How do you know if they've actually done the service?

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think the reason for screenwash, remote batteries, etc being billed whether you need them or not is because the bill is prepared to the usual list of things before or during the work being undertaken, rather than after.

 

[rf065]

I think the reason for screenwash, remote batteries, etc being billed whether you need them or not is because the bill is prepared to the usual list of things before or during the work being undertaken, rather than after.

Hmm, so when you go to the checkout in Tesco do they hand you a bill based on your previous weeks shopping before even putting your items through the scanner? If MB bill you for items or for work not done, there are NO excuses.

Russ

 

[redspecial2000]

I just sit back, drink tea, eat biscuits and watch my Indy work away on my car. I watch him use the official Merc parts, offer me all the bits he removes, and chuckle at the bill being half what I should pay at MB.

He offers advice, a list of things I should look out for and a tour of the long term restoration projects in the garage.

Cannot beat it!

 

[Rory]

Only a small issue, but as a little 'test' for my local service agent (an indie) I brimmed the screen wash reservoir just before taking the car to them for a service.

Sure enough, when I picked the car up afterwards, the standard fee for a bottle of screenwash was on the invoice. It wasn't there for long though.

But it does make you wonder; and it certainly affects your trust in them and their workmanship and ethics.

If you agree the service price in advance then I think it's unreasonable to quibble over the detail on the bill (as long as it's the same as agreed, of course). I've said before that it might be better if it just said "Service" - the itemisation of protection package, disposal charge, sundries etc etc - always looks bad.

The screenwash used to wind me up too, but a VW dealer swore blind that they syphoned the fluid out if the tank was full and MB just put the full bottle in the boot.

Anyone know of any good indies near Nottingham (other than MB!!!)

What about Mertrux? (Don't know anything about them, just seen them mentioned, and they still an official authorised repairer).

If you search on here for them then it might throw up some other ideas.

 

[petermansell]

This is why I travel to Olly. You can sit there and watch them do the work so you learn stuff as well as getting your car serviced.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hmm, so when you go to the checkout in Tesco do they hand you a bill based on your previous weeks shopping before even putting your items through the scanner? If MB bill you for items or for work not done, there are NO excuses.

Not suggesting it's right or offering an excuse - just a possible reason.

It seems some dealerships work on the basis that the techs go to the parts counter, grab everything specified by ESS (plus other standard/frequent items), and then take them to the car.

There are differences between Tesco and the MB dealer though.

I don't call Tesco to book an appointment and request a generic "shop" the detail of what I'll buy being determined by my car and a fairly complex schedule, which must be consistent to allow a third party to assess the shopping I've done at a later date; and whilst my "shop" is prepare I am free to eat or use their food and household products.

Just like I don't just arrive at the dealer and say I'd like you to change my oil, check my suspension, and lubricate the door hinges only. I still want my book stamped ad=s if it were a full service though.

As I say not right, no excuses, and just a little different.

 

[welland99]

With the big discounts (40% off labour plus 10% off parts, free MOTs, various other offers e.g. a free aircon service last year) they are probably no more expensive that a reputable indi either.

How do you qualify for / hear about discounts such as these?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

How do you qualify for / hear about discounts such as these?

Some dealers have membership schemes with glossy cards, others offer a discount for models of a certain age, others will just negotiate. Always worth haggling, no matter what.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup as above, always worth asking what discounts they offer. Tony Purslow group (3 dealerships) are very up front and have the full details on their website etc.

They give 20% off labour at 3 years old, and 40% labour at 6 years old. Both plus 10% off parts and free MOTs. They have done this for 4 or 5 years now.

 

[corned]

What about Mertrux?

I have contacted them on a couple of occasions - for the last service, and for the replacement front coil springs - and on both occasions they were a disturbing percentage dearer than the official MB dealer, on both parts and labour.

When I had Jaguar XJS's, I always had them serviced at an Indie, and invariably any unused screenwash (plus the little windscreen cleaning paste bottle) was left in the boot for my ongoing use. I never looked elsewhere as I had found someone I trusted and who offered great prices.

If they can't get the little things right, then what confidence can the customer possibly have on the larger things?

 

[Swiss Toni]

In theory this is a criminal offence of deception although you would need hard evidence of what was there before / remains afterwards.

It would be really interesting for somebody to report one of these incidents to the Police!!

The Police would tell you that they would not record it as a crime because there isn't the evidence that a deception offence had been commited (and on the facts as you have presented them, there isn't).

Trading Standards would be interested though - particularly if they had a similar report within the past 2 years.

And they would (and do) prosecute for the offence committed.

 

[Corrado]

...breaking news...... Broken down........

help....

broken down in Farnborough and waiting for breakdown service as I write. Loads of smelly smoke and noisy turbo.......

Where to go? Tony Purslow guildford, or is there a better independent and hopefully much cheaper within 15 miles.