How many people on here buy from George at Classic? I know I do because it's so convenient to go through his website and shop when it suits me but what suprises me is that so many other good suppliers of parts don't follow suit. I know Mickmotors has a website but it's so out of date, no prices and not convenient. Vintage also have a site but again they must be miissing out on a lot of customers. They have their ads in VWMA but surely it would pay them to take a similar approach to Classic. I know George wouldn't let on but I wonder how much percentage of his sales go via his website? I'm here sitting at work and would love to go browsing through different suppliers other than Classic or the only alternative is american sites and even then I'm not too good at converting US to Aussie dollars

Yep, good point. Ive always thought that too. Maybe they just dont feel they need to do it??
For conversion rates use http://www.xe.com 
Steve

am also surprised by the lack of detail on some websites...(and not just vdub ones) although i have to admit it doesn't stop me ringing them up to find out what i want, would just be more convenient to have them all as detailed as classic's website.

eg.... recently saw an ad for a carparts place in a magazine.. gave a small amount of detail on the stuff they sell then said for more info visit their website.... went to have a look.. whole website was one page with statement... "for more info ring ....." say wha???? after all that it just gave a phone number to ring?!?!?!?

Well websites do cost money and the setting up and constant updating also cost money
so its not free

but I also prefer to look at the US VW shops online
with info and prices and postage etc...

I have looked at Aussie ones hoping to find a similar site
the over seas sites also tell You where the part was made
so You don't think its German at a Brazillian price..
thats the most important part.... IMHO..

Most large sites in the US can change the US$ to Aus $

Lee

Yes, I know it costs money and obviously it's not cheap but you can shop out of hours and from anywhere so it must be cost effective. How many good shops are out there and ones that you'd like to shop at that are missing out on sales because they don't have a decent website. George even sells via egay so he's pretty clued up. Is he the only one in (VW)Oz who's doing it? I've worked in advertising in years gone past but whenever I bought a magazine the ads that I looked at were the ones where they listed stuff complete with prices, all the pretty 4 colour ads to me were meaningless-they paid my wages though You never know maybe a shop owner may read this.

Its definately the way of the future - ebay (or fleabay as i call it) has proven it. Shopping conveniently from ur loungeroom !
There is a catch 22 of course. With all on line purchases, there is always someone who abuses the system or makes a mistake,
then passes the blame or puts the vendor at fault. This can sometimes be more trouble than its worth.

As an avid on-line shopper I would love to see more VeeDub stuff available through the almighty 'click n pay' method and
see the goods arrive at my doorstep a week or so later.

I can understand the reluctance of vendors advertising their wares in such an open forum because it can create a highly competitive marketplace,
creating little or no profit margain - this is good for the buyer, but not the seller.

I did question the feasibility with one vendor and they simply said 'its more trouble than its worth' as there are people out there that will order
the wrong part or inadvertently purchase an item they don't need, causing all sorts of chaos when they want an exhange or a refund.

So what is better for the vendor ? use valuable time on the phone to help out the customer or let the customer make their own decision ?

Personally, if a company spends the $$ to utilise webspace, its best to make it work for you- and this should include prices, nice pics, a shopping cart,advertising
monthly specials and so on. it is a very powerful tool, if used correctly.

Daniel

i also buy from classic vee dub and the best part is hes cheaper than the brisbane parts suppliers most times and the parts arrive in the same timeframe as it would brisbane anyway so

Oh well, I'm sitting at work on Fathers' Day and just browsed through not only ClassicVeedubs site but also CIP and now have a list as long as my arm and I don't think the wife will be happy Some of the stuff I don't actually need as such but I've just got to have it!

Yes daniel,
on line is the cheapest way to go...

but Now when I want to buy a German part at the right price - I prefer to look it up on the web...
and then make the decision to buy it - and from whom...

I also buy many spares... which I don't normally do over the phone...
but looking at a good website like CIP1 -
where all the info You need is usually there...

You do need to know what You want though..
as the USA beetles from 1965-67 are very different to Aussie beetles in many respects - also don't buy a speedo cable for a LHD car.... lol

I don't like ordering spares from Aussie shops now as You can end up with anything- Brazillian - Mexican - Taiwanese
etc...
and a brand name would be good..
especially with fan belts etc...
as You get one brand this time and think thats great..
but next time its a different brand....

CIP1 has dizzy caps - Bosch - OE - plus other brands..
so You order what you want - nOT what the shop owner has bought...

cheers

LEE

it is great having a site like classics . however i dont know about you other guys out there but whenever i order from there i end up with the wrong stuff ,i hear this is common .i will still use classic but if it continues ill be starting to shop else where ,
rhcw