Mercedes-Benz Dealerships to Stay Away From
#51
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Thread Starter
Mystery shopping programs are run on occasion, however, I'm not sure that the mystery shopper is trying to emulate the situation we are discussing here. Perhaps that's a problem, especially considering the more youthful (and much more affordable) MB models that are coming.
I'm guessing most people participating in this thread are under 40 - this is another big element of the potential prejudice, as many of the sales consultants are much older and perhaps not in tune with "young money".
mrobinso, I agree with your points for the most part, which are (in my experience) especially evident in clothing retail. I can assure you that a good salesperson is very well paid, though perhaps not well educated.
Has anyone here ever been mistreated and subsequently brought it up with the general manager of the dealership?
I'm guessing most people participating in this thread are under 40 - this is another big element of the potential prejudice, as many of the sales consultants are much older and perhaps not in tune with "young money".
mrobinso, I agree with your points for the most part, which are (in my experience) especially evident in clothing retail. I can assure you that a good salesperson is very well paid, though perhaps not well educated.
Has anyone here ever been mistreated and subsequently brought it up with the general manager of the dealership?
#52
I never wear suit to dealership, hah, but I do put on something nice when I want to look serious and be taken seriously. Sure if you wear rags and your hair hasnt seen shampoo for over 3 days, but have 100k in your pocket you can try to make a ''statement'' by ''showing them'' and 'teaching them not to judge by clothes'' etc but I find that kind of approach juvenile and kind of stupid. Basically you're going there to get offended and then get back at them by buying a cat at competitor. And I don't blame the snotty salesmen, they know risks and benefits of punk-looking customers, and I respect their decision whatever it is. They don't sell their own cars, so they probably have a little rensponsibilty for them... how are they gonna explain extra 500 miles on odometer and lots of scuffs and dirt on the door and no sale? ![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
On the other hand if I just want to look at cars out of boredom, I dress poorly to avoid salesmen and spend the time alone with the cars.![Stick Out Tongue](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Anyway, great stories, keep em coming...
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
On the other hand if I just want to look at cars out of boredom, I dress poorly to avoid salesmen and spend the time alone with the cars.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Anyway, great stories, keep em coming...
Last edited by Nuieve; 03-17-2012 at 04:50 PM.
#53
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In my case, I'm in the retail/wholesale business 7 days a week, 365 days a year.. So my clothes do get dirty by the end of the day.. I would take the time to go home shower & dress up if I go out with my wife.. But I don't think it's necessary if I want to go look at cars.. Lol
#54
I agree with most people's thoughts on dress here, and I am the first to head out dressed casually, but if someone does not come over to me, I always head to the main desk and ask for help. If the sales person is rude/non caring/distant, that is when I will bring it up to the Manager
#55
Super Member
San Diego MB in Kearny Mesa. Service dept is a joke. I had some issues with their service and let the service writer know this (thru email) and the ______ replies to me taking chit when he thought he was emailing his boss. Needless to say his boss called and kissed my *** but that is all it took to lose my business.
#56
MB of Delray beach was a good experience. i bought my c63 there, although it was quite a long sale with a lot of exchange. it became clear that the salesman had no say whatsoever, he was just the sales manager's puppet, which i understand. they would not budge on price for a while until i started getting annoyed and started to walk out then another few grand fell off and we had a deal.
#58
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2009 C63
New Jersey:
Ray Catena of Union - Sales manager wouldn't budge on price of an e63 sedan i was looking at. Price was $8K more than another car at another local dealer. The car Catena had had 12K more miles, same MY. Said that he has no motivation to sell the car that it will get sold. This was in Sept 2011, as of a few weeks ago, they still had it.
Ray Catena of Union - Sales manager wouldn't budge on price of an e63 sedan i was looking at. Price was $8K more than another car at another local dealer. The car Catena had had 12K more miles, same MY. Said that he has no motivation to sell the car that it will get sold. This was in Sept 2011, as of a few weeks ago, they still had it.
