Hello From Mercedes-Benz Retail Group London - Parts

[MB Retail London Parts]

Dear all,

I'd like to introduce Mercedes-Benz Retail Group (Parts) to everyone here.

We operate four Trade Parts Hubs in London, holding in excess of £6m group stock. We run a £17m p.a. Trade Parts operation throughout London and the suburbs, delivering twice per day to our B2B customers. We are the largest Mercedes-Benz Trade Parts (Group) operation within the UK.

We ONLY supply Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts (plus smart, LCV and AMG) and approved lubricants. We also supply the full range of Mercedes-Benz accessories, including Winter Tyres and are experts when it comes to telematics and have specialists in this area, i.e. iphone, phone pairing, in car entertainment, Sat Nav, Universal Media Interface etc.

From time to time we will also be offering special promotions on new accessories at exclusive discounts for MBOC members - watch out for these in due course.

In the meantime, whether you are a Trade customer looking for a professional Mercedes-Benz parts procurement solution or a retail customer looking for in-car internet or the latest phone cradle...... we really can help.

 

[kth286]

Is it personal visits to your premises only OR can you also do mail order.

Where are sites ?

What deals you able to do for retail customers on parts ?

 

[MB Retail London Parts]

Hi David,

This is our website which includes locations and contact for our London retail sites -

http://rsi-cda.mercedes-benz.com/content/unitedkingdom/retailer-M/ma_london/index.htm

Brentford, Colindale, Stratford and Dartford are our large parts centres. However, we are also able to move any part to any of the London sites listed for customer collection if required. We are also able to source directly from the MB Classic Centre or Daimler GTC Used Parts Centre for parts that are no longer available as new. At this time we do not offer mail order, but this is something we would maybe like to pilot here with the MBO members. I have already been in discussion recently with Beccy regarding this service.

Currently we offer a full 24hr online ordering solution for B2B customers, including EPC, called Mercedes-Benz WebParts. More information can be found on WebParts here (There's even a demo video if you click "start guided tour" link at the bottom of the page) -

http://service-parts.mercedes-benz.com/dcagportal/DCAGPortal/menu.action?pageId=24

There is scope to extend WebParts to be used as a "click and collect" service for retail customers and include mail order. Again, this is something we may pilot with MBO in the very near future.

MBO Discounts - As an introductory offer I can confirm that you would receive 10% on service parts at any of the London parts departments on production of a valid MBO membership. I will also be adding some exclusive accessory offers shortly.

In the meantime, if there's anything we can help anyone with please feel free to ask.



Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK

 

[kth286]

10% does not seem competitive.

I think Milton keynes were doing 15% (have not looked recently - and may have been for the authorised club only).

 

[grober]

In these straightened economic times any new source of genuine Mercedes spares is to be welcomed. However for the majority of members living outwith the London area a lack of any mail order facility means its pretty academic really. If you do introduce a mail order facility bear in mind that any discount will have to offset any carriage charges levied in addition to any price discount .

 

[MB Retail London Parts]

Thanks for the feedback on discount David... looks like MB Retail might have to sharpen our pencil a bit! - I'll go and investigate what Sytner have on offer for MBO and report back.

And grober, I totally agree on a mail order solution and thanks for the costing suggestion. Our traditional business model for parts is Trade/B2B orientated and has a very large and loyal customer base which we of course have daily contact with. Trade customers in the UK spent well over £1m via MB WebParts last year - our online solution works for them. We wanted to come here and socialise with retail enthusiasts to better understand what requirements or wish lists you have.... so keep the ideas and suggestions coming!!

Can I ask a couple of questions in return?

Where does everyone go to view the latest MB accessories range online?

Are many of you aware of, or, considering Winter Tyres this year?



Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK

 

[whitenemesis]

For MB on line accessories I usually check here..

http://shop.mercedes-benzofmiltonkeynes.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=131

As for winter tyres, I have a set on spare rims sitting in my garage! Any thoughts on MB offering a wheel swap / storage package? When I contacted MB last year on this they were "assessing demand and considering possibilities" ...

 

[tode]

Am considering purchase of a set of wheels + winter tyres for an S350, but am a little nervous about delivery: there have been reports that standard wheels are not available.

What exactly is the situation ?

And what conditions would you give for wheels and tyres?

