Keep forgetting to pickup a phone book when I'm in Chattanooga, but is there a VW parts place in Chattanooga that carries fenders, bumpers, etc?  I thought an old neighbor mentioned somewhere on Rossville Blvd.  Going to need a at least one rear fender and new rear bumper. Haven't seen a web site that offers those big items free of shipping..
Thanks
Ron

Mainly Foreign is about it for Volkswagen parts in Chattanooga.  Deal with Neal or Chuck if you have a choice, some of their other employees don't have a clue when it comes to air-cooled stuff.  A word of warning about them though . . . They are very proud of what they sell!  If you don't mind the extra drive, Tri-State Imports in Cleveland, TN is usually a cheaper on the same parts.  Another option sort'a near Chattanooga is, believe it not, Al Johnson's Volkswagen dealership in Dalton, GA.  I've bought carbs and alternators from them before that were cheaper after taxes than Mainly Foreign were before TN tax (so add another 10% to Mainly's prices).  They keep a large inventory of air-cooled parts in stock, and will order you just about anything they don't stock.

I use Mainly Foreign when I have to, because they are nearby, usually have what I need in stock, and they will stand behind their parts.  The fact that they are "the only game in town" helps 'em out too.

If you're looking for a mailorder place, check out cip1.com.  They have great prices and offer free (but slow) ground shipping on hundreds of their parts.  They also have an email newsletter that you can subscribe too and they will send you an electronic coupon code each month to use for and additional discount . . . usually 5% off.  But, I have bought several pieces of sheet metal from various mailorder places in the past . . . there is some real junk out there.  It might be better to pay extra and see what your are getting before you pay for it.

My personal opinion is the best place to buy parts is at a swap meet.  Most big shows have both new and used vendors all competing for your business.  You can compair quality an prices and usually don't have to pay sales tax and you save on shipping.  Plus the people selling the parts are usually pretty knowledgable about what they are selling.

Also, I'm hoping to see if someone has parts this Saturday over in Alpharetta. Not sure how big it will be, but will make for a nice drive. Will be the first show since owning this bug.
Thanks again
Ron

If you you use Mainly Foriegn be prepared to be insulted.  The staff is arrogant and condescending.  I don't buy from them except in case of emergency!!



Edited By FatCat on 1087863606

The only one I've dealt with that is like that is Chuck.  I get the impression he's like that with everybody.  I know a teacher who is the same way.  I just ignore it with both of them, although I don't understand what makes them the way they are.  I don't know about Chuck, but the teacher just needs to retire.  His idea of a lesson plan is having the kids watch VH1.  He teaches P.E.

I've never had a problem with Chuck.  He's not the friendliest person in the world, but that's just his nature.  He's pretty knowledgable about VW parts, but he's in it for the money and there isn't a whole lot of money to be made in air-cooled parts as compaired to parts for newer Honda's and Toyota's.  In the past he has donated door prizes and the first couple of shows, he even made a monitary donation . . . for Bug-A-Paluza 1, I picked up a check for $250 from him.  He's not really a bad guy, but he does have a way of coming across that way to a lot of people.

Neil is the man to deal with if you can catch him behind the counter.  He's pretty knowledgable AND he's friendly.  He has also owned and worked on lots of air cooled VWs.

Most of the other folks that have waited on me wouldn't know an air-cooled engine (as Bob Hoover would say) if it ran up and pee'd on their leg!

That's the way it is in Rome, we have a Foreign auto parts dealer, a little higher, but still about the same by the time you pay S&H from the Internet.  That's one reason I drove down to Carrollton to Harrells to get the passenger floor pan, just had to check it out, found not any cheaper, a little higher, and way out on a dirt gravel road, but was very helpful & happy to give some free advice that I don't think I would have gotten any where else, especailly here. One tip,I've got to pass on. Instead of POR-15, a $5 can of truck bed liner that you can get at Wal-Mart, seals, hardens and looks good. the other tips had to do with headliner stuff and not to use tar board for deadening.
Ron

I would take a few minutes extra and drive up to Cleveland to see Joe Kirkpatrick at Tri-State Imports. Not only does he support our club, he is very knowledgeable and he can get his hands on just about any part for you. He doesn't keep a lot in stock, but he can order for you and get it delivered the next day.