Do I have a case? Advertised option not in car after purchase.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2005 E500 4Matic
Worth the effort? Advertised option not in car after purchase.
Just bought an '05 E500W4. Notice the "harmon kardon audio system" option in the car ad that they sent to me:
http://www.unitytools.com/clients/co...296&vid=141861
It explicitly states that there is a harmon kardon audio system present in the car. It was only after I got home, browsed the board and found out how exactly to test for its presence that I realized I just have a stock system.
Not sure if the upgrade is worth that much of a hassle, but its the principle behind getting what you were promised that I'm questioning. Purchased at Mercedes Benz of Smithtown (not close to me in NYC) approx 3 weeks ago. Since I already paid for the car in full, is there any recourse? Not sure if there's any "buying AS IS" language in my sales contract...
They've been pretty good to me otherwise.
http://www.unitytools.com/clients/co...296&vid=141861
It explicitly states that there is a harmon kardon audio system present in the car. It was only after I got home, browsed the board and found out how exactly to test for its presence that I realized I just have a stock system.
Not sure if the upgrade is worth that much of a hassle, but its the principle behind getting what you were promised that I'm questioning. Purchased at Mercedes Benz of Smithtown (not close to me in NYC) approx 3 weeks ago. Since I already paid for the car in full, is there any recourse? Not sure if there's any "buying AS IS" language in my sales contract...
They've been pretty good to me otherwise.
Last edited by 99clk320; May 19, 2007 at 06:21 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
I am not sure you have a case, anyone is allowed to make an error, as long as it is not intentional, nor render the product unfit for use. You can still drive the car, and it has a pretty good sound system, albeit not the best offered.
Harmon-Kardon did make the audio system that is in your car, and since the "puker" that read the spot did not say it was the premium system, I think they have a defendable position.
You might try the tack that you feel like it should have the premium system, but realizing that would be a large undertaking to acomplish, you might settle for a $ 200. credit in the parts dept. Make it a win-win for both sides. You can pick up some winter mats and a cargo net, and they keep a client happy.
Harmon-Kardon did make the audio system that is in your car, and since the "puker" that read the spot did not say it was the premium system, I think they have a defendable position.
You might try the tack that you feel like it should have the premium system, but realizing that would be a large undertaking to acomplish, you might settle for a $ 200. credit in the parts dept. Make it a win-win for both sides. You can pick up some winter mats and a cargo net, and they keep a client happy.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 594
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From: Haleiwa on my mind
355 F1 Spider & ......V12 w220.176
I'm not sure I understand..........
I listened to the ad and it states the car has a Harmon-Kardon stereo system. But according to the other poster, the car you purchased does have a Harmon-Kardon stereo system. I didn't hear in the ad anything about any optional Harmon-Kardon system. I think it was a reasonable representation and if this was an option you wanted then you might have contacted them to confirm.
If the car didn't have a Harmon-Kardon stereo system then I think you would have reason to request a resolution.
I purchased a Jeep Grand Cherokee that stated in the ad it had side airbags. When the Jeep arrived I inspected the window sticker and saw that it did not have the side airbags. I sent the manager of the dealership a letter explaining the situation and they were reasonable about a resolution. Though the Jeep couldn't be retrofited as no dealership would touch it, they did send me a reasonable check for the error.
Good luck
I listened to the ad and it states the car has a Harmon-Kardon stereo system. But according to the other poster, the car you purchased does have a Harmon-Kardon stereo system. I didn't hear in the ad anything about any optional Harmon-Kardon system. I think it was a reasonable representation and if this was an option you wanted then you might have contacted them to confirm.
If the car didn't have a Harmon-Kardon stereo system then I think you would have reason to request a resolution.
I purchased a Jeep Grand Cherokee that stated in the ad it had side airbags. When the Jeep arrived I inspected the window sticker and saw that it did not have the side airbags. I sent the manager of the dealership a letter explaining the situation and they were reasonable about a resolution. Though the Jeep couldn't be retrofited as no dealership would touch it, they did send me a reasonable check for the error.
