have you all seen this from VPW

[gwalker]

http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/popup/tons.html

[m-37Bruce]

Awesome ain't it! A little pricey, but loads of goodies!

[peter e mark]

Experienced too much BS from those boys, Would rather buy from JB

[knattrass]

Peter - I prefer to support guys like MW and MSeries - guys that consistantly support the forum. Period. I only shop on their referrals if they don't have it.

[Nickathome]

Yeah, notice the smiling faced boy in the photo.... This is probably from that deal they worked from overseas......Didn't they go to Thailand or some such god forsaken hell hole to bring home some M601's a while back? Wonder if the parts are Chinese knockoffs?

The first order I ever placed with them, they sent me the wrong part. Next time they backordered a part they first told me they had in stock. I finally got the part but too little too late. 100 tons of parts or not, VPW is a last resort outfit as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather my money go to Sid or John Bizal, or one of the other fellas here first.

[knattrass]

A 1000 apologies for forgeting Sid Beck!!! I ordered data plates from VPW in January and only received half - you just reminded me to send them another note.

[peter e mark]

Is that so Knattrass ! Is that so nickathome? And here , as all of you are such gentlemen, I thought I would be descreet about my rip ,off experience with VPW; guess there's no pont in that now. sTILL; DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE BAD MOUTHING VENDORS. Truth is they sold me a "complete" rare canvas arctic set kit for my WC52, and sent the order incomplete. Tod me , after I paid, that the parts missing were being special made and in fact were on back order. months and many calls later I was told they were not included in the deal after all. And that I "mis heard " them . It's true, Sometimes I am pretty stupid but I remember distinctly being told it was a complete kit, I run my rigs continuously and buy based on using whatever i am buying As for the top canvas that was shrunk to the point of non use. they told me this was an original set up and canvas shrinkls, ( I admit I should have known that , right? ) But I spent many thousands there on my vehicle. I spoke to Steve many, many times about how much I run the vehicle. Thay knew I was buying the kit to use it. But sold it to me unusable anyway. They suggested i soak the top in hot water and stretch it onto the fasteners. (?) But I wan;t this for the winer and snow, not the summer. I was so dissapointed abouit this, and never bought from them again.

[Nickathome]

Is that so Knattrass ! Is that so nickathome? And here , as all of you are such gentlemen, I thought I would be descreet about my rip ,off experience with VPW; guess there's no pont in that now. sTILL; DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE BAD MOUTHING VENDORS. Truth is they sold me a "complete" rare canvas arctic set kit for my WC52, and sent the order incomplete. Tod me , after I paid, that the parts missing were being special made and in fact were on back order. months and many calls later I was told they were not included in the deal after all. And that I "mis heard " them . It's true, Sometimes I am pretty stupid but I remember distinctly being told it was a complete kit, I run my rigs continuously and buy based on using whatever i am buying As for the top canvas that was shrunk to the point of non use. they told me this was an original set up and canvas shrinkls, ( I admit I should have known that , right? ) But I spent many thousands there on my vehicle. I spoke to Steve many, many times about how much I run the vehicle. Thay knew I was buying the kit to use it. But sold it to me unusable anyway. They suggested i soak the top in hot water and stretch it onto the fasteners. (?) But I wan;t this for the winer and snow, not the summer. I was so dissapointed abouit this, and never bought from them again.

Well, I wouldn't call it bad mouthing, however I am not one to mince my words. Whenever I deal with a new to me outfit, first impressions are lasting. In my case with VPW, my first and second experiences were not to my liking. Now I did get good service the third time around when I needed the press fit dipstick holder, however I shopped around first, and it so happened that VPw was the only place that had what I wanted. I did go to my usual haunts first though. Maybe what I said about the parts being Chinese knockoffs was a little harsh but unless they can prove to me that the parts did not come from overseas and /or are merely being "re-imported" I guess then I am free to wonder.....

[Cal_Gary]

I've never had any problems with VPW or any of the other vendors but I will say that VPW's prices are higher in some cases. They were the first vendor I became aware of when I got my M37 and they were wonderful in explaining the ins and outs of M37 ownership, and things to watch out for when reconstructing one.
Gary

[Lifer]

I live about 100 miles east of VPW. They've been in business at the same location for as long as I can remember. I've never done business with them (yet), but they must be doing something right. No one stays in business as long as they have by treating their customers poorly. My guess is that reports of poor service are probably the result of some sort of misunderstanding with errors on both sides of the counter. Gentlemen usually iron out such "wrinkles" in an amicable manner and seal the matter with a handshake.

[Nickathome]

I live about 100 miles east of VPW. They've been in business at the same location for as long as I can remember. I've never done business with them (yet), but they must be doing something right. No one stays in business as long as they have by treating their customers poorly. My guess is that reports of poor service are probably the result of some sort of misunderstanding with errors on both sides of the counter. Gentlemen usually iron out such "wrinkles" in an amicable manner and seal the matter with a handshake.

Lifer;

I beg to differ with you sir. I knew exactly what I wanted and explained to the people at VPW exactly what I wanted, so I know in my case it was from "their side of the counter" that the mistakes were made. Sure they may have been in business a long time but that doesn't mean they are a great company! In their longevity, it could be a simple fact of them being a monopoly with the locals, in their case probably enough to keep them going. I do know from reading things on these sites over the years, there is a larger consensus than just a few of us who are/were dissatisfied with their service....

[MSeriesRebuild]

This is just another example of why so many of my post say be careful when considering a purchase of supposidly original or NOS merchandise. Just because it's original doesn't make it servicable at all. I can't understand why anyone would deliberately sell stuff they know is in a deteriorated state. I also know that some people will give big $$ for NOS items even if you tell them straight up the stuff is no good. Go figure, myself I want parts that will give good service over the long haul. When buying in large lots like VPW does, you get real good stuff & real bad stuff. It takes many hours of close inspection to determine what is & what isn't. You have to be a careful buyer, ask many questions & tell the seller up front what will happen if his goods are not what he claims. It's just good business.

[knattrass]

For our next short and non-controversial topic, I'd suggest "What will it take to fix the situation in Iraq?"

I already have the short answer..."my finger is on the button.."

[Lifer]

I like it!

[m-37Bruce]

I've never had any problems with VPW or any of the other vendors but I will say that VPW's prices are higher in some cases. They were the first vendor I became aware of when I got my M37 and they were wonderful in explaining the ins and outs of M37 ownership, and things to watch out for when reconstructing one.
Gary

I have hit the jackpot 3 or 4 times with VPW, granted, I paid top dollar each time, with one exception!
That being the small bracket (anchors the door arm check) that welds to either pilar, at 5 $'s each, THAT is a bargain!