Timing Belt Vendor #1 Finally Delivers

So, long ago, I ordered two timing belts. We had just gotten our first set of Scorpions back from VA, and all things were rosy. As part of our plans, I wanted to order a few timing belts so that we might replace the potentially dry-rotted one that had been sitting, static, on the Scorps for over 10 years. Now, let me step back a second and say that, despite the 'common knowledge' that Italian part vendors and mechanics are all temperamental and cryptic, I've had nothing but excellent experiences.

That said, I've now encountered the much rumored non-communicating and delay-packed Italian parts vendor. It was a few weeks after I placed my order, having heard nothing from the vendor confirming my order, that I went out and ordered from Vick's. I then contacted Vendor #1 and asked why I hadn't gotten a confirmation and a general "So, what's up with my order?" The response was an epic "We sent you a confirmation email weeks ago." Period.

Ooookaaay. So my response email went something like "[Angry thoughts redacted] Well, I've not gotten anything, can you please resend it?" That email was met with all the silence the internet can muster. Every piece of information humanity has ever created is available on this amazing 'internets', all except a simple timing belt order confirmation. There's a billion things going on throughout the internet at all times, which somehow only magnifies the effect of being ignored.

Dry your tears. I know, it's a trying situation, and reading such magnificent prose on the subject must cut like the sharpest of blades. Fear not though, Vick's is fantastic. Jerry's (the proprietor of Vick's) response to my inquiry was Walter Sobchak-esque: "You want a timing belt? Oh, I can get you a timing belt, believe me. With nail polish." Ok, it maybe wasn't quite like that. The lesson though, Vick's is great and they got me a belt in no time. I'll be going back to them.

I had just about given up on Vendor #1 actually getting me anything useful, when lo! They managed to deliver me something just the other day. They look good (see below).














Interestingly, the newspaper the Italian part was packed in was written in Chinese and contained a large ad for The Encyclopedia Britannica, in English.....with prices in yuan. Lancia Scorpions, the international language.