Tony

 

[Frontstep]

In short 10% not at all enticing, Eurocarparts offer 25%.
Winter tyres Yes.
Accessories I don't think about them or subsequently where to buy.
When I get my car serviced I do though look at them and wonder what the **** would I do with that.

 

[kth286]

Inchcape Oxford do a very good mail order website.

Their standard is 10% discount (on retail price) which of course is not fair.

A dealer parts dept will give 10% on cost price (before VAT) without asking. That equates to over 10% on retail price.

I have personally been running winter tyes for the last 2 years, and excellent they are.

 

[Chris Murray]

Trade customers in the UK spent well over £1m via MB WebParts last year - our online solution works for them. Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK

It is a fantastic tool!

 

[rf065]

Are many of you aware of, or, considering Winter Tyres this year?

Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK

I've used mine for the last 4 winters, the rears really should have been replaced last winter but I found it impossible to source any and was forced into continuing with them below the 4mm limit.
Just replaced them last week ready for this winter & before all the UK stock is gone again.

Russ

 

[MB Retail London Parts]

Ok, let's try and put everything together so far....

1) MBO Discounts - We called MB Milton Keynes today. They do indeed give 15% off on service parts for registered MBO's, on production of membership of course. Re-think of our offer required!!, though the 10% MB Retail London offer off service parts with production of MBO membership still stands for now.... We've already mentioned in this thread that we will provide some exclusive offers on relevant products for MBO and it won’t be discount based, it will be special net prices, including "fitted" price option at any of our outlets. The new range of Brabus engine chips may be one item.

2) Mail Order Service - MB Milton Keynes (Sytner) and MB Oxford (Inchcape) both have decent mail order websites - But, is there anything these sites don't do that you wished they did? For example, they are good for accessories and common parts... but how about if you were also looking for a more technical part such as an Air Mass Meter or even a remanufactured engine? i.e. would you value access to MB Electronic Parts Catalogue, incorporated into the mail order site with VIN number lookup? Incidentally, we prefer VIN as it is 99.9% accurate as opposed to vehicle registration which can be inaccurate due to the increasing volume of private plates and DVLA 'lag' on updates or simply missing information

3) Discounts Versus Aftermarket Competitors - We're hearing the 25% discount from a certain competitor, but can't really compare MB Genuine part price versus an aftermarket part as it is not always like for like.....Whilst we can't guarantee that we will always have the "cheapest" part, we can guarantee that every time you purchase an MB Genuine part you always get exactly the same premium level of quality, nationwide parts warranty, and that it will be exactly the same MB approved part that we fit on the production line, including latest upgrades which is quite often the reason for a supersession or changed part number.

3) Winter Tyres - This is a big topic for us. There are two types of customer for WT's, the ones that buy in advance and the ones that want them the next day after the snow has fallen! Last year 98% of those customers fell into the latter category in the UK.
The good news is that we are just about to take delivery of the first 400 WT wheel & tyre combos’ for stock at our Colindale Parts centre. These are not pre-ordered for any customers.

We will advise the full details shortly, but these are the main considerations for us;

• A robust online configuration tool is required to select model/size/style/price
• The offering is tyre & wheel combinations for "swap over" convenience, swapping tyres over to different rims often is not good practice according to tyre manufacturers, especially on run-flats
• A storage partner is definitely required as administering it at dealership level it is not practical. WT's are very common in the rest of Europe, mainly due to legislation, which has created a demand and therefore a number of companies offering the service. There is one such company we know of in the UK named The Tyre Vault
• Part of the service would be to contact WT customers when the average temperature rises or falls below the optimum level for either tyre (the summer and winter swap). Would anyone consider an extension of the "MB to You" service to do the WT/ST swap at your home or place of work valuable?

There are also some good impartial Winter Tyre links here from the AA and Autocar -

http://http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/winter-tyres-in-the-uk.html

http://http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/stillatthewheel/archive/2010/12/01/just-how-good-are-winter-tyres.aspx


Thanks for the reply's everyone.

 

[kth286]

a good 'considered' response.

agree; cannot often compare 25% discount with aftermarket parts; as being like for like.

lots of instances described in the forums where aftermarket 'fit and compatability' gives problems.

Note that free access is already provided to EPC and WIS for members of the authorised club, which has over 10,000 paid up members.

 

[lwbnick]

In short 10% not at all enticing, Eurocarparts offer 25%.

