Mercedes of Massapequa tried to rip me off bigtime.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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09 335i 03 CLK55 AMG
Mercedes of Massapequa tried to rip me off bigtime.
Just a warning to everyone about how important it is to get second opinions.
I recently had one of my Xenon's go out as some of you might know and went to Mercedes-Benz of Massapequa to get a quote to fix it. The headlight would come on, flicker, then go out...so I wasn't sure if it was the ballast or the bulb or a bad connection. I go to the dealership, said please tell me what's wrong with the headlight and give me a quote, I'll wait in the waiting room. The guy initially tells me diagnostic alone is going to be $120 regardless of the problem, I said that's fine I understand. I'm sitting in the waiting room for a good hour, then the service advisor comes up to me and says, "It's pretty serious, you need a whole new headlight and everything. Something is wrong with the electrical and with the headlight ignitor. You need a new headlight because its specific to the ignitor, as well as a bulb and a new ballast." Of course I was pissed off, they just replaced this headlight December 5, 2006 just a year ago. I said ok, how much will this be? He tells me with labor and parts and tax your looking at $1,795. Of course I was angry at this insane price, and he's like do you want to do it? They have to order you the parts and we can give you a loaner car. So I said no don't do it, I can't afford this now (I really just wanted a second opinion). I paid them their $120 for diagnostic, and I'm on my way.
When I get home, I called up Lakeview Mercedes to make an appointment for a second opinion. They said Friday morning you can bring it. I agreed. I get there Friday morning, service advisor comes out and asks me what I need help with. I told her the same situation about the headlight, and she says not a problem, we'll have them take a look at it right away. She says diagnostic will be $60. I said that's fine I understand. I wait in the waiting room. 50 minutes later, they come out, and say your car is ready. I say its done? headlights fixed? They said yes all you needed was a new bulb...the one you had was shot. I go outside, test the headlight, and it works perfectly fine. My bill was $258 and I was out of there in an hour. This is a difference of $1,537 of what the other place quoted me. I've driven the car for the past two nights, not one problem with the headlight, not a flicker, NOTHING. I can't say enough to you guys how important it is to get a second opinion, I've very glad I did. Just wanted to share my story. Everyone have a happy and healthy holiday.
-Jared
I recently had one of my Xenon's go out as some of you might know and went to Mercedes-Benz of Massapequa to get a quote to fix it. The headlight would come on, flicker, then go out...so I wasn't sure if it was the ballast or the bulb or a bad connection. I go to the dealership, said please tell me what's wrong with the headlight and give me a quote, I'll wait in the waiting room. The guy initially tells me diagnostic alone is going to be $120 regardless of the problem, I said that's fine I understand. I'm sitting in the waiting room for a good hour, then the service advisor comes up to me and says, "It's pretty serious, you need a whole new headlight and everything. Something is wrong with the electrical and with the headlight ignitor. You need a new headlight because its specific to the ignitor, as well as a bulb and a new ballast." Of course I was pissed off, they just replaced this headlight December 5, 2006 just a year ago. I said ok, how much will this be? He tells me with labor and parts and tax your looking at $1,795. Of course I was angry at this insane price, and he's like do you want to do it? They have to order you the parts and we can give you a loaner car. So I said no don't do it, I can't afford this now (I really just wanted a second opinion). I paid them their $120 for diagnostic, and I'm on my way.
When I get home, I called up Lakeview Mercedes to make an appointment for a second opinion. They said Friday morning you can bring it. I agreed. I get there Friday morning, service advisor comes out and asks me what I need help with. I told her the same situation about the headlight, and she says not a problem, we'll have them take a look at it right away. She says diagnostic will be $60. I said that's fine I understand. I wait in the waiting room. 50 minutes later, they come out, and say your car is ready. I say its done? headlights fixed? They said yes all you needed was a new bulb...the one you had was shot. I go outside, test the headlight, and it works perfectly fine. My bill was $258 and I was out of there in an hour. This is a difference of $1,537 of what the other place quoted me. I've driven the car for the past two nights, not one problem with the headlight, not a flicker, NOTHING. I can't say enough to you guys how important it is to get a second opinion, I've very glad I did. Just wanted to share my story. Everyone have a happy and healthy holiday.
-Jared
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Joined: Jul 2005
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u should write to Mercedes Benz NA. i deal with this all the time, i have a dealer just 2 mins walking distance from my office but i can't deal w/ them cause they want to rip every single person off that walks in...
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300ce
Just a warning to everyone about how important it is to get second opinions.
I recently had one of my Xenon's go out as some of you might know and went to Mercedes-Benz of Massapequa to get a quote to fix it. The headlight would come on, flicker, then go out...so I wasn't sure if it was the ballast or the bulb or a bad connection. I go to the dealership, said please tell me what's wrong with the headlight and give me a quote, I'll wait in the waiting room. The guy initially tells me diagnostic alone is going to be $120 regardless of the problem, I said that's fine I understand. I'm sitting in the waiting room for a good hour, then the service advisor comes up to me and says, "It's pretty serious, you need a whole new headlight and everything. Something is wrong with the electrical and with the headlight ignitor. You need a new headlight because its specific to the ignitor, as well as a bulb and a new ballast." Of course I was pissed off, they just replaced this headlight December 5, 2006 just a year ago. I said ok, how much will this be? He tells me with labor and parts and tax your looking at $1,795. Of course I was angry at this insane price, and he's like do you want to do it? They have to order you the parts and we can give you a loaner car. So I said no don't do it, I can't afford this now (I really just wanted a second opinion). I paid them their $120 for diagnostic, and I'm on my way.
