GLE53 order anti-export "security deposit"
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Vancouver
2021 GLE53 SUV
GLE53 order anti-export "security deposit"
I live in Vancouver, Canada and recently put down a deposit for our new GLE53, which had a $5K deposit which was expected, but later, after all the paperwork was done, they sprung on me an additional $15K deposit that was due to be paid within 3 business days, that is part of some sort of Anti-export deterrent. I will get the $15K back after I have driven the new GLE 4,000 KM. This means end of the year 2021 if I drive a lot.
Has anybody else heard of this? Apparently the Canadian GLEs have some EU tech that is disabled or not available in the US and is in high demand. not sure what he was referring too, but I would find this sketchy if it were not from a large Mercedes dealership.
They mentioned the security deposit is only for cash purchases, and not needed for lease or financed vehicles. Not sure what to think. Is this a thing and is it the same across Canada, or in other countries?
Has anybody else heard of this? Apparently the Canadian GLEs have some EU tech that is disabled or not available in the US and is in high demand. not sure what he was referring too, but I would find this sketchy if it were not from a large Mercedes dealership.
They mentioned the security deposit is only for cash purchases, and not needed for lease or financed vehicles. Not sure what to think. Is this a thing and is it the same across Canada, or in other countries?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Vancouver
2021 GLE53 SUV
Ok after a quick google, it appears to be a thing.
https://www.mercedescla.org/threads/...reement.11028/
Still seems a bit strange, but oh well.
https://www.mercedescla.org/threads/...reement.11028/
Still seems a bit strange, but oh well.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
I think it is discretionary. I was told by a MB Dealer in Brampton I would have to give a $50,000 bond to order a GLS when I was shopping around. I eventually ordered from my local London ON dealer and had nothing requested like that. I was aware it was a condition on the bill of sale no to export the GLS. Both of these Ontario MB dealers are franchised. I wonder if the corporate stores are more lenient. You are in a market where export to China is more prevalent same as GTA. Canadian base prices are low compared to USA and other countries when you calculate the exchange rate etc. so it is a problem for them. You have already signed a bill of sale?- if so tell them forget it there is nothing they can do now, but add you have no intention of selling or exporting it. I would be asking Mercedes Canada before agreeing to this or look for a better option.
Last edited by marchgroupinc; Jan 31, 2021 at 12:45 PM. Reason: new additional info.
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From: Ireland
GLC 300d 4matic
This has been mentioned in a recent thread. ...I think thread was about LED headlights and the difference between US and European systems.
Seems crazy to me and unenforceable!
Seems crazy to me and unenforceable!
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
The Canadian Vehicles have metric values standard and LH drive which is better for that market. Our LED lighting is the same as the US although Canadian regulations allow the enhancements of the system but are not activated here for some reason.
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From: Vancouver
CLK320
All the MB dealer in Vancouver does that once they suspect you might export the car to Asia.
two years ago when I was taking delivery of GLE43 I seen they declined a guy buying GLS550.
two years ago when I was taking delivery of GLE43 I seen they declined a guy buying GLS550.
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From: Teaneck, NJ
2023 EQB300
I bought a C280 in the 1990's from a small MB dealer near the New England community where I lived then. Several months afterwards, one morning a fleet of car carriers showed up and took away every MB on the lot. Seems the dealer was back-dooring cars to Saudi Arabia. I would have no doubt that MB Canada would be concerned about exporting vehicles because very likely it has happened.
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From: Nappanee Indiana
2026 E450
its simple math. its a lot easier and cheaper to buy from Canada and ship overseas than it is to pay the local taxes on the same vehicles in a lot of Asian and European countries.
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Interesting. This must be a real problem in Canada. There are no-export restrictions on car sales, here in the USA as well, but the legality of blocking it is questionable. They make you sign a waver stating that you are not exporting the car within a certain amount of time, but legally they can't really block it. I suppose they would have a way to come after you since you are in violation of the waver, but what if you all the sudden end up relocating to another country. However, I have heard that corporate comes down hard on dealerships that are found to have sold cars to someone that they could reasonably suspect the car was bought to be exported. Even worse if the dealership is doing it knowingly. So it's in the interest of the dealerships to protect themselves. I don't think the deposit comes as a requirement from corporate, but rather something that some dealerships are doing to protect themselves.
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I had a similar issue last year. I was looking at buying a press car from a New Jersey dealer, and they refused to sell it to me because they thought I was going to export it. To be honest it felt a bit discriminatory because I am a minority. The car was listed on Autotrader so clearly they were willing to sell it, but not to me.
