Service Department Rip-off!!! Help!!!
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Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 210
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From: NJ
Service Department Rip-off!!! Help!!!
I had to take my car to the service department for repair and they got me a loaner car, an ML 350. After the repair was done, I called the service rep. and told him I had some scratches on the loaner car. I asked him if I should fix it myself before returning the car. He told me that it's up to me but if I brought the car in, they would give an estimate for the damage. I dropped the loaner car off and told him to call me with an estimate. A couple of days pass by, and as I check the balance on my credit card, I find a charge of $1,500 from the dealer. I called the service rep to ask about the situation and he just transfer me to someone else. This other guy says that the loaner car had to be fixed right away and that he would fax me the invoice of the repair and we could discuss it. Since then, about a week has passed by, and I haven't received any fax nor any return call after leaving about 5 messages on the service rep.'s voice mail.
What should I do guys?
There was some scratches on the right part of the front bumper, some scratch on the side, and some scratches on the rear bumper.
What should I do guys?
There was some scratches on the right part of the front bumper, some scratch on the side, and some scratches on the rear bumper.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,891
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From: SoCal
2002 C230 : 2007 C230
since it's too late to get an estimate from somewhere else, I would just call the dealer and tell them to credit you back $750 or you will dispute the whole charge with the CC company. Make this a very short conversation and get off the phone quickly. Tell them you expect a decision by end of the day.
Don't be rude, just stay calm, give him his choice and get off the phone.
The above, of course, assumes you didn't actually have $1500 in damage.
Don't be rude, just stay calm, give him his choice and get off the phone.
The above, of course, assumes you didn't actually have $1500 in damage.
Last edited by KWiK; May 15, 2003 at 12:17 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Scratches?
MB does not "fill in" scratches. They paint the whole panel with their multi step process. Sounds like 3 panels (two bumper covers and a door?) and $1500 seems reasonable (considering MB pricing, not mine). That being said, if you asked for an estimate and they didn't give you one then there's a problem. I don't think you have recourse though. Shouldn't your insurance cover it? How bad were the scratches?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,757
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From: Long Island, NY
I agree that Mercedes charges alot for body work. I got an estimate of $716 to have a scratch about 1/4 long repaired. And yes they are removing the bumper, completely refinishing it and repainting it. It's not my money that is repairing it so I am not terribly concerned. But I do not believe what they did was fair. You should have had the right to get your own estimates. 4 Other body shops gave me estimates between $225 and $409 to fix the same scratch.
