MB automatically renewed my teleaid, without permission...
 

I got my mastercard statement and there is a 260.00 charge on it from MB teleaid, for renewal.. I called them and disputed the charge, then i called MB....they claimed the following...."they sent a notice and that since i didnt respond, they automatically renewed it with my credit card on file."

Am i crazy or is this totally underhanded??? perhaps i signed something saying they could do this , but its news to me.....

just another great example of MB customer service

I think that the way Tele-Aid has been set up and introduced needs some work. When my car was delivered to me they has a specialist go over every little thing and button on the car. This did not take long and was useful.

Then we went in her office and she signed me up for the 1st year of free Tele-Aid service. She did specifically state that it would automatically renew and that I had to cancel it before it did. She also said that there would be a letter sent. I immediately wondered if they would just skip the letter and then charge the card. I guess that is what happened.

What went wrong with me was that in spite of me declining the extra $75 dollar yearly charge for the route assistance and traffic program, they still hit my credit card with it. I even had it in writing stating that I had declined it!

When I called Tele-Aid they quickly refunded the charge. I am really wondering about their business tactic. I must admit that sometimes I don’t even look at my card statement charges. I just look at the balance and pay it off. I imagine that they are banking on having a lot more people like me no catch it and they get the money. I am not a conspiracy y type of person, but I am starting to wonder.

I will renew it since I have used the SOS button twice to report accidents and I love having the option to unlock my car with only a cell phone. If you were locked out, locksmiths can’t open these cars!

Steven Aguirre

I still remember that when my car delivery just few weeks ago, my sales told me that it will auto renew unless we call MBUSA to cancel it.

Thanks!

My salesman talked me out of Tele Aid because he had exactly the same problem. I eventually signed up on the recommendation of a friend but I'm well aware that you need to cancel before they automatically renew it.

I believe they are supposed to send you a notice 60 days in advance and then you either call them or write them a letter to cancel.

There really isn't much value in Tele Aid if you have a cell phone and/or drive in areas where there is some traffic. If you are in an accident, a million people are going to be on their cell phones calling 911 or at least a truck driver is on his radio doing it.

Even if you break down you can call Mercedes and they'll get you help.

Let me just add that it's a good idea to put a notice on your calendar to remind you well in advance to cancel Tele Aid. I'm doing it right now.

Had the same thing happen to me on my 2000 E320 wagon and was so peed off I did not activate it on my W211. Also found the tele aid reps a bit hostile when dealing with them back then(or was that me?).

Tele Aid was pretty clearly explained to me when I bought the car...it has since "rolled-over" twice and both times I received the notice that I needed to cancel or I would be charged. Have never used it, but like knowing it's there...

It was clearly explained on delivery that I would get a year of Tele-Aid for free. They also explained that unless I cancelled it would auto-renew.

Never used it - so I cancelled it.

I did get the letter ~45 days before it was due to renew.

Everyone is right. The Tele Aid contract specifically states that at the end of the contract period, the contract will AUTO RENEW unless the owner cancels it by mail, phone, etc.

Automatic renewal is not quite underhanded (ambitious maybe) in that it is spelled out clearly in the written contract and it is required to be specifically mentioned during vehicle orientation by the dealership.

I have to agree with BudC, isn’t much value if you have a cell phone. I also never used it. Needless to say, I cancelled. And I did receive a renewal notice in the mail about 30 to 45 days before expiration.

Auto renewal is the right way to go. How many times have we meant to pay a bill but "didn't get around" to it, and kept putting the envelope where we would surely fall over it? I don't think tele aid is a fabulously run department, or that it is even really necessary, but for those who want it, the rollover is a good idea. If you don't want it, I'm sure MB will simply let you cancell it & refund the difference... its really not worth getting all steamed up about, unless their charge put you over a limit & you were declined somewhere else, embarrasing you.

Either way, its just a toll free call away.

Isn't everything automatically renewed nowadays? Internet services, apartment leases, Termite bond, Utilities, Magazine subscriptions, XBox Live, etc. Tele-Aid is no different.

