Dealership refusing to give out part numbers - normal?

[Lah77]

Hello,

RAC had to jack up my car the other day, and they forgot to replace the jack sill covers. They became detached and lost by the time I had realised. I called up my local dealer the next morning, was told the parts were £100 painted. I explained that it was more than I was expecting so I'll shop around and asked for the part numbers.

I was then told it's their policy not to give out part numbers. I thought I misheard and asked why, was told it's just the way it is. I explained I thought that was anti-competitive as I wasn't able to then shop around so again asked for the part numbers and my request was rejected.

I called another dealer, and was given the part number straight away.

Has anyone else found their dealer not giving part numbers? I think its very anti-competitive and not very nice. Part numbers are all over invoices I receive. It sounds like a made up policy to protect dealer profits, and I find it very unfair.

 

[ajlsl600]

Anytime you can try to get a copy of epc for yr motor. Then call and quote pt no to them...

 

[AMGeed]

What you have experienced does seem the normal in the Parts depts now.

Bookmark this site and get the Part# for yourself in future.
Just cross reference the Vin# with the engine code if in doubt.

https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/epc/mercedes/

 

[AMGeed]

Anytime you can try to get a copy of epc for yr motor. Then call and quote pt no to them...

Just beat me.
Here is an EPC you can use.
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/epc/mercedes/

 

[V6Matty]

As has been said, totally normal now, stops people ringing up, getting the part number and then sticking it in online to find it cheaper

 

[Lah77]

As has been said, totally normal now, stops people ringing up, getting the part number and then sticking it in online to find it cheaper

That is precisely what I find completely unethical. There are laws in the UK to stop those with dominant market power abusing their position (https://www.gov.uk/cartels-price-fixing/types-of-anticompetitive-activity). They should let the markets determine the equilibrium prices for their parts, not these shady tac tics of trying to put hurdles up to stop customers shopping around.

It should be a right to shop around for a better price.

 

[EmilysDad]

It's not just Mercedes, other dealers are often the same.

 

[V6Matty]

That is precisely what I find completely unethical. There are laws in the UK to stop those with dominant market power abusing their position (https://www.gov.uk/cartels-price-fixing/types-of-anticompetitive-activity). They should let the markets determine the equilibrium prices for their parts, not these shady tac tics of trying to put hurdles up to stop customers shopping around.

It should be a right to shop around for a better price.

But their part numbers are for their parts only, and are not available outside of the approved network, so in reality they’re not doing anything shady

 

[Lah77]

But their part numbers are for their parts only, and are not available outside of the approved network, so in reality they’re not doing anything shady

I disagree, I can use the part numbers to search other dealers, specialists, motor spares dealers and online retailers.

What do you mean by approved network? I use a specialist near me who only use oem pats, which come with a 2 year warranty. They wouldn’t be a part of the approved network.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

It would be useful if part numbers were freely available, example; I ordered 2 front springs for my W210 from a MB dealer by phone, the springs were for an Avantgarde model (VIN supplied) what I received were springs for an Elegance chassis (for those in the know a couple of inches longer) of course I didn’t know they wouldn’t fit until an attempt was made to fit them, had I had the part number this wouldn’t have happened they would have been returned immediately

 

[peterws1957]

It's very easy to get part numbers by using an online EPC such as the one AMGeed suggested. Much easier than waiting at a parts counter (which are becoming a rarity) while parts guy spends ages looking it up or indeed MB receptionist has to go to and fro to the parts guy because he or she has no idea what you are talking about.

 

[EmilysDad]

It's very easy to get part numbers by using an online EPC .... ...

I don't know about Merc, but at Vauxhall a part number might change over the years anyway due to maybe a modification of the part or a change in the supplier.

 

[peterws1957]

I don't know about Merc, but at Vauxhall a part number might change over the years anyway due to maybe a modification of the part or a change in the supplier.

Yes that's the case, but I've found that an MB parts guy can easily identify the new part number from the old.

 

[V6Matty]

I disagree, I can use the part numbers to search other dealers, specialists, motor spares dealers and online retailers.

What do you mean by approved network? I use a specialist near me who only use oem pats, which come with a 2 year warranty. They wouldn’t be a part of the approved network.

Specialists purchase the parts from MB which is why they can offer a 2 year warranty.
As before you cannot purchase new Mercedes parts from outside of the approved network.
Also an OEM part is not an MB specification part, okay made by the same manufacturer but are often not exactly the same specification

 

[davemercedes]

Commercial reality applies here:

Parts departments exist to provide a service - and that comprises identifying the item(s) required and providing an indication of availability/lead time - and that's all. The business incurs significant costs to provide this service and hopes to counter those costs via the commercial benefits of processing your order.

I don't see why anyone should be entitled to demand part number information from a dealer. You've already used the company's time and overheads to have your initial enquiry dealt with - why should they give you information to help you go somewhere else?

If you decide to go elsewhere for any reason, the next supplier is no worse off if they start from scratch - and it's not unknown for mistakes to occur so if a dealer gives you wrong part number(s) you will perpetuate the error if you quote the numbers from your previous call.

 

[umblecumbuz]

The number for any part is the property of the one who makes (or subcontracts) the part.
Nobody else has any legal right to that number - it's the makers own reference.
If they wish to either conceal it or reveal it, that's their decision.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Ethics aside from whether the parts department should provide the part number or not.
Can anyone provide Lah77 the part number?

 

[John Laidlaw]

Nope, but it can be found on here when he inputs the rest of his vehicle details....
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/jacking-point-15017/mercedes-benz/c-klasse/c-class-w204

 

[mioba]

Ethics aside from whether the parts department should provide the part number or not.
Can anyone provide Lah77 the part number?

There has been provided part websites where the OP can find the part.
Nothing about ethics, its simple business models.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I would not even have the nerve to ask for a part number from my dealers .