Goodwill Rust Repair - Approved

[mr. shr]

Hi All,
I've been told by the coachworks guy at my local dealership that MB have approved the rust repairs on my W220.

The guy doesn't actually work for the dealership, but for the bodyshop company "approved" by MB.

I don't really trust the bloke, he's a right "used car sales man" type of character so before I hand the keys over, is there anything I should do? (e.g. get a written description of what has been approved by MB and the areas they will be repairing etc?)

I've already asked if I get a copy of the pictures submitted to MB, but he says no.

I'd be grateful if anyone could give me any precautions I should take before I let them have my car.

Thanks.

 

[vijilants]

Hi All,
I've been told by the coachworks guy at my local dealership that MB have approved the rust repairs on my W220.

The guy doesn't actually work for the dealership, but for the bodyshop company "approved" by MB.

I don't really trust the bloke, he's a right "used car sales man" type of character so before I hand the keys over, is there anything I should do? (e.g. get a written description of what has been approved by MB and the areas they will be repairing etc?)

I've already asked if I get a copy of the pictures submitted to MB, but he says no.

I'd be grateful if anyone could give me any precautions I should take before I let them have my car.

Thanks.

Well Ive had warantee work done a couple of times, and you hand the keys to the Mercedes bodywork person at the dealership.

It is the dealership that you are supposed to liase with and not directly with the bodyshop.

You should also get a courtesy car from MB if this is all done properly.

 

[MBManInKen]

Also, prior to handing over the keys, someone will survey the vehicle with you and write down the findings (existing scratches or damage etc) on a form, then you both sign that document. If you pick up the car and it has damage/scratches/etc not recorded as prior, it happened while in their care and you just get them to fix it at their expense.

 

[mr. shr]

Well Ive had warantee work done a couple of times, and you hand the keys to the Mercedes bodywork person at the dealership.

It is the dealership that you are supposed to liase with and not directly with the bodyshop.

You should also get a courtesy car from MB if this is all done properly.

I beleive he is the Mercedes workshop person (although he doesn't actually work for MB).
So do you get a document breakdown of what work will be done? I just get the feeling this guy will promise all sorts of areas will be repaired, but when I get the car back, only some of it will be done.

 

[vijilants]

I beleive he is the Mercedes workshop person (although he doesn't actually work for MB).
So do you get a document breakdown of what work will be done? I just get the feeling this guy will promise all sorts of areas will be repaired, but when I get the car back, only some of it will be done.

Basically with this sort of work, you don't involve yourself with anybody apart from Mercedes Employees.

These approved bodyshops only do work on behalf of Mercedes.

Mercedes are the people that approve your work and they are the ones you deal with.If I were you I would not get caught up into this situation of dealing directly with the bodyshop. They are not doing the work for you, they are doing it for Mercedes.

Yes, you should be told by the Mercedes Bodywork person (mercedes Employee) exactly what's being done and they will inspect your vehicle prior to taking it in for additional marks etc and you agree this with them.

That way there are no arguments about the car being damaged whilst being in the bodyshop.

On two occasions my car was damaged whilst being in their bodyshop and this was fixed by Mercedes as there was proof that the car was not damaged prior to entering the shop.

 

[mr. shr]

Also, prior to handing over the keys, someone will survey the vehicle with you and write down the findings (existing scratches or damage etc) on a form, then you both sign that document. If you pick up the car and it has damage/scratches/etc not recorded as prior, it happened while in their care and you just get them to fix it at their expense.

Yes, this is the kind of thing I was hoping for.
So they do have a procedure for doing this then.

That is one of my main concers, that the car returns with additional dents/scratches and him claiming they were there in the first place.

 

[whitenemesis]

Get a written description of what work they will be undertaking, on MB headed paper and a timescale for the job. As MBManinKen says you should also get the vehicle condition documented and agreed before leaving it with them.
If you haven't seen the pictures MB have agreed this work on, how do you know you are both talking about the same rust? Insist on clarification.
You keep saying he doesn't work for MB, why then are you dealing with him? What is his authority to commit MB to doing any works? I would be tempted to get sign-off from the Service manager, who does work for MB!

