I got a great set of Hell front turn signals for my 69 Vert, I also bought an NOS generator pulley and some tin parts and they arrived well packaged and in very good condition. I'll continue buying from them for sure. 9/23/15

ST

Sat Sep 26, 2015 8:51 pm

I have spent thousands of dollars with dave. is he a prick? yep...that's why we get along :lol:

it's business...if you call and he has it, get it...otherwise it may not be there in 3 days while you collect cans to get up the money...first come, first served.

he has been more than fair with me. I have no issues. glad to have him close and not for nothing, his prices are in line with everyone else..

Sun Sep 27, 2015 6:36 am

I recently had a conversation with Dave about some NOS fuel pump kits he was selling. He was dealing with a customer at the desk and me on the phone. I found him to be professional in handling my questions. I then hung up, ordered the parts online and they arrived 3 days later in PHX.

They were exactly as he described and I'm happy with his service. I've ordered other NOS items from Dave and have never had an issue.

Thanks Dave

Mon Oct 12, 2015 12:16 pm

I have owned my 70 Beetle for 45 years and a 70 Ghia for 6 years. I am always looking for NOS or used German parts for both cars. I just don't think there is a better resource than David Valickis at Bug City. Over the past 7 or 8 years, I have spoken with him numerous times on the phone and have sent countless emails and queries to his place of business. He delivers exactly as advertised. Although it is rare that there is a problem with an order, if there is one, he fixes it immediately. I have found him to be one of the most honest and reputable businessmen in the parts industry. Without question Dave is always my first choice in looking for parts for my prized vehicles.

Sat Dec 19, 2015 2:52 pm

Dave at Bug City always supplies me with the part I need.

This week it was a steering box pitman arm for my own '64 vert that had an earlier steering box in it. I needed a used '62-'65 pitman arm to make it all work and Bug City had it. More importantly Dave solved the problem for me with his knowledge of VW bugs. He's a great resource and solid parts supplier.

Sat Jan 23, 2016 6:59 pm

BEWARE!

Sold some NOS stuff to him. FULL PICS of every angle. Complained about scratches, even though i never said it was mint.

Now i get an item back that is BROKEN!

i told him it must be shipping damage yet ebay sides with him!!

BEWARE, he expects something for nothing and if not to his liking despite looking at pics and description will screw you over.

Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:58 am

Been trying to get ahold of Dave for 2 says Neither phone works
Sent an email no response yet
Anybody know whats up?

Fri Dec 02, 2016 6:14 am

worked for me yesterday. are you calling the # on the website? Try the local one not the 800 #. He picked up first try.

Fri Dec 02, 2016 1:01 pm

His phones have been down Talked to him today

Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:57 am

Bug city is a great place to get parts NOS German or used.

Shipping has been a problem in the past but they are on the east coast I'm on the west coast.

So one has to understand the distance in shipping.

I was told today I have a history of negativity in the past 10 years with David and I can no longer purchase from them.

He canceled my monthly Order of $1000 of NOS wiper parts.

So keep that in mind before posting anything negative.

I cannot do what I do without quality parts from people like David.

His prices are fair and his packaging is the best I have never had a item arrive damaged.

I Want to apologize to David for my negativity in the past.

Even though he will not sell to me I will send people to him for the parts they need and recommend Bug City for parts and service. DL West-Wiperguy

Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:12 pm

Was in a bind and couldn’t find the part I needed anywhere, I put the part number into a search engine and it comes up as in stock at Bug-City. A few days later it arrived, just in time for me to get back on track with my build.

Thank you for having those little hard to find parts!

Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:37 am

I had ordered speedometer colored gels and was asked to pay 12.00 shipping something lighter than a postcard... when asked the just canceled my order... I called and he abruptly said "we canceled you order because you didnt want to pay 12.00."

On Jul 29, 2019, at 11:45 PM, Bugcity wrote:

> Name: mark dambrosio
> Phone: 7147240486
> Email: [email protected]
>
> Message: hi i ordered the speedometer gels if youd like you can partially refund some shipping as this is an envelope? 12.00 seems steep for this

BUGCITY <[email protected]>
9:38 AM (6 minutes ago)
to me

Your order has been voided & cancelled.
Bugcity

Wed Jul 31, 2019 10:46 am

The shipping cost along with packaging and handling $14 fair price. He has to pay someone to pull the parts package and print label run it to the post office. It would have been well packaged and arrived safe with no damage. Dave is courteous and helpful but if you show attitude he simply chooses to not do business with you. I know this as he chooses to not do business with me. It was my fault for not understanding shipping packaging handling costs and the distance in-between us.

Wed Jul 31, 2019 3:06 pm

Fair enough I won’t entirely write him off I still think $12 to mail three little pieces of film is a bit steep when it can be mailed in a Standard envelope I found them locally at Wolfsburg West

Wed Jul 31, 2019 3:31 pm

markdam wrote: Fair enough I won’t entirely write him off I still think $12 to mail three little pieces of film is a bit steep when it can be mailed in a Standard envelope I found them locally at Wolfsburg West
I ordered a single replacement distributor spring for a Porsche and also the vendor had a minimum shipping charge for $15... for a $8 part.

Large vendors don't stock every possible size boxes. When I sell parts I use USPS Priority flat rate, large, medium and small boxes. I also purchased some small padded bags for the small parts. But i'm a one man shop and the post office is next to my bank and supermarket and only 1/4 mile away. Larger vendors have employees, insurance, and operating expenses.

The bottom line is, lets be happy we can get parts for our 40-70 year old cars.

Wed Jul 31, 2019 5:02 pm

All of above plus MANY stores do not use the US Postal service at all so that immediately leaves out all the super cheap options.

markdam wrote: Fair enough I won’t entirely write him off I still think $12 to mail three little pieces of film is a bit steep when it can be mailed in a Standard envelope I found them locally at Wolfsburg West
To be fair, I checked the WW site and it's ~$11 to ship these FedEx
WW is nice because they do use the post office too but it's still ~$6 shipping USPS

Wed Jul 31, 2019 10:35 pm

got them today in one day no shipping charge cost of a stamp

and i was charged 12.00 not 11.00 re reread original post with email copy

just ftr