Dealer overcharging on quartz of oil on 05 C230 SS
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28
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From: Long Island
Dealer overcharging on quartz of oil on 05 C230 SS
You can't believe what my local stealership try to do! They charged me 9 quartz of oil for a Service A on my 05 C230 SS this week. The manual clearly states 6 quartz only. Where are they getting this number from? I called them yesterday to confront them about it and the service rep. finally called me back today. She looked up the info in their system and it said 8.5 quartz for my car. Where is that number even coming from, a C32? I told them that's not what my manual says and asked for a copy of the manual. I brought the manual to them and the manager approved to credit me back the 3 quartz.
MB USA if you are reading this how can you guys let the stealers continue to do business? If they don't even know how many quartz of oil should go into my car why do they deserve to stay in business? If my car starts to have engine problem its probably due to overfilling the oil. Thanks for reading this guys. Don't leave the service area before going over the invoice, it was my mistake to send someone else to pick up the car this time.
MB USA if you are reading this how can you guys let the stealers continue to do business? If they don't even know how many quartz of oil should go into my car why do they deserve to stay in business? If my car starts to have engine problem its probably due to overfilling the oil. Thanks for reading this guys. Don't leave the service area before going over the invoice, it was my mistake to send someone else to pick up the car this time.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
The dealer is overcharging for something? Oh, no, say it isn't so!
The V6 Benz cars use 8.5 quarts. The M271 is 5.8. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe not. And trust me, I won't leave the service area before going over the invoice - mostly because I won't take my car to the dealership for maintenance because I won't dare pay the prices they ask. It costs me about $65 for an oil change on my 2005.
The V6 Benz cars use 8.5 quarts. The M271 is 5.8. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe not. And trust me, I won't leave the service area before going over the invoice - mostly because I won't take my car to the dealership for maintenance because I won't dare pay the prices they ask. It costs me about $65 for an oil change on my 2005.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 249
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From: Cleveland, OH
2004.0 C230 Sedan
Intentional Overcharging + MB Dealership = STEALERSHIP
So 3 qts at $7.00 each means the stealership has been making an extra $21.00 on every oil change on a W203 with an M271. I am starting to smell an easily winnable class action lawsuit.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
are you an attorney? unless you're a consumer attorney with a long history of trying class action matters, I don't think you can accurately make that assumption.
which dealer are you going to sue? I don't think you could sue MBUSA b/c all the dealers are not owned by the same corporate shell and not all dealers do this...
I just love how everyone is quick to interject some sort of "I'll see you in court" bs.
as for the "overcharge," don't you guys get estimates from the dealer? I go in and negotiate with them as to a predetermined price for the service, regardless of how many quarts are used or hours of service performed. As a result, it really doesn't matter what shows up on the service sheet aside from how much I'm going to pay and what was performed.
you have to negotiate these things, if you just go in and say "hey, here are my keys, I want whatever it needs," get ready to get bent over.
which dealer are you going to sue? I don't think you could sue MBUSA b/c all the dealers are not owned by the same corporate shell and not all dealers do this...
I just love how everyone is quick to interject some sort of "I'll see you in court" bs.
as for the "overcharge," don't you guys get estimates from the dealer? I go in and negotiate with them as to a predetermined price for the service, regardless of how many quarts are used or hours of service performed. As a result, it really doesn't matter what shows up on the service sheet aside from how much I'm going to pay and what was performed.
you have to negotiate these things, if you just go in and say "hey, here are my keys, I want whatever it needs," get ready to get bent over.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 331
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From: Bangkok, Thailand
W124, W203, W204, W251
It costs me about $65 for an oil change on my 2005.
SWARE to God......I'll never go there again
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Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 249
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From: Cleveland, OH
2004.0 C230 Sedan
If we got enough C230 owners behind the suit, conducted research on MBUSA's involvement (is the billing/computer system used by the dealership setup by MBUSA?), along with other research and data gathering on specific dealerships, the attorney felt that this could turn out to be an extremely solid case in court.
I don't have a problem with a business that charges ridiculously high fees (MB stealership). It is up to the consumer to find a business that will provide a service or product at a price he feels is fair. I choose not to get any work done at the stealership because I do not feel their prices are fair.
What I DO have a problem with is deceptive business practices. MB dealers are literally STEALING money from people by charging for a physical product that is not given to them or used. Gross overbilling for labor hours is different because those "billable" hours are disclosed upfront before a repair is done and is charged at a flat rate. (in the stupid book/manual that always says a repair job takes 3 times longer than it really does).
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 3
From: Royal Oak, Michigan
Moped
i hope we all learned our lesson...
so next time kids......
use a mityvac!
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!
its about $30 per oil change, you cant go wrong with that!
and you can use it on other cars you own.
and if any mistakes happen you dont blame anyone but yourself.
keep driving!
so next time kids......
use a mityvac!
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!
its about $30 per oil change, you cant go wrong with that!
and you can use it on other cars you own.
and if any mistakes happen you dont blame anyone but yourself.
keep driving!
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Actually, I have spoken about this specific matter with an attorney that specializes in this kind of litigation (class action, corporate negligence, deceptive business practices).
If we got enough C230 owners behind the suit, conducted research on MBUSA's involvement (is the billing/computer system used by the dealership setup by MBUSA?), along with other research and data gathering on specific dealerships, the attorney felt that this could turn out to be an extremely solid case in court.
I don't have a problem with a business that charges ridiculously high fees (MB stealership). It is up to the consumer to find a business that will provide a service or product at a price he feels is fair. I choose not to get any work done at the stealership because I do not feel their prices are fair.