Good luck, at least they have agreed to do something!

 

[mr. shr]

Basically with this sort of work, you don't involve yourself with anybody apart from Mercedes Employees.

These approved bodyshops only do work on behalf of Mercedes.

Mercedes are the people that approve your work and they are the ones you deal with.If I were you I would not get caught up into this situation of dealing directly with the bodyshop. They are not doing the work for you, they are doing it for Mercedes.

Hmm this is worrying.
Well this guy always seems to be at the Dealership and whenever he rings me, the Dealership number comes up on my phone.

But he has told me that he does not work for Mercedes and (as you say) does work on hehalf of Mercedes. If I tell the dealer i want to speak to someone regarding bodywork, they put me straight in touch with this guy.

 

[vijilants]

Hmm this is worrying.
Well this guy always seems to be at the Dealership and whenever he rings me, the Dealership number comes up on my phone.

But he has told me that he does not work for Mercedes and (as you say) does work on hehalf of Mercedes. If I tell the dealer i want to speak to someone regarding bodywork, they put me straight in touch with this guy.

OK....lets go back a step.

First of all, when you discovered rust on your vehicle, who inspected it and who sent the pics up to Milton Keynes for approval ?

Somebody (a Mercedes Benz employee) must have been involved at your dealership, and they should be responsible for everything to do with the repair.

 

[jadefox]

Sometimes you can't judge a book by it's cover, but also your instincts are usually correct with people, so listen to yourself when it comes to this man. Perhaps he's just a bit 'delboy' and he's harmless, but go armed with what these guys have told you and insist you get that check before you hand over the keys. Lie if you have to and tell him you've phoned MB up and asked what to expect and they've told you what is required in this instance.

Good luck!

 

[mr. shr]

OK....lets go back a step.

Good idea.

After dinging my rear bumper, I called into the dealership and asked to speak to someone regarding bodywork on my car.

They rang one of the offices upstairs and out came this bodyshop guy. He looked at my damaged bumper and said, "that damage is so minor, you might as well get a smart repair done on it."

He then went on to ask about the car (age, how long I've owned it etc.) and concluded that he can have any rust on the car repaired for free under MB's waranty / good will thingie.

He gave me his business card and sent me on my way to think about it. His card is not an MB one, it's from the company for whom he works.

Few days later I rang him back and met him at the dealership where he took photos. He sent the pics to MK. From what he says, it seems he deals with MK directly himself.

Like I say, he always seems to be at the Dealership but what concerns me is that at no point have I dealt directly with MB personnel.

 

[mr. shr]

Sometimes you can't judge a book by it's cover, but also your instincts are usually correct with people, so listen to yourself when it comes to this man. Perhaps he's just a bit 'delboy' and he's harmless, but go armed with what these guys have told you and insist you get that check before you hand over the keys. Lie if you have to and tell him you've phoned MB up and asked what to expect and they've told you what is required in this instance.

Good luck!

Thanks, I agree entirely. That's why I always ask such questions of you fellow forumers!!

 

[vijilants]

Good idea.

After dinging my rear bumper, I called into the dealership and asked to speak to someone regarding bodywork on my car.

They rang one of the offices upstairs and out came this bodyshop guy. He looked at my damaged bumper and said, "that damage is so minor, you might as well get a smart repair done on it."

He then went on to ask about the car (age, how long I've owned it etc.) and concluded that he can have any rust on the car repaired for free under MB's waranty / good will thingie.

He gave me his business card and sent me on my way to think about it. His card is not an MB one, it's from the company for whom he works.

Like I say, he always seems to be at the Dealership but what concerns me is that at no point have I dealt directly with MB personnel.

Well, if I were you I would get in touch with one of the Managers at your dealership, for instance the Service Manager.

Explain the situation, get confirmation directly from a Mercedes employee that the work is authorized in writing, (when I had work done, it was always sent to me in writing that the work had been approved, without me having to ask for the letter, and this letter came from my local dealership).

Then, if you get confirmation, find out exactly what work is authorised, get the car checked over and hand the keys over at your local dealership.