My current SA over there (Dan) is a stand up guy too.
#59
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2011 C63 Sedan White on Black
MB Boston
Everything is good just stay away from this one service rep named *****.
He will pressure you to go to one particular service manager whose name I forgot.(The one I work with every time for almost 2 years left.) He will also make any labor take 5x times as long as usually needed. Worst of all, asking for tips.
Stay away from him. All others are nice and helpful.
Everything is good just stay away from this one service rep named *****.
He will pressure you to go to one particular service manager whose name I forgot.(The one I work with every time for almost 2 years left.) He will also make any labor take 5x times as long as usually needed. Worst of all, asking for tips.
Stay away from him. All others are nice and helpful.
#60
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2012 CLS 550 4MATIC
![Angry](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon8.gif)
Everyone... here is the latest candidate
MB OPEN ROAD IN NJ
Here is the link you'll be able to learn worst of the worst dealer you can't even imagine.
please spread the words guys.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...d-finally.html
MB OPEN ROAD IN NJ
Here is the link you'll be able to learn worst of the worst dealer you can't even imagine.
![smash](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smashfreak.gif)
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...d-finally.html
#61
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2012 CLS 550 4MATIC
i called amex and they are doing investigation
#62
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2012 CLS 550 4MATIC
MB Manhattan Service Advisor David James who is an "AMG Specialist" just made my black list. Took car for service last Sat, said I should get it back Monday. Monday he says Tuesday. Tuesday he says Thursday. Today (Thurs) I call at 1 to check in because i haveny heard anything. Another guy picked up said it looked finished in system, he would have David call me back in 20. 2:30 rolls around, no calls. I call back, force the guy who picked up to get ahold of David. David finally picks up, says oh the part didn't come in, the car isn't ready, it's disassembled right now, how about next Tuesday. I say when were you going to tell me this, its now 2:30 and I'm supposed to be picking up in less than 3 hours? Says he didn't know until just now, blames the other department, not his fault, no apology. Blah blah blah.
I chewed him out, chewed out his boss, and filed complaint with corporate office. I'm sure nothing will come of it.
I chewed him out, chewed out his boss, and filed complaint with corporate office. I'm sure nothing will come of it.
#63
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09 Tread Mill
Mb of Boston, Somerville, MA. Brought it in for a rattling sound, 3 visits, 50 miles later, fixed it and caused a different noise. Had all my services done there before, but won't be going back.
#64
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GLK, future C63 owner
#65
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'14.5 RR LWB, '14 s63, '14 Ford Raptor Screw, '13 G63
here is MBUSA contact info off of MBUSA.com
good luck. if you still want the car and want to try a new dealer, PM me. if you look at my older threads, the dealer i got my c63c and e63s are not here in the tri-state area but were able to get me the rare e63 wagon i wanted when even the so called factory store (mb manhattan) couldn't.
Main Office
Mercedes Benz One Mercedes Drive;
P.O. Box 350 Montvale, New Jersey 07645
Tel: 201-573-0600
Customer Assistance Center
3 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645
Tel: 1-800-367-6372
#66
I am surprised to hear so many people are having issues based on their appearances most dealer employees know you can NEVER judge a customer by their appearance. Some of the richest guys can be the ones that care the least about their appearance. I can say to the comment about the cars being locked makes sense. If you left the cars open the alarms would be going off ALL day. Once you have worked in the dealer you will understand how annoying it gets. Also MB does not use mystery shoppers they do however weigh huge amounts of their expectations based on CSI surveys and JD power. Where I work we have mystery shoppers, but they are contracted by our management to strengthen the employees customer service skills. Mercedes is spending huge amounts of money and paying motivational speakers and holding mandatory classes constantly to strengthen the brand and service. Their goal is to rank higher in their JD scores which they did move up this year again in. Mercedes customers have the highest rate of customer loyalty of any brand and they are trying to make things better. My girlfriend works for lexus and I can vouch that former MB to Lexus customer HATE MB it just goes to show you that the car or service staff must have really screwed up bad to make them switch brands. Also keep in mind that you shouldn't base your opinions on a single reaction you have the choice of choosing whoever you want in sales, every sales person has a different personality so try to find one that is best for you.
