Van Cafe News

June's slight figure hid her facility to overcome opponents of much greater size. She had gained her martial arts skills while her mother Mae had been posted to Seoul. It was her small stature that had gotten her picked for this mission. As the rain dripped through the raised decking under which they were currently concealed, a shiver ran down Mae's spine, the smell of the wet gravel beneath them reminded her of the two days they spent hiding from the FSB while on assignment in Krasnoyarsk. But the baton was to be passed. No longer was the prodigy to be in the shadows, the protected had become the protector. Yes, Mae Mailer was giving way to her daughter June Mailer.....
And in the June Mailer you will find AC components on sale - Compressors, Receiver/Driers, Condensers, Retrofit Kits, Expansion Valves, Relays, Switches and Blower Motors. To keep things interesting you will also find a random smattering of other goodies on sale too (no common theme on these bits but what the heck - everyone loves a sale price):
Solar Panels $540
Fiamma Bike Racks $300
Shadyboy Awnings $450
Window Rubber Set $215
Poptop Canvas German $375
Poptop Canvas US Cotton $375
Poptop Canvas US Acrylic $440
Clutch Kits $145
Distributor 2.1 $175
Chrome Bumper Front $145
Chrome Bumper Rear $190
Belt Kit $20
All items can be viewed by clicking on "CAFE SPECIALS" on the home page. Want something on next month's special? Email and feel free to plant the seed during this month. And talking about stealing other people's notions....that first paragraph....well, the idea and most of the words came from Simon Asato - I'm just not creative enough. Thanks Simon.

Thank you for your submissions to our "Worthy Causes" mission. We enjoy hearing the stories about the charities that you believe in and to which you donate your time and efforts. A common theme emerged that people are anxious to promote their causes and will downplay their own role or desire for recognition. Please remember the little efforts of many can make a huge difference. We applaud all who spend some time and effort to help others and encourage you to submit your story. This bimonthly prize goes to Shriner's Hospital for Children thanks to Jeb Pronto.
Jeb wrote to us from Foresthill, CA, in the Tahoe National Forest. Jeb is a wildland firefighter who's crew decided 9 years ago that they wanted to give back to their community in some way. After a little investigative work, they chose Shriners Hospital for Children - a local but also international hospital for children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs. Shriners Hospital provides healthcare for children without regard to race, color, creed, sex or sect, disability, national origin or ability of a patient or family to pay. The hospital closest to Jeb brings up pediatric victims from Mexico, and helps their families find housing and support services within the community. Jeb and his crew worked with the hospital staff to raise money to make donations directly for the children and families in the hospital to provide them with items off their 'wish list'. Typical wish list items are toys, games, dvds, school supplies (they even have classrooms at the hospital) and clothing. Jeb and his crew fundraise efforts every year by using station recycle funds, personal donations and a volleyball competition between the local fire departments. They also have a crew 'slam' fund which consists of self- imposed fines for “Firsts” such as first fire of the season, or first helicopter ride along with minor violations of crew ethics or safety - or being interviewed by media. (for example in Santa Cruz it's rumored that a firefighter being interviewed on TV must buy a drink for everyone at the next social gathering) After coordinating with the Shriners folks, gifts are delivered via fire truck and the kids get to see the firefighters and the tools of their trade up close. In Jeb's words "Any day that the children get visitors is special to them and a day that the burn victims get to spend with fire fighters is a healing day for them as well." www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/Hospitals/VisionandMission.aspx

I would have thought you were crazy, if you would have told me over 10 years ago that a business selling Vanagon parts would still be going strong in 2013, and yet here we are. We are nothing but thankful to you, our customers, for the opportunity to make a decent living doing something we enjoy. We are humble enough though to know that success comes not just from a healthy dose of hard work but also sprinkled with some good fortune. And while good fortune has smiled upon us, we are aware that there are many kind and deserving folks and organizations doing good in the world, struggling to make ends meet who could use some assistance to advance their worthy causes.
As we begin 2013, and we discussed amongst ourselves some of our plans and initiatives for the upcoming year, there was a unanimous desire to share a little of this fortune. We know we are simply following the lead set by many successful businesses and individuals who donate to worthy causes.
One of our employees, Chris Davis, and his family (wife Danielle and two young daughters) spent one week during the summer at Camp Attitude. At Camp Attitude, parents of special needs children drop their kids off for a week while volunteers care for them while they, the parents, get a breather. The children are treated to an unforgettable adventure; the parents get a brief vacation to refresh; the volunteer families earn a rewarding, bonding life lesson.
Inspired by this unselfish act of donating their time and effort, we will donate $1000 every other month to a charity to which one of our customers donates their time and resources. In support and in appreciation for how Chris and his family spent their vacation, we are launching this initiative with a donation to Camp Attitude. We welcome your submission for a cause you support and will choose our next donation for March 1. Please include a description of the charity, a link to their website, and the manner in which you contribute and support their cause. Please email your submission to worthycauses@van-cafe.com

