SL-Class (R232) Discussion on the 2022 R232

SL/R232: MB sales guys

Old Mar 3, 2022 | 04:34 PM
  #1  
johno530's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 24
From: N Cal/Maui
'08 CLK Black, '08 SL65, '17 SL65, '07 SL55, '20 E63S Wagon, '22 E450 All Terrain
MB sales guys

I've bought many Mercedes and AMG's. I've never met a sales person that knew more than me. Don't want to be harsh, but seriously - know your job. While I'm at it, it's annoying how they push Continental tires. Once I requested Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, and they told me they couldn't do that because there was a service bulletin out that said don't use. Really? Can I see it? Nope. Another good one is the time I wanted to order a SL65 from my guy in Maui but take delivery in Vegas (both FJ dealerships). "Nope, can't do that."
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2022 | 04:41 PM
  #2  
CincyMBGuy's Avatar
Super Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 931
Likes: 371
From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
I'll only speak to the last part of this-

If the dealership is anything like the group I work for, the delivering dealership will get the credit for the sale while the ordering dealership uses one of their limited allocations. Additionally, your sales associate would get no credit for the sale, you know, how he makes a living.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2022 | 07:50 AM
  #3  
Five Spoker's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 27
Likes: 21
From: Middle lane. Left lane. Middle lane ...
2021 CLA 45, 2016 JK, 2013 C30, 1998 Z28, 2021 SS950, 2015 R3
I swear I was behind you at Starbucks the other day.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2022 | 04:42 PM
  #4  
johno530's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 24
From: N Cal/Maui
'08 CLK Black, '08 SL65, '17 SL65, '07 SL55, '20 E63S Wagon, '22 E450 All Terrain
Sorry people. I was replying to a thread re sales guys and issues and I hit the wrong button for a new thread. So kinda out of context. oops
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2022 | 09:27 PM
  #5  
chassis's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
MBWorld Ambassador

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Amen. I walked into the local MB dealer this week to pick up parts and stopped to admire a GT roadster on the showroom floor. The only sales guy in the showroom started chatting.

I mentioned the new SL and he didn't seem too aware. He said, "Yeah, the difference between the GT and SL is the GT has a softtop and the SL has a hardtop." Given that we were talking about the "new SL", it was clear he hadn't attended the new product webinar yet.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2022 | 07:59 PM
  #6  
Mike P's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 263
Likes: 148
SL65(R231), SL65(R230), 600SL, 560SL(86), 560SL(89),250SL(68),250SL(67), 190SL, 300SL(GW)
The majority of the MBWorld forum members know more about MB products than 95% of MB sales people.......pretty sad. I've had similar experiences since my first SL......a 560SL. Nothing has changed.

Prospective buyers should do their own due diligence.......or ask forum members.
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2022 | 10:18 AM
  #7  
boltonblue's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 38
From: middle o' ma
15 AMG S63 4-matic coupe
Originally Posted by chassis
Amen. I walked into the local MB dealer this week to pick up parts and stopped to admire a GT roadster on the showroom floor. The only sales guy in the showroom started chatting.

I mentioned the new SL and he didn't seem too aware. He said, "Yeah, the difference between the GT and SL is the GT has a softtop and the SL has a hardtop." Given that we were talking about the "new SL", it was clear he hadn't attended the new product webinar yet.
There is an old adage in sales, sell what's in stock!
Reply
Old Apr 1, 2022 | 10:53 AM
  #8  
chassis's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
MBWorld Ambassador

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Originally Posted by boltonblue
There is an old adage in sales, sell what's in stock!
Yes. And know what you sell. This guy didn’t know a GT from an SL.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 1, 2022 | 12:17 PM
  #9  
silverclky's Avatar
Junior Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
2013 SL550;2021 G63, 2019 Lamborghini Urus
How many sales guys see this as a sustainable career? They frequently move from dealership to dealership if they don't have an established client base that is loyal. And even the best customers aren't purchasing/leasing cars every month so they can often times miss their targets for the month. Members on these message boards tend to love the cars more since we are the ultimate owners of them and willing to invest the time into learning every detail. Will knowing every difference between the old generation and new generation close the deal? Probably not, they will make a bigger margin off the unknowing buyer who sees the shiny car and just has to have it right away.

Nothing against salespeople, I've worked with the relentless new hire who will call 3x/day to the unmotivated salesperson who will never return my call even to take a deposit.

If I owned a dealership, I'd hire motivated salespeople and empower them to close rather than the usual song and dance of 'let me go ask my manager' and proceed to disappear for 15-20 minutes only to come back with a sales sheet with some ridiculous offer.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 06:44 AM
  #10  
shekmark's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 168
Likes: 39
From: Jersey
2019 E53 Cabrio, Lunar Blue. 2020 GLC 300
It’s not just MB by a long shot. Very few enthusiasts working as salesman.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:05 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE