Help! Dealer ruined my car!
#51
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2023 C300
Weather's pretty bad in DC today - will try to get a few pics this weekend...since I obviously won't be driving anywhere (inauguration).
#52
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Well, I guess I'm glad this is finally resolved. Shame the dealer was such a hassle.
Such is life in the car dealer game. The buying experience almost always sucks which is why if I have a good experience I try and become loyal to that particular salesman. Unfortunately, it's hard to find that one good salesman out of the bunch.
Such is life in the car dealer game. The buying experience almost always sucks which is why if I have a good experience I try and become loyal to that particular salesman. Unfortunately, it's hard to find that one good salesman out of the bunch.
#53
Simple solution would be to give it to you as it was without the warmers. Buy retrofit from another dealer and have it installed yourself...
I do agree the button looks hideous... Sorry for your horrible experience.
I do agree the button looks hideous... Sorry for your horrible experience.
#54
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No dealer is educated enough to sell anyone a true OEM retrofit kit. Hence why we have guys like Steve who knows what they're doing after the car's already been built. That is simply not a feasible solution in practice, although in theory it makes sense.
And besides, how was the OP supposed to know his wasn't OEM? The sales person lied and told him it'd be OEM and he ended up with junk.
And besides, how was the OP supposed to know his wasn't OEM? The sales person lied and told him it'd be OEM and he ended up with junk.
#55
No dealer is educated enough to sell anyone a true OEM retrofit kit. Hence why we have guys like Steve who knows what they're doing after the car's already been built. That is simply not a feasible solution in practice, although in theory it makes sense.
And besides, how was the OP supposed to know his wasn't OEM? The sales person lied and told him it'd be OEM and he ended up with junk.
And besides, how was the OP supposed to know his wasn't OEM? The sales person lied and told him it'd be OEM and he ended up with junk.
This is the kind of issue that give car salesman such a bad name. Why wouldn't the guy just say the truth and tell the customer - listen, we can get something like it but not OEM. I feel the customer could have made an educated choice then.
Something else to consider in this case and because this is not a high claim it to sue the dealership through Small Claims court. Usually, those claims have a ceiling of $5K, but that's enough compensation for what he is going through. No need for a lawyer and judges are very reasonable regarding the type of proof you need to bring to win the claim.
Also, definitely call BBB and report the dealer. Something, large business like dealership receive incentives from the government and a bad BBB rating will eliminate those incentives. That's why you always report cell phone companies to the BBB if you want to get something done regarding them.
Best of luck for the owner with his claim. This type of issue really take the wind our of anyone's sails... really lame to have to deal with this on a brand new car
#56
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He already got the issue taken care of. The dealer swapped his car out for another one on the lot with heated seats from the factory, albeit he had to pay $500 more to change cars due to the higher level of equipment on the new one.
#58
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2012 C350
Disagree ^ The C-Class loses so much resale value in the first year that I wish I had saved the 10k and just bought one used like I had originally intended.
#59
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#63
I want pics too!
I must say that even if it is just a switch, i would have been a torture staring at that button everyday you get in the car.
I would have also asked for 100% stock look, but it they could not deliver it, al least they should have told you before installing the buttons, perhaps you would have been willing to have them installed in a more inconspicuous place
I must say that even if it is just a switch, i would have been a torture staring at that button everyday you get in the car.
I would have also asked for 100% stock look, but it they could not deliver it, al least they should have told you before installing the buttons, perhaps you would have been willing to have them installed in a more inconspicuous place
#64
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2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
The button was gross as someone above so accurately said.
Sorry the dealer sucked, in the end you win because black is a PITA anyway, silver is better. Post some pics!
Sorry the dealer sucked, in the end you win because black is a PITA anyway, silver is better. Post some pics!
#65
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2015 Carrara White Metallic Porsche Cayman
#67
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2023 C300
Just realized I forgot to share pics
It's been a little less than a month since I've swapped rides, and so far I'm loving the silver C250. Haven't done any mods and honestly, the only thing I'm planning are new 18" rims, and swapping the grille for the luxury grille.
The last pic is of the OEM heated seats. So glad to see this button instead of the aftermarket every morning.
The last pic is of the OEM heated seats. So glad to see this button instead of the aftermarket every morning.
#68
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2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
... I'm happy with the swap, just hated the way everything went down and constant feeling that I was a nuisance, my expectations were unreal, it was my fault for asking for heated seats, etc. This was my third trip to a dealership (Ford and Jeep being the previous two) for me and not my first time in an MB dealership (parents have driven Es and Ms)...and it was the worst I've ever dealt with.....
" He proceeded to tell me the dealership can install, it'll look EXACTLY like it would if it came from the factory. "
And when you knew it looked like a lousy DIY mod, they offered you the ability to look at that bird poop on your dash forever, and get a free service next time. Thanks a lot !!
You felt fault. It's a bit like going to a doctor, I always feel that he has some special knowledge in his field, and I loose my normal logical analysis of a proposed treatment, and I get talked into it and then suffer as I had anticipated, because of that same special power your dealersip tries to hold over you. You did great in not accepting the first offer. I didn't stay firm on my medical problem and suffered because of it.
Another way they make you fell wrong is when this exchange happened after they finished the redo: "two salesmen asked to look at it (apparently my story made the rounds) and all said "Gosh that looks great!"
You did a great job on getting what you wantedd in the end. I think part of your problem is being forced to go to a dealer near the undisputed center of incompetence, the Federal Government.
Competent service is a wonderful experience, when it rarely happens. It was not to be found when my Mom's AC suffered from multiple failures over the last 4 years in her Florida house. I started to analize it on Easter 2012 during a family gathering, when it failed again. I had to get nasty on the phone with her contrator to get it fixed before everyone had arrived, with 85 deg humid air in the house. They had miswired the blower motor so it ran at slow speed only, freezing the indoor coil for the kill. It took me 1 day to find the problem and 3 months of phone calls to tell them what had to be done and how to do it.
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Last edited by kevink2; 02-13-2013 at 06:58 PM.