Service above and beyond
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Service above and beyond
After all that has been said regarding the CD changers and installation, I wanted to share my recent experience.
Since I was too cheap to pay the $1,000 for the CD changer from the dealer, decided to make the drive down to Miami and pick up one directly from Auto Class. The first time I called Auto Class, they said they would install it for free. When I called back, they realized I was talking about the new C230 and not the old one and that I would have to have the dealer install it. So, then I got a quote from the deal to install the unit for $185 if I supplied all the parts. $450 plus $185, I’m still ahead by $365. So on Friday I drop off the car at the dealer to have the tint put on, and when I told the sales rep about the price on the CD changer from Auto Class, he said give me a minute it and I’ll be right back. He comes back and says, when you come back in an hour to pick up you car, bring $100 cash and the unit will be installed. So while my car was being tinted one of the techs went up and installed the unit. I realized I may not get the MB warranty but for a savings of $450 I’m thinking it’s worth it. In addition to all this, the sales rep gave me his personal car (not a demo) to use while I was waiting. These guys where great to work with and they have definitely earned my loyalty!
Since I was too cheap to pay the $1,000 for the CD changer from the dealer, decided to make the drive down to Miami and pick up one directly from Auto Class. The first time I called Auto Class, they said they would install it for free. When I called back, they realized I was talking about the new C230 and not the old one and that I would have to have the dealer install it. So, then I got a quote from the deal to install the unit for $185 if I supplied all the parts. $450 plus $185, I’m still ahead by $365. So on Friday I drop off the car at the dealer to have the tint put on, and when I told the sales rep about the price on the CD changer from Auto Class, he said give me a minute it and I’ll be right back. He comes back and says, when you come back in an hour to pick up you car, bring $100 cash and the unit will be installed. So while my car was being tinted one of the techs went up and installed the unit. I realized I may not get the MB warranty but for a savings of $450 I’m thinking it’s worth it. In addition to all this, the sales rep gave me his personal car (not a demo) to use while I was waiting. These guys where great to work with and they have definitely earned my loyalty!
Out Of Control!!
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From: Obama Land
K Car
You got the CD changer and installation for $100, or was that just the installation (down from the original $185 that they quoted you)? Either way, you got a great deal!
All of us "suckers" out hear that paid full price are very jealous.
All of us "suckers" out hear that paid full price are very jealous.
Last edited by revstriker; Feb 11, 2002 at 01:38 PM.
Member
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From: CT
"To clarify, the installation only was "under the table" for $100."
This "under the table" installtion was part of a theft of services from the dealer. Is it really worth your $85 savings to participate in this scheme?
This "under the table" installtion was part of a theft of services from the dealer. Is it really worth your $85 savings to participate in this scheme?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally posted by DrMike
This "under the table" installtion was part of a theft of services from the dealer. Is it really worth your $85 savings to participate in this scheme?
This "under the table" installtion was part of a theft of services from the dealer. Is it really worth your $85 savings to participate in this scheme?
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Member
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From: Miami
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Steven how's their service dpartment besides this last encounter, i'm in the middle of negotiations with them for a 230k and want to know if it'll be worth going up there for the service. I'm from Miami but i frequent there. Also sales tax is lower
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Sal,
I've only had the car a week and I just put it in the shop for the first time this morning. So I'll have to let you know how they do. I was offered a rental car for the day (no Benz loaners). The problem I'm having with the car is the Radio frequency in the key remote stopped working and the radio reception went out the same time. It seems like it's a known service issue and MB has put out a report. Now they may be replacing my who rear windshield.
They have a huge new dealership under construction at the corner of 84 & Federal just south of the airport that should improve things a lot.
Which rep are dealing with?
I've only had the car a week and I just put it in the shop for the first time this morning. So I'll have to let you know how they do. I was offered a rental car for the day (no Benz loaners). The problem I'm having with the car is the Radio frequency in the key remote stopped working and the radio reception went out the same time. It seems like it's a known service issue and MB has put out a report. Now they may be replacing my who rear windshield.
They have a huge new dealership under construction at the corner of 84 & Federal just south of the airport that should improve things a lot.
Which rep are dealing with?
oh well....as long as they give a loaner it's all good
Thread Starter
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I worked with Peter & Peter (Leavy and McGinnis), they work as a team. Peter Leavy was my primary contact. As for pricing, I paid list (w/o any dealer prep fee), but got them to throw in free tint and a car cover.