MBUSA does use mystery shoppers on a very regular basis...I think the biggest misconception when dealing with dealerships and individual sales people is that consumers believe that corporate will discipline the dealership over each infraction/complaint they have. In the US, there is only one corporate MB owned dealership which is Mercedes Benz of Manhattan in New York, every other dealership is owned by a dealer group or an individual person. Since dealerships especially with the MB franchise takes 10's of millions of dollars there unfortunately is a lot leniency when it comes to customer complaints.
Now that being stated, the whole dressed down etc. I have to agree it may not be acceptable and yes it is part of their jobs to show a client a vehicle regardless of their intention to buy, they are human and they rely completely on commissions. I have been a part of this industry for 15 years and in management for 12 and it is difficult to go through the motions especially with someone that you believe is not going to buy the car that day. I expect my salespeople to show every person that walks in through the door, the same type of courtesy and enthusiasm when showing my product, but I would be niave in thinking they do so every time. To be frank I dont think it is necessarily their clothing, but rather the attitude of the client that dissuades a sales person from fully engaging with the client. One of my dealership's biggest client dresses in flip flops, t-shirts, and shorts everytime he walks in here...in a span of 10 years, he's purchased over 50 cars. It is true you cannot judge someone by the way they dress, but their attitude does speak volumes as to their ability to buy...
One last thing...99% in my sales department drive Mercedes Benz cars.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Just had to drop the opinion from the otherside LOL
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#67
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my wife bananas! :D
Ontario
North Star Benz - Thunder Bay
Saw a C63 I liked online ( i live like 9 hrs away). Called and talked with a sales rep who seemed nice. Got down to some negotiations and his manager got involved who also seemed nice. Unfortunately the feel good story stops there. Long story short, over the next couple days it was me that always had to follow up with them. They would promise to call me back with a quote or email me but never happened. We were about 2.5k off in price and the manager during one of the calls promised to call me back (was discussing a possible trade in) but again never happened. I was thinking ok I'll even move up my offer so we can get this whole thing going so I call back in. Guess what? no call back to me. I guess they rather keep that C63 on their lot.
To me, this is just rude and disrespectful. There are so many available C63s that I will have no problem finding another one. Stay away from North Star MB in Thunder Bay unless you like to play the role of a salesguy that is pushing the dealer for a chance to buy their car.
North Star Benz - Thunder Bay
Saw a C63 I liked online ( i live like 9 hrs away). Called and talked with a sales rep who seemed nice. Got down to some negotiations and his manager got involved who also seemed nice. Unfortunately the feel good story stops there. Long story short, over the next couple days it was me that always had to follow up with them. They would promise to call me back with a quote or email me but never happened. We were about 2.5k off in price and the manager during one of the calls promised to call me back (was discussing a possible trade in) but again never happened. I was thinking ok I'll even move up my offer so we can get this whole thing going so I call back in. Guess what? no call back to me. I guess they rather keep that C63 on their lot.
To me, this is just rude and disrespectful. There are so many available C63s that I will have no problem finding another one. Stay away from North Star MB in Thunder Bay unless you like to play the role of a salesguy that is pushing the dealer for a chance to buy their car.
#68
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MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Ontario
North Star Benz - Thunder Bay
Saw a C63 I liked online ( i live like 9 hrs away). Called and talked with a sales rep who seemed nice. Got down to some negotiations and his manager got involved who also seemed nice. Unfortunately the feel good story stops there. Long story short, over the next couple days it was me that always had to follow up with them. They would promise to call me back with a quote or email me but never happened. We were about 2.5k off in price and the manager during one of the calls promised to call me back (was discussing a possible trade in) but again never happened. I was thinking ok I'll even move up my offer so we can get this whole thing going so I call back in. Guess what? no call back to me. I guess they rather keep that C63 on their lot.
