boxofbits Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) HI All We use a Mercedes Vito van at work, and it needed the parking brake looking at and a couple of other things for MOT. So, we ran it down to our local Mercedes Commercial dealer in Eastbourne for a check over and estimate. They emailed the estimate for diagnostic work, but on the estimate was a charge I have NEVER seen before. My reaction was %^&*))___^%"!!!!! and some! I disputed the charge, refused to pay it and took the van out. Extortionists! Edited February 10, 2021 by boxofbits Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 Up £14.50 down £20. never seen that before cheeky bu@@ers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 No Hamish - it should be cheaper coming down as it's gravity assisted. Would anyone be daft enough to pay that? Presumably they just don't want the work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) Land Rover now want £300 just for diagnostic check Edited February 10, 2021 by ntc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 31 minutes ago, RobH said: No Hamish - it should be cheaper coming down as it's gravity assisted. Would anyone be daft enough to pay that? Presumably they just don't want the work. I was basing it on the garage attitude to billing. £14 to go up and quote. quote refused .... “oh so you want it off the ramp sir. That’s £20 then ......” Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted February 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 3 minutes ago, Hamish said: I was basing it on the garage attitude to billing. £14 to go up and quote. quote refused .... “oh so you want it off the ramp sir. That’s £20 then ......” And what happens if you can't afford to get it down?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 Commonly called T w a t tax in the trade. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted February 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 37 minutes ago, RobH said: No Hamish - it should be cheaper coming down as it's gravity assisted. Would anyone be daft enough to pay that? Presumably they just don't want the work. HI Rob I told them that they have lost out on the repairs and we wouldn't be buying another van from them. His response; ' Well I'm sure Mercedes will survive' ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 Just now, boxofbits said: HI Rob I told them that they have lost out on the repairs and we wouldn't be buying another van from them. His response; ' Well I'm sure Mercedes will survive' ! You should pass that information and remarks on to Merc head office as they own the dealers now, oh and a national newspaper too. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) Just thought you had best pay them or they won’t be able to retain their drivers like Lewis Edited February 10, 2021 by Hamish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 1 hour ago, ntc said: Land Rover now want £300 just for diagnostic check Well, if they have customers prepared to pay £195000 for a Defender... https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/old-land-rover-defenders-made-19803198 Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytr5 Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 I had a problem with Mercedes a few years ago and sold the merc straight after that episode. Will never buy another. Regards Harry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harlequin Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 1 hour ago, harrytr5 said: I had a problem with Mercedes a few years ago and sold the merc straight after that episode. Will never buy another. Regards Harry +1 We bought a new E class and had silly little issues from day one, Mercedes dealer was truly awful! Never again George Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 My short two year experience with an SLK200 was a little different. I bought it with only 11 000kms and 4 years old, from a MB dealer. Fortunately with 3 years warranty. First incident was the engine motherboard blew up on a mountainside in Slovenia, excellent assistance if slow from Mercedes europe and in particular their dealer in Llubjana who was really good. Second incident was also electronic, one of the sensors for the ABS gave up and thus I had no abs, no cruise and a few other things besides. Good service if a grouchy welcome from the dealer in Obernai, Alsace No cost to me for these incidents fortunately, only inconvenience. Sold it last autumn after 2 years and 23 000kms. Great car, less room in it than my 3A, but no thanks no more. I’ll stick with Beamers which I’ve had for some 29 years james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 I had similar issue to George, with a C class which I owned for about 10 years. To be fair you know how much you are being ripped off when the purchase price includes you flying to Bremen, plus hotel bill, to pick it up from the factory. Main-dealer extortionate prices are a given. - after all someone has to pay for all that swish ambience. Once it was out of warranty I went to an independent place instead - who managed to leave a rad hose loose after a service. Second indie was OK though..