Vehicle History

[peterws1957]

A "good honest relationship" with any main dealer of whatever make is hard to come by in my experience.

 

[Tobyls]

A "good honest relationship" with any main dealer of whatever make is hard to come by in my experience.

Yes your right there, such a shame people can't be more honest, especially when you are parting with hard earnt money and expecting to have an ongoing relationship with a garage.

 

[peterws1957]

Yes your right there, such a shame people can't be more honest, especially when you are parting with hard earnt money and expecting to have an ongoing relationship with a garage.

Your experience is by no means unique, judging by posts on forums along similar lines, and it has been thus for decades. Quite why dealers are allowed to get away with this stuff actually defeats me. I can't think of any other retail environment where, spending vasts amount of money, attempts are made in effect to con people. I know someone who buys one and sometimes two new MB's every year and has done for years. Listening to stories of his treatment makes you shudder. I would have moved on years ago!

 

[sailorjim]

Your experience is by no means unique, judging by posts on forums along similar lines, and it has been thus for decades. Quite why dealers are allowed to get away with this stuff actually defeats me. I can't think of any other retail environment where, spending vasts amount of money, attempts are made in effect to con people. I know someone who buys one and sometimes two new MB's every year and has done for years. Listening to stories of his treatment makes you shudder. I would have moved on years ago!

A friend in the trade told me, years ago, that so-called "demonstrators" were often over-produced cars that were rented out to hire companies in places like the Channel islands, where 1000 miles puts enormous wear on a vehicle. After a few months sold on as "demonstrators". Maybe no longer true but is would explain the wear/mileage anomaly.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Commerce evolves sometimes for the better but IMO the current customer relations of most companies has been relegated to just about acceptable. Most businesses nowadays are highly geared and profit driven organisations with all that entails, poor communication, economical with the truth and indifferent to customer complaints. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you are spending £20K or 60K with them the overall treatment seems to be the same unless a problem is escalated to management level. I find this hard to accept but we are where we are and being on the front foot with these people and prepared to not trust seems to be the only option unless you know the people involved.

Hope the OP gets the result he hopes for with this car it’s always difficult when there is little choice

 

[davemercedes]

Hello and (I guess welcome), Tobyls!

You haven't had a good start and I'm sorry to hear about it. Do make sure you put your complaint in writing and keep a record of anything you're told. It's difficult to keep calm and polite when it feels like you're being "done over" (I think you've been treated quite disgracefully) but while staying calm and polite, you have to leave them in no doubt that you will not stand for it. I wouldn't be surprised - can almost bet - that they will "discover" that the faults were noted and rectification was overlooked (or whatever else they think of). And don't forget, once you've backed them into a corner about the faults, you should also look for recompense for your trouble - a free service perhaps.

I have my car serviced at a local garage that I've used for years who are always obliging and can't do enough for me (at half an MB rate). But they need their customers while sadly that isn't so true about the big boys any more.

 

[s5tuart]

I have my car serviced at a local garage that I've used for years who are always obliging and can't do enough for me (at half an MB rate). But they need their customers while sadly that isn't so true about the big boys any more.

I wholeheartedly agree!
My local garage will often try to talk me out of something if they don't think it's needed.
I'll use them for everything except the necessary annual dealer servicing to keep the warranties and Mobilo active.

 

[davemercedes]

Well, I did my sums Stuart, and after finding that MB wanted me to pay for an extra service that I didn't need or want, I decided that the lower labour rate I pay locally, plus their service level, plus my cheap European 5-Star family (any car) breakdown cover (from my bank) negated the benefits of Mobilo so I cancelled my service contract before it started.

I use an Indy for anything special or if my local guy says he can't do a job - they told me to go to "a main agent" for the gearbox service so I went to my favoutite Indy (Mercland = 100%).

You've got to watch your own £olly = loads of people would like to help you out of it!

 

[Bay Leaf]

I feel for you mate, I really do and I hope you get this issue sorted. It might be worth mentioning to the garage that your thinking of putting it into the hands of a solicitor just to put the frighteners on them.
Good Luck.