What I DO have a problem with is deceptive business practices. MB dealers are literally STEALING money from people by charging for a physical product that is not given to them or used. Gross overbilling for labor hours is different because those "billable" hours are disclosed upfront before a repair is done and is charged at a flat rate. (in the stupid book/manual that always says a repair job takes 3 times longer than it really does).
If we got enough C230 owners behind the suit, conducted research on MBUSA's involvement (is the billing/computer system used by the dealership setup by MBUSA?), along with other research and data gathering on specific dealerships, the attorney felt that this could turn out to be an extremely solid case in court.
I don't have a problem with a business that charges ridiculously high fees (MB stealership). It is up to the consumer to find a business that will provide a service or product at a price he feels is fair. I choose not to get any work done at the stealership because I do not feel their prices are fair.
What I DO have a problem with is deceptive business practices. MB dealers are literally STEALING money from people by charging for a physical product that is not given to them or used. Gross overbilling for labor hours is different because those "billable" hours are disclosed upfront before a repair is done and is charged at a flat rate. (in the stupid book/manual that always says a repair job takes 3 times longer than it really does).
I'd love to see the attorney that would take this case. probably one that fell on hard times in this economy and is willing to take anything... or just one that's willing to take anything.
you do realize that that amount of discovery will cost millions and that the attorney that mounts this case will probably have to do it on a contingent basis. you really think anyone will pony up that much? I doubt it.
if you'd like, you can be the class representative and start assembling members of the class here on MBW.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
here's a tip, don't leave your car at service area or agree to service until you have cleared up what will be done and for how much. if they need to charge you more, then they need to discuss that with you.
last time I checked, most dealers charged a flat rate for the Service A or B or an oil change regardless of model. the extra oil in your invoice could simply be a typo.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 249
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From: Cleveland, OH
2004.0 C230 Sedan
oh really... I love how you had that attorney on such short notice.
I'd love to see the attorney that would take this case. Probably one that fell on hard times in this economy and is willing to take anything... or just one that's willing to take anything.
you do realize that that amount of discovery will cost millions and that the attorney that mounts this case will probably have to do it on a contingent basis. you really think anyone will pony up that much? I doubt it.
if you'd like, you can be the class representative and start assembling member s of the class here on MBW.
I'd love to see the attorney that would take this case. Probably one that fell on hard times in this economy and is willing to take anything... or just one that's willing to take anything.
you do realize that that amount of discovery will cost millions and that the attorney that mounts this case will probably have to do it on a contingent basis. you really think anyone will pony up that much? I doubt it.
if you'd like, you can be the class representative and start assembling member s of the class here on MBW.
To clarify, I did not go to this attorney to seek advice about proceeding with this class action lawsuit. I am actually taking a business law class for my MBA program, which will be completed in 4 days. One of the papers I had to write was about class action lawsuits. My professor for the business law class is a practicing attorney that has been involved in many successful class action lawsuits (Tampax being his highest profile case). I spoke with him in detail specifically about the overbilled C230 oil change for the class action lawsuit paper, but chose to go another easier route.
I never said this case was a 100% slam dunk winner. I said this COULD be a strong case, but I do agree that it would take a lot of money and time.
All I ask is that you show a little more tact in your posts because I find it disrespectful that you talking down to me.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Are my comments really that deserving of the condemnation and attitude you are giving me?
To clarify, I did not go to this attorney to seek advice about proceeding with this class action lawsuit. I am actually taking a business law class for my MBA program, which will be completed in 4 days. One of the papers I had to write was about class action lawsuits. My professor for the business law class is a practicing attorney that has been involved in many successful class action lawsuits (Tampax being his highest profile case). I spoke with him in detail specifically about the overbilled C230 oil change for the class action lawsuit paper, but chose to go another easier route.
I never said this case was a 100% slam dunk winner. I said this COULD be a strong case, but I do agree that it would take a lot of money and time.
all I ask is that you show a little more tact in your posts because I find it disrespectful that you talking down to me.
To clarify, I did not go to this attorney to seek advice about proceeding with this class action lawsuit. I am actually taking a business law class for my MBA program, which will be completed in 4 days. One of the papers I had to write was about class action lawsuits. My professor for the business law class is a practicing attorney that has been involved in many successful class action lawsuits (Tampax being his highest profile case). I spoke with him in detail specifically about the overbilled C230 oil change for the class action lawsuit paper, but chose to go another easier route.
I never said this case was a 100% slam dunk winner. I said this COULD be a strong case, but I do agree that it would take a lot of money and time.
all I ask is that you show a little more tact in your posts because I find it disrespectful that you talking down to me.
my apologies if my attitude was not to your liking. however, hearing "let's sue!" all the time about ridiculous things gets under my skin. the fact is, you should have done your homework before even going to the dealer and not be crying about a trivial typo after the fact.
congratulations on finishing your MBA. however, you are still not qualified to make such remarks about such litigation--perhaps your professor needs additional clarification and information on the matter.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
i only pay 69.95 at the dealer to get an oil change. yes i know every one hates the dealers but i actually have been to every dealer in my area and found one that has a really nice service advisors. but they also have a really nice shop manager (cant remember correct title) who has helped me three times personally and let me into the service area to watch them work on my car and a sl65 black series. i have to reasons for using the dealer still one is that i don't have the space to really do the oil change comfortably and almost every time i go in to the dealer they find something two goodwill even at my last oil change at a little over 120000. and i have already called them at 134,000 about a small problem and my service adviser would goodwill it. remember always send your service adviser gifts. and after every service i send a letter to the boss of every employee that helps me. five employee's have sent me a letter thanking me for sending in a letter that got them bonuses and special recognition.
Last edited by samaritrey; Aug 29, 2009 at 06:13 PM.
