C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

Mercedes of Massapequa tried to rip me off bigtime.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 12-22-2007, 04:58 PM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
AMGJared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Old 12-22-2007, 05:18 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
MBHustla858's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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...
Old 12-22-2007, 07:29 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
WyattH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Seattle, Wa.
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C43 AMG
Wow, horrible.

The owner of the first dealership is insanely rich - - has a Cigarette race boat designed like an SLR.
I guess I know why/how now...
Old 12-23-2007, 02:16 AM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Ted Baldwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
300ce
Originally Posted by AMGJared
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'm glad you solved the problem. All the first dealer needed to do was swap the bulbs. I know dealers get a bad rap. Some it is well deserved. There are very few real mechanics at dealerships. Most just plug your car to the computer and become enslaved by whatever the computer says. Headlight 101. Swap bulb from good side to bad side to see if bad side becomes good. Class dismissed! No computer needed.

Ted

Last edited by Ted Baldwin; 12-23-2007 at 02:34 AM.
Old 12-23-2007, 03:46 AM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
svt ricco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,148
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
1999 C43 AMG
glad you fixed your problem man! good thing i read this post...i usually just leave my car to the dealer!
Old 12-23-2007, 01:09 PM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Jons95c36amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Desert
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
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.
Old 12-23-2007, 03:05 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
silence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Old 12-24-2007, 12:02 AM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Militant-Grunt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 12-24-2007, 01:02 AM
  #9  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
svt ricco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,148
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
1999 C43 AMG
Originally Posted by Militant-Grunt
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.
lucky you!
Old 12-24-2007, 10:54 AM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
StapleGun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Typifies why people hate dealerships, they're scammers... Brumos here in JAX is no different.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Mercedes of Massapequa tried to rip me off bigtime.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:43 AM.