Carlsen Audi - sheesh! [warning: rant]

[urq]

<<< mercy snip >>>
> If it were just once, or even twice, I would chalk it up to "just one of
those things", but this is getting
> ridiculous.  I know it's all piddly crap I'm ordering, but all the more
reason to get it right the first time.  It's
> either the right stuff, or it's the wrong stuff.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this?  Maybe I should start getting dealer
parts from Clair or something,
> even tho' Carlsen is closer and should have cheaper shipping.
>
> Price-wise, I can't complain.  And Didi's telephone support is pretty
good.  I got the 2-piece manifold from
> them, and some other dealer-only parts.  But all this hand-holding that
seems to be required just to get
> the right stuff!  Aaargh!  It's frustrating!
>
Personally, I rarely have any second thoughts to ordering from Didi at
Carlsen ... she has gone out of her way on more than one occasion to get me
back on the road ASAP ... most recently she figured a way to get a fuel pump
for the V8 immediately so I could rescue the car from a parking lot.  It
sounds as though Didi gives you acceptable service as well.

Of course the advantage I have is that I can go there in person ... and that
really is a big advantage.  If you want my opinion ... if you can't go there
in person and want to make sure that you get the right parts get yourself a
copy of TFA and look up the parts for yourself ... and be sure to get color
codes.  Trying to get things exactly right only using the telephone for
verbal communication is asking for trouble ... what I do nowadays is to look
up the P/N myself and fax the order in to Carlsen.  Not only do I get the
parts I wanted, but I am taking up less of Didi's time to get the order in.
I haven't seen her for a while, but last I heard she does not work the
counter any more and has to give priority to the shop.  Personally, while I
will always be grateful to Linda and Carl DeSousa for setting this up, Didi
wins on overall service ... hands down.

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)