North Star Benz - Thunder Bay
Saw a C63 I liked online ( i live like 9 hrs away). Called and talked with a sales rep who seemed nice. Got down to some negotiations and his manager got involved who also seemed nice. Unfortunately the feel good story stops there. Long story short, over the next couple days it was me that always had to follow up with them. They would promise to call me back with a quote or email me but never happened. We were about 2.5k off in price and the manager during one of the calls promised to call me back (was discussing a possible trade in) but again never happened. I was thinking ok I'll even move up my offer so we can get this whole thing going so I call back in. Guess what? no call back to me. I guess they rather keep that C63 on their lot.
#69
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my wife bananas! :D
I was actually calling to tell them that I would close alot of that gap with cash but they never returned my call. I also repeatedly asked them to send me a carproof and they never did. I think I provided my email at least 3x to them and asked them that many times as well.
This is my first time buying used... didn't know the quality of service dips when you're not buying new??? Maybe its cause I have built quite a rapport with my local Benz that I am spoiled with people returning my calls. not impressed.
Last edited by Fung63; 04-23-2012 at 09:11 PM.
#70
Chicago Motor Cars West Chicago Illinois STAY AWAY
Stay away from this one.
They will play games with the cars, lie about pricing and the options. Then when all else fails this dealership will play games with the loan documents.
They will play games with the cars, lie about pricing and the options. Then when all else fails this dealership will play games with the loan documents.
#71
Beshoff Motorcars in San Jose, CA.
sadly, they are one of the AMG Performance Center. Worst dealership from my buying experience through out the years.
took my deposit for the C63BS in Dec. promised the car would be sold at MSRP. car arrived last month demanding 10k over MSRP. made up bull***** story. car is sold without communication with my deposit still on the car. having my lawyer dealing with it now. the sales person is here. stay away!!!
sadly, they are one of the AMG Performance Center. Worst dealership from my buying experience through out the years.
took my deposit for the C63BS in Dec. promised the car would be sold at MSRP. car arrived last month demanding 10k over MSRP. made up bull***** story. car is sold without communication with my deposit still on the car. having my lawyer dealing with it now. the sales person is here. stay away!!!
#72
MBWorld Fanatic!
Many car salesmen don't take the time to understand the products they are selling. They attend a few seminar on how to show the customers all the latest wizzbag features, but ask them a technical question and it's the deer in the headlights look. It's not their fault, they are just pushing iron. Personally I avoid my local dealer when I purchase because I don't feel like playing the game in person. They have you at a disadvantage. They are professional sales people who are trained how to manipulate you to say yes especially in person. I perfer the long distance approach. Find a car a dealer that's too far just enought away that you tell them you're not going to make the trip without a firm mutually acceptable price. Always ask for the internet sales manager. The entire process is so much more civilized. Everyone is extra polite on the phone. There are long no periods of silence. You don't have to sit around while "your offer get proposed to the sales manager". Just call me back when with a yes or a no. It may take longer, you may lose the car to a local buyer, but you will save money and sometimes a very sizable amount. I bought 10 of my cars that way with a saving of anywhere from $2k to $25K under bottom line local pricing.
#73
Junior Member
I turned up at Beverly Hills Merc in regular old jeans and metallica t-shirt, was totally ignored for about 15 mins or so... Ended up buying from Ray @ Anaheim MB, no bull**** kinda guy
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#74
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Wow, lots from the northeast and virginia and here and there in Cali. What about the folks in the midwest, ie greater Chicago area.
By the way, have you guys checked out the site, www.dealerrater.com? Better leave some comments there.
By the way, have you guys checked out the site, www.dealerrater.com? Better leave some comments there.
#75
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2007 ML63
Mercedes Houston North
I'd add these guys to the list. They tried to get me to pay $1500 for the initial 12 month CPO warranty that MB says is included with all CPO cars. I got a call from sales manager, I returned his call but he has yet to call me back to explain (which I would love to hear).