Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi,

Im not sure if this is the right section to post this
I just want to know if there is possibly a market in KZN for Beetle/Bus/Ghia spares and repairs?
For starters, I battle to find anything here in KZN and transport costs added to the purchase price is sometimes a killer so Im contemplating opening up a shop catering for all kinds of repairs, upgrades and restorations to these vehicles as well as parts, all sorts of parts from std engine parts and body panels to performance upgrades, basically anything you may need can be sourced

My aim is to keep "aircooled" alive here in KZN

Excellente idea, there is a market for aircooled goods, albeit a rather niche market. I would say you will do it because you are passionate about the brand,and lifestyle,
the volkspares that we had in Durbs was run buy a buch of ignorant fools just in it to rob customers and provide kak service.

Good luck with the Venture, I will def consider you when or if you open a shop.

Tnx BS, i was hoping for this type of response

Good idea but i'd question how large the customer base is down here in KZN, from what I can tell, it's pretty small.

I'd love to see more support down here, there just isn't any and it's hard sometimes to maintain a veedub.

Idea is good but client base small, goldwagen dont really carry beetle spares here in Pmb, I get most of my spares in Pretoria.

goldwagen no longer carry beetle spares down here in durbs. getting a gasket set is nigh on impossible.

find me a rear valance for a split and ill support you :9)

You can get a rear valance from gerson...

i know mate and i can find an attractive 6ft blonde in sweden, so what's your point? :p

trying to keep it local and support locals, 90% of the SC's parts are coming from the US/UK but i'm hoping at least 10% can be sourced from local suppliers.

Just messing with ya

GOLDWAGEN NPN, NP & ND owned by same chap? i tell u, these lieties in NP care @*¥§ if you not be there to buy Golf parts. I sometimes wonder why they work there. Splitfan can get most parts l need (veedub and '70s Audi), while these lads will not even attempt to grab a catalogue and try to match and order. Gaydons the same!

So boet, if u were to cater for us all, treat us the same, none of this "once you get to know the guy..." crap l read about on this site, then my money is yours. Where u wanting to open shop? Go the UK route and convert part of your house, then run a comprehensive online catalogue.

True online is the way, i don't need to see it in person, just need the part

Tnx for the feedback...I will certainly not run a shop like any of the GW here in KZN, they know too much abt nothing. For starters, the idea is to run a shop from home, for now it will be spares only until I can get a workshop.Most of the aircooled guys I know are "DIY" dudes so I guess theres no hurry. The net is a powerful tool and most of my advertising and marketing will be done online. I also intend to keep reconditioned stuff like starters, alternators, heads, carbs etc....sell on an exchange basis...will make life alot easier instead of trying to fix up your own unit.

On WHEELER DEALER, a chap stocked a good selection of AUDI, exclusively!, parts. Classic to "modern" bits, others the agents didn't even have on their shelves. He was getting some of his stuff from DE!

You said it yourself bru, most of us are "DIYers", comprehensive online catalogue, updated as you shift stock. Nothing as shyte as seeing an item online, get excited and only to be informed, SORRY BOET.

What they all said.

It'd be great to have someone local with the bits we need... I just had to get a silencer gasket set flown up from Dave Rowley in Capetown cos I can't find one around here... I generally get stuff from Rui in Joburg but it'd be great to have a contact 'in-living-colour' who could help me out with things that can't be done remotely.

Where are you situated?

noted....tnx Andy.
Im situated in the Durban North area.
Busy putting together a list of stuff ppl would need, other than the obvious things that local spare shops keep but wouldnt it be nice to have everything airccoled in one place Hope to kick this off soon