Hi Eric,

Interesting topic and metric - My best shipping experience which completely
blew me away was from Bus Depot - not sure whether it was an one off or a
fluke but I ordered 2 items early in the week and received them two and a
half days later or so…The items were not small and had to clear customs as
I live in Canada on the west coast.

It was about a year ago and I posted about my experience.

Bruce

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:

> Just some personal observations.  YMMV.
>
> I made an order from Chris at T3 recently and a similar order from GW
>  the same day.
> The T3 order arrived today.  The GW order was charged today but not yet
> shipped. This is typical for GW for me.
>
> I wonder what other folks experiences have been. With regard to vender
> service?
>
> Here are my experiences with the venders I use the most.
> Listed from strongest on top and equal ones on the same line.
>
>
> Fastest shipping
> T3 , Uniwerks
> Vanagain
> Bus Lab , Vancafe , Bus Depot
> Go Westy
>
> Most affordable shipping
> T3 , Uniwerks
> Vanagain ,Bus Lab, Vancafe, Bus Depot
> Go Westy
>
> Not sure about other venders but curious about your experiences.
> My experience is based on least expensive shipping options.
>
> I’m, on the East coast so that helps the East coast venders get to me.
> This may be why Vanagain comes quick but Bus Depot usually takes about as
> long as some of the faster west coast venders. But, it has been awhile
> sense I made a Bus depot order.
>
> Also, Web site use is different for me being blind but here is my
> preference.
>
> Easiest to use sites
> Go Westy
> Bus Lab
> Van Cafe RM
> T3, Uniwerks
> Vanagain, Bus Depot
>
> For me web issues will be different than for the sighted users. software
> issues  may not be a problem for sighted users.
> For T3 and Uniwerks the check out was a bit harder, for me, but the sights
> worked well.
>
> I appreciate all our venders, but sometimes I select a vender by speed of
> delivery, and sometimes because I have someone I can talk to to help with
> the order.
> Otherwise it is item availability or price.
>
> Most likely to respond with helpful information
> Vanagain, Uniwerks, T3
> Bus Lab, Bus Depot, Go Westy
>
> I rely on fellow list members for links because when I ask for assistence
> I find getting help on the phone hard and the person usually doesn’t know
> the products.
> Vanagain is the big exception always helpful and will answer the phone.
> And T3 and Uniwerks also respond well by email
> Persistence has paid off with other venders but is more challenging.
>
> There are lots of other vender’s out there.  I try to use the VW bus folks
> when possible but have found needed items at
> Rock Auto
> Fits in the middle of most categories for price and shipping.
> I’ve seen some strong recommendations for other venders carrying our bus
> products and I try to remember to check them but again web issues sometimes
> slow me down.
> Amazon is helpful for general items and surprisingly often for some
> unusual items
> Example are some of the great tips from Dennis on things like fuel pumps
> and starters, not to mention some tires and wheels.
>
>
> Another category
> Vender that often has items know one else has that are of special
> usefulness
> Go Westy,
>  T3, Uniwerks, Vanagain, Bus Depot,
> Vancafe  Bus Lab
>
> Now, I’m going back under my bus,  ongoing trailing arm cleaning project.
> Obsessive Compulsive, who me?
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 GL Auto Westfalia
>