Likewise I've bought on a few occasions from Scott. There is normally always a bit of banter especially over specific RHD parts which sometimes only he seems to have available and if I think the price is fair and its in my budget then I'll buy it, if not I look elsewhere. Its just basic supply and demand - but its still my choice. What I will say is that when I have contacted him direct he has discounted the price of the part for me being a member of the EB forum against the BIN price on EBay.
But buying seems to be fraught whatever the source. I've been well shafted on a front beam that I first saw advertised on ebay from a well established VW parts seller who runs it as a business not a hobby. But listening to his story it seems he was caught out by the 'friend' he originally bought it from. When I first contacted him in November his customer service was great, full of apologies and as well as agreeing to accept the beam back he offered me another part I was looking for 'free' as a gesture of goodwill ... but it was all empty promises, the gesture of goodwill never materialized, and one response to my txt brings an answer of he to has better things to do with his time too than sort this out! This week we've got a bit further but I'm still trying to get this finally sorted and my money back. And because I bought from him direct I've got no come back from ebay .... another expensive lesson learnt.
Once in a while I get it wrong and I hold my hand up. I've been buying an item from a member on here and because of all sorts of different reasons and me not getting the communication spot on it has dragged on a bit. Looking at this from the outside someone else may have said 'its not worth the hassle' but he's been really patient and hopefully we have it sorted. Most things can be sorted with better/clearer communication
I prefer buying and selling via a forum as I like to think that the common bond of VW's owners means honesty and fair prices. But even this isn't always easy. I've been trying to buy a 6 rib gearbox from someone on another bay forum, thought it was all agreed but trying to get an answer about picking it up is driving me crazy and I'm probably going to walk away now. Doesn't matter whether it's PM, txt, email or any combination there is no communication. I'm not talking about expecting an answer in a few hours or even days but weeks have gone by and still nothing - even with reminders.
And as for the so called 'main specialist VW parts companies' all I really want is fair prices, consistency in service each and every time I place an order, and if it says german quality and it is a premium price then that's all I'm looking for not sub standard parts at a vastly inflated price. And here's a good tip - if you happen to bump into or talk to
Rocket Ron don't get him on the subject of front window felts and window winder mechanisms, its probably cost one of these major suppliers a lot of potential repeat business.
And can anyone tell me how one supplier can sell a pair of twinport head shrouds tinware items for under £26 including VAT and another wants a few pennies under £40 just for one? And no, its not NOS :roll: It just make you question the entire pricing policy
I've always thought that my patience and trust of people was a good trait to have but at the moment I'm questioning myself as to if that's true any more or if it is just taken as being gullible.
But once in a while something happens that restores your faith and the world seems OK for a short while. Take
Clyde sourcing and offering a part that it turned out quite a few of us wanted. The whole thing was sorted from the first posting on the forum to posting out the item in a couple of days - absolutely terrific
I know its tough out there in the big wide business world - probably 90% are having to cope with this, but I hope I continue to see the positive and not get totally turned off by money grabbing merchants no matter how or where they trade from.
You get wiser (you have to) in this world of vw buses very quickly but there is so much to learn, but as my new project continues on at a pace I will remind myself why I want my bus to suit what I want to use it for and not a show piece because it won't be to everyone's taste (it will be stock height and have a standard width beam for one thing :lol: ) and how it is going to be fun and practical to use.
I will probably still need to call Scott from time to time, I know that Machine 7 is likely to be the first place I look for new parts, specialists like Futbus will always get a look in, the Parts for Sale/Wanted on EB will always be looked at at least once a day and I will do my best to tell as many people about the good guys like
Graham L,
Faux Clem & Wally and
Rocker Ron (to name just a few) and not just moan about the bad guys. That way hopefully the cream will rise to the top - we may have to wait longer for their services but it will be worth the wait and maybe, just maybe some of the bad guys with their appalling customer service, 3rd rate products will disappear for good ... just maybe
Now where's my day pass to cloud cuckoo land .... hope I've mislaid it somewhere
