That is just laziness on their part and inexcusable, I'd bet that neither the General Manager nor Dealer Principle knows this is happening.  If any of my staff were reported to act similarly they would be spoken to and either change their ways or find work elsewhere.  Our local VW dealership has a Vanagon that it used for parts delivery until recently.  They do know about Vanagons and are always willing to check availability for me.

Mark in AK
Assistant Parts Manager
Continental Honda
Continental Acura

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Date: Monday, September 10, 2007 6:37 am
Subject: Re: Disassembling Westy interior for Seam Rust battle?
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> <FWIW, I recently had to buy new clips for my 88 GL's rear hatch
> panel cover and the dealership was cheaper than gowesty by .30 a
> piece. And they ordered the quantity I needed and had them for me
> within a day. I was shocked. Thought I'd let y'all know>
>
> Yeah, but it's rare to find anything bus/Vanagon still at the
> dealer-even more frustrating it's even rarer that the parts
> counter guy will even attempt to look it up. Usually as soon as
> you say "bus" or "Vanagon" they say "no, can't get it". Last
> Vanagon item I got from the dealer was the backing plates for the
> front brake pads, and they weren't even for a Vanagon, they were
> going on a '75 Westy, but it is the same part. I went to 3 dealers
> before I found one that was even willing to check if they were
> still available.   Jeff
>