Robert, Nowhere in my post did I ask for a free light.  I know this is your
business so I understand your pricing strategy.  If answering emails is
incorporated in your cost, as you previously stated, I guess I would
definitely have to go to Ken as he has spent alot of time helping other list
members, myself included.  And I guess, I should tithe each week to the
other list members who also post advice. ;-(  My original post was intended
to be an inquiry to help with my maintenance project. Good luck with moving
your stuff.
BTW-No sad stories here.  Feeling good and living good.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'
73 Beetle

On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 1:14 PM, Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@yahoo.com> wrote:

>   Hi Mike, The difference between you, and those who responded (Ken and
> myself), is that we sell for a living. We don't give away our paycheck. If
> you want a free light , just ask. Someone out there my very well be willing
> enough to give you one, with free shipping even.
> Since I am a full time vendor, I naturally respond with a price.
> Business is slow and this is my only income, as is Ken's, so we aren't
> inlcined to give parts away as you might be.
> A hardship story (the babies don't have any milk and have nightmares in the
> dark) might help get a free light).
> Thanks
> Robert
> 1982 Westfalia
>
> --- On *Tue, 12/1/09, Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@gmail.com>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Parts Needed Dome Lights
> To: "Robert Keezer" <warmerwagen@yahoo.com>
> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 10:40 AM
>
>
> OK... I am including the previous conversations for clarity.  I'm just
> asking about the light covers cuz my DS side is popping out due to crack.
> Glove box keeps shorting the #3 fuse even after liquid elec tape applied.  I
> AM NOT IN A HURRY for this and had a minute to surf. Not knocking anybody's
> stuff or prices.  Please be clear.  I AM cheap, and I GIVE stuff away all
> the time. Will get it where I get it WHEN I get it.  And I hope the 30 bucks
> makes a difference in the scheme of things. Thanks for posting my options,
> tho.
> Michael in San Antonio
> 91GL AT 'Gringo'
> 73 Beetle
>
>
> On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 12:26 PM, Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@yahoo.com<http://us.mc335.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=warmerwagen@yahoo.com>
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> Not trying to beat a burnt-out bulb, but here's Vanagain's offering for
>> the glove box light , and my current sale on Ebay :
>>
>> Vanagain: "The glove box one I have in stock as well but it is VW only and
>> much
>> more expensive.  $68 new or $30 for a good used one."
>>
>> warmerwagen:
>>
>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230374103263&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT
>>
>> It would'nt be profitable for Ken to lower his pices, due to his low
>> volume.
>>
>> But on Ebay, traffic is much higher . 25% of my sales are worldwide .
>>
>> Mr Sullivan emailed me that my glove box light was expensive (at $11.40 ,
>> 3.00 S&H).
>>
>> Vanagain's is $30.00 plus 3.00 handling and 7-8 dollars shipping .
>>
>> At what price does it get affordable? Maybe cheaper for Mr Sullivan to
>> drive to a wrecking yard and buy his own dome light. May it will be cheaper
>> for him in time, gas, and purchase price.
>>
>> BTW, my profit on the used Vanagon dome light I sell for $12.75 is 7
>> cents.
>> The time I spent sending this email no doubt ate this profit up.
>> Vendors like Vanagain and I are providing a door -to -door parts service.
>> The price charged is what you pay for service. And of course, we combine
>> shipping.
>>
>> I might just have my 2 cents worth left.
>>
>> Robert
>> 1982 Westfalia
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --- On Mon, 11/30/09, David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net<http://us.mc335.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dbeierl@attglobal.net>>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> From: David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net<http://us.mc335.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dbeierl@attglobal.net>
>> >
>> Subject: Re: Parts Needed Dome Lights
>> To: "Robert Keezer" <warmerwagen@yahoo.com<http://us.mc335.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=warmerwagen@yahoo.com>
>> >
>> Date: Monday, November 30, 2009, 5:28 PM
>>
>>
>> At 08:14 PM 11/30/2009, Robert Keezer wrote:
>> >
>> >Hi David,
>> >
>> >I finally found the lights on the Vanagain site. Here's the cost
>> breakdown:
>> >
>> >Cost for item BAT947105 - $9.00
>>
>> Wow!  Either that's a mistake or he's raised the prices a lot.  Back
>> in say June-July I paid $7 or so for two of them -- new, not
>> used.  Maybe he was giving me a break, 'cause I was getting a bunch
>> of cooling stuff, but it didn't sound that way.
>>
>> >UPS Standard Ground-      $7.91
>> >Handling-                          $3.00
>> >Total Order-                       $19.91
>>
>> Yes, packing & postage as the Brits say make it expensive as a single
>> item, even if you take $5.50 off the price.  That cost was swamped in
>> my combined order.
>>
>> >
>> >This is for a new light.
>> >
>> >Here's a break down of my used light:
>> >
>> >  My cost : (including purchase, ebay and paypal fees, and travel
>> expenses.
>> >
>> >
>> >Purchase price:                               $1.63
>> >Ebay listing fee:                               $ 0.35 for 30 days
>> >Ebay Final Value Fee (FVF)              $1.88
>> >Paypal fee on $14.48 =                     $0.93
>> >Time , gas , wrecking yard fee           $1.10
>> >
>> >My cost total:                                     $5.89
>> >My Ebay net:                                     $5.96
>>
>> Sux, don't it?  I kept trying to tell Sylvan that she was making
>> about fifty cents an hour or less selling/shipping odd items on ebay,
>> but it didn't sink in.
>>
>> >
>> >My profit: $0.7 .
>>
>> [$0.07]  When I was a kid that would get you a six-ounce Coke plus
>> the two-cent bottle deposit.
>>
>> >This doesn't factor in other costs such as internet or electricity.
>> >This is the first time I have done this-I'm surprised. Clearly I
>> >need to raise the price .
>> >
>> >My shipping cost to most places is about $1.75 USPS First Class mail.
>> >That's 2-3 days delivery.
>> >Cheapest shipping Vanagain has is UPS ground -5 days -$7.91
>>
>> I live nearby so it's generally overnight to me but I take your point.
>>
>> >Look at my Ebay store , you;ll see I am affordable. A used Vanagon
>> >fuel pump is 45.00. , a 1.9 engine computer $125.00.  When you
>> >factor my cost and fees on the computer , for example, I'm lucky to
>> >get 30 -50 bucks. for my time and cost.
>>
>> It's good to know; I'll definitely keep you in mind.
>>
>> Yours,
>> David
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>