TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri May 11, 2007 3:01 pm

I just ordered a cargo floor repair panel from busdepot (item number 9555750). It is specified to fit all buses 68-79. Here's a picture of a piece of it compared to a piece of the original floor.

The yellow arrows mark the same spot on each piece of metal. The corrugations on this piece are so much wider than the original that there is no way it will fit.

I can understand complicated parts like doglegs, etc not fitting quite right, but this is ridiculous. It's just corrugated metal, it shouldn't be that hard to make correctly.

I understand that this is a manufacturer issue, but by selling this part, busdepot is making it their problem too. I'd return it, but I already started cutting it.

Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:37 pm

I've got nothing but good things to say about the Bus Depot. I placed an order recently for a new clutch kit and some other parts for my '74 Riviera....the order came in and I had an item, the shift rod bushing set, not in the box with everything else. It was on the invoice and I was charged for it. I was instantly pissed and called to give someone an earful. I actually expected a huge hassle since the packing list was checked off item by item, including the missing bushings. I spoke with a gentleman on the phone (Matt I think his name was) and explained my situation to him. He apologized about the mixup and told me he would get the bushings out to me. I figured it would take the standard 10-14 day period...but instead, I got an email later that afternoon with a tracking number and it had been shipped overnight to me. Needless to say, I was impressed. I do about 95% of my ACVW shopping with Bus Depot and rarely have I had a problem.
All was going well and after a week or so I got the engine all cleaned up, carbs installed, tin painted, etc. and I was ready after a long weekend of working in almost 90 degree heat to bolt the new clutch on and get it hung in the engine compartment. To my horror I discovered I had the wrong clutch. Again I was enraged and assumed it to be their fault. I checked my receipt for the part number I Was billed for, compared it to the part number on the box and they were the same. Checked out the website and found the clutch I ordered fits Buses 3/74-75 (215mm). I wander out to my Bus and find out....of course...my Bus was built 2/74. I needed a 210mm clutch. 5 ridiculous mm were separating me from bolting this engine in. To make this already too long story short, I emailed Ron from Bus Depot on Sunday night around 8:30, begging him to please call or email me hat night so I can either drive to the store Monday and get the clutch or have it shipped overnight. To my amazement, Ron got right back to me and offered to overnight it for me so I can get the engine back in. It was an emergency because next Sunday I will be heading to NYC to film a show for the History Channel and they are using my Bus. With the engine on the stand, I obviously won't be going anywhere. The next day I got a call from the Manager at Bus Depot and he verified that the clutch went out UPS Overnight to my work....and this morning when I went into work it was already there waiting for me. This was by far above and beyond the call of duty, and certainly the blame for the incorrect clutch rests squarely on my shoulders. Ron helped me out when I was in a bind and they really came through for me. I had one other problem with a Bus Depot order and Ron got right on top of it to get it fixed for me. For these reasons, I will be a lifelong ad loyal customer to the Bus Depot. Their customer service is top notch in my book, and it gets proven time and time again.

A huge thank you to Ron and everyone else at Bus Depot for all of your hard work and dedication to our hobby. You are truly an asset to our community and I appreciate everything you did to get me the parts I needed quickly. The new clutch went on just like it should, and I got the engine bolted back in tonight after work. I will have it running in time to do the show on the History Channel, which will air in August. Thanks again Ron!!

Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:05 pm

I just recieved an order from Bus Depot. I hate ordering the first time from someone whom I have never done business with before. Tossing the hesitation aside I made a small order for some parts totaling a little over $400. I wasn't familiar with how they list thier packing sheets with the parts, and it looked like I was missing many parts from my order. I sent them an e-mail when I took stock of what I was sent, and by the way, it was shipped well ahead of the estimated time and packed almost bullet proof, they sent back an e-mail right away saying that the rest of my order had already been shipped and that it should come by the 25th of this month. The package was on my doorstep when I got home from work this afternoon. In my opinion they have shown they can and will deliver the goods they promise. I will be doing much more business with Bus Depot in the near future.

Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:17 pm

BigLoaf wrote:

Like I, the space between your thumb toe and your second toe is fairly large.

Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:51 pm

Like a bunch-o-folks here, I've been ordering from BusDepot for a few moons now... I've run the gauntlet of bad and good with orders....

In 2005, with my 84 Westy Wolfy, I was on the phone for 25min explaining I needed spark plugs for "pinned" dizzy caps, and still got the wrong ones. A few week ago, it took a coiuple calls to flush out my own idiocy- I had entered a wrong address digit on my online account so my neighbor kept receiving my VW goodies. I've called with no idea what I need save a description of the part and (like GermanSupply.com, kudos also) have gotten the part I need.

Thru it all, BD Cust Service has always remained collected if not cool (hey I'm a hot head, I don't help), communicated with respect, and eventually (not always on the first shot) solved any problems I've had or gotten me the parts I need.

I hate the wait time- it baffles me. However, if I am in no rush for parts I believe the combo of sweet prices and customer service makes them a worthy vendor; check them out.

Mike

Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:42 am

ordered my pop top seal tuesday

it arrived thursday

i couldnt be happier with the product. it was easy to attach and seems to be much higher quality than the seal that was on before. this is the second time ive done buisness with them and both times the shipping was super fast and they were quick to answer questions and e-mail updates on the order concerning the shipping.

Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:14 pm

I just had another flawless transaction with The Bus Depot. Great supplier!

Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:38 am

Just had a really smooth PayPal transaction w/ BDepot. It takes a bit longer to "perform" the transaction as you have to email Ron and he sends an addy to send funds to, but there were no fees, no hassle. Then the normal notices (order update, shipping notice, UPS info notice) arrived in my email... Sweet!

Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:08 am

Just picked up new spindles and lock nuts for my Golf Cabriolet, took them only one day to get an out of stock parts! Great service for both air and water cooled VW parts.

Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:19 am

The Koni shocks I just received took a little while, but they had to be back-ordered I think? What made made me want to do business with them in the future was their attitude. Great service and everyone I talked to seemed to really care about my bus getting some kick ass shocks. Hard to find that!

Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:16 pm

Has anyone recently bought any replacement bus panels like floors, rockers, rear corners, and battery trays for a split bus? are they any better than they were when BigLoaf bought his floors?

Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:06 pm

I've had a few recent transactions go very well. New customer, and thought I was taking a chance. Their bad rep on the amount of time to ship is what I was concerned about because the first 2 orders were all 4 rear wheel bearings, and then complete drive axles. took about a week for the bearings took about 5 days for the axles. The axles were less expensive than anybody else for the same product and much less for some others.
The only problem I had was with the axles and it wasn't really their fault. one CV on each axle had come apart because of the way EMPI packaged them. No packing in the box at all the zip ties holding the CV's together broke and allowed the CV's to come apart. Throw a little newspaper in the box to fix it. Called to let them know they said that they'd make a note of it and extended the warranty on them for me.
Will gladly do business with them in the future.

Bill

Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:13 pm

I haven't purchased any mechanical bits from The Bus Depot, but I ordered a Haynes Bay Window Bus coffee mug from them, which I just received.

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=J13649

Delivery took about three weeks, which is about right for U.S. Mail to Canada. The mug was packed very well, and I'm pleased to have such a conversation piece.

Thanks Ron!

Greg

Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:56 am

Ordered some Hankooks on Sunday the 6th. Called back on Monday late afternoon to add a 5th tire for the spare. Matt said they would ship in a day or two. They shipped the next day, Fed Ex cheap rate. They got here Saturday ( today) morning. Much quicker than I expected.

I have always had good service form Bus Depot

Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:02 am

I have placed probably too many orders with busdepot over the last 5 years or so. I've only had 1 problem, with a set of sparkplug wires. Item # 09171OE and listed as German Made OE quality wires.

The insulation on the wires was so poor that the coil was arcing to the ecu and destroyed it.

I emailed to let them know about this problem. I got a reply back from Kaye 2 days later, apologizing for the problems with the wires, and she sent me out a set of bosch wires at no charge with overnight shipping.

Good to see an online retailer that still cares about their customer base.

Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:40 am

My few experiences with the Bus Depot have been very good. One time an item was backordered and they called to tell me how long it would take to get that item. They could have just shipped the order, and showed the one item backordered and left me in limbo like has happened with other places. I think that is good customer service which seems to be in short supply theses days...

Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:45 am

I remember way back I had a question about one of their products (oil cooler seals I think). I called 'em quite a few times and the phone just rang and rang. I never did order from them. :(

Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:31 am

AutostickS1972 wrote: Has anyone recently bought any replacement bus panels like floors, rockers, rear corners, and battery trays for a split bus? are they any better than they were when BigLoaf bought his floors?

can't tell you for a split bus, but i recently ordered a new rocker panel for my T3 Westy (an '85) and the panel i was sent was dead on perfect. vanagon's gonna be at the body shop on monday getting the cancered one cut out and the new one welded in..

i was initially worried when i bought the panel from posts in the forums that the sheetmetal wasn't as thick, but this didn't prove to be the case, the new sheetmetal rocker panel is just as thick as the outer skin panel.

as for the other parts i've bought there might be some wait with the order processing, but i understand their philosophy with keeping things lean. i respect that.. the occasional day or two (sometimes four or five) day wait for an order to be processed is, for me, well worth the savings i get for it. I'm glad that an outfit like the bus depot exists, and i'll do my best to support 'em so that i can keep my "almost as old as me" vanagon running.

Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:55 am

I placed a big order with Bus Depot a couple weeks ago.(over $1300 worth of parts) I tried the 10% discount on the website and it wouldn't work so I emailed Ron and told him about it before I placed my order.He told me to place my order and email customer service to add it manually(which they did)I had to pay the full amount up front then the extra money from the discount was turned into store credit which is not a problem cause if I ever need something I know I have that credit of the parts. I also did the pay by check on the website. I got a call that Saturday saying that it would take up to 2 weeks to clear their bank due to the bank taking forever. I said I'd just send in money orders that Monday. Sent the money orders in Monday and within the next week the package was on my porch. The backordered parts arrived a few days later. The original package was packaged great. Everything made it to me undamaged and as described. I was missing 2 items from my order though. I emailed customer service and told them about it. one item was canceled by the supplier and the other was probably left out by mistake. they said it go out Yesterday. It should arrive soon.
I've dealt with Ron and BusDepot for almost all my bus parts since I got in this hobby and I will keep doing so. They are good people and if there is a problem Ron and the team are quick to fix it. That is good business right there Period. Thanks for all you do for us Ron. Keep up the good work.

Geno McMahon
(gmag69)

Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:04 am

Seems like everytime I order from them, at least one item is backordered and they cant seem to get it to me, that is frustrating.