Don't you just love it when your SA tries to rip you off
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0
Don't you just love it when your SA tries to rip you off
My car is in for an A service, I am at 38,000 miles as well as the ongoing Check Washer Fluid light issue. Anyway all of the SA's have been replaced at my AD since I had last been there (wonder why)and I don't know this one at all. I get a call that my car is ready for pickup but the tech suggested that I have all of the brakes replaced as they are very low. Now this SA doesn't know that I am a fanatic about my car and had not checked the history before calling with this. I told him that it is impossible for the brakes to be very low as the rears had been replaced at 24,000 and the fronts at 32,000. I also had the brake fluid changed with the rears. I hear some shuffling of papers and he says sorry sir I was looking at the paperwork for someone elses E350 when I qouted the brakes. Hmmmm I smelll BS. I think this car will be traded in soon, this isn't the first time an SA has lied to me about needed repairs.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 649
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From: Bakersfield, CA
Mercedes Benz C300 Sport
If it was an honest mistake or not... If you hadn't know better it would have resulted to unnecessary repairs which in turn will cost you a pretty penny. Having at least some basic knowledge about your vehicle's maintenance can protect you from opportunistic SA's
Thanks for sharing Ron Jr
Thanks for sharing Ron Jr
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
2008 C350 Sport
It seems like MB dealerships are the worst about this...but I think most lux dealerships do this. It's critical to find an SA that you like and let them know right away that you are not their average dumbace MB owner, you know your stuff, and you will not be taken advantage of... The SA that I have now is superb after he realized he wasn't going to make $$$ on me. In your situation though, you had a new SA so he thought he'd try to scam you, maybe now he knows who he's dealing with though. I do really think though that MB dealerships think that MB owners are complete morons with the crap they try to pull...and some of them are, let's be honest. Just none of us here :o) The dealerships hate the forums, ha ha, we cut into their bottom line a bit I think.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
Every dealership I've ever heard of has always returned saying that your brakes need to be replaced. Hate it for the people who fall for it...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,764
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
Classic BS. I have come up on this nonsense, and other tactics of overcharging for service as well. The sad part is, the dealers doing this crap are running people away and making MB owners not trust the dealer even more.
I busted two dealers in GA already and got either refunds or apologies when they realized I am not a sheep waiting to get sheared.
I busted two dealers in GA already and got either refunds or apologies when they realized I am not a sheep waiting to get sheared.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 910
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From: North Scottsdale
06 C 350 2014 GLK350
What is the new front pad thickness and what is the recommended replacement thickness? My 06 C350 measured at 4-6 mm and my SA said I needed new pads in the next couple thousand miles. I said no way.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 391
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
2005 E500, 2011 ML350
Mb recommends replacement below 4mm (will not make it until next service). Light comes on @ around 2.5--------BTW 4mm and 6mm is a BIG difference.....
So if you are @ 4mm and the light comes on in another 1.5mm of wear, a couple thousand miles makes sense.
If at 6mm, you have a good while to go.
So if you are @ 4mm and the light comes on in another 1.5mm of wear, a couple thousand miles makes sense.
If at 6mm, you have a good while to go.
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
1999 210 4matic / 2011 W204 C300 sport
My car is in for an A service, I am at 38,000 miles as well as the ongoing Check Washer Fluid light issue. Anyway all of the SA's have been replaced at my AD since I had last been there (wonder why)and I don't know this one at all. I get a call that my car is ready for pickup but the tech suggested that I have all of the brakes replaced as they are very low. Now this SA doesn't know that I am a fanatic about my car and had not checked the history before calling with this. I told him that it is impossible for the brakes to be very low as the rears had been replaced at 24,000 and the fronts at 32,000. I also had the brake fluid changed with the rears. I hear some shuffling of papers and he says sorry sir I was looking at the paperwork for someone elses E350 when I qouted the brakes. Hmmmm I smelll BS. I think this car will be traded in soon, this isn't the first time an SA has lied to me about needed repairs.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
2008 C350 Sport
Think about all the clueless MB owners that just agree to everything the SA tells them needs to be done...I have witnessed this first hand at my dealership. They must make a ton off of clueless owners for unnecessary services... As all of us are enthusiasts here I would hope that no one gets screwed by the dealer and maybe we should start calling them out on it a little more to maybe help the next person from getting screwed over. I think the SA knows what kind of owner you are after they talk to you a bit. Once my SA realized that I knew more than his average clueless customer, he stopped trying to sell unnecessary services. They are in it to make money and will take it from anyone willing to give it.
That being said I expected better from MB being a first time owner but the service prices and scams are the worst I've ever experienced. Never had SA try to sell me things I didn't need or overcharge me at my local Mazda and Honda dealerships, just sayin'. Guess MB has to pay for their superior dealerships somehow but it ain't going to be by milking this guy for $$$
That being said I expected better from MB being a first time owner but the service prices and scams are the worst I've ever experienced. Never had SA try to sell me things I didn't need or overcharge me at my local Mazda and Honda dealerships, just sayin'. Guess MB has to pay for their superior dealerships somehow but it ain't going to be by milking this guy for $$$
Last edited by MBnewby; Feb 5, 2011 at 02:48 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 312
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C350 Elegance
It's always been like that. As the great Bette Davis would say: "It's the breaks, kids".
Nevertheless, for each SA who'd write up an unnecessary job there is a user who would lie if needed to get away with something. A fact of this rotten world.
Nevertheless, for each SA who'd write up an unnecessary job there is a user who would lie if needed to get away with something. A fact of this rotten world.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
The dealer's goal is to make money whereas the car owner's goal is to pay nothing and if that means being less than truthful, well then.....
We have seen plenty of that here including those MB newbies who panic at every little thing, real or imagined, and rush off to the dealer for some hand holding.
They become targets for commission seekers.
