Practically every single paint/ bodyman that I've done business with has been kinda flaky; something like sniffing a few too many fumes......

Mike B.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 6:10 PM
  Subject: Re: Front Bumper-Bent From The Factory?

  I'm wondering if has to do with the classic fight over using OE parts, or
  aftermarket new parts of lower quality.
  Some insurance companies won't pay for the better parts.
  Some body shops even put on the aftermarket cheaper parts and bill the
  insurance company for the better parts.

  And if they gave a rat's butt they could have asked you if you'd be
  satisfied with this bumper, before installing it, and give you the option of
  this one or taking your chances on another one that might be better.

  But you are not actually surprised in any way are you about this baloney
  from the body shop, are you  ?
  I certainly am not.
  I keep saying  ..........it almost is not possible to get really , really
  good body and paint work done, no matter what you pay even.
  I overstate it somewhat , yes.......but I regard it as a real shame that
  'the accepted standard' is most body and paint shops is 'whatever you can
  get away with."
  And naturally,  they would get good at stories the customers might accept.

  as for bum new parts...........nothing new there.  Like a 350 dollar brand
  new aftermarket porsche muffler that didn't fit by a country mile that I got
  about a year ago ........
  it happens, unfortunately.

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Mike Collum" <collum@MYFAIRPOINT.NET>
  To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
  Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 2:28 PM
  Subject: Re: Front Bumper-Bent From The Factory?

  > Matt Drew wrote:
  >> * Is the needle on anybody's BS meter buried?
  >
  > The needle on my meter is bouncing against the stops.  I never heard of
  > anything like that before.
  >
  > Mike