Weird start/non-start problem - help needed

[MikkiJayne]

Originally Posted by spannerrash

Another potentially dumb question from Frank.

What is "TPS"? I have never used them and have never really come across them. Any chance of a Web link please?

Thanks Frank

VAG's trade counter https://tps.trade/ They were set up to compete with the likes of Euro Car Parts and GSF and to avoid the dealers having to support trade customers who obviously have different needs to the public (for example delivery, bulk ordering of consumables, credit terms etc).

They were supposed to be exclusively trade from the start but most branches took the regulars with them when they split from the dealers. In recent years though an edict came down from on-high that they don't deal with the public and pretty much all of them are toeing the line. A few branches will still deal with individuals who they already know, but everyone else gets sent to the nearest dealership.

Interestingly, the dealership parts counters appear to have more discount options than TPS do. My discount is decided by the computer based on some opaque algorithm. Dealers appear to be able to discount as far as cost price depending on who is asking.