SLR/C199/R199/Z199: Getting bumped from allocation #1 for SLR
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9
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From: New York
G55, E55, S55
Getting bumped from allocation #1 for SLR
How should I feel about the following situation? I would appreciate Mercedes Benz responding directly to me since I have been a 20 year loyal customer.
I currently own a S55, G55, as well as a E55, all model 2003. In spring of 1999, I completed a sales agreement with a MB franchise in North America for the #1 delivered SLR to their facility. A deposit was made at that time. During the past four years, I have made every effort to re-confirm the allocation and have been informed on multiple occasions that "yes, you are number 1, don't worry". Over the years, as in many buisnesses, this franchise had a bit of turnover in the management department so it was imperative for me to make sure my order never got "lost". As stated earlier, never any question, I was #1, as per the contract and per the feedback from the franchise.
I again reconfirmed recently and was told "yes you have the number 1 car". Within 1 hour, the management called me back and stated that there was a problem and that the #1 car was not going to be mine due to mis-communication. I understand mistakes happen but.... I am now compromised.
I then went directly to the principle of the franchise (whom I might add was extremely pleasant and sincere in the explanation) about the concern I had and to have the official agreement honored. He explained in a professional manner that the mis-communication made them allocate the car to someone else but ensured me I would get the 2nd car delivered. Will there be a second SLR? Will I lose this one too? This would be an adequet solution if both cars come in at the same time. Most franchises will not see multiple cars in a short time frame. As a Mercedes loyalist, I am somewhat dissapointed, how should I proceed? I hold my commitments and feel that this mis-communication certainly has me question the loyalty of Mercedes.
What does it take for Mercedes Benz to recognize me as a good customer? Maybe it is not possible. I do know that in my buisness mistakes happen as well. I, as the principle make sure that the mistake is corrected to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, in most cases, no matter what the cost. That is what we traditionally call cost of doing buisness. A loyal customer stays loyal when the loyalty is reciprocated.
I currently own a S55, G55, as well as a E55, all model 2003. In spring of 1999, I completed a sales agreement with a MB franchise in North America for the #1 delivered SLR to their facility. A deposit was made at that time. During the past four years, I have made every effort to re-confirm the allocation and have been informed on multiple occasions that "yes, you are number 1, don't worry". Over the years, as in many buisnesses, this franchise had a bit of turnover in the management department so it was imperative for me to make sure my order never got "lost". As stated earlier, never any question, I was #1, as per the contract and per the feedback from the franchise.
I again reconfirmed recently and was told "yes you have the number 1 car". Within 1 hour, the management called me back and stated that there was a problem and that the #1 car was not going to be mine due to mis-communication. I understand mistakes happen but.... I am now compromised.
I then went directly to the principle of the franchise (whom I might add was extremely pleasant and sincere in the explanation) about the concern I had and to have the official agreement honored. He explained in a professional manner that the mis-communication made them allocate the car to someone else but ensured me I would get the 2nd car delivered. Will there be a second SLR? Will I lose this one too? This would be an adequet solution if both cars come in at the same time. Most franchises will not see multiple cars in a short time frame. As a Mercedes loyalist, I am somewhat dissapointed, how should I proceed? I hold my commitments and feel that this mis-communication certainly has me question the loyalty of Mercedes.
What does it take for Mercedes Benz to recognize me as a good customer? Maybe it is not possible. I do know that in my buisness mistakes happen as well. I, as the principle make sure that the mistake is corrected to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, in most cases, no matter what the cost. That is what we traditionally call cost of doing buisness. A loyal customer stays loyal when the loyalty is reciprocated.
Last edited by Pludwig; Jul 4, 2003 at 10:07 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,738
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From: Texas
OUCH..sorry to hear that, you shouldve gotten something in writing(if that helps) that you ARE in the number 1 slot.
Mercedes can sometimes be a pain in the @$$. Try to keep talking to them. and see if your past history of mercedes cars will effect them.
Mercedes can sometimes be a pain in the @$$. Try to keep talking to them. and see if your past history of mercedes cars will effect them.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Wash., D.C.
C280
I'm sorry to hear about what happened. Maybe writting a letter to MBUSA explaining what happened.