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted February 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 3 minutes ago, RobH said: I had similar issue to George, with a C class which I owned for about 10 years. To be fair you know how much you are being ripped off when the purchase price includes you flying to Bremen, plus hotel bill, to pick it up from the factory. Main-dealer extortionate prices are a given. - after all someone has to pay for all that swish ambience. Once it was out of warranty I went to an independent place instead - who managed to leave a rad hose loose after a service. Second indie was OK though..... Agree Rob and as someone alluded to earlier you don’t get onto a Formula 1 grid with a handful of shirt buttons. But MD prices are being elevated to extortion rather than just dearer than Joe’s garage, and all the time we keep calling in they’ll continue to rip us off ! Of course we are also funding their opulent image and ever more expensive PR machine. I have similar issues with my Zafira Tourer Main Dealer and I’m thinking it’s about time my 4a became my daily! Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter V W Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 Good job Triumph is owned by BMW. When the TR9 comes out it will be cheap to service! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 For me after so much grief with modern Land Rovers I went Toyota hybrid and would never go back. Dealer service faultless and totally reliable cars Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 20 hours ago, harrytr5 said: I had a problem with Mercedes a few years ago and sold the merc straight after that episode. Will never buy another. Regards Harry I had to take Mercedes to the small claims court to persuade them to replace a faulty steering rack on my e class estate. I still have the car because it’s a nice car to drive and does everything I need but I don’t use them for servicing and am unlikely to buy another. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 16 hours ago, james christie said: My short two year experience with an SLK200 was a little different. I bought it with only 11 000kms and 4 years old, from a MB dealer. Fortunately with 3 years warranty. First incident was the engine motherboard blew up on a mountainside in Slovenia, excellent assistance if slow from Mercedes europe and in particular their dealer in Llubjana who was really good. Second incident was also electronic, one of the sensors for the ABS gave up and thus I had no abs, no cruise and a few other things besides. Good service if a grouchy welcome from the dealer in Obernai, Alsace No cost to me for these incidents fortunately, only inconvenience. Sold it last autumn after 2 years and 23 000kms. Great car, less room in it than my 3A, but no thanks no more. I’ll stick with Beamers which I’ve had for some 29 years james But BMW ELECTRICS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 visits during my ownership and each £1000 plus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 On the subject of main dealers, I have friend with a Beamer and they aren’t much better. He used to get cross every time he went near the place, “Too many popsies” (his words) sitting around in reception just increasing the overhead. The car is out of warranty now so he uses a local Indy. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, roy53 said: But BMW ELECTRICS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 visits during my ownership and each £1000 plus Strangely enough I’ve not had a problem there yet. However I was subject to the well known 4 cyl diesel timing chain and case problem on an X3 series 1 some 10 years ago and later a gearbox electrovalve(no drive), made by ZF, problem on a series 11. Both cars had well over 100 000km and were put right at no expense to me. Like all manufacturers, BMW are not without their problems but manage to keep a lid on most of them. In my case I know that as a customer of nearly 30 years, I was looked after very well. james Edited February 11, 2021 by james christie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Misfit Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 22 hours ago, stuart said: You should pass that information and remarks on to Merc head office as they own the dealers now, oh and a national newspaper too. Stuart. I agree with this, perhaps write two letter to Honest John or any well known business review media site and to the motor ombudsman, Making sure the name of the garage is prominent, enclose estimate, together with any other correspondence received and refer to the employees comments to you. State why you feel the service offered was poor and why you feel the cost of raising and lowering a car on a lift to complete a simple task is excessive. Question if this is a common practice to make such a charge throughout the industry or Mercedes main dealer outlets in particular. Ask it they condone such charges. Then send a copies of your letters to the Garage senior management and Mercedes head office, and ask if they have any comments before you submit your letters. Provide contact details and await response, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harlequin Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 I bought a new Citroen Relay a couple of weeks ago and was pleased to hear that I could get it serviced at any garage that was vat registered without compromising the warranty. I don't know if this is typical for commercial vehicles but certainly a step in the right direction George Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 Not warranty, but, a good example of OEM costs I have a 2004 SL500 I love driving the thing and to hell with the cost of fuel Insurance is cheap at £280/yr Road tax . . . . . .grrrr I needed a new seal around the "high level" brake light on the boot lid. The existing one was torn and flapping. Took the car to my regular local garage. The lady owner of the business rang me to say the seal is not available . . . I have to buy a complete light assembly for a MB list price that she said she "couldn't believe, even for MB"; £85 +VAT. She sold it to me for £64 +VAT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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