MB retail are offering 10% off genuine parts, Euros are offering 25% off spurious parts.

And I'm a bit suspicious of Euro's pricing, for example I checked their website for some discs £33 each, pre forum discount - ended up getting them from GSF for £23 plus VAT, - I wanted them there and then, so although the Euros ones would have been a few pounds cheaper, it seems their prices are inflated to cover the endless discounts on offer to just about anyone...

 

[EuroCarParts]

Hi guys

I didnt want to comment, as some may see us as competition, and that we are trying to interupt the welcoming of another forum trader (not the case, the more the merrier!) MB Retail group will be a great asset to MBOC because of their access to older parts and data which we don't cover - Hopefully between us we should be able to help and supply you with any part.
There have however been a few incorrect statements (from forum members NOT MBRG) which need to be corrected...

MB retail are offering 10% off genuine parts, Euros are offering 25% off spurious parts.

Spurious Parts - That sounds derogotory - We are the UKs largest importer for brands such as Bosch, Lemforder and Sole importers for Bilstein and Pagid - They are all OE quality manufacturers and many of their parts are fitted as OE to your Mercedes... Yes we also offer cheaper versions for customers on a budget but for almost every major part, we carry a choice of aftermarket quality or original quality.

And I'm a bit suspicious of Euro's pricing, for example I checked their website for some discs £33 each, pre forum discount - ended up getting them from GSF for £23 plus VAT, - I wanted them there and then, so although the Euros ones would have been a few pounds cheaper...

Our website pricing has stayed VERY stable for the last 2 years, with only slight changes (due to currency or cost changes) - Certain people claim that we bump up the price and then offer a discount, Funny however nobody has offered proof to back this up.....


I just wanted to clear the above up, As We are both approved, and established traders we don't want to step on each others toes, but if a forum member is incorrect, i need to step in and correct them!

@lwbnick - if you have any other issues, feel free to contact me directly to clear them up, posting incorrect or disrespectful posts about us isnt welcomed, we, like MBRG are here to help forum members!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Mail Order Service - MB Milton Keynes (Sytner) and MB Oxford (Inchcape) both have decent mail order websites

Yes they do, I use MB Oxford for most of my parts, excellent online service!!

would you value access to MB Electronic Parts Catalogue, incorporated into the mail order site with VIN number lookup? Incidentally, we prefer VIN as it is 99.9% accurate as opposed to vehicle registration which can be inaccurate due to the increasing volume of private plates and DVLA 'lag' on updates or simply missing information

Yes please, it would save me ringing MB Oxford to ask for the part number that I will then use to order online.

 

[npuk]

Your lucky Oxford at least give you the part number. MB Brentford have never given me the part number when I have rang up trying to get a part number for a specific part.

 

[MB Retail London Parts]

Hello Euro Car Parts.......

Please feel free to jump into any of our threads. Sure we are competition, but competition is good for consumers (the MBO's) and us as it keeps us on our toes and constantly evolving! I actually think you make a good point on ECP offering a range of parts (differing qualities) for people that may be on a budget... catering for, or creating, market segmentation. And come on everyone let's face it, ECP didn't get this big from being a poor supplier in general so I agree, please try and keep any negative feedback constructive and factual... but please do give it, and that includes to us at MB Retail.

"The Best or Nothing" is where MB sits in regard to parts quality. However, as a consumer myself I like to be able to make an informed choice. How would you guys at ECP feel about doing some simple visual product comparisons with us at MBRG? MB OE vs OEM or MB OE vs Aftermarket and documenting them for MBO's to make their own choice?

There is also an increasing trend in fake "Genuine Parts" and I would always advise to purchase from a reputable source whatever your budget or brand preference may be. This is an area where I'm sure ECP would totally agree. See here

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/mtr_167812.html

 

[Cole@MBS]

This is aimed at MB retail here, can you explain why different MB dealers give different discount rates to us smaller workshops like ourselves? we spend around 5-7 grand a month with our (local) MB dealer, we rang for a quote for a SL fuel tank the other day, max discount given was 12%, rang a dealer out of our area, same part, offered 24%!!!! is there any reason for this, or is our (local) dealer just pennie pinching??

My way of thinking is all dealers must get the same from MK,s, so why is the discount so much of a change from dealer to dealer??????