How many SLRs are we getting in the states ?
And will you adopt me please (jk).
In this economy, I can't see a great demand for the $250,000+ SLR, but you never know.
I do think you need something in writting, did you make a deposit ?
How many SLRs are we getting in the states ?
And will you adopt me please (jk).
In this economy, I can't see a great demand for the $250,000+ SLR, but you never know.
I do think you need something in writting, did you make a deposit ?
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
From: MA, USA
W126 1991 350SDL
there's really nothing you can do.
while you have been a benz loyalist and own some very nice, recent model cars, you are not among the top tier of benz owners.
each dealership seems to have a tiny handful of customers who buy new cars monthly or quarterly for themselves and their extended families.
my local dealer has a couple guys who are serious nuts and make people like you and i look impoverished. this dealership keeps wait lists for stuff, but if any of these key customers call and say "hey - y'know, i just read the new Car & Driver and that SLR thing looks really neat! when can i get one?" - they get put at the top of the list and if that pisses off customers like you or me the dealership is willing to take that risk since these individuals represent so much money to them in just pure absolute terms (never mind the relative terms).
most folks assume that wait lists are "ordered" lists. they are not, and never are. some dealerships will try to tell you that they really are ordered and you really are X or Y on the list. they mean well, but they don't have control. fewer dealerships will tell you that the lists are unordered, and just before production starts, the priincipals order the lists. either way you're screwed, but it's best not to make the erroneous assumption a priori.
be polite with the local dealer. take the second car. suck it up and deal. you don't really have any options that will result in getting a car quicker.
remember, the SLR is not going to be as rare as it sounds. 500 units per year is big production. i think Lambo is doing 300 Murcielagos a year right now. Ferrari produces 750 Maranellos per year. etc. etc.
doody.
while you have been a benz loyalist and own some very nice, recent model cars, you are not among the top tier of benz owners.
each dealership seems to have a tiny handful of customers who buy new cars monthly or quarterly for themselves and their extended families.
my local dealer has a couple guys who are serious nuts and make people like you and i look impoverished. this dealership keeps wait lists for stuff, but if any of these key customers call and say "hey - y'know, i just read the new Car & Driver and that SLR thing looks really neat! when can i get one?" - they get put at the top of the list and if that pisses off customers like you or me the dealership is willing to take that risk since these individuals represent so much money to them in just pure absolute terms (never mind the relative terms).
most folks assume that wait lists are "ordered" lists. they are not, and never are. some dealerships will try to tell you that they really are ordered and you really are X or Y on the list. they mean well, but they don't have control. fewer dealerships will tell you that the lists are unordered, and just before production starts, the priincipals order the lists. either way you're screwed, but it's best not to make the erroneous assumption a priori.
be polite with the local dealer. take the second car. suck it up and deal. you don't really have any options that will result in getting a car quicker.
remember, the SLR is not going to be as rare as it sounds. 500 units per year is big production. i think Lambo is doing 300 Murcielagos a year right now. Ferrari produces 750 Maranellos per year. etc. etc.
doody.
Last edited by Doody; Jul 4, 2003 at 01:50 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Texas
Re: Contract states "Client to recieve #1 CAR"
Originally posted by Pludwig
The contract clearly states "Client to recieve #1 car"
The contract clearly states "Client to recieve #1 car"
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Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
From: MA, USA
W126 1991 350SDL
listen - you have to be realistic about these things.
you can either argue about this on legal grounds (and i'd suggest that if that language is verbatim it is wildly open to interpretation) or you can suck it up, accept that there are more important customers than you, regardless of how annoyed that makes you, and take the second or third or whatever car they deign to give you.
you're too late to get near the top of anybody else's list.
for all we know, they're going to do "launch editions" of the SLR like they did on the R230. cars that were NOT part of any waiting list - but the dealers got 2, 3, 4, or more of these "launch edition" R230s before any customer orders were filled. so the #1 guy was actually #4 or #5 or whatever.
i'll shut up now :-)
doody.
you can either argue about this on legal grounds (and i'd suggest that if that language is verbatim it is wildly open to interpretation) or you can suck it up, accept that there are more important customers than you, regardless of how annoyed that makes you, and take the second or third or whatever car they deign to give you.
you're too late to get near the top of anybody else's list.
for all we know, they're going to do "launch editions" of the SLR like they did on the R230. cars that were NOT part of any waiting list - but the dealers got 2, 3, 4, or more of these "launch edition" R230s before any customer orders were filled. so the #1 guy was actually #4 or #5 or whatever.
i'll shut up now :-)
doody.