When I get home, I called up Lakeview Mercedes to make an appointment for a second opinion. They said Friday morning you can bring it. I agreed. I get there Friday morning, service advisor comes out and asks me what I need help with. I told her the same situation about the headlight, and she says not a problem, we'll have them take a look at it right away. She says diagnostic will be $60. I said that's fine I understand. I wait in the waiting room. 50 minutes later, they come out, and say your car is ready. I say its done? headlights fixed? They said yes all you needed was a new bulb...the one you had was shot. I go outside, test the headlight, and it works perfectly fine. My bill was $258 and I was out of there in an hour. This is a difference of $1,537 of what the other place quoted me. I've driven the car for the past two nights, not one problem with the headlight, not a flicker, NOTHING. I can't say enough to you guys how important it is to get a second opinion, I've very glad I did. Just wanted to share my story. Everyone have a happy and healthy holiday.
-Jared
I recently had one of my Xenon's go out as some of you might know and went to Mercedes-Benz of Massapequa to get a quote to fix it. The headlight would come on, flicker, then go out...so I wasn't sure if it was the ballast or the bulb or a bad connection. I go to the dealership, said please tell me what's wrong with the headlight and give me a quote, I'll wait in the waiting room. The guy initially tells me diagnostic alone is going to be $120 regardless of the problem, I said that's fine I understand. I'm sitting in the waiting room for a good hour, then the service advisor comes up to me and says, "It's pretty serious, you need a whole new headlight and everything. Something is wrong with the electrical and with the headlight ignitor. You need a new headlight because its specific to the ignitor, as well as a bulb and a new ballast." Of course I was pissed off, they just replaced this headlight December 5, 2006 just a year ago. I said ok, how much will this be? He tells me with labor and parts and tax your looking at $1,795. Of course I was angry at this insane price, and he's like do you want to do it? They have to order you the parts and we can give you a loaner car. So I said no don't do it, I can't afford this now (I really just wanted a second opinion). I paid them their $120 for diagnostic, and I'm on my way.
When I get home, I called up Lakeview Mercedes to make an appointment for a second opinion. They said Friday morning you can bring it. I agreed. I get there Friday morning, service advisor comes out and asks me what I need help with. I told her the same situation about the headlight, and she says not a problem, we'll have them take a look at it right away. She says diagnostic will be $60. I said that's fine I understand. I wait in the waiting room. 50 minutes later, they come out, and say your car is ready. I say its done? headlights fixed? They said yes all you needed was a new bulb...the one you had was shot. I go outside, test the headlight, and it works perfectly fine. My bill was $258 and I was out of there in an hour. This is a difference of $1,537 of what the other place quoted me. I've driven the car for the past two nights, not one problem with the headlight, not a flicker, NOTHING. I can't say enough to you guys how important it is to get a second opinion, I've very glad I did. Just wanted to share my story. Everyone have a happy and healthy holiday.
-Jared
Ted
Last edited by Ted Baldwin; Dec 23, 2007 at 02:34 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Desert
02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30
Dealers suck. Thats why I go to my Benz specialist In Great Neck NY about 4miles from my home. BTW I had a bad experience in Massapequa Benz back in Feb. I make an appointment for a test drive a used c55. I go there they are not ready with the car because it cant start. They say they are sorry. Tells me they will give me a discount on the c55s $36k. When I sit down they tell me the price is firm. I just walk out of there.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Rochester, MN
sounds like airplane
this is why the only time i don't do all my own work is if my car breaks in front of the dealer or shop and it's too far away from home for AAA AND i need to leave on a trip soon.
You STILL got screwed with that price! Of course nothing like $1700 though
You STILL got screwed with that price! Of course nothing like $1700 though
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: New York City
95 Audi urS6 Quattro
I only trust Mercedes Benz of Manhattan, an MBUSA owned dealer. I never pay for diagnostic fee's and my Service Advisor always busts his *** to find cost cuts and to get the 55 fixed ASAP.
Btw guys, this is also a good note of notice on how Jared maintains his car, which is still for sale. Something breaks it is fixed ASAP.
Btw guys, this is also a good note of notice on how Jared maintains his car, which is still for sale. Something breaks it is fixed ASAP.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 1
1999 C43 AMG
I only trust Mercedes Benz of Manhattan, an MBUSA owned dealer. I never pay for diagnostic fee's and my Service Advisor always busts his *** to find cost cuts and to get the 55 fixed ASAP.
Btw guys, this is also a good note of notice on how Jared maintains his car, which is still for sale. Something breaks it is fixed ASAP.
Btw guys, this is also a good note of notice on how Jared maintains his car, which is still for sale. Something breaks it is fixed ASAP.
