[VAC] Parts

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Harvey,

After reading your post (below), here's an alternative you might consider. Go ahead and "purchase a
new cheap plastic appliance," install it, use your trailer AND THEN, deliberately attend the
International rally, attend each region rally that's geographically adjacent to your region and
finally, sign up for unit rallies at each unit that's geographically adjacent to your own unit
("rally hopping"). 

Why do this? The name of the game is to talk to every guy at every rally and ask him about parts you
need. And, while you're at it, meet a lot of neat people, have a grand time, enjoy new geographic
areas, learn new tricks for holding a successful rally (someday) and watch while serendipity
strikes. After you find the parts or find someone who will send you the parts (stored in his barn),
then remove el cheapo, install Sir Porcelain and start enjoying your "nearly bullet proof lifetime
toilet."  

Before you reject these ideas, consider this. We have never attended a WBCCI flea market event (at
any of the above three types of rallies) when we didn't strike it rich. Granted, sometimes the
nuggets were small; buy sometimes, they were a gold mine.

Today was flea market day at the Hobo Rally in Blythe. Two months ago at a dealership, I paid $10
each to replace two broken roller slide assemblies to our folding shower door. Today at the flea
market, I bought two more of those assemblies for 50 cents apiece. How many will I buy as spares the
next time they are on a flea market table? Guess what? If you don't get there before me, I'll have
all of them in my spare parts supply box. 

Also, I bought a water pressure reducer (original Airstream factory equipment but with the ends
modified for connecting to water hoses) for $1 and received complete instructions on how to make it
last a lifetime. Did I succumb to a song and dance routine? Maybe, but for $1, I risked it and will
test it for myself (within my lifetime). 

You may have read my posting two weeks ago about finding an aluminum wheel in a Yuma used RV parts
junk house for $25. That's after I paid more than twice as much several months ago for the same
thing at a dealership. Last week, the tire dealer who inspected my $25 wheel certified it true and
ready to use. 

My point is - consider the quest for parts a perpetual priority that receives massive amounts of
personal persistence and a willingness to use alternatives until you find what you really want. 

One related point, ALWAYS sign up for a table at any WBCCI flea market. At the very least, ask your
wife to donate something she doesn't want. Then, while she is laying out the tablecloth to show off
"whatever," you go around to all the flea market tables and see what the other guys are trying to
sell. Then, when the flea market starts, go on your own personal "parts buying spree." Know what you
want, pay what you want and always have the parts you want. Simple, huh? <grin> Not really, but it's
a lot of fun (for some of us). Maybe you, too??

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net