VPW

I have always had excellent service from VPW. I called Vintage Power Wagons on Thursday. I have a list of small items I wanted prices for so that I can plan my money to be able to buy them in the near future. I have done this before with them and never had a problem. I got some guy on the phone that I have never dealt with before. He told me I needed part numbers, because he could not give me prices without them. He was referring to the '1167' prefix number I think. I told him I had no access to those numbers. He gave me one of those 'why are you bothering me' sighs and asked for a description of each part. I gave him a description of the windshield stand cover/bumper/cloth protector, the thing that I call the windshield bumper. He took more than 5 minutes to tell me that they were out, didn't know when they would have more and that they were at least $12.00 for each little 6 inch strip of canvas. I told him I would maybe call back some other time and hung up.

I am not trying to pick on VPW. As I said, I have always had good service and relations with them. I gave them an easy one first. Jon has posted several times about how they have a roll of the stuff I was looking for and that they just cut off what length you need. Obviously, they have some new employees.

Is this a fluke, or have other people had this kind of experience with them?

or

Am I being unreasonable in expecting a business that deals with 30+ year old equipment exclusively to know these vehicles inside and out?

Thanks.

had the exact same thing happen several times. i was told i needed to buy a parts book. i asked how much and he said they were out??? WTF?
i called back a few weeks later and asked if they had parts books yet and they said they never had them and i didnt need one? WTF?

I ordered a tie rod end from them on wednesday and when i recieved it i learned that the previous ownner had switched them left to right so the one of the left side that needed to be replaced was actually a right side one so i order a second on friday. no one asked for part numbers but when i ordered friday the guy said it wouldnt be shipped until mid week next week because there were 2 to 3 orders ahead of me to be shipped out. So my only complaint about them is that it takes 5 days to put a tie rod end in a box and put an address on it if they have more than one order at a time. I almost blew up at the guy because i need that part as soon as possible because its the one thing that is holding me up from driving my truck with its brand new 350 that was just put in and that i havent been able to drive with it yet.

They keep on screwing up my shipping address with my billing address. That es me off, because then I have to make a special trip to pick up parts... They have done this twice.

The owner of VPW did some time for defrauding the governement...Some deal about DRMO...I don't know the whole story but I don know he spent some time in the joint over it....So decide what you will.

I have a book with part #s ordinance and oem. I will be glad to look up anything for you if they are gonna be wankers.

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Originally Posted by DaveA.

I have a book with part #s ordinance and oem. I will be glad to look up anything for you if they are gonna be wankers.

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Dave - any way to scan that book and get it out electronically? I would be willing to do that, if someone would loan me the book.

rich

I always try to talk to Steve, he's a real help. Some of the "new" guys I've dealt with recently are no prize. Shipping sucks as it takes 7-10 days to get something, although one time they did get it out the same day since I specifically asked them to get it out that day.

If I need something in a hurry, I pay the premium and go with Memphis equipment.

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Originally Posted by k8icu

decide what you will.

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I already have. I had a little-bitty gripe about this company when the first got into the M715 game and decided to put my business elsewhere. After seeing that my experience was not a fluke, I stand by that early decision.

Thanks for the posts, guys.

I'll be hanged! Tom, it NOT just you! We all get a hosing now and again (you are still the uncontested king, of course).

I have nothing to say about VPW since I never dealt with them, but after requesting a catalog several times, I keep buying from AB Linn.

I can do 7-10 days waiting for shipping standing on my head! Go 12 weeks and you'll be giggling at you like I am now. I did order some seals from M.E. a week ago...had them the second day. $9 shipping for 60 miles...at least I've GOT them.

Haven't had dealings with VPW, mainly because their prices have been considerably higher than M.E. or
AB Linn(who I prefer!), and I did call VPW twice about the parts for the straight through conversion and got two differant employees(?) that didn't know what I was talking about?

AB linn is (how does b say it?) the shizzle.... My first call always goes there.

If only he would use punctuation marks... :)

Well I have purchased near every part on the 715 individually from VPW. While expensive I must say the customer service has been stellar!! In fact I just received a FREE spare top bow from them because one of the ones they sent me was badly warped (left to right, not up and down smart guys). In another case they drove 20+ miles into town to a FedEx drop-off to ship me a large part with my personal FedEx account, saving me MUCHO $$$$ in shipping costs!!!

I got my fuel hose from ABLinn, they gave me excellent, fast service and cheap. I cant say anything bad about VPW either as service has been great and fast.

Still waiting for my parts catalogue from VPW, I ordered it months ago online, and then again by telephone, still no catalogue. I have had very good luck with Memphis Equipment. Does anyone have a website or telephone # for Ab Lin?, I have never tried them. Thanks Fisherman

ablinn@salisbury.net is their email address they dont have a website. but they are on ebay selling alot of items.
AB Linn Inc
7022 Jones Rd
Salisbury, NC 28147
704 637 9076

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Originally Posted by fisherman

Still waiting for my parts catalogue from VPW, I ordered it months ago online, and then again by telephone, still no catalogue. I have had very good luck with Memphis Equipment. Does anyone have a website or telephone # for Ab Lin?, I have never tried them. Thanks Fisherman

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VPW does not have a part catalog for 715s yet. When you request one you go on the waiting list.