Scammed by Mercedes
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2003 CL55
Wow. That's a big price difference. Did you happen to notice if it said DCAG Pre Series Factory Code on the window sticker? If would you be willing to have a brief phone conversation with my attorney please let me know.
Mark
Mark
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 130
Likes: 2
Panamera Turbo, R63, "71 280SL
I was only told about the car by a local dealer. I could forward you the salespersons name and number if that would help. Or, if it would be better, I could call him and see if the car is still around and then get all the appropriate data. Doug
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2003 CL55
I'm afraid nothing of substance has happened. The dealer and Mercedes have continued to point fingers at one another. Which is, of course, in their best interest since it delays things even further. So the case is headed to court which is fine by me. Because of that, however, I can not discuss the details of the case any further at this time. But I'll be sure to let you know if anything interesting develops. Thank you all for your support.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,744
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Originally posted by sequencesf
I'm afraid nothing of substance has happened. The dealer and Mercedes have continued to point fingers at one another. Which is, of course, in their best interest since it delays things even further. So the case is headed to court which is fine by me. Because of that, however, I can not discuss the details of the case any further at this time. But I'll be sure to let you know if anything interesting develops. Thank you all for your support.
I'm afraid nothing of substance has happened. The dealer and Mercedes have continued to point fingers at one another. Which is, of course, in their best interest since it delays things even further. So the case is headed to court which is fine by me. Because of that, however, I can not discuss the details of the case any further at this time. But I'll be sure to let you know if anything interesting develops. Thank you all for your support.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 3
From: Orange County
2011 Sienna SE, 01 S500, 05 LS430 UL
Any updates???
I agree with you, IluvS500. I would give Fox11 news here in Cali. a call. No business would love bad publicity, blatantly screwing their customers-especially when they have proof.
I agree with you, IluvS500. I would give Fox11 news here in Cali. a call. No business would love bad publicity, blatantly screwing their customers-especially when they have proof.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Lexus GS 450h
Thanks for the help, but I'm finished talking with these guys. Catena has taken the position I expected they would. They maintain that it's within their right to switch cars with customers up until delivery and that mismatched VIN numbers are not a problem. They said that any discrepancy in how the car is configured is a problem I need to take up with Mercedes corporate. They have all had 15 months to do something rather than blame the other guy. Time's up.
Some people here are missing the "principle" here. What kind of business or people SWITCH cars? How would u like your house switched at the time of purchase? Or a watch switched? Hell, your newborn baby at the hospital?
Clearly, Benz has done this before as well as this dealer, you really need to search for any other members where they might have been scammed the same way you have.
My other suggestion. Post ALL OVER the internet. When thousands upon thousands of people read stories like this, and cross-post, and cross-post and cross-post, you will be SHOCKED at how things suddenly happen for you.
sequencesf, I'm gonna do my part in helping. This thread will be linked to www.clublexus.com and www.seloc.net. I would recommend you post in other car forums as well.
Good luck to you sir (and a damn shame as the CL55/CL65 is one of my dream cars).
This is an atrocious example of doing business.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 560
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From: Atlanta, GA
Lexus GS 450h
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,095
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From: Southern California, USA
03 White on Stone E320
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,240
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1M, F550M, F550B, F40, S600, 365GTC, DBSx2, etc.
To the gentleman who said MB USA / Corporate is not at fault here: you are 100% wrong. I had a legal tiff with BMW, and the dealer, actually, was the least wrong in my case. In this situation, as a profiteering agent, MB USA is definetly party to fault. Furthermore, I would go so far as to say the organization producing the vehicle and using it as such (suggested here that it might have been a demo vehicle, training vehicle, test car, etc.) is at fault as well. That would mean MB GmbH or whatever.
If you want to hear some outside experience, give me a buzz. Dunno who you firm is, but it's all the same. PM me for my contact info and I'll be glad to help out in whatever way, even if it's just a little venting. I know litigation sucks, and I *hate* it with a passion, but sometimes you just have to stick your feet up their asses, and THEN twist while wearing spiked cleats...
Best,
--Dan
If you want to hear some outside experience, give me a buzz. Dunno who you firm is, but it's all the same. PM me for my contact info and I'll be glad to help out in whatever way, even if it's just a little venting. I know litigation sucks, and I *hate* it with a passion, but sometimes you just have to stick your feet up their asses, and THEN twist while wearing spiked cleats...
Best,
--Dan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Funny that the Dealer thinks it is ok legally to switch Cars on you. If you had got a loan on this vehicle the bank would never have given them the money because the VIN on the contract must match the VIN on the auto. There is no way around this. My family owned a dealership for over 75 years and this is not possible or legal. The documents signed must have all the same VIN on them as the car itself. It is fraud to sell it otherwise. You legally should own the other car because all agreement papers signed had that VIN on them. Why this is taking so long is absurd, this is an open and shut case, you were mislead into buying and taking delivery of a car that you paid for and not given what you paid for. WTF is wrong with these people.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 9
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Originally posted by Belmondo
Did you even read through his posts?