Am I correct in thinking that all of you W211 people who haven't activated it are seeing an error message on your dashboard the whole time?

I'm wondering if the dealer will "de"-option code it or anything for people who don't want to sign up.

You will not get an error message if you don't re-up. My 01 E430 was not renewed and we don't get the message in that car.

We also got the same auto re-up when we bought the 04 SL this year.

Actually you will receive: “SOS TeleAid Not Activated” whenever the key is turned to the on position, or you start the vehicle - for about 10 seconds.

Tele-Aid
 

I use the Traffic feature frequently and enjoy it. I have used the Roadside assistance once when I slit a tire on some glass and needed assistance. I recently got my renewal letter and will keep it. I have used the Concierge several times for hotel, or dinner reservations. In addition, I have used it to to call ahead ( I did not have the number) to a resturant, and explain I was delayed due to severe weather. It was so much easier to push that one button than to call Directory assisatnce and then call the resturant etc... Particularly in the heavy traffic and rain. I like it and the fast response on my tire was a winner.

I will also renew it. Have you ever had someone in your family lock the keys in your car? The comes Billy Bob the locksmith with plumber's crack and tries to open your car with a coat hanger or some other stupid rod! Then hours go by and he actually suggests breaking the window on a double-pane side window on a 1998 S class.

I ended up driving back to where we had a spare key and driving back. 150 miles later we had a $75 bill that we disputed. I have not locked my keys in the car (yet) but it still happens. These MBs are a ***** to pick open! Just because of this it is worth paying. Also, if you were in a severe enough accident where your airbags deployed and you were incapacitated, they will automatically call for help and they know where you are.

I thought that we were a bit of a different kind of consumer that valued these little extra safety features. I am sure that I could save some money if I had my airbag deactivated. I always buckle up! So why should I have the airbag deploy and cost a bunch of money! (I know that the insurance would pay for it, but this is just an example).

If you spend over $50K for a car, why would you try and save $240 on safety and service? I just make it a point to know I have it and use it. Like it was said; the traffic feature is great!

Steve

Steve,

I thought the traffic feature is a enhanced version hints $ on the top of the $240. Am I right? If not, please educate me.

Thanks!

I just refused giving them CC#, so I have no worry about unexpected billing. People become crazy when have CC#.

I just looked at the details about the traffic feature. You are correct, if you don't pay the extra $70.00 per year (which would then give you directions and traffic updates free of charge and unlimited for the year) each time you call will cost you just under $3.00. Also, you are burning minutes that can be up to $.40 per minute (if you are not in a roaming zone). If you have a 2005 or newer car, these minutes are free. I have made two traffic info calls, but they have never shoed up on my account. I will not call and complain though.

The other thing that is a very good feature of Tele-Aid is the stolen vehicle tracking. This gives most people a discount on their insurance and is just as effective as Low-Jack. Low Jack costs a bunch more money and is only useful in case they steal you car. I find Tele-Aid to be a much more useful Low-Jack.

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for your explaination regarding the traffic report. Regarding the teleaid vs. lojack - this is what my sales told me when he delivered the car to me. He told me that there are only few spots in MB factory will install tele aid. All the professional thief out there knows all these areas and if they took our car, there will look for these places then they'll rip it out rightaway. Once the box out then we will not able to locate the car. On the other hand, lojack cold be hid almost everywhere therefore the thief will have a hard time and long time to locate the lojack box, hopefully before the theif locate the lojack box, we will able to locaote the car first. That is what he told me.

I think I will keep the service after the ast year for 2 reasons - 1) lock out 2) call ambulance after the airbag deploy.

Thanks!

When I looked into it some time ago, it became apparent that Lojack installers are under instructions to refuse to tell customers where the transmitter is installed.

I don't think I could ever allow someone to install a device like that in my car without knowing where it was installed.

I have very mixed feelings regarding Tele-Aid, but at least I know where the antenna lead is if I want to install a switch someday when I have to have a really private conversation.

To paraphrase a local t-shirt slogan: It's a Washington, D.C. thing - you wouldn't understand. :)

Unless you do all services yourself you always have a risk to have something installed in your car.