Actually - the van is still up there and I have to go get it tomorrow or
Saturday.  When the part didn't come in on Monday as expected, I decided I
had to get back because I had really important work to do this week.

Luckily I had met some really nice people at the campground, one of which
had had two bugs before so he knew how to replace the clutch.  I figured
this was probably safer, and definitely cheaper than getting it towed to the
nearest shop (25-30 miles) who might not have a clue about VWs and would for
sure charge me a ton.  So we took it apart together and he showed me how to
do it myself for next time, we got the part we ordered, he went and got it
for me Tuesday morning after I managed to score a ride home Monday evening,
and he installed it and has it up there waiting for me.  Not the most
convenient of situations but it worked out about the same as a garage would
in terms of time, but much cheaper.  I'll probably give the guy 150$ or so
for all his trouble.

None of you all happen to be going from the bay area to Yosemite this
weekend, do you?

-eric

On 9/12/02 8:15 AM, "jbrush@aros.net" <jbrush@aros.net> wrote:

>> I'm wondering the same.  This seems a better service than AAA.  I didn't
>> use AAA this weekend because it only covered the first 5 miles of towing,
>> which would have just served to put me deeper in the woods, and being
>> only 23, the credit card isn't quite my tool of choice.
>
> Hi Eric,
>
> Sounds like you had a fun weekend :-) AAA should tow your vehicle to the
> shop that sent the truck, even if its 100 miles.  Did the tow truck come
> from further than 5 miles?
>
> Just asking, because to me, stuff like this is the same as hearing good or
> bad about vendors and sellers on the list. I think we all need to hear how
> these services are treating customers and what we can expect when we call
> for help. I think that AAA coverage is different in different parts of the
> country as well. Where are you at?
>
> So how did you extricate yourself from the woods? :-)
>
> John
>
>

--
Eric Spletzer
Webmaster
SeniorNet
121 2nd Street, 7th Floor
San Francisco, CA, 94105

"I'm convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% the way I react
to it." -- Charles Swindoll