Factory Build Cockup

[Incom]

I ordered my new C-Class (as described in this thread) in mid September, and was given a preliminary due date of around end November/start December. Had a call from the dealer earlier today comfirming it was being built as we speak and would arrive week beginning 26th of this month.

I then got another call from them a couple of hours later - the car that has been built is the totally the wrong spec (sport with no extras instead of elegance with a bunch of options) and they say I'll now have to wait until the end of December which with the holidays will almost certainly mean into the new year. I'm currently feeling a mixture of both great dissapointment and fury at the cockup. At this point it's not clear if it was the dealer or Mercedes who stuffed up.

Do any of you chaps have any experience of this type of situation and can you offer any advice as to action I could possible take to try and get them to hurry it along a little?

 

[glojo]

In my experience it has been down to the dealer. There are any number of unforgivable excuses, but the computer builds the car on the spec sheet that is programmed into the computers.

Good luck dealing with this and get the FULL FACTS from the dealer as it is possible they might try to blame anyone rather than themselves.

REgards
John

 

[janner]

On a practical note; an 08 car will be worth more than a Nov/Dec 07 when you come to sell. Probably doesn't help much if you're itching for your new toy.

Anyway, a small ****-up from the sales staff is just to get you used to MB ownership. Just wait 'till you have warranty work or a service

 

[crockers]

Yes....... in the long run you will be better off waiting until Jan.

I would ask to see their paperwork......if they are to blame you may get a free service thrown in.

 

[robert.saunders]

Yes, put it to your dealer, and if they're at fault, ask for resolution and/or compensation. When my dealer damaged my car whilst in for service, they asked the magic question: "what would you like us to do for compensation?"

 

[smillion]

Agree with all of the above.

Put pressure on the dealer. After problems with delivery and PDI we eventually got some flowers; 2 bottles of champagne; a wood steering wheel; and a cheque for £1,000.

It was a bl**dy shambles though.

Good luck.

 

[jonm]

Would of thought that the dealer would do everything in their power to make up year end numbers and get you car delivered in Dec; make a fuss..got to be worth an A service, or at least 1 free toy even if its dealer fit

 

[pammy]

The same happened to Portsy and his SLK - the funny thing was the dealer phoned me and asked me if I wanted it - not realising I knew all about the car and that irt was basically the outcome of a boo boo.

But haggle with them for what you want. Unikely you'll get it brought forward but you do deserve something for the hassle and the upset.

 

[crockers]

Agree with all of the above.

Put pressure on the dealer. After problems with delivery and PDI we eventually got some flowers; 2 bottles of champagne; a wood steering wheel; and a cheque for £1,000.

It was a bl**dy shambles though.

Good luck.

Do tell ....

 

[DC_insider]

I wondered whether this might happen.

I think I posted on another thread that due to much higher than anticipated demand there was a supply problem with parts for the new Sport model C-Class (namely the AMG bodykit and AMG alloy wheels). Sport production had been suspended until the suppliers increased production of the components.

Last week a new C-Class appeared in the atrium of MBUK HQ. It is badged as a Sport and has the large 3 pointed star on the grille but it has no AMG bodykit, no AMG alloys not even a sports steering wheel. It is in my opinion a misbuild and I was concerned at the time that if one has appeared like this at MBUK then presumably cars have been shipped to the dealers like this. It sounds like your car could be one of them.

The problem has not been caused by the dealer but by the factory. Do not accept the car. The Sport is priced higher than the Elegance due to the extra kit which in this case has not been supplied. It sounds like the factory has built Avantgarde spec cars which are not sold in the UK. It could be difficult to sell on in the future.

Sport production has resumed at the factory (in fact something like 75% of all production in November will be Sport models) but some options are still in short supply. Speak to your dealer to find out exactly what can be ordered on cars being built in November and December (they will have received a product bulletin this week telling them what is available) to see if they can provide your exact car. Ask the dealer to inform MBUK that the car that was supplied to the dealer has not been built to UK spec.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[Incom]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Going down to the dealer this morning to try and sort something out.

 

[glojo]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Going down to the dealer this morning to try and sort something out.

Make sure you digest that post by DC_Insider. He might not know his F1 but he is a great source of very relevant\valuable information. I would recommend holding out for the right car and if needed get the dealer\Mercedes-BenzUK to supply a courtesy vehicle to span any delay.

Nurburgring 1999 schumacher\Irvine, not Salo

Good luck
John

 

[crockers]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Going down to the dealer this morning to try and sort something out.

Good luck let us know how you get on

 

[DC_insider]

Nurburgring 1999 schumacher\Irvine, not Salo

Schumacher didn't return until the next race...

http://www.insidef1.ro/gpe/rr644.html

 

[portzy]

As Pammy said, my SLK actualy arrived at the dealers with the wrong spec and I was all set to drive off when I noticed on the paperwork that COMAND was missing.

To be fair, they were very apologetic and, after a couple of phone calls, they got me bumped up the waiting list (there was one at the time for SLK's) and within a month, maybe six weeks, I had the car I wanted.

It was genuine keying error thats all. I think to be absolutely sure the dealer and customer should sign a final computer spec the instant before the order is pinged to the factory.

Its a dissapointment I know, especially if you are all phsyced (?) up, but as someone as said, you will have a 08. I ended up with a 55 instead of an 05 then I went and put a private plate on her .

Portzy

 

[glojo]

Schumacher didn't return until the next race...

When I'm wrong I certainly do it in style and only a public apology will suffice.

Salo did indeed drive the Ferrari and finished 12th. Blooming schumacher brothers confusing me and it was Ralf that was leading this Grand Prix at one stage.


Meanwhile Good luck with the car and please take onboard DC_Insider's very valid point.

REgards
John the very humbled

 

[C43AMG]

I wonder what the dealer has missed on my SClass ?

 

[crockers]

I wonder what the dealer has missed on my SClass ?

wheels

 

[television]

The worst **** up in history was at Ford USA where a new computer guy entered the key details incorrectly on the data base, if some one lost their key or wanted a new one the car was scrap and the owners were given an alternative car

 

[Incom]

Ok, I'm back from seeing the dealer. I had a lengthy talk with the manager who was quite open and honest and very apologetic. It seems the cockup was made at the dealers end. Somebody had logged into the system and totally changed the order. They have the user ID of the nitwit responsible and it sounds like she is in for a real bollocking when she returns to work on Monday.

Due to shortages of various bits they can't get it me much sooner (apparently a shortage of Artico and Leather means ordering anything other than an SE is going to be tricky until January), but they are calling in some favours to get it to me by the start of the new year at the latest.

I'm getting an extra option thrown in for free (Split/Folding Rear Seats) and free Pureguard. I've also been offered free loan (and insurance costs included) of the managers CLK until my car arrives, which I'm pretty tempted to take them up on.

Overall I'm still a little annoyed, but I think the manager has dealt with the situation pretty well.

Once again, thanks for the advice guys.