We know that shipping costs on large, heavy items can often be the difference between whether you can swing buying a product or not. If you have already made a few purchases with us you are likely aware that we make our best attempt to reduce shipping fees and convert shipping to priority mail if we can get the order to you as quickly or quicker by that method. Large ticket items can pose an even larger obstacle when shipping fees can be a few hundred dollars. We have decided to launch a ride share section, whereby we try to combine freight shipments to reduce shipping fees. It takes a little coordination and advance planning but on purchases for big bumpers, bull bars, wheel packages, or multibox orders, sometimes there is a great opportunity to save. This listing will be fluid as we will update it whenever appropriate opportunities present themselves. At the current time we have a pallet leaving for Calgary Alberta to the shop, Autotech, around January 15. If you are in that area and what to catch a ride on that pallet, please make contact soon. Also keep in mind that we are also willing to consolidate orders that include items from other vendors, especially on international orders. NEXT UP - Pallet going to Plattsburgh, New York - beginning of March. This shipment provides options for both sides of the border. One customer will be picking up parts and taking them to Montreal where he lives. Someone else will be receiving parts for U.S. side of border. Please make contact if you would like to discuss getting something on this pallet.

Although the vast majority of our parts are supplied to the DIY crowd, we realize that not everyone has the time, tools, or desire to do their stint in the salt mines, slogging through tedious mechanical endeavors. As such, for those who would like some assistance with their repairs and upgrades to improve reliability and comfort, the following is a small smattering of jobs that our shop performs along with corresponding labor charges. (Again - labor charges only)
* Fuel Tank Reseal $160
* Brake Jobs $160 / axle
* Full Tune-Up and Inspection $200
* Windshield Install $80
* Clutch Jobs 2WD/4WD $300/$450
* Propex Heater Install $600
* 3 Window Poptop Canvas Install $500
* Spring/Shock Upgrades 2WD/4WD $250/$350
* Stainless Steel Pipe Upgrade 2WD/4WD $300/$240
For our out of town customers, we take seriously the need to perform our tasks in a timely manner. We are thankful that we are in a town with a variety of attractions and distractions competing for your attention, but we understand your need to get back in your van promptly and back on the road on schedule and will accommodate as best we can. Similarly, we are a small shop with limits to hours in the day and room for parking, so we ask that you do schedule an appointment with some advance notice as drop-in appointments cannot always be indulged.

Two years ago, we commented on two promising events developing that were supportive of the Vanagon community - the burgeoning presence of Classic VW (Germany) and the entrepreneurial efforts of businesses and individuals to fill in the gaps. During this past two years both of these efforts have flourished. In our opinion, Classic VW has done an excellent job of consolidating original equipment manufacturer parts, new manufacturer to original spec parts, and old remaining stock of new parts to provide the best quality parts available for many essential items that we worried were disappearing for good. We now purchase over 250 part numbers from them and find ourselves on a continuous order cycle, whereby a large new order is placed each time the previous order is received and stocked. And based on the visits we receive a few times a year from Classic representatives (likely additionally influenced by the attraction of our weather), we are lead to believe that the feeling is mutual as they profess their appreciation for the volume of business we are conducting with them. Separately, the efforts of both businesses and individuals to fill the gaps continue. Not long after a part disappears, it seems someone in the Vanagon community steps up with a plan to produce that part or design and manufacture a suitable alternative, and this is separate from the development or adaptation of creature comfort products that work on the Vanagon to improve on the driving and/or camping experience. Following is a list of items that have returned to being available after varying lengths of being absent, along with some new products: *German Mud Flaps front and rear  * Carrot Alloy Wheels 15" and 16" - Wheels and Packages  * Trailmaster Complete Suspension Packages for Syncro Tin Top or Westy  * Iron Man Products - Awnings - Fridges   * Automatic Transmission Coolers  * Emergency Road Kit  * All Complete Coolant Hose Kits - Yes, Syncro - 1.9 ltr - 2.1 ltr manual trans - 2.1 ltr auto trans (quite the juggle to keep all these hoses from various sources (US supply/German supply/silicone hoses) in stock to make these kits complete). And here follow a few other items that we have been out of for a while that will be returning in the near future: German 16" Steel Wheels due in January Pillar Trim (front rain gutter molding) due during December If interested, please feel free to email us if you would like to be contacted when they arrive.