In a message dated 16/01/2007 9:49:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Any  mechanics out there care to comment?

Those comments would fill the archives to overflow  just from my experiences.
 NO comments coming from me.  I do not want  to become a novelist !

    Errr- OK, just one that stick out in my  minds.  Woman with '85 Westy
with Subaru engine wants me to fix her broken  exhaust which was hacked together
by the original installer.  I build a new  header pipe and new muffler
supports and all is peachy.  The bill is big,  she writes a check and as she's
pulling out of the laneway she starts  complaining her radio does not work.  I spend
half hour in the pouring rain  at 8 pm trying to see why all the while
explaining I worked on the exhaust in  the BACK and never touched the radio in the
FRONT.  I cannot get it back in  the shop, it's blocked with immobilized van,
my accountant is here helping with  my income tax report, she finally leaves
pissed about the radio, goes home and  cancels the check.  I'm left to fight
with her for payment.  I finally  get about 3/4 of the bill paid over the next
six months.  I could take her  to small claims court and win but that would cost
me another year of  trouble.  I write it off to "experience" !!   You want
more, I  have 'em !!

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains (_Collection
for  sale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon  Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007