M-B Views on their pricing

Arkay

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Hello friends
I had an issue with M-B recently which went up as far as Simon Oldfield Managing Director of M-B UK. His email address should you wish to contact him personally with your own problem is simon.oldfield@daimler.com

Anyway, a new key would cost me about £190. Expensive but probably expected. However there was an extra £65 charge for the metal insert (emergency key) if I wanted one. No joke - £65 for a £3.80 blank before cutting!

M-B response is attached. They think this price is 'competitive' and based on 'market research'. I wonder what you think? :rolleyes:
 

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Mic

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I think this reflects the attitude experienced by so very many of us.

Mic
 

Miffy

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lets not forget that the security model employed by MB has so far worked in not allowing cars to be stolen without the original key.

You cannot measure against a brand that can be stolen to order ???
 

television

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One must not forget the ones that handle the things.

You go to spare parts and order the key, all details have to be taken and noted by someone, the order has to be placed and sent to MK. MK have to send the order to Germany where the key is cut and coded the the chassis number. The key is then packed and sent to MK, and the guy at MK has to sign it in and find out where to send it. it is then sent to the dealer who rings you when it is in to be collected, you will no doubt eat a few of their biscuits and drink a cup of coffee and try and chat up the girl on reception.

Yes expensive and not easy, somethings are grossly overpriced and the price for keys is about the same what ever the make.
 

EmilysDad

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.....
Yes expensive and not easy, somethings are grossly overpriced and the price for keys is about the same what ever the make.


See my reply on the other thread.

OP's biggest gripe is the £65 for the blade .... not the whole fob. As my link, a couple of blank blades can be had on eBay for a couple of quid. The pre-cut blde for EmilysMum's Vauxhall (similar set up ie cut into the side of the key rather than the edge) was around £30)
 

Rory

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Wirral_guy

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The biggest thing I note from the response is that they base the price not on cost plus a reasonable profit margin but rather on what the market will bear - i.e. we will take you for as much as we can get away with based on our market research.

Unsurprising really as that now seems to be the attitude from all big business.

Dave
 

Miffy

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I've seen a number of cases of MBs being stolen where the owner asserts they still have the keys.

This one, for example: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=120152

OK, maybe I should have said it better. There is no evidence that a MB has been driven away without the keys. There is little that can be done to stop a low loader taking the car away.

My point is still valid, you should not compare the price of a MB high security key system with that of a make that is quite easily driven away.
 

EmilysDad

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......
My point is still valid, you should not compare the price of a MB high security key system with that of a make that is quite easily driven away.


but that's still not answering Arkay's gripe re the cutting of a mechanical 'emergency' key. If you wanted to actually get into the car, just break a window ...... no dead locks ..... Arkay isn't talking about driving it away.

And I'm not so sure that any other make of car is as difficult to drive away with the key as a MB ......... that's why Johnny Toerag breaks into your house for the car keys.
 

Miffy

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There is some CCTV footage somewhere of a late model BMW getting a reprogrammed key made up and driven away in something like 1 min.

I am not saying the pricing is nice, but I personally believe its good value for money considering the security levels involved.

What is the comparison of a blade key being cut by the manufacturer v blank and cut at your local Timpsons for a high end make?
 

davemercedes

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...they base the price not on cost plus a reasonable profit margin but rather on what the market will bear - i.e. we will take you for as much as we can get away with based on our market research.
Dave

This comment hits the nail on the head. It's a captive market - and the customer is there to be screwed!

When I was a Parts Manager for Triumph in the 1960's, we stocked most of the key ranges and the key for Triumph 2000/2500 was either in stock or we could get them on the same day from our local supplier/or cut a blank to order. It was of course a much simpler process in those days.

Back then a large blank cost 10p and we charged £2.50 for a finished key (in common with other Distributor/Dealers. If the customer wanted them by post we sent them - at no extra charge. We believed that our customers deserved first class service and thought that our margin was sufficient to cover it.
 

EmilysDad

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.....

What is the comparison of a blade key being cut by the manufacturer v blank and cut at your local Timpsons for a high end make?

But some manufactures don't take the p*** & don't charge £65 for a pre-cut blade
 

EmilysDad

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I dont know, how much do Porche, BMW, Audi, Ferrari or Maserati charge?

No idea ...... but I'd imagine they also price their keys at what the market will stand rather than what they cost to make plus a reasonable profit margin. ;) ;)
 

Miffy

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Yes, I would agree with that. Its the way to go. No matter what you buy, be it Car to beauty products, your paying for what they think you will pay, not what the products cost to make.
 

EmilysDad

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So how do you like paying price hike and look under bonnet of new CLA and find Renault engine
......

It wouldn't matter who made it if it was side ways. ;) Engines should live a north/south orientation in a car ;) ;)
 

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I was at MB Central Manchester ordering ATF cooler pipes when a chap walked in and showed a key to one of the guys in the parts department (no idea what model etc) but I just over hear the price it was £265+vat can only be ordered from Germany after production of all the valid documents from the current owner.

So I guess what TV said is right they will have some overheads
 

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