As for the car, it awsome. I can't see myself driving anything else for many years to come. I absolutely love it. I now look forward to the commute from Lauderdale to Boca every day for work.
Good luck!
As for the car, it awsome. I can't see myself driving anything else for many years to come. I absolutely love it. I now look forward to the commute from Lauderdale to Boca every day for work.
Good luck!
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'01 C240/6
That's a good price, but I agree, its basically a coordinated theft from the dealership.
Crooked guys like that Tech don't usually last long, because they invariably get caught. If he's willing to steal like that, he is undoubtedly doing other things, like taking parts, etc. when he thinks no one is looking.
And, Revstriker, that is quite an argument that you make: "Would his $85 be better spent by paying them "over the table"? I would look at it as an $85 favor from the dealer."
Do you pocket candybars at the store and look at it as a $1 "favor" from the grocery store??
Its not a "favor" from the dealer, who is getting secretly ripped off.
If you agree with Revstriker, you can get lots more "favors" from the dealership. Tell the crooked Tech you are going to report him unless he "procures" some goodies from behind the parts counter for you! No biggie, right?
Crooked guys like that Tech don't usually last long, because they invariably get caught. If he's willing to steal like that, he is undoubtedly doing other things, like taking parts, etc. when he thinks no one is looking.
And, Revstriker, that is quite an argument that you make: "Would his $85 be better spent by paying them "over the table"? I would look at it as an $85 favor from the dealer."
Do you pocket candybars at the store and look at it as a $1 "favor" from the grocery store??
Its not a "favor" from the dealer, who is getting secretly ripped off.
If you agree with Revstriker, you can get lots more "favors" from the dealership. Tell the crooked Tech you are going to report him unless he "procures" some goodies from behind the parts counter for you! No biggie, right?
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2002 Lexus IS300 5-speed
I wonder if any managers or owner from that dealer visit this forum...
Now, for those who has received gifts (keychains, coffee mug, MB car wash set, etc.) from the salesperson after they bought the car. Does the salesperson buy the gifts themselves or do they get the goods under the counter and pass it on to the clients?
Now, for those who has received gifts (keychains, coffee mug, MB car wash set, etc.) from the salesperson after they bought the car. Does the salesperson buy the gifts themselves or do they get the goods under the counter and pass it on to the clients?
Last edited by pixmation; Feb 12, 2002 at 05:46 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
For the gifts, I've heard that some salemen claim this comes out of their own pockets. My guess is that it really comes out of the dealer's profit, as I'd imagine most dealers give away the same package to all new buyers, irrespective of the particular saleman (as some have received them in the mail later directly from the dealer).
Regarding the "theft from the dealer" for the changer install - in my opinion the pocketing of the candy bar may not be the best example - a better example is that if while at the store someone else offers to sell the same candy bar for less (the store lost a sale, but their prices weren't competitive - ahh, capitalism). Maybe for the sake of propriety, the tech should have done it at another location on his lunch hour (which is probably when he did the install anyway). Also, since I'd guess about 80% of us view this site while at work, technically we're stealing from our respective companies the salary made while misusing company resources to screw around here. Making a lot of us guilty of a very similar offense.
Cheers, BT
Regarding the "theft from the dealer" for the changer install - in my opinion the pocketing of the candy bar may not be the best example - a better example is that if while at the store someone else offers to sell the same candy bar for less (the store lost a sale, but their prices weren't competitive - ahh, capitalism). Maybe for the sake of propriety, the tech should have done it at another location on his lunch hour (which is probably when he did the install anyway). Also, since I'd guess about 80% of us view this site while at work, technically we're stealing from our respective companies the salary made while misusing company resources to screw around here. Making a lot of us guilty of a very similar offense.
Cheers, BT
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Bay Area
C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Well... I check out the site at night when I get home... not at work...
I actually saw the sales went to the parts department... ask for the items and ask him to put it in his accounts... I mean they might get quota from the dealer...certain amount free... but every dealer might do it differently... Either way... IMHO, I don't think they are stealing them...
I actually saw the sales went to the parts department... ask for the items and ask him to put it in his accounts... I mean they might get quota from the dealer...certain amount free... but every dealer might do it differently... Either way... IMHO, I don't think they are stealing them...
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,161
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally posted by SoCal240/6
That's a good price, but I agree, its basically a coordinated theft from the dealership.
Crooked guys like that Tech don't usually last long, because they invariably get caught. If he's willing to steal like that, he is undoubtedly doing other things, like taking parts, etc. when he thinks no one is looking.
