I am new to this list, and initiated the venomous prior messages.
For this I am sorry.

I took a moment of my time and made a phone call to Terry regarding the
pipes I had asked the list about.
No one here had any actual knowledge or experience with them.
I thought someone might have.  I made the call.
Not only did I find him very helpful, but he took his time to explain things
I had questions about regarding (the new to me) Vanagon I had beyond the
replacement pipes.

I found out much more that I had no idea about, and was informed in a
helpful way of a few problimatic area's of the van.
For this I am thankful as a "newbie" and am very happy I made this contact.
I would highy recommend any other new to Vanagon folks with any problems
take the time do the same.

I did order the pipes, and discovered from a few non-list Vanagon owner's
and several shops at the Samba who are / have used them, that they are top
quality, and fit very well and as the original pipes do.
This was the basis of my original question, and I apologize for asking it.

What I have found out here is there are two sides to every coin, and I
believe that an internet connection is not alwqays the best way to be
judging anyone.

I will be much more selective of any questions I ask here.

Thank You All For Your Help.

Ron

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Felder" <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: Terry K. is VIP Vanagon man

> If I were to come as a newbie to this list for help, and if I were
> unlucky enough to have one of Terry's usual berating replies as my
> first reply, I might have such a poor opinion of this list as to never
> come back. And that's contrary to what we're trying to do here. His
> "pseudo-certainty" has gotten me into it with him before, and I'll have
> to say he gets over it quite well. But someone with thinner skin or
> less list experience could get a totally wrong idea about this
> community. I'd hate to think his attitude would cause somebody to junk
> a repairable part or car because the didn't feel they were being helped
> here, and I realize that is stretching things a bit, but it's not to
> difficult to imagine that he could potentially hurt more vanagons than
> he helps repair.
>
> Just my 2.
>
> Jim
>
> On Feb 23, 2006, at 9:27 PM, Robert Fisher wrote:
>
> > If Terry is such a swell and wonderful guy it's too bad he's also such
> > a
> > malicious jerk that he and his shadows have to be repeatedly removed
> > from
> > the list. A particular habit he has to which I for one take exception
> > is
> > that he will 'correct' what somebody else said (or what he believed
> > they
> > said), doing so in the most self-superior and condescending manner
> > when in
> > fact it is he who is wrong. Actually he acts/posts that way all the
> > time,
> > but it's particularly irritating when he has his head inverted on top
> > of it.
> > Then, after somebody points out that he screwed up, he just lays low
> > and
> > waits for his next opportunity to play smarter-than-thou-you-idiot and
> > never
> > even has the nuts to speak up and admit he was wrong, never mind
> > apologizing
> > for it.
> > This is all aside from his blatant personal attacks, attacks against
> > the
> > products and practices of people or vendors that have products that
> > compete
> > with his, racist/sexist innuendos and his incessant smart-ass attitude
> > towards people that are merely asking for a little help.
> > If you like that kind of crap you can have him, you're welcome to him
> > and
> > keep him away from me. The dude's attitude and personality is
> > poisonous to
> > this list and we're better off without him.
> >
> > Robert
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Zoltan" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 6:30 PM
> > Subject: Re: Terry K. is VIP Vanagon man
> >
> >
> >> My long experience with him is the best I ever got in my life from any
> >> supplier.  Ever.
> >> The highest respect to him for his enthusiastic help, for his thorough
> >> knowledge, his friendly, down to earth way of dealing and giving the
> >> best
> >> quality that you can't find anywhere else.  One has to check out all
> >> his
> >> parts he is dealing with.  Tops.
> >> His communication is classic and one to cherish.  Often misunderstood.
> >> I support his service 100%.  In our little Vanagon world, he is a VIP.
> >> Zoltan
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Stephen Overmyer" <S.OVERMYER@UWS.EDU.AU>
> >> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >> Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 6:23 PM
> >> Subject: Re: Dealing with Terry K (was< no subject given>)
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I will also add my support of Terry's integrity.
> >>
> >> I have dealt with him from the other side of the planet and found him
> >> honest, reliable and helpful with regard to any queries I had prior to
> >> actually purchasing from him.
> >> He was prompt when responding to emails and kept me informed as to
> >> when
> >> he received my money via paypal and exactly when the goods were
> >> shipped.
> >>
> >> He was also keen for me to let him know when the order arrived in
> >> Australia and if I was happy with it.
> >>
> >> My experience was nothing less than excellent. I have never met him
> >> face
> >> to face and probably never will but would deal with him again
> >> anytime...
> >>
> >> FYI,
> >> Steve O
> >> NSW Australia
> >> '92 Transporter WBX Kombi
> >> '00 Transporter Double Cab
> >> '03 Transporter Double Cab (work truck)
> >> '78 Land Rover 109 Series 3 soft top ute (ex-Aust.Army)
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Date:    Tue, 21 Feb 2006 11:55:01 -0600
> >> From:    Al and Sue Brase <albeeee@MCHSI.COM>
> >> Subject: <No subject given>
> >>
> >>    I'd have to agree. I have corresponded with him off and on for
> >> several years. If I ever get over in his neighborhood and have the
> >> luxury of a little spare time, I'd like to meet him. (He's only about
> >> 5
> >> hours from me.)
> >>    Furthermore, TK is nearly the only vendor that has addressed the
> >> problem of replacement coolant tubes. I'm sure I will buy a set from
> >> him
> >> at some point.
> >> Al Brase
> >>
> >> John Bange wrote:
> >>
> >>>> I had  a some messages warning about dealing with this Terry.
> >>>> Have you had any bad dealings with him?
> >>>> From what a few have mentioned he almost sounds like the boogie man
> >>>> of Vanagons'.
> >>>> Is this true?
> >>>> I sure would like to know this prior to making any decisions.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> Well.....I haven't had any bad business dealings with him, just a few
> >>> obnoxious back-and-forth's on the list with one of his
> >>> [pseudonyms/sock
> >>
> >>> puppets]. Despite his abrasive manner and his tendency to trash-talk
> >>> other vendors' competing products,  his stuff (at least the stuff he
> >>> makes
> >>> himself) appears to be pretty good. The line of reasoning that led
> >>> him
> >>> to come up with that glue on air scoop transmission cooler is
> >>> bizarre*,
> >>
> >>> but I'm sure it's made of quality materials! I've never heard a
> >>> complaint about his stuff, so sure, go for it.
> >>>
> >>> * if you really want to keep the ATF below 85C, then disconnect the
> >>> cooling system heat exchanger and put on a dedicated ATF cooler, fer
> >> bog's sake.
> >>> Cooling the ATF below 85C with that scoop with the heat exchanger in
> >>> place will likewise cool the engine-- an engine designed to operate
> >>> at
> >>> 85C. If you want the engine and tranny to both operate cooler for
> >>> some
> >>> reason, then just get a lower temp thermostat and let the radiator do
> >>> the cooling instead of adding extra drag by slinging a scoop
> >> underneath.
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> John Bange
> >>> '90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
>