I would check if they have these deposits on all customers or if they singled you out. I bet you it is discriminatory because if they asked all their customers to place a $16,000 deposit their business would probably collapse. I doubt all dealers are doing this. I ended up buying a used GLE with 800 miles on it from another dealer, and the car has been perfect. I wrote a letter to mercedes about the practices of the first dealer but never got a response.
I would check if they have these deposits on all customers or if they singled you out. I bet you it is discriminatory because if they asked all their customers to place a $16,000 deposit their business would probably collapse. I doubt all dealers are doing this. I ended up buying a used GLE with 800 miles on it from another dealer, and the car has been perfect. I wrote a letter to mercedes about the practices of the first dealer but never got a response.
Thread Starter
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From: Vancouver
2021 GLE53 SUV
For my purchase, the waiver I signed was a simple one.
Due to exporting issues with MB GLS and GLE models, the following purchase guideline is in place: $15,000 security deposit, refunded when vehicle reaches 4,000 KM with visual inspection. $1.00 service lien will be also in place at such time
Looks like the dealership is going to the bank if the vehicle does not show back up after 4K KM for inspection, but no other penalties except the service lien (what is that anyhow?)
Last edited by Timmay; Feb 1, 2021 at 10:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 72
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From: Vancouver
2021 GLE53 SUV
I had a similar issue last year. I was looking at buying a press car from a New Jersey dealer, and they refused to sell it to me because they thought I was going to export it. To be honest it felt a bit discriminatory because I am a minority. The car was listed on Autotrader so clearly they were willing to sell it, but not to me.
I would check if they have these deposits on all customers or if they singled you out. I bet you it is discriminatory because if they asked all their customers to place a $16,000 deposit their business would probably collapse. I doubt all dealers are doing this. I ended up buying a used GLE with 800 miles on it from another dealer, and the car has been perfect. I wrote a letter to mercedes about the practices of the first dealer but never got a response.
I would check if they have these deposits on all customers or if they singled you out. I bet you it is discriminatory because if they asked all their customers to place a $16,000 deposit their business would probably collapse. I doubt all dealers are doing this. I ended up buying a used GLE with 800 miles on it from another dealer, and the car has been perfect. I wrote a letter to mercedes about the practices of the first dealer but never got a response.
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I decided to finance at the end and went through MB to get the financing. I still had to sign the export waiver. But nothing is keeping me from paying off the loan tomorrow, selling it to whomever I want and then they do whatever that want with it. I really don’t understand the waiver thing either though.
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From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
For my purchase, the waiver I signed was a simple one.
Due to exporting issues with MB GLS and GLE models, the following purchase guideline is in place: $15,000 security deposit, refunded when vehicle reaches 4,000 KM with visual inspection. $1.00 service lien will be also in place at such time
Looks like the dealership is going to the bank if the vehicle does not show back up after 4K KM for inspection, but no other penalties except the service lien (what is that anyhow?)
Thread Starter
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From: Vancouver
2021 GLE53 SUV
Yes, 5k factory order deposit and 15K security deposit has been paid in full. There is no risk of them going out of business as it is one of the largest MB dealers in the lower mainland, so just need to wait it out. I was surprised but not mad.. will play their game.
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
I have a 21 MB GLE53. There was no talk of additional deposit, or signing a waiver. I live in Ontario. The dealership where I bought my GLE has restrictions on G Wag only, They will make sure the car is for you, no extra deposit. They normally sell these vehicles to their existing customer base since the vehicles are limited supply. I doubt there is a supply issue with the GLE53.
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From: Atlanta
2022 Mercedes EQS 580
Did you finance the deposit or did you just put $15k of your capital out of action?
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GLE450
I purchased my GLE450 through Mercedes on Boundary Burnaby last year in March, I had also deposited 9.5K security which I can get it back in full on my first service. I am going in for my first service later this month, so I shall see my full deposit back by then. Apparently. some of these SUV models (E and S class) are very popular in China, it was very expensive over there and limited as well. I guess MB is trying to stop this exporting and importing into other market strategy.
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From: Delaware
2021 GLE Coupe
I was never asked for any export deposit, matter of fact I only put down two grand for two GLE 53 coupes. Maybe it's the five or six months wait that dissuades many exporters. Twenty years ago I would never wait this long for an automobile. With age comes patience.
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From: Vancouver
2021 GLE53 SUV
Financing the deposit was not an option. Had to be wired before they would proceed with placing the order. I am OK with paying it, but I wanted to do that AFTER the vehicle arrived, and not before. That is a long time to have the money out of action. I never pushed too hard - just wanted to get the order underway.
