Take a good look at your packing slip when you get the parts and you will no doubt find that, just like the bike, they came from someone else. These internet guys have little if any inventory of machines or parts and can't answer service questions for squat. I have been through this numerous times with several so called dealers and yes even once, and the last time ever, with Rabbit.
However we all still and will continue to do business this way because it saves a few bucks and it's fine if you are at least a bit of a mechanic, as you are, and can put up with the difficulty of getting parts. These forums are a great help as well because you get to hear first hand from folks who have had the same experiences as you.