Vendor appreciation

[mikemtnbike]

Over the past month or so, I've had some great online vendor experiences.

Accelerator cable broke because that's an item I should have already replaced.

Had a mid-week day off coming up on Thursday.

On Sunday prior, order from:

Van-Cafe: Cable, linkage plastic housing and grommet (non existent on my van). Order standard UPS and say in comments need by Thursday, upgrade shipping as needed. I can't really answer the phone or get emails at work. Van-Cafe shipped by USPS SAVING me money and I have by Weds. They did try to contact me about the change beforehand.

Vanagain: My cable was truly stuck at the ball and socket linkage by the tranny. I damaged the ball getting it off and bent the linkage up a little bit. Vanagain was the only vendor where I could find this part. Again, I had it by Weds. Great to be able to get this hard-to-find part, quickly and affordably.

Then, for my birthday wife gets us the T3 center caps for Frankie's CLKs. Again, ordered on Sunday, have by Weds.

In the past, GoWesty and BusDepot have also both been a pleasure to deal with.

Having great vendor support is why relative beginners like me can work on our vans and buy the kit we want for fun and adventure.

I know these folks all make money, but running a niche business ain't easy.

So,thanks to the above and all the other specialty vendors I'm sure I'll give money to in the future!
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[dhaavers]

Nice!

Great fodder for the feedback thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=14

Post it up!

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[IdahoDoug]

Well said and we need to constantly remind those folls how much they contribute to our vans. I own other makes and it can take all the fun out of owning when you cant make it reliable to go on a trip. Bravo!
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[Steve M.]

I think we're very lucky to have the best vendors in the automotive business!
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[0to60in6min]

all the vendors are all very good.. excellent...

without them we we are in BIG trouble...

[9.5isCanadian]

I’d like to add my two bits as well.
Local to me is Concept1 (Calgary Alberta) and Partly Dave’s (Vernon BC) and both have been exceptional.
I’ve had three orders shipped to me from Bus Depot, super fast and easy to deal with.



9 1/2
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9 1/2 - missing a few pieces.

1987 Getaway Hightop
1980 Sunroof Vanagon
2018 BMW R Nine T
2012 Golf tdi

[Howesight]

I like this thread.

Too often, a negative experience ends up needlessly smearing an otherwise good vendor. I have had excellent service from all the major vendors, GoWesty, VanCafe, Vanagain, Bus Depot, T-3Technique, Rocky Mountain Westy and SmallCar. It's not easy to please everyone with everything, but my service experiences with these vendors have been excellent.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[RichBenn]

[Syncro Jael]

Yes, my hat is off to all of our wonderful vendors. What is nice is they have the same passion as we do to keep our rigs out on the roads and trails!

Many, many, thanks to all of you!
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[WestyWanter]

They've all been great to me to! I accidentally bought this fan switch resistor thing from GW and normally they won't take back electrical parts but this time they hooked me up!

Also T3 has been great emailed them some photos of the wheels I bought with a few details and links were sent back of exactly what I needed, granted they were a bit expensive but oh well the van looks kick a$$ now

[kourt]

One of the things that keeps me interested in Vanagons is the unique aftermarket vendors supporting the vehicle. We have some great companies offering great solutions.

I thought my classic Volvo 240 was well supported in the aftermarket--then I became a Vanagon owner and discovered the next level.

kourt

[greebly]

T3 Technique. I appreciate Christopher's participation in the Forum and he does not push his product. His demeanor and product sell themselves. He is quick to respond to inquiries.

[Butcher]

Lets not forget about FedEx, UPS, and the USPS, they often times are the reason you can get parts in a couple days.

Heck, some of the international shipping companies are just as amazing. I can order a part from England and have it here in less than 7 days, not business days either.

[termuehlen]

I ordered a part by phone from GoWesty on Friday at 3:45pm, as I was traveling and it was just easier to call. They asked me if I needed the part quickly and I told them that I did. They said they would mail it as soon as possible. It went out that day via UPS ground and I received it in Northern California the next day, Saturday. I had come to rely on my proximity to Van Cafe for fast delivery, because they were close to my home. It looks like I have another option now. Thanks GoWesty!
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[Gizmoman]

Here's Kudos to Bill at Arizona Transaxle. He rebuilt my 5 speed AAP many months ago and it is spinning along just dandy even with my oversize tires and 20 lbs of boost.
Thanks Bill!
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82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale).

[llilibel03]

Besides the big vendors I have to say that Jack Bombay makes a great product (pop top lift assist) and, mmmm, Terry Kay, front heater core shut off valve. Both have made my vanagon more use friendly. Both products were reasonably priced and arrived promptly.

Nexto n my list is thatvwbusguy's headlight relays.
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87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[elizer]

Ive been apart of
rx7club
s2ki
nasioc
novajeepers

And overall for a forum and vehicle group that has so little vendors I have been so impressed. While I can say that the other cars I have had, had great vendor support, the Vanagon community is super lucky.

I have bought from busdepot, gowesty, vancafe, t3, tencent, and vanagonlife and I have had nothing but an exceptional experience.

Any and every issue I ever hand was handled expeditiously. Thumbs up to all of them.

[WiboBusMan]

I thought I'd wake this thread up from its slumber.

Here's a shout out to Frank Condelli (just a client, no affiliation) , who provided quick replies to email, almost instantaneous shipping of my order, and an unexpected refund of the estimated shipping to actual shipping cost.

It's good to remind ourselves that there still are decent, honest people out there.

W
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Science has sacrificed Truth on the altar of its narrative.