You are right, they treat each customer differently escpecially me because I am only 26, and first time MB buyer. So I don't think my saleman would treat me like they did to you.

Anyway, thank you very much. [/B][/QUOTE]

Here is another perspective. You have proven you can afford the car regardless of your age. MB is a business, and businesses need to make a profit. You represent part of their profit by purchasing a car, and that event repeats each time you buy a car or have your car serviced at their facility. If the dealer knows you like their service, like the car, intend to be a repeat customer then you should be treated accordingly.

Regarding age...I know a couple 20 somethings, very well. NOTE: I do not know you, and am not implying you act as they do. They have bad attitudes toward just about everyone they encounter, cuss and pepper slang frequently in their conversation, berate, expect everyone to bow before them (they wanted for nothing when growing up, and parents still provide lavishly) and are annoyed and are pissed that service-oriented people treat them badly, are ignored, etc. They relate the treatment to their age. They come from wealthy families. I also know a few 20 somethings less well, but they are polite, smile a lot, treat others with respect, and seem to get their way. (PS, I know many people like this in many age groups).

Blinding flash of the obvious, I'd say is you reap what you sow.

 

Hey DRB, which dealer are you using in VA. I purchased from HBL and have heard nothing from them about the "settlement".

 

I have heard NOTHING from HBL. Did they contact you or did you call them?

 

I'm with ASC-Arlington. They called me. I have been using tidbits from this forum with ASC to conduct information operations. For example, when MBUSA was asking dealers for a list of pre-orders for navi, the sales manager was alarmed when I asked him if he sent in my name. I was not supposed to know about that list from his perspective. They have hinted that I know more about their business than they do. Information is power. This forum is power, if used for good.

 

I called HBL after hearing the news on this board. They did not call me.

 

Thanks drb & potxoli. I'll contact HBL.

 

Had no idea you are with the Evil TM dealership that is known as the ASC. I guess you and I are pretty much in the same boat. I will call MB of Alex. and see if I can negotiate the same deal. What a PITA. I hate buying cars.

 

Good luck. They seem motivated to have a satisfied customer, and to get this nav problem behind them. They did not blink when I said I did not want any out of pocket expenses and the car replaced. That must be a good starting position.

 

Well, I stopped by MB Greenway today, and found my sales rep in the Sales Manager's office. Surprisingly, they were discussing me! It seems they just got a communication from MBUSA today and were surprised it matched the information I called with this past Saturday. The Sales Manager said that they do not have specific details, but should know tomorrow. She said that "... it definitely will involve some additional money" from me, but until she knew the details she was unsure of just how much.

I later sent my salesperson an email, briefly discussing the letters, drb's deal, etc. I said that since I paid full price for my E500 and now they may be had at discounts, I thought I should get the car with Nav and no additional money from me. I got this response:

The more we all know how we're being treated, the better we may come to understand how much room we have to negotiate.

 

Ok, your dealer sucks worse than my own. They seem to be cautious in trying to make you a deal. Man, this is just turning out to be a lame, lame deal.

 

At least your dealer is responding. I have e-mailed and called my dealer several times over the past 2 days with no response at all. I will go by tomorrow and try to find out what is going on.

 

My salesman claims he does not know how to use email. He has an email address on his business card. He always returns telephone calls. He has never responded to an email.

 

It appears the endgame is up to the dealerships, and how much they are willing to work with the client. I was quite shocked how positive my situation turned out. Maybe my situation clarified because I have the cheaper E320 and E500s involve less financial flex. Just my guess.

 

DRB, you are saying that you believe that there is no standard approach to the details in the "exchange of cars", that it is up to the dealership?

These details include how they will handle mileage, costs to be paid, opportunity to change options, etc, etc.

Also, will you sign a new lease agreement, or will they transfer the new vehicle on to the existing one?

This is the kind of deal where the devil is in the details, and its great that we have this letter, but from what I can tell no one has any details.

 

Let's go for it. I am sure that one of us is an attorney that can at least help initiate such action, unfortunatley, I am not

 

First question, yes. MBUSA is providing a voucher in my case and the dealership rounded out the package (no out of pocket expense, tax abatement, transfer of vehicle in status, wood wheel thrown in). These are not the details outlined in any MBUSA letter.

There is to be a transfer of the vehicle, no restart of the paperwork. I suggest my experience gives you some detailed insight into how one dealership worked the situation.

 

Someone posted that this situation does not meet the characteristics of a class action lawsuit. They indicated that the population involved is already known. If true you are barking up the wrong tree. I got up off my ***, worked with my dealership, and achieved a decent solution...lawyer free!

 

Can people let me know whether those of you whose dealers are going to exchange cars for no cost, are these prepaid nav or not. I am in the position of just getting the $3250 voucher and my dealer says I'm on my own he will sell a new car at " near cost" and buy my car at "market value". They seem to taking a much harder line than these other dealers.

 

Prepaid nav in my situation.

 

I prepaid for Nav as well in Oct 02.

BTW, I also wanted to thank drb for posting his experience with his dealer in obtaining a no-cost exchange as well as his dealer throwing in a wood steering wheel.

 

I am in New Orleans...a long way from Washington State. I been on the road since for a couple of weeks and will still be traveling for another two weeks. I have been following this thread while on the road, but had nothing to contribute until now.

The General Manager of the dealership where I bought the car tracked me down and was very happy to describe three options.
This adds somewhat to the confusion as it seems to contain all the options previously described. I did not lease and did not finance, in the event that either of those situations make any difference to what we may be offered.

He offered me the following choices:

1. $2000.00 cash above the $1650. I paid in advance in November.
2. A voucher for $3200. toward the purchase of any new MB.

3. A brand new '04 in exchange for my E-500. At this point he laughingly said that he had no idea why they would offer the first two...the choice is a no-brainer.

I told him that I did not want to be out of pocket and that the exchange should be net-net. He said that is the way he understands it from MBUSA. I even mentioned the Stonegard hood protection and he indicated that he felt that MB would even pick that up. Seems a little too much...but he seemed to be sure about this. He told me the MB Rep will be in his office next tuesday and he will get official confirmation to me next week.

I did not even contact him to ask about all this. I had sent him an e-mail before I left and asked him to try to contact me if he heard anything.

This seems to confuse the issue as reported before. I would be the same as drb's except he is saying '04 not 03. Hope he is right He also seemed to offer all of the options and I seem to remember that others were only offered one or two but not all.

I really don't think this dealer is putting anything into the deal. I did not even get a chance to whine and ask for anything..and he sounded like it was all MB doing the offering.

Hope this holds up next week. Some of you who are being offered less should not accept anything until we understand just what is being offered.

I will post next week when I get official word.

Ed

 

Ed, great news!

That first good news i've heard about this whole nav mess yet

 

etenn, I forgot to mention that I asked if I could exchange my 03 for an 04 model. I received a negative response to that request. Then I asked for the wood wheel.

 

While I haven't talked to my dealer yet, chances are that I may be able to negotiate the same deal as drb (since it is the same dealer). I cannot see it be any better than that (i.e. an '04), but I can definitely see being shafted by my dealer. We will see, I have waited to see if my salesperson will call me himself. Obviously, he hasn't, so I will call him myself today.

 

monakh and drb,

Is your dealer ASC in Arlington, VA (on Glebe Rd.)? If yes, then could you tell me your salesperson's name or whom i should speak to? I bought my car (E500) from ASC in Arlington, but haven't talked to anybody yet about the Nav. issue. Thanks in advance.