Good luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
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The standard audio system is not HK, it is a stock Mercedes system. The HK system has 12 speakers and 7.1 support. This option is worth well over $200, and I would not settle for that. Even if the mistake was not intentional, the product was misrepresented as having an important feature.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Haleiwa on my mind
355 F1 Spider & ......V12 w220.176
The standard audio system is not HK, it is a stock Mercedes system. The HK system has 12 speakers and 7.1 support. This option is worth well over $200, and I would not settle for that. Even if the mistake was not intentional, the product was misrepresented as having an important feature.
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,840
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From: MA
E90 M3
I say you don't have a case.
If the Harmon Kardon system was such a big deal to you and was a large contributing factor in your purchasing of the car, it is your responsibility to check that it does have this.
Just honest opinion.
If the Harmon Kardon system was such a big deal to you and was a large contributing factor in your purchasing of the car, it is your responsibility to check that it does have this.
Just honest opinion.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 22
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From: NYC
2005 E500 4Matic
Thanks for the thoughts
Appreciate all the feedback.
Only comment is that there's no easy way to tell if there's a harmon kardon sound system if I didn't know what I was looking for. Moreover, when you're test driving a vehicle, chances are you don't have the stereo turned up and are instead listening for any shakes, rattles, or any other mechanical problems.
Ad states that it's present and I assumed that it was. After I got home and browsed this board and the car manual, and found instructions for turning on the surround sound option. It was only after I attemped to locate this feature that I realized I had a stock system. No surround sound option, no subwoofer, nada...
Not of the greatest importance to me at the time, but hey, if its included i'll take it. I just wondered from the folks on the board whether there was a major difference in sound quality. If its still lackluster, then it may not be worth the hassle. Then again, based on the posts on this board, a simple letter may do a world of good and would be really no sweat off my back. Can't hurt right?...
Only comment is that there's no easy way to tell if there's a harmon kardon sound system if I didn't know what I was looking for. Moreover, when you're test driving a vehicle, chances are you don't have the stereo turned up and are instead listening for any shakes, rattles, or any other mechanical problems.
Ad states that it's present and I assumed that it was. After I got home and browsed this board and the car manual, and found instructions for turning on the surround sound option. It was only after I attemped to locate this feature that I realized I had a stock system. No surround sound option, no subwoofer, nada...
Not of the greatest importance to me at the time, but hey, if its included i'll take it. I just wondered from the folks on the board whether there was a major difference in sound quality. If its still lackluster, then it may not be worth the hassle. Then again, based on the posts on this board, a simple letter may do a world of good and would be really no sweat off my back. Can't hurt right?...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 449
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From: Florida, Tampa
1993 190E 2.6
Write the letter. Worse case they laugh at you. Best case they upgrade it/ send a check for the difference in price of the vehicle. Premium sound isn't cheap from MB. I'm sure it was factored into the price for your car when they advertised it. This is not a buy here pay here. Your at a MB dealer. Mistakes should not happen in an advertisment. A tech should be writing a list of features the car has. Or they can just run the Vin to get the options added. I would want the HK radio because I'm very much into music. The HK stereo's Ive heard in BMW and Rang Rover's have sounded great.
Last time I looked, Pioneer makes the radios for the "C" class. I don't know about the other classes. I would assume the same for all stock radio.
Last time I looked, Pioneer makes the radios for the "C" class. I don't know about the other classes. I would assume the same for all stock radio.
Last edited by PhilipM1; May 21, 2007 at 12:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Huntington NY
S560
In most areas the dealership does not take resposibility for advertising errors. An advertisement is not a contract. If your purchase agreement said H/K sound system, then you would have a leg to stand on. If you went to the dealership and bought a white car off an ad, but then later realized that the ad said it was black, could you go back to the dealer and complain you got the wrong car? I'd say no. I would recommend calling the dealer and explaining your position and ask them to maybe give you a free service or two, it can't hurt. But at the end of the day, if the purchase does not say it, don't expect it...
