Car in for service, comes back with over 250 mile driven
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From: Raleigh, North Carolina
2004 E320, 2004 Lexus GX470
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
Whats the point???? If the owner didn't know the milage and the dealership didn't note it then I feel this thread is a complete waste of time and based on pure speculation at best...
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From: NJ
'05 e320 cdi, '05 lexus rx330
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
Whats the point???? If the owner didn't know the milage and the dealership didn't note it then I feel this thread is a complete waste of time and based on pure speculation at best...While it true the dealership should have noted the milage on the work order its also the owners responsibilty to know the vehicle he gave them.... How can anyone go to a dealership and argue about an event thay may or may not have happened with absolutly no facts / proof??? Personally I think I'd just forget about it and claulk one up for experience.... But next time make sure they note the milage.
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From: NJ
'05 e320 cdi, '05 lexus rx330
Originally Posted by atssystems.com
From now on, write down the miles on a piece of paper in front of the service tech as you leave the car there..
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I have a better idea
Take a digital camera with you to the dealer.
Take a photo of the odo at the dealer when you drive it in.
Also, take a few shots of the exterior of the car.
That way you have proof of your mileage and exterior car condition.
As for the stereo, I have an aftermarket head unit that the face plate comes off. So I always remove it and take it with me.
Take a digital camera with you to the dealer.
Take a photo of the odo at the dealer when you drive it in.
Also, take a few shots of the exterior of the car.
That way you have proof of your mileage and exterior car condition.
As for the stereo, I have an aftermarket head unit that the face plate comes off. So I always remove it and take it with me.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by topspin4hand
He's saying he cannot provide proof of his recollection, so this isn't pure speculation. His recollection is enough to peak my interest as a NJ-based owner.
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From: Raleigh, North Carolina
2004 E320, 2004 Lexus GX470
Here's a story I'm pasting from mercedesshop.com:
Beware of this dealer in Queens, NY.
This was in the local paper last week May 17, 2004:
A businessman blew a gasket when he found out a Mercedes dealership mechanic allegedly took his $80,000 SUV on an unauthorized road trip.
Fred Asher, 30, told The Post yesterday he took his swank black four-wheel drive G500 to Helms Brothers Mercedes-Benz in Bayside, Queens, Wednesday morning for a 10,000-mile checkup.
But when Asher returned in the evening to pick it up, employees there told him they didn't know where it was and sent him home with a loaner car. The dealership called a day later to tell him they were waiting for parts and that the car would be ready Friday.
But when Asher showed up Saturday afternoon, he said, "Half an hour passed. They said, 'We're having a little problem finding your car. Just take another loaner car and we'll find it on Monday.' "
But Asher was out of patience. He called police, as well as OnStar, the onboard tracking system.
Cops followed the signal to 186th Street and Hillside Avenue in Hollis, where they nabbed Bramday Sundown - a Helms Brothers mechanic - shortly before 2 a.m., police said. It wasn't clear if the car had been out since Wednesday or was taken on Saturday.
Sundown's father George, 54, said his son often took cars home from Helms Brothers - but with the authorization of the dealership, he believed.
Calls to Helms Brothers were not returned.
Beware of this dealer in Queens, NY.
This was in the local paper last week May 17, 2004:
A businessman blew a gasket when he found out a Mercedes dealership mechanic allegedly took his $80,000 SUV on an unauthorized road trip.
Fred Asher, 30, told The Post yesterday he took his swank black four-wheel drive G500 to Helms Brothers Mercedes-Benz in Bayside, Queens, Wednesday morning for a 10,000-mile checkup.
But when Asher returned in the evening to pick it up, employees there told him they didn't know where it was and sent him home with a loaner car. The dealership called a day later to tell him they were waiting for parts and that the car would be ready Friday.
But when Asher showed up Saturday afternoon, he said, "Half an hour passed. They said, 'We're having a little problem finding your car. Just take another loaner car and we'll find it on Monday.' "
But Asher was out of patience. He called police, as well as OnStar, the onboard tracking system.
Cops followed the signal to 186th Street and Hillside Avenue in Hollis, where they nabbed Bramday Sundown - a Helms Brothers mechanic - shortly before 2 a.m., police said. It wasn't clear if the car had been out since Wednesday or was taken on Saturday.
Sundown's father George, 54, said his son often took cars home from Helms Brothers - but with the authorization of the dealership, he believed.
Calls to Helms Brothers were not returned.
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia
07 VW Passat variant
Originally Posted by kort677
I know the milage going in, not exactly but within 20 or 30 miles, it came back with much more on the clock and the the trip computer reset, but if it wasn't noted buy the dealership, I have no concrete proof. so I have no legs to stand on. All I can do is **** and moan and not use them again
I'd meet with the service manager, state the case calmly without demanding any compensation, and wait for him to respond. If he blows you off, you'll know where to not get your car serviced. If he takes you seriously, you might consider returning to his shop if he cleans up its act. But I don't think pissing and moaning will get you anywhere at all; it fact, you'll just feel more pissed when he does blow you off.
If you just quietly move on to another dealer, this place will certainly keep doing sly stuff to its customers. If you complain politely, you have a least a chance of making things a little better for the next guy.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by Virginia Bill
If you complain politely, you have a least a chance of making things a little better for the next guy.