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Mercedes
Re: Getting bumped from allocation #1 for SLR
Originally posted by Pludwig
How should I feel about the following situation? I would appreciate Mercedes Benz responding directly to me since I have been a 20 year loyal customer.
I currently own a S55, G55, as well as a E55, all model 2003. In spring of 1999, I completed a sales agreement with a MB franchise in North America for the #1 delivered SLR to their facility. A deposit was made at that time. During the past four years, I have made every effort to re-confirm the allocation and have been informed on multiple occasions that "yes, you are number 1, don't worry". Over the years, as in many buisnesses, this franchise had a bit of turnover in the management department so it was imperative for me to make sure my order never got "lost". As stated earlier, never any question, I was #1, as per the contract and per the feedback from the franchise.
I again reconfirmed recently and was told "yes you have the number 1 car". Within 1 hour, the management called me back and stated that there was a problem and that the #1 car was not going to be mine due to mis-communication. I understand mistakes happen but.... I am now compromised.
I then went directly to the principle of the franchise (whom I might add was extremely pleasant and sincere in the explanation) about the concern I had and to have the official agreement honored. He explained in a professional manner that the mis-communication made them allocate the car to someone else but ensured me I would get the 2nd car delivered. Will there be a second SLR? Will I lose this one too? This would be an adequet solution if both cars come in at the same time. Most franchises will not see multiple cars in a short time frame. As a Mercedes loyalist, I am somewhat dissapointed, how should I proceed? I hold my commitments and feel that this mis-communication certainly has me question the loyalty of Mercedes.
What does it take for Mercedes Benz to recognize me as a good customer? Maybe it is not possible. I do know that in my buisness mistakes happen as well. I, as the principle make sure that the mistake is corrected to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, in most cases, no matter what the cost. That is what we traditionally call cost of doing buisness. A loyal customer stays loyal when the loyalty is reciprocated.
How should I feel about the following situation? I would appreciate Mercedes Benz responding directly to me since I have been a 20 year loyal customer.
I currently own a S55, G55, as well as a E55, all model 2003. In spring of 1999, I completed a sales agreement with a MB franchise in North America for the #1 delivered SLR to their facility. A deposit was made at that time. During the past four years, I have made every effort to re-confirm the allocation and have been informed on multiple occasions that "yes, you are number 1, don't worry". Over the years, as in many buisnesses, this franchise had a bit of turnover in the management department so it was imperative for me to make sure my order never got "lost". As stated earlier, never any question, I was #1, as per the contract and per the feedback from the franchise.
I again reconfirmed recently and was told "yes you have the number 1 car". Within 1 hour, the management called me back and stated that there was a problem and that the #1 car was not going to be mine due to mis-communication. I understand mistakes happen but.... I am now compromised.
I then went directly to the principle of the franchise (whom I might add was extremely pleasant and sincere in the explanation) about the concern I had and to have the official agreement honored. He explained in a professional manner that the mis-communication made them allocate the car to someone else but ensured me I would get the 2nd car delivered. Will there be a second SLR? Will I lose this one too? This would be an adequet solution if both cars come in at the same time. Most franchises will not see multiple cars in a short time frame. As a Mercedes loyalist, I am somewhat dissapointed, how should I proceed? I hold my commitments and feel that this mis-communication certainly has me question the loyalty of Mercedes.
What does it take for Mercedes Benz to recognize me as a good customer? Maybe it is not possible. I do know that in my buisness mistakes happen as well. I, as the principle make sure that the mistake is corrected to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, in most cases, no matter what the cost. That is what we traditionally call cost of doing buisness. A loyal customer stays loyal when the loyalty is reciprocated.
