List:
        I dealt with Mark recently and the transaction was quite
pleasant.  Item as described, good e-mail responses, quick shipping, etc.

Mark:
        You might do better doing business with Vanagon List members if
you:
1)  Contributed in a non-commercial way once in a while, and
2)  Did not introduce your own ebay item auction by saying, in effect,
"look what I found for sale on ebay".

        Just my opinion, take it or leave it.  And thanks again for the
cool VW coveralls and the great service.

Alan.

On Fri, 21 Jan 2000, Mark Upton wrote:

> Before I get anymore YOU Theif e mail.Let me just sey a few words.Ken is a very
> Vanagon smart guy,I have a lot of respect for him.I was told by my FLAPS these
> oil filters(MANN W719/5) were for Vanagon,ok?The dealerships sell these sell
> these for $6.00+.Yes I'm a small business and want to compete with Ken and Bus
> Depot.But let me make one thing perfectly clear I'm not trying to Sucker
> anyone.Mark Upton
>
> Frank Grunthaner wrote:
>
> > Had to comment here.
> >
> > The sucker coefficient on eBay is astounding. I found that people often pay
> > retail or higher (!) for used or opened hardware (from computer stuff through
> > test equipment, video and auto/stereo hardware on to vanagon related items).
> > They pay amusing shipping and handling charges (amusing if you are not the
> > one paying) compared to what a legitimate business charges. They often must
> > prepay by money order, so there is no fraud recourse. Finally, I found many
> > businesses placing auction items with an ad for their web page. If you follow
> > the link you will find the item for sale on their page for less than the
> > auction reserve amount.
> >
> > This appears to be a great scam zone, or a very profitable point for a low
> > volume small business. So Ken, I would suggest it could be an easy source of
> > cash from the ignorant.
> >
> > I should also say that I have found a few things such as Vanagon Camper model
> > kits for which I only paid a factor of 2 over the original retail.
> > Unavailable otherwise.
> >
> > Frank Grunthaner
>