And, Revstriker, that is quite an argument that you make: "Would his $85 be better spent by paying them "over the table"? I would look at it as an $85 favor from the dealer."
Do you pocket candybars at the store and look at it as a $1 "favor" from the grocery store??
Its not a "favor" from the dealer, who is getting secretly ripped off.
If you agree with Revstriker, you can get lots more "favors" from the dealership. Tell the crooked Tech you are going to report him unless he "procures" some goodies from behind the parts counter for you! No biggie, right?
That's a good price, but I agree, its basically a coordinated theft from the dealership.
Crooked guys like that Tech don't usually last long, because they invariably get caught. If he's willing to steal like that, he is undoubtedly doing other things, like taking parts, etc. when he thinks no one is looking.
And, Revstriker, that is quite an argument that you make: "Would his $85 be better spent by paying them "over the table"? I would look at it as an $85 favor from the dealer."
Do you pocket candybars at the store and look at it as a $1 "favor" from the grocery store??
Its not a "favor" from the dealer, who is getting secretly ripped off.
If you agree with Revstriker, you can get lots more "favors" from the dealership. Tell the crooked Tech you are going to report him unless he "procures" some goodies from behind the parts counter for you! No biggie, right?
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'01 C240/6
Originally posted by revstriker
Sorry SoCal, but I've got to disagree here. In no way is this like stealing candy from a grocery store. The original poster did not "steal" anything. The tech did an install for him and charged him less than the dealer would charge. If a MB Tech lived next door to you and offered to install your CD changer for $85 less than the dealer, you would say no?? To me, this is the same thing. My argument here is not that this is legit, or even right that the tech would do this. I leave that to the dealer and the tech. My argument is that I would not think twice about this "deal" if it were offered to me. I am also not suggesting that anyone try to blackmail anyone else to get things for free. This would be more like your "pocket candybar" example (actually, worse).
Sorry SoCal, but I've got to disagree here. In no way is this like stealing candy from a grocery store. The original poster did not "steal" anything. The tech did an install for him and charged him less than the dealer would charge. If a MB Tech lived next door to you and offered to install your CD changer for $85 less than the dealer, you would say no?? To me, this is the same thing. My argument here is not that this is legit, or even right that the tech would do this. I leave that to the dealer and the tech. My argument is that I would not think twice about this "deal" if it were offered to me. I am also not suggesting that anyone try to blackmail anyone else to get things for free. This would be more like your "pocket candybar" example (actually, worse).
But, the Tech sure did. And the Tech could only steal with the cooperation and assistance of the original poster.
The tech stole because he installed the unit at the dealer's premises, on the dealer's time. The dealer was deprived of $185 that it fully earned and was entitled to.
Really, what the tech did was no different, from the dealer's perspective or bottom line, than if he would have charged $185, put the $185 in the cash register, and then later took the $185 and put it in his pocket. How would that, from the dealer's bottom line, been any different?
When the tech did the work at the dealership of installing the changer, the DEALER (not the tech, he's already been paid via his salary) earned $185. Yet, the dealer got none of its EARNED money. Thus, $185 was stolen from the dealer.
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by SoCal240/6
When the tech did the work at the dealership of installing the changer, the DEALER (not the tech, he's already been paid via his salary) earned $185. Yet, the dealer got none of its EARNED money. Thus, $185 was stolen from the dealer.
When the tech did the work at the dealership of installing the changer, the DEALER (not the tech, he's already been paid via his salary) earned $185. Yet, the dealer got none of its EARNED money. Thus, $185 was stolen from the dealer.
Maybe the Tech was on his lunch break ... ????
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'01 C240/6
The customer is the DEALER'S customer, not the Tech's customer.
Its really hard for me to believe that this is not a super-obvious issue. Its kind of frightening, actually. But I guess that's how far we've come.
To prove my point, why don't we send a copy of this thread to the owner or GM of the dealership to get their perspective? The Tech and the Service Advisor can explain to the owner how the Tech was "on his lunch break," or any other such nonsense.
Guess what would happen to the Tech and the Service Advisor?
Its really hard for me to believe that this is not a super-obvious issue. Its kind of frightening, actually. But I guess that's how far we've come.
To prove my point, why don't we send a copy of this thread to the owner or GM of the dealership to get their perspective? The Tech and the Service Advisor can explain to the owner how the Tech was "on his lunch break," or any other such nonsense.
Guess what would happen to the Tech and the Service Advisor?