In my case I handed it over to a driver that came to collect the car from the bodyshop, but this was not an issue because Mrecedes had previously called me to arrange the booking and also arrange collection of the car....ie I was dealing with a Mercedes employee who handles their bodywork issues.

 

[mr. shr]

Well, if I were you I would get in touch with one of the Managers at your dealership, for instance the Service Manager.

Explain the situation, get confirmation directly from a Mercedes employee that the work is authorized in writing, (when I had work done, it was always sent to me in writing that the work had been approved, without me having to ask for the letter, and this letter came from my local dealership).

Then, if you get confirmation, find out exactly what work is authorised, get the car checked over and hand the keys over at your local dealership.

In my case I handed it over to a driver that came to collect the car from the bodyshop, but this was not an issue because Mrecedes had previously called me to arrange the booking and also arrange collection of the car....ie I was dealing with a Mercedes employee who handles their bodywork issues.

Yes, this seems like a sensible approach, thanks.

The guy told me that he's doing me a favour cos when he put the claim through, he didn't record the paint depth around the car. He showed me that the paint depth all over the car exceeds 120 microns which meant it had been resprayed. He says that if he'd have quoted the paint depth values, the application would have been refused.

But I just see that as his way of guaranteeing they get the job.

 

[vijilants]

Yes, this seems like a sensible approach, thanks.

The guy told me that he's doing me a favour cos when he put the claim through, he didn't record the paint depth around the car. He showed me that the paint depth all over the car exceeds 120 microns which meant it had been resprayed. He says that if he'd have quoted the paint depth values, the application would have been refused.

But I just see that as his way of guaranteeing they get the job.

It looks as though he is doing this to make money out of MB by getting work in through the back door. He's not really doing you a favor....hes doing himself a favor.

As long as you have an official record that that job has been approved by MB and they take responsibility for the vehicle, you are OK.

 

[mr. shr]

It looks as though he is doing this to make money out of MB by getting work in through the back door. He's not really doing you a favor....hes doing himself a favor.

As long as you have an official record that that job has been approved by MB and they take responsibility for the vehicle, you are OK.

Indeed, I agree with you entirely.

He has also asked if I want to make a contribuition to work that is not covered by the goodwill offer (for example, stone chips on the bonnet).

Is it ok to agree to this? Will this extra work be inspected by MB to confirm it is of suitable standard?

 

[vijilants]

Indeed, I agree with you entirely.

He has also asked if I want to make a contribuition to work that is not covered by the goodwill offer (for example, stone chips on the bonnet).

Is it ok to agree to this? Will this extra work be inspected by MB to confirm it is of suitable standard?

OK, stone chips are not covered by MB for goodwill. If it goes via MB will cost a ton of money.

If the guy is willing to do it on the side, if I were you I'd get a quote from him and then decide. Usually a bonnet respray includes some blending into the wings....a bodyshop will usually do that for about £250 - £400. Note, this will not have anything to do with MB and I guess this will be between you and the bodywork man.

If he is doing this on the side, talk in cash.

 

[mr. shr]

If he is doing this on the side, talk in cash.

I tried this but he says it all goes through MB. But I reckon he was just saying that as an excuse to keep the price high (i.e. I don't think the extra work goes through MB at all).

I sure all will be fine, it's just this guy winds me up when he's talking. He's one of these types that's looking around the room whilst talking to you. Bit of a Jack the Lad sort, if you know what I mean?!?!

 

[MBManInKen]

But I reckon he was just saying that as an excuse to keep the price high

Very simple: agree the exact costs up front - they know exactly what work needs to be done. Get it in writing and make them stick to the written agreement. Cash deals are likely tax evading and would mean you have little recourse if you would need to lodge a complaint afterwards - no proof of the transaction at all, so would be his word against yours.

 

[mr. shr]

Very simple: agree the exact costs up front - they know exactly what work needs to be done. Get it in writing and make them stick to the written agreement. Cash deals are likely tax evading and would mean you have little recourse if you would need to lodge a complaint afterwards - no proof of the transaction at all, so would be his word against yours.

Yes, I intend to get everything in writing prior to proceeding with this.