dagwoodnil

I just got my Service A done at the Mercedes Service Center in Richmond BC.

There are some charges I don't believe I should have been charged especially I have never approved it.
Some charges I just don't know what it is.
Here are the extra charges that's on top of the Standard Service A charges.

- Labour for Environmental Handling charge - $5.00
(I'm also charged $5 for Hazard-Mat-Dis Environmental Handling charge. Looks like double charge in Labour and Parts)
- Gas Additive - $12.50 (What gas additive do the GLK need?)
- Washer Solvent - $3.72 (What is this solvent?)
- Washer Fluid - $6.99 (I know my washer fluid is full because I just top it up)
- Wash Vehicle Engine after service - $30.00 (I have never been charged for anything like this before. If I received a wash, it was complementary.)

I have always had my services done at the Vancouver dealership. This is the first time I had it done in Richmond because my service advisor moved there.

Have anyone else had extra charges added to their normal service invoice?
Is this a way for them to make extra money?

TaxEsq

Sounds like you got hosed. If I was you I would contact the SA and then if that doesnt work, the Service Manager. I am not sure of BC law, but most US states have laws or case law provides against service provider performing work without authorization and you being charged for it. BTW, this in no way constitutes legal advice...

NYCGLK

Yea washes are usually complimentary. Topping off fluids is part of A service and should not be at extra charge. Also, all these charges should have been specified in advance.

When I went to do service, my SA asked if I wanted tire rotation and new wipers for extra 50 bux...no thanks! (As I found later it's hard to find wipers for GLK and I ended up paying 40 bux for them at autostore)

MKenM

Didn't the SA or the service desk where you pay the bill go over the charges before you paid the bill? Why didn't you dispute the charges right then and there? I would suspect that if you do not get your money back you won't be going back to YOUR SA. I think it's the SA's job to sell you what he can but it's the mechanic that makes everything right. Go back to your original dealer unless you weren't getting good service. So much for SA's.

mr.mbenz

hey dagwoodnil,

who's your SA?

I have had my service done there even though it was bought somewhere else. The service personnel are very polite and attentive.
Have a look on your invoice, it should state car wash value of $14.95, but the wash is complimentary
Perhaps your SA did not put in the right codes upon invoice or did someone else finalize the invoice.
Talk to the SA first, and if that doesn't help....(highly undoubtedly), you can talk to John Phillips, Service Mgr behind the glass quarters.

Update upon your findings....

dagwoodnil

This is what appears on my invoice.

- Perform Service A -$169.00
- Environmental Handling Charge - $5.00
- Wash vehicle Engine After service - $30.00
=> Labour = $204.00
- Oil Filter - $24.80
- 5w30 synthetic - $102.60
- Environmental Handling charge - $5.00
- Gas additive - $12.59
- Washer solvent - $3.72
- washer fluid - $6.99
=> Parts = 155.70
- Shop charges for repair order - $10.20
==> Total bill (incl. tax) = $414.28

I am sending an email to my SA and demanding refund on some of these charges.
Will update once I get a response.

mr.mbenz

dagwoodnil....

after careful reading.... I notice that it states

"Wash vehicle Engine After service - $30.00"
...
therefore, this was for the 'engine wash' and not the exterior wash? There is no charge of the exterior wash on invoice as stated?

btw...what is the Perform Service A $169.00??
It seems all the other has relevant labour / materials broken down on the invoice. Yeah, I would be interested in knowing the Gas additives too. What more can you get than 91 or 94 in Vancouver at the pump?
My 2 cents...

dagwoodnil

I also notice another thing.

I was charged for 9 units (assuming 1 unit is a liter) of synthetic oil. However, the recommended amount is 7 liters. This seems odd to charge me for 2 extra units of oil.

I was curious so I checked my previous invoice on my other car (serviced in Vancouver) and the amount of oil charged matches the amount of oil recommended.

I have been using this SA since 2003 and moved my service to Richmond because he was transfer there. So I don't think its my SA but more the policy of the Richmond office.

In any case, I have worded a strong complaint and threaten to escalate it to the Toronto head office if this is not resolved.

SL2003driver

Oil looks wrong should be Mobil 1 0w40. My dealers price was really good. He sent me a free oil/filter service coupon and then they did everything on the A Service for free including the car wash. I watched them do the work and they drained the oil out the bottom versus sucking it out the top.

