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Subject:Re: Frugal Mechanic?
From:John Rodgers
Date:Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:47:32 -0600

That is what I am talking.

Even though price differences are sufficient to get ones attention, one
cannot place a price tag on "Exemplary Service" - service of such high
quality as to stand above the rest so as to serve as a model for others.
. For that reason I hang with my list vendors.
Always have. Always will.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Ken Wilford wrote:
> While you might occasionally find something cheaper on this site, on
> the average the prices are higher than what you would find shopping
> with me, or the other List Vendors.  I actually had a guy come to me
> not too long ago and wanted me to match prices on the other vendors on
> a big project.  So I made up an Excel spreadsheet that showed all of
> the prices across the board with the three and we actually came out
> the cheapest!  Yes there were a few parts here and there that were
> cheaper elsewhere but we are very competitive.  And when you buy from
> us you get support over the phone and via email.  When someone buys a
> head or engine gasket kit from me, they get a step by step how to
> guide on how to do the job correctly.  When they buy a fuel line kit
> or a Westy Canvas, or many other parts they get the same treatment.
> Try getting in touch with someone at "Parts Train" or "Parts Geek"
> that even knows what a Vanagon is!  Good luck on that one.  Would they
> go to the trouble of tracking down that obscure part for you that
> costs only a few dollars from a dealer shelf somewhere?  Would they
> fabricate replacement parts that are no longer available from any
> source?  That is what you are supporting when you are supporting the
> list Vendors.  Not only some guys that love Vanagons but also guys who
> are dedicated to keeping them alive and so we will search the world
> over for parts, or make them ourselves, just to keep your van on the
> road.  We are here for you, but that only continues as long as you are
> here for us.
>
> Thank you for supporting us at Van-Again.  It has been a great 10 years!
>
> Sincerely,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> John Rodgers wrote:
>> Ryan Alfonso wrote:
>>> http://frugalmechanic.com/cars/1989-volkswagen-vanagon
>>>
>>> Hmmm.  May pose a threat to our beloved suppliers.  "Buy local!"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Whoa!!! This is heavy! Some items are as much as $200 less on
>> Frugalmechanic.com  than on websites of our beloved suppliers.- and this
>> is for same brand, same condition stuff. Money talks, but money isn't
>> everything. With our "Beloved Suppliers" you get a lot of techie talk
>> and support. That alone is worth a bunch. Even before seeing this
>> FrugalMechanic website, I buy my stuff from a list vendor that typically
>> charges just a tiny bit more, but I get what I pay for - exemplary
>> service.That's worth a lot to me. But $200 difference on some critical
>> items? Sheesh - that's enough to make you sit up and take notice.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> John Rodgers
>> 88 GL Driver
>>
>
>