Did you even read through his posts?
I work in automotive sales and I have to admit this is some shady, pathetic crap they are pulling by switching cars on the guy. He signed the paperwork on one car, but was given another, lesser-equipped car. I thought that sort of business practice went away after the 1980s.
The fact that they are actually not simply making it right for the customer but are fighting with him is
The poster above me hit it right on the head.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,110
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From: SoCal
MB
wow, i just read this thread, that really really sucks for seq. i feel so bad that something like that happened, and they didnt replace your car. i hope your court hearing goes real well, and those *******s pay for what they did. i dont know if this makes a difference or not, but isnt it also illegal to take off the sticker on the rear window without asking for permission by the customer of the car, atleast in CA it is. Gl with your whole process.
and for the people who stated that he should go to local news, that would be cool is that one person who works for the paper can get info about all this, or maybe has some connection with the local tv news in nj, that would be a great hit to the dealership, and would help future buyers not go there. GL man!
and for the people who stated that he should go to local news, that would be cool is that one person who works for the paper can get info about all this, or maybe has some connection with the local tv news in nj, that would be a great hit to the dealership, and would help future buyers not go there. GL man!
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Miami
2005 CL55
I just read the whole saga and would love to know what happened as well. Its unreal that MB and the dealer in NJ. just thinks they can step on people like this. Its makes me so mad, particularly considering I love the cars so much! I wish this issue would go public. The media should spend a little time looking for cases like this! But considering they are owned by big corporations like MB they must are scared of losing their jobs for fear that the managers are on the board of Deimler Chrysler. It sucks! I had problems with the dealer I bought my 2004 CLK55 from (Autohaus in Northbrook IL) and continued to run into a wall. I ended up stoping myself out by having the work they continued to do wrong which was just buffing, and applying a paint shield (Wax) done by a 3rd party. The dealer kept scraching the car after 2 attempts. So I'm out around $500.00 which is not worth hiring a lawler for. But belive me I let them have it on the survey!! And will continue to tell everyone I can, in anyway I can to stay away. For me there is nothing better to date then this forum!! Its really cool, and a great tool for consumer protection. I have learned a ton from this thread. Its so important to get this stuff out.
Mark
Mark
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, AK
2008 S550 4MATIC
Just read this horrifying tale. One would expect better treatment when buying the top of the line model for a manufacturer. I would expect that any business would want to pamper its best customers. I think that unfortunately this concept has been lost with some of the large dealers, and that they felt it was easier to do this to you because you weren't local.
Good luck with your lawsuit. The dealer should have made this right immediately. Hopefully this will get corporate MB's attention enough to lean on the local dealer to settle it.
Good luck with your lawsuit. The dealer should have made this right immediately. Hopefully this will get corporate MB's attention enough to lean on the local dealer to settle it.
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Miami
2005 CL55
Never resolved.
i ended up trading the car in for a 2005 CL55 at a great dealer in Coral Gables where i now live. actually i played 2 dealerships against each other, and ended up with what i think was a great deal. plus this is a car i'll keep for many years. the thing i love is most everything comes standard. i didn not want to wait because i don't like to look of the new CL55 coming out in 2007.
i still feel i really got screwed by mercedes, not smart move on their part. but they did send me a wool blanket my dogs like.
in the end i am still a huge Mercedes fan!
ps i have a set of 18 inch HRE 540R's for a CLK55 for sale in perfect condition if you, or anyone cares.
Mark
i ended up trading the car in for a 2005 CL55 at a great dealer in Coral Gables where i now live. actually i played 2 dealerships against each other, and ended up with what i think was a great deal. plus this is a car i'll keep for many years. the thing i love is most everything comes standard. i didn not want to wait because i don't like to look of the new CL55 coming out in 2007.
i still feel i really got screwed by mercedes, not smart move on their part. but they did send me a wool blanket my dogs like.
in the end i am still a huge Mercedes fan!
ps i have a set of 18 inch HRE 540R's for a CLK55 for sale in perfect condition if you, or anyone cares.
Mark
Last edited by mark4; Sep 15, 2005 at 02:03 PM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2002 cl600
I got rid of all my Mercedes
I had it with MB.
I made them buy my wife’s 2005 E320 wagon back and sold my 2004 CL600.
Their cars look great but are mechanical and electrical nightmares.
I bought my wife a Volvo XC70 and I bought myself an Audi A8 W12.
Both cars are far more reliable. And in the Audi's case, vastly superior.
I made them buy my wife’s 2005 E320 wagon back and sold my 2004 CL600.
Their cars look great but are mechanical and electrical nightmares.
I bought my wife a Volvo XC70 and I bought myself an Audi A8 W12.
Both cars are far more reliable. And in the Audi's case, vastly superior.
