Help! should I buy new car, from a large or family-run dealership?

[JCBen]

I'm a newby & learning to navigate here.
Looking to replace an ML-280 with a new ML-250 or an E-220CDI.

Wondering if I should buy from a family-run or a large franchised dealership?
Aweful experience with the last large franchise - s!itner owned sinkhole. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[television]

Buy the car on its merits, post details on here, see what comments come in and take it from there

 

[Bmerc Garage]

Always support local business over large dealers, don't be fooled by the exterior

Ebay, maybe your local specialist can do a check on the car for you?

 

[drmw]

I'm a newby & learning to navigate here.
Looking to replace an ML-280 with a new ML-250 or an E-220CDI.

Wondering if I should buy from a family-run or a large franchised dealership?
Aweful experience with the last large franchise - s!itner owned sinkhole. Any thoughts appreciated.

If you mean new new, then I would have thought you would have to go main dealer (fully appreciate the "s!itner owned sinkhole" comment - been there!)

MB York (& Harrogate) are the two Rybrook owned dealerships & for service I cannot praise them highly enough - been using Harrogate for about 7 years now. I have no direct experience of the sales side, but I now know Gordon Hunter who is the after sales director reasonably well - he is one of the rare breed who will bend over backwards to help & really understands professional customer service.

They are on your doorstep so it would be daft not to given them a try

 

[JCBen]

Its a new new

If you mean new new, then I would have thought you would have to go main dealer (fully appreciate the "s!itner owned sinkhole" comment - been there!)

MB York (& Harrogate) are the two Rybrook owned dealerships & for service I cannot praise them highly enough - been using Harrogate for about 7 years now. I have no direct experience of the sales side, but I now know Gordon Hunter who is the after sales director reasonably well - he is one of the rare breed who will bend over backwards to help & really understands professional customer service.

They are on your doorstep so it would be daft not to given them a try

Thanks drmw.
I am buying a new new car. I will get in touch with RyB/York

My rationale between family-owned & LARGE dealerships hinges on markup differentials (larger dealerships); stocklevel / sourcing and a decent aftersales service, beyond the 3-5yr MB warranty!

Happy to listen to other MB Owners thoughts/advice. Kind regards.

 

[daveenty]

Agree with the Harrogate comment.

Bought mine from there, and the whole sales experience has been a lot better than I've been used to with other dealers., including after sales follow ups.

 

[nokia]

Always support local business over large dealers, don't be fooled by the exterior

Ebay, maybe your local specialist can do a check on the car for you?

I'm all for supporting small local businesses but have been stung by these just as much as the large chains