i knew i should have got an SL
Horrible Experience at N. Cali MB Dealer
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: East Bay, CA
MB w204 C300 Sport, Audi B7 A4 2.0TQ, Porsche Cayman 981
Sorry to hear about your experiences, Devastator.
This whole "asian" thing at Pleasanton, IMHO, might be a bit far-fetched. I am asian too, and everytime I go to that dealership for service, all I ever see are asians rolling up in pretty much anything from the C class to their SLRs. You hear some complain about things (but you get the feeling it's more of a snobby customer thing, rather than poor service) but for the most part I talk to others in the waiting room and everyone seems to be pleased overall.
Sure, the service department seems a little outdated in their style, with a ridiculous clipboard to sign in, but I have had both good and bad experiences in almost every dealership in the east bay. It's all about the relationship you have with your service rep. And if you have a bad one, make sure you dont get them again and ask for a different one.
I've brought my C class to Pleasanton for the courtesy inspection, handled by Mike, and service A, handled by Rick. Both were courteous and stood by the timetable they promised. Both asked if I wanted the car washed, and both were helpful in making sure shuttle transportation was available for me (I work in Bishop Ranch)
I serviced several bimmers at East Bay BMW down the street and my experiences are quite similar. Not really relevant here, but again, my point is that it's not necessarily the dealership, but the actual service rep you work with. Just ask for someone else next time.
Talk to Rick or Mike, they were very nice. I've met Uwe, and quite honestly, guys of his stature really don't give a shat.
This whole "asian" thing at Pleasanton, IMHO, might be a bit far-fetched. I am asian too, and everytime I go to that dealership for service, all I ever see are asians rolling up in pretty much anything from the C class to their SLRs. You hear some complain about things (but you get the feeling it's more of a snobby customer thing, rather than poor service) but for the most part I talk to others in the waiting room and everyone seems to be pleased overall.
Sure, the service department seems a little outdated in their style, with a ridiculous clipboard to sign in, but I have had both good and bad experiences in almost every dealership in the east bay. It's all about the relationship you have with your service rep. And if you have a bad one, make sure you dont get them again and ask for a different one.
I've brought my C class to Pleasanton for the courtesy inspection, handled by Mike, and service A, handled by Rick. Both were courteous and stood by the timetable they promised. Both asked if I wanted the car washed, and both were helpful in making sure shuttle transportation was available for me (I work in Bishop Ranch)
I serviced several bimmers at East Bay BMW down the street and my experiences are quite similar. Not really relevant here, but again, my point is that it's not necessarily the dealership, but the actual service rep you work with. Just ask for someone else next time.
Talk to Rick or Mike, they were very nice. I've met Uwe, and quite honestly, guys of his stature really don't give a shat.
Last edited by itcrashed; Dec 6, 2008 at 10:43 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Covington wa
05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11
Based on the hierarchy of the MB cars, be thankful you don't drive a B class then (no offense).
With Audi, I only had an A4, which is perhaps analogous to the W204, and always had good service at the dealership. However, I knew which service rep to go to and in the end, I thanked him with a small envelop.
Hopefully, these are dealership specific so we can avoid them. If the service is consistently good, then I will consider buying cars from MB in the future.
With Audi, I only had an A4, which is perhaps analogous to the W204, and always had good service at the dealership. However, I knew which service rep to go to and in the end, I thanked him with a small envelop.
Hopefully, these are dealership specific so we can avoid them. If the service is consistently good, then I will consider buying cars from MB in the future.
I'm not supposed to tell you guys about the complimentary BJs for the SL owners. But I just did.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
Service it at Oakland. It is small dealership, but I alwasy got a good service. If you like something bigger, then you can check autobahn motors at Belmont. They give outstanding service. Thanks for headup for Pleasanton, I was going there tomorrow to see if any good deal, but it looks I should avoid the dealer.
If you think that you got bad service becasue you are Asian, then you should certainly go to Belmont. All SA are Asian there, and owners of high end models are Asain too, for example CEO of Nvidia.
If you think that you got bad service becasue you are Asian, then you should certainly go to Belmont. All SA are Asian there, and owners of high end models are Asain too, for example CEO of Nvidia.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Covington wa
05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11
If you don't like your service, do what I do, vote with your feet and take your wallet elsewhere.
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
C350
I can beat this. I dropped my car off for the A service at SF Benz. Instead of getting it washed, they got it rear ended. You can imagine how that phone call went, "sir, I've got some good news and some bad news. Your oil is changed but we were in an accident with your car"
Fortunately, it was just the rear quarter panel and they took care of the whole thing. But still . . .
Fortunately, it was just the rear quarter panel and they took care of the whole thing. But still . . .
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Severn, Maryland
not currently a benz
Its because they have high school kids washing the cars. At my dealer we did an oil change on a 210 and sent it up to wash. After a while the customer started asking where his car was, so we walked up to the wash and saw it parked and still running. We walk around to the passenger side and every panel is dented in and there is also a brand new toyota all messed up behind it. The car wash kids fly around the parking lot talking on their cell phones. The dealer ended up buying the car from him and made him an awesome deal on a 211 E500.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
c350 sport
i haven't been to the service yet but when i got my 09 c350 i had to pull some guy out from the showroom and tell them i'm buying a c350 he looked at me like i was nothing i was a joke maybe in his eyes i'm just a asian kid can only afford a japanese car anyway i waited for a week to go back for another salesman got the car in front of the one i pull out from the showroom. i can tell from his face how sorry he is i can't wait to experience the s.d
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo, California
2008 c350 SG - 2004 c240 Wagon BS
I think the most common owners of Mercedes Benz in California are Asians. The salesman would be stupid to ignore you because you're an Asian, since they are very good customers. Maybe you're just taking it too hard.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: san jose, ca
2009 C350 P2 MM Pano
Speak of the devil. I just had my car serviced at Pleasanton on Saturday.
I agree with the others in this thread -- dealing the race card unless completely obvious is unnecessary. I'm in my 20's, am asian, and went in looking like a bum and my experience there was great. I'd also suggest dealing with a different service manager if possible.
On the other hand, they did pull the same stunt with the car wash. They left me a message early on saying the car was finished and being washed. Turns out it only headed to the wash when I came to pick the car up.
I agree with the others in this thread -- dealing the race card unless completely obvious is unnecessary. I'm in my 20's, am asian, and went in looking like a bum and my experience there was great. I'd also suggest dealing with a different service manager if possible.
On the other hand, they did pull the same stunt with the car wash. They left me a message early on saying the car was finished and being washed. Turns out it only headed to the wash when I came to pick the car up.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
C-300, XC70, Wrangler
At least you still have a dealer to take the car to.
I got a letter this weekend from Volvo Western Region to inform me that my dealership has closed their local branch. To service my Volvo, I get to either go to their main branch (20 miles away) or try another dealer (20 miles away in a different direction).
These are hard times in the auto business. Be happy you can go into your dealer and fight with them over the service level you want. Even fighting over service and complaining about the level you get beats not having a local dealership.
I got a letter this weekend from Volvo Western Region to inform me that my dealership has closed their local branch. To service my Volvo, I get to either go to their main branch (20 miles away) or try another dealer (20 miles away in a different direction).
These are hard times in the auto business. Be happy you can go into your dealer and fight with them over the service level you want. Even fighting over service and complaining about the level you get beats not having a local dealership.