MBRedux

Wow! This kind of blatant rip-off is unreal. Dealerships do have a way of ruining the driving experience don't they? Imagine if you will that all dealerships were factory owned and run. I would imagine that this kind of price gauging would be eliminated since the manufacturer has a vested interest in keeping you in the family for the rest of your car buying days.

As far as the correct oil is concerned, the oil MUST conform to the MB-229.5 specification. However, the correct viscosity and type used by the factory in our GLK is Mobil-1 Formula-M 5w-40. This oil must be used year round and can ONLY be purchased at the dealer for now.

WARNING: Please do not confuse this oil with Mobil-1 ESP Formula-M 5w-40. They sound alike but they are NOT THE SAME. ESP is for diesel engines ONLY! Also, please DO NOT GET the “over the counter” straight Mobil-1 5w-40 either. This oil does not meet the strict Mercedes Benz 229.5 spec."

kyoshiro

Guess I'll bring my GLK back to Boundary Benz for service instead of the more convenient Richmond
Also Engine washing isnt exactly necessary for the service, its their own fault if they spill stuff over the engine bay.
Do you use 91 or 94 usually or regular? Maybe your knock sensors shows that you've been using regular thus adding additives?
I'm using 94 religiously on my GLK (87 on my Mazda lol)

mr.mbenz

dagwoodnil, did you speak with your SA?

Truly, there must be some sort of oversight?
All your points are justified and need to be explained by your SA and/or Technican.

Keep us posted as there are many members from Vancouver

dagwoodnil

I use 91 from Esso.

kyoshiro

Yea then I definitely see no reason why you would need additives unless Richmond Service thinks everyone in Richmond use Regular in their Mercedes (which may be quite true, many people dont know that their car needs higher octane especially the female and cheapskate chinese (being from HK and i know most of the guys up north are cheaper than us)) My friend uses Regular in his leased C300 4matic which probably needs additives every service, probably kill his knock sensors by the time its lease returned.
The only other reason may be cuz 91s and below have <10% Ethanol? but the engines should already be able to account for that.
But yeah, lets see what your SA has to say cuz this seriously will steer me away from Richmond Service Dept. On the other hand, my SA @ Boundary did tell me that Service Dept in Richmond is not related to the Dealership so he can actually organize a service there for me, you should probably check if your SA can organize service back @ Vancouver Service Dept.

BestorNicht

Hahahaha truuu dat.

I use 91 as well from Esso because that is the highest octane they offer, and I want my Esso points

But ya, from all the posts I've read in this forum on the topic, I am definitely not looking forward to Service A... Oh well, deal with that bridge when I come to it; ~1845km so far!.

kyoshiro

I just reached 1015km~ and I figured Save Ons Card + Chevron discount + Costco AE Cashback is probably better than Esso points or Petro Points. I have a petropoint mastercard and i rarely use the points (closer to never) and i never ever use their gas these days as I feel theyre usually not as good. They also decided to reset my points every month, else i would have at least 100k points.

bigben320e

Goodness you got raped. You should definitely raise hell with the manager, $414 on a 6 cyl?

What are the parts for $155?

In GA (just for reference), dealers perform service A for less than $300. Buckhead Mercedes does it for $99, I found that out last week I may start going there.

rmfnla

That was my thinking.

I've heard of mechanics charging to clean the engine before service to make it easier to work on the car, but never after!

ryhchan

I use Shell V-Power because they claim their V-Power 91 has no Ethanol.

kyoshiro

Chevron 94 also has no ethanol

MBRedux

This is not entirely true. Most if not all states along with the Federal Gov. now mandate an ethanol mix. As a matter of fact, the newly empowered Republican house of Rep. in the USA are planning to give the green light to up the amount from 10% to 15%.

kyoshiro

We're in Canada =p

dagwoodnil

My SA has responded.
I was refunded all disputed amount.

As for the Engine wash, I am told this is standard practice to remove the gasoline smell and the oil residue (at this service center).

To the members who takes their car to this service center, is this true?

MBRedux

Glad it worked out and you got your money back, but I would now stay away from these bozo's if I were you.

PS: Never wash an engine unless its needed very badly. Most electronics and other systems (throttle body, etc) don't respond well to repeated engine washes. Gasoline fumes, from what? Did they spill a bunch all over your car to torch it or something? It's a bull story for sure.

Find another team.

kyoshiro

wow Richmond Service center likes to make money off of people I guess