Paul G. Juron
General Manager, Customer Assistance
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Three Paragon Drive
Montvale, New Jersey 07645-0345
Fax: 201-476-6211
At the very least, since there isn’t solid proof other than your word, all dealerships involved will be instructed by MBUSA to record the in/out mileage so this doesn’t repeat itself."
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
And the first thing he will ask: "Did you talk to the service manager?"
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Davie
Sending a message to MBUSA if the dealer was unresponsive is appropriate. Doing it in lieu of talking to the dealer will make you sound shrill. And as others have said, if the dealer denies it happened, and your recollection is vague, it will also sound shrill. Sounding shrill reduces your effectiveness in presenting other issues.
If the dealer doesn't deny it, or if you were positive of your suspicions, then you could ask for some financial compensation. This would presumably cover any direct (maintenance) and indirect (resale or lease) costs incurred.
MBUSA is pretty aware of the problem, genericly, after the Helms incident. If the dealer was unresponsive and you were positive of your suspicions, you could escalate it to them for a remedy.
Last edited by DavidNJ; Aug 6, 2004 at 02:00 AM.
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I am with you on this one Fort.
I had the exact same problem with mine. I reset trip computer and put fuel in and when i collected car the trip computer says 128 miles. They were foolish to leave that. i also recorded mileage which showed same diff. NOT only did they drive my car for 128 miles they managed to put corrosion on FOUR wheels. ie they swapped my brand new wheels for 4 corroded ones and hoped i didn't notice.
They are the worst type of car dealers i have come across. I had the pics b4 and after but in the end I still couldnt prove that they had used the car or changed my wheels.
ASK for the security video of all exits on the day and if it was loaned to a customer. Whats happenned is that the car has been laoned to a favourite customer or employee who thought you would be trusting.....like we all are....i mean i left my wheel lock key in the boot( why would i need to remove it....were not born suspicious)....thats why my wheels were changed.
So I avoided the dealer...NAME and SHAME the dealer for other users benefit
I had the exact same problem with mine. I reset trip computer and put fuel in and when i collected car the trip computer says 128 miles. They were foolish to leave that. i also recorded mileage which showed same diff. NOT only did they drive my car for 128 miles they managed to put corrosion on FOUR wheels. ie they swapped my brand new wheels for 4 corroded ones and hoped i didn't notice.
They are the worst type of car dealers i have come across. I had the pics b4 and after but in the end I still couldnt prove that they had used the car or changed my wheels.
ASK for the security video of all exits on the day and if it was loaned to a customer. Whats happenned is that the car has been laoned to a favourite customer or employee who thought you would be trusting.....like we all are....i mean i left my wheel lock key in the boot( why would i need to remove it....were not born suspicious)....thats why my wheels were changed.
So I avoided the dealer...NAME and SHAME the dealer for other users benefit
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From: Lone Star State.
W211 2005 CDI, X166 2013 350 BT, 997.1 2008 C4S
What I have observed is many of the posters on these threads are not naming names. Is it because of defamation of character/slander issues?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: S.F. Bay Area, CA
'18 E63S AMG
You guys are scaring me. This sure seems to be more frequent then one would think, especially at a Benz dealership. You would also think management would be more aware of their employees whereabouts with their customer's car.
Even if you catch them, that would still be after the fact. You almost have to take a polaroid of the odometer, date it and place it on the dash as a deterrent.
Even if you catch them, that would still be after the fact. You almost have to take a polaroid of the odometer, date it and place it on the dash as a deterrent.
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From: NJ
'05 e320 cdi, '05 lexus rx330
Originally Posted by CALBenzo
You guys are scaring me. This sure seems to be more frequent then one would think, especially at a Benz dealership. You would also think management would be more aware of their employees whereabouts with their customer's car.
Even if you catch them, that would still be after the fact. You almost have to take a polaroid of the odometer, date it and place it on the dash as a deterrent.
Even if you catch them, that would still be after the fact. You almost have to take a polaroid of the odometer, date it and place it on the dash as a deterrent.
Thread Starter
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From: NJ
'05 e320 cdi, '05 lexus rx330
Originally Posted by saffrontiger
What I have observed is many of the posters on these threads are not naming names. Is it because of defamation of character/slander issues?
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I am based in UK and mine was a Mbz Uk dealership. I have named them on a UK forum and i'm not afraid of slander/defamation issues since any publicity they get will be better for the consumer. I could have gone to court and got my original wheels back based on the evidence but you need security video evidence of them changing the wheels to prosecute, otherwise they will always claim that you changed them yourself to blame them....as if we have a habit of changing alloys to get new ones.....when they are already covered under warranty...don't know why or how one could do that...luckily i haven't had the unfortunate chance of changing a tyre....I'd probably be my first time.
I now use a dealer some 30 miles away from whom I've had excellent service and very helpful staff. Some dealers are the worst one can imagine.....even after all this they have never apologised....they know EXACTLY WHAT happened but deny all to savetheir employee and their reputation.
From experience they will assume you have a memory problem and deny everything....or they might offer to clean you car as they did me....Just tell them to ****. Off. and avoid like the plague.
I now use a dealer some 30 miles away from whom I've had excellent service and very helpful staff. Some dealers are the worst one can imagine.....even after all this they have never apologised....they know EXACTLY WHAT happened but deny all to savetheir employee and their reputation.
From experience they will assume you have a memory problem and deny everything....or they might offer to clean you car as they did me....Just tell them to ****. Off. and avoid like the plague.
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
MBUSA is pretty aware of the problem, genericly, after the Helms incident.
