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Did my dealer rip me off?

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Old 03-18-2004, 02:06 PM
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Mercedes C43 AMG
Did my dealer rip me off?

I brought my car in to my dealer for a CEL and a broken door jam switch. Then they replaced my alternator belt and tension roll since they were "bad" WITOUT my knowledge or approval! I already wrote a letter to their manager to complain.

Anyway, here is the labor hours they charged me:

Replace MAF sensor and reset CEL: 2.5hrs
Replace door jam switch: 0.5hrs
Replace alternator belt (v-belt) and tension roll: 2.5hrs

Personally, I think this is too much time. Total bill was $1300 and extended warranty paid for $1000 of it. The rest was not covered probably because the dealer overcharged me in labor hours.

Please let me know if my complaint is valid and if there is anything else I should do.

Thanks,
Baron
Old 03-18-2004, 02:36 PM
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without even reading the post, I already knew the answer would be yes, ,,probably nothing you can do about it since you've already paid, though, sucks that they did all that without asking you first, at least most of it was covered...btw, I've found that most service guys will exaggerate the labor charges grossly, dealer or no dealer, its just something we gotta live with

Old 03-18-2004, 03:01 PM
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Report them to MBUSA for performing unecessary Warranty work.
Old 03-18-2004, 07:02 PM
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the times are based off of flat rate hours poted in the book. ask to see the flate rate book and compare the times
Old 03-18-2004, 08:25 PM
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Approval?

Did you sign an approval for any $ limit on work to be performed before they did it or give them a verbal OK? Could you tell if the tension roller was actually bad when you looked at it? 2.5 hours to replace it seems excessive (but I've never replaced one on an MB). If you didn't give approval you can take them to small claims court (I'm also not an attorney....thank God).
Old 03-18-2004, 08:30 PM
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I had no knowledge that they were going to replace the belt and tension roll. I showed up to pick up my car and the next thing I know the dealer replaced a few things to my surprise. There was no way for me to know if the parts were bad. For all I know, they could've said my engine was bad and and replaced it.

I don't think I will pursue with the small claims court. Not worth the trouble for a few hundred bucks. I just wanted to justice. I did write a letter to their manager though.

Will it help to write to MB USA?

Thanks,
Baron
Old 03-18-2004, 10:03 PM
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Originally posted by baron
I just wanted to justice. I did write a letter to their manager though.
??? I can only assume where that letter ended up (i.e., the trashcan)


Originally posted by baron
Will it help to write to MB USA?
Duh! When dealerships have negative marks they lose allocations as well as lose money.

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