In a message dated 9/24/02 12:56:30 PM, vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM writes:

<< Your only chance of being sure to get a German one would be to buy one
over-the-counter where you could examine the part at time of purchase. >>

There is a direct way out of this morass without leaving it to the luck of
the draw: Merely tell the vendor that you want a replacement part which was
made in Germany and labeled consistent with the U.S. Code of Federal
Regulations.  Saying that makes it a condition of the sales agreement between
a willing seller and a willing buyer.  It works for me every time.

Also, if you receive an imported item with hinky or no country-of-origin
labeling, it is your duty as a citizen of our Great Nation to file a report
with the Customs office for your region.  Right now the U.S. Customs guys are
a little preoccupied with other pressing matters, but that too will pass and
soon they will be focusing again on the importation scofflaws.

George