Are all dealers like this ?

[kikkthecat]

I've just come away from my local dealers parts department with a very frayed temper. On Sunday I bought some wonderful wheels from Heckflosse, but they came without studs which I didn't see as a problem. Because I work shifts I rang the parts dept from work. The conversation went something like...
" can you supply me 20 wheel bolts for my car ?"
"certainly sir, can I have your chassis number, and the wheel part number ?"
I gave these and he checked that he could supply, asking again how many I wanted. again 20 was the number quoted and that I would collect them on Thursday. " No problem sir"
Well I turned up today to collect them and couldn't believe what I was told.
" I'm sorry sir, I didn't order them because I didn't think you'd need 20 and needed to confirm it, I did try to get in touch with you but you were not at home, but if you order them now, they should be here Saturday."
I'm going to Cornwall in the morning, and unfortunately 2 of my tyres are close to the wear bands so I won't risk a 600 mile motorway journey with them. I do however have 4 almost new wheels and tyres in the boot that I cant fit because this moron needed to see me in person to confirm an order for 20 studs...

I am now in the position where I have to find 20 studs in the next 3 hours, or buy 2 new tyres for wheels that I will no longer be using as soon as I do get studs, or cancel the trip.
At the moment I'm livid but wish me luck

 

[jaymanek]

Get yourself down to a motor accessories shop. Take your old ones and show them the ones you need from your owners manual. Most good accessories shop will have them.

Failing that, try one of these alloy wheel shops. You must have one near you.

Jay

 

[janner]

Are all dealers like this ?

Yup, I think so.
I ordered 2 centre caps for my wheels (along with some other bits). The parts guy told me they wouldn't fit my wheels as they are not genuine AMG. I said I'd take my chances so he ordered them. My other parts arrived a week later but not the centre caps. He told me they were on order and due in soon. Another week later and someone else in Parts tells me there's no order for centre caps at which point the first guy leans over and says "like I told you, sir, they won't fit your car so I didn't order them".
I hate going to MB for parts. They make you wait for ages before serving you, then everything is SO much trouble. They try to make you feel as though you're really putting them out.

PS With regard to wheel studs, make sure the rear ones aren't too long or you'll knacker the handbrake mechanism.

 

[GregE240]

Too true.

Had to order a phone console recently, and wanted to make sure of the trim colour. Guy in the parts dept at my local dealer (I won't say who) just couldn't tell me what clolour console I should order! He guessed in the end, and ordered it. On my way home I phoned the parts dept at MB Coventry and they confirmed that the colour of trim was indeed correct (lucky guess?) and I should have no problem with it.

Prices seem okay for larger trim (surprisingly) but they sting you on the small bits - the heater control bulbs from MB were 1.29 a pop - I got 3 from Vauxhall for two quid.

 

[Flyer]

Well, clearly there are plenty of unhelpful ones about, but my parts guy, Kevin @ Mercedes Warrington is a star; really helpful and orders what I ask him to. He did need convincing that COMAND could be retro-fitted though .

I'd be mad if they say they're going to order your parts and then they don't. I think they must be concerned about being stuck with the parts if you then say that they won't fit and you don't want them/want to return them. Doesn't excuse it though ...

Did you get a price for the studs? Last time I checked, genuine MB ones were *very* exbenzive .

 

[kikkthecat]

Thanks guys.
I got sorted out at place in Bradford called Auto Design Technics. For £40 they supplied the studs and fitted them along with the wheels to my car just to make sure they were the right ones.

The dealer price was £2-31 each plus VAT (£54-28) and I would have had to change the wheels myself in this rain we're having.
I'm happy again but very wary of my dealer now.

 

[Kinky]

I've not bought anything from Purslows, but I can't believe that they'd provide that same type of [lack of] service.

 

[mrober]

Originally posted by Flyer
Well, clearly there are plenty of unhelpful ones about, but my parts guy, Kevin @ Mercedes Warrington is a star;

Everyone has different experiences - I've been off the road for 6 days waiting for Merc Warrington to order a 50p circlip to restore the connection between my gearlever & gearbox... you're telling me that MB can't source this anywhere?? Bet even Quickfit has one!!

Breaking news!! - got the part but it comes with the whole selector unit. Apparently the current selector unit needs a modification - interesting as the car is only 6 weekd old!! So be warned if you have a 2003 C180K with a manual gearbox!!

 

[mrober]

... it just keeps getting better - apparently MB have sent a selector kit for a Automatic model!! I'd have thought they'd send what was ordered myself.....

The result is MB Warrington have got to wait another 3 days for the correct part to be sent, so it'll be Thursday next week before I get my motor back .... you've got to laugh haven't you???

 

[Flyer]

Originally posted by mrober
... it just keeps getting better - apparently MB have sent a selector kit for a Automatic model!! I'd have thought they'd send what was ordered myself.....

Oops! That's not good - my guess is that somebody ASSumed it was an auto ...