I'm really sorry that Go Westy did that to you Zoltan.  It hasn't changed my
opinion of you but it has definitely changed how I think of Go Westy.

I hope you are able to continue your campaign for safe fuel lines in the
Seattle area with a cheerful heart.

Happy New Year, Jake

On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 3:45 PM, Zoltan <thewestyman@gmail.com> wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Zolly" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 3:32 PM
> Subject: Re: A 2009 Heads Up
>
>
>  Well, it's Zoltan here for a change.
>>
>> I did read and printed out the GoWesty report, which I read with more
>> amusement than most of you.  The story teller is liberally trashing the
>> previous seller, me, while admitting later that everything was fine
>> really.
>> Listing items I installed, as if they did, like reconditioned
>> transmission,
>> expensive stereo, ceramic coated exhausts, etc.
>> And some not listed as new heads, new fuel lines with SS clamps, new fuel
>> level sensor (expensive), cables, etc.
>> The funniest of them all was the assumption that I cut out the Syncro
>> labels
>> myself when they sold me the set, as if they did not know it.
>> No seam rust at all.  Period.  Many pictures were provided to the buyer
>> way
>> before the purchase, about the process of the cleaning behind the kitchen
>> unit, behind the rear window washer and the outsides of those places with
>> POR 15 and anywhere where applicable.  That car took me over six months to
>> finish, lots of new parts from GoWesty was installed.  I sold it in a
>> condition that is as close to new as possible.  And GoWesty sold it in the
>> same condition, only added a lot of merchandise that helped the invoice to
>> go up to $70k.  The bid difference there was the time spent to make money.
>> It seems, the honest guys who work real hard and do the dirty work taking
>> forever, get paid the least.  While those who take the fruits sell it with
>> some nice package and beautifully printed invoice in air conditioned
>> offices
>> for a great price in a few more days of attention added only.
>>
>> Business is business.  We, the humble ones, work for it with pride,
>> accepting reasonable rewards.  Others do it in different style for
>> different
>> amount.
>>
>> But the sadest of the story is the fleecing of poor Doug and his wife.
>> Not
>> only they lost about $10k in a hurry, but they probably paid $50k for the
>> next one a week later from the big guys.
>>
>> This was a nice van I got from an artist couple who moved to Boston from
>> Colorado, where the car spent most of its life, not East Coast.  Had only
>> 60k miles plus on it.  Very well maintained all its life.  Pampered.  The
>> lady made sure she is not home when its gone, because she could not take
>> it
>> seeing it go.  Wrote a very emotional letter to the new owner.  They were
>> the first owners.
>> It drove immaculately all the way from Boston to Seattle with great power
>> and gusto.  Did not feel like it had that extra few hundres pounds of
>> Syncro
>> stuff on it.  I did take the engine out, cleaned everything, painted them
>> all, change the gaskets also to make sure, the guarantee I'll give will
>> last
>> for a long time.
>> Engine painted with silver POR 15, and the parts on the engine black or
>> silver as needed.  It is something I recommend to aleviate the aluminum
>> chalking and oxide, making the surface slick and easy to wash, having it
>> look new for a long time.  It is an absolute beauty when its done.  It
>> takes
>> a long time for all the small parts individually painted and having it
>> dried
>> on hooks, but its a job well deserving to a great vehicle as these are.
>> I had in stock a nice ceramic coated Syncro headers and put them on with
>> the
>> new muffler and tail pipe from GoWesty.
>> Note that the story teller did not say that they had to work on the engine
>> at all, other than "service" putting new oil in there and stufff.  Even
>> the
>> A/C was changed to the new gas and works great.
>>
>> I was waiting for this van to reappear from GoWesty.  I knew, that Doug
>> sold
>> it to them soon after he bought it from me, and knew that they will make a
>> ton of money on it.  Only I did not expect any trashing for all that
>> exceptional great work I have done on it.  It was a masterpiece.  Maybe
>> the
>> fact, that it was way above their possible level of quality, prompted the
>> Story Teller to lower my flag.  But, I guess, that is part of the way the
>> money is made there.  Show business.  Let them enjoy making money.  Make
>> no
>> mistake, they will stand behind their sales.  They can afford it and there
>> is always more stuff to sell.
>>
>> Yes, I agree, it was not necessary to bring up Zoltan's name, especially
>> because he was the one who made that van new again.  GoWesy only hung a
>> few
>> gadgets on it and sold their own propriatery engine or other things that
>> no
>> dealer would touch, I think.
>>
>> Long story, lots of money made on one guy.  Even Zoltan took a loss by
>> working his butt off on it and not making $2 per hour on the long run.  No
>> more of those until I'll be GoWesty myself, which is not likely since it
>> is
>> only a hobby to keep the Vanagon Westfalias, my second love, alive.
>> But suggesting that anyone is inclined to cut out the Syncro logos
>> himself,
>> probably will be one of the best jokes for a long time.  Especially when I
>> bought new ones from him.
>>
>> I sleep very well when I finish a job.  Most of them are sold before they
>> are finished.  Sadly, only a couple is done a year.  And my
>> perfectionalist
>> nature makes it longer every time.
>>
>> I wish a very happe New Year to all on this list in good spirit and
>> health.
>>
>> Zoltan Kuthy
>> 425 773 4646
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Allan Streib" <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 11:42 AM
>> Subject: Re: A 2009 Heads Up
>>
>>
>>  On Thu, 1 Jan 2009 12:30:38 -0500, "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET> said:
>>>
>>>  "Long story not so long, by the time "the buyer" and "The Seller" get
>>>> through the paperwork, it had gotten pretty dark so "the Buyer" could
>>>> not
>>>> really get a good look."
>>>>
>>>> Well, I don't know about you, but I always check out the vehicle before
>>>> proceeding to do paperwork!
>>>>
>>>
>>> More fishy than that, is that for any vehicle I've ever sold privately,
>>> the "paperwork" between the buyer and seller takes about 10 seconds.
>>> The buyer gives cash to the seller, the seller signs the title and gives
>>> it to the buyer.  Does not take any "time" at all really.
>>>
>>> Allan
>>> --
>>> 1983 300D
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG.
>>> Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.2/1871 - Release Date: 1/1/2009
>>> 5:01 PM
>>>
>>>
>>>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27