I have been trying to purchase at the Bus Depot for two weeks the bushings,
springs, ball joints, etc. necessary to renew the shifter mechanism on my 87
Vanagon.  I first looked up  online for the shifter renewal kit and  then
called the Bus Depot to make sure the kit listed contained all of the  necessary
parts to renew the shifter from the front of the van to the rear of  the van at
the transmission.  The clerk I spoke with assured me the kit  contained all
of the necessary parts.  I ordered the kit.  After the  kit arrived I
discovered that it contained only the parts necessary to renew the  bushings, etc. at
the rear of the van.  I called and expressed my  unhappiness and spoke to
another individual who took the information about  the parts I needed to service
the ball joint assembly at the base of the  shifter. We referenced the same page
in the Bentley manual and I told him I  needed all of the parts between
points A and B in the quantities shown in the  diagram.  When the second order
arrived it was missing two of the  parts necessary to make the repairs. I
understand the parts I needed were  not items the Bus Depot regularly carried in stock
and that extra effort  was required to get them from the dealer. If you have
this situation  occur, in which you need parts that the Bus Depot does not
regularly keep in  stock, please make sure that your are willing to accept the
difficulties this  may cause.   When you place such orders with the Bus Depot
be very careful that you make as clear as possible your requirements as far  as
specific quantities and parts.
  This afternoon,  I went to the local VW dealership and  ordered the parts
required for the repair which the Bus Depot did not  ship. In the span of five
minutes the ordering process was complete and I  was assured that the
necessary and specified parts would arrive by  next Tuesday.  Remember, retail is a
very difficult business and many  companies do little more than do what is
minimally required to make a  sale.  Those that are willing take responsibility for
poor service and make  the necessary changes in their protocol to assure that
such failures in service  are as infrequent as possible are rare.  Maybe I
will just have to keep  looking.

Rico Dagastino