What do to? (Car purchase hassles)

[pmcgsmurf]

I'm sure I read that some indes could update the digital service history...

Very simple procedure for a recognised repair specialist to register to do this.

 

[Will]

Yes, you’re both right - but considering the mileage and value of the car, it might as well keep its full MB service history records - not that I’ll need to worry for a while as it’s just been done, by MB themselves. A few of the local dealers to me do 40% off labour and 10% off parts for 7+ year old cars so price wise there’s really not much in it.

A bridge to cross when the time comes, providing the car works out...

 

[MercedesDriver]

I’m probably not alone here waiting in anticipation to see which model it is.

 

[Will]

I’m probably not alone here waiting in anticipation to see which model it is.

It’s no secret, I did post the details back on the first page in post #12

What do to? (Car purchase hassles)

 

[E55BOF]

Will, I'd do what you're going to do, and buy the car, though I'd moan like mad about the contribution to the repair and see whether they'll give a little on that. If you have to pay what is in fact the full asking price, the actual extra amount is not very much in view of the cost of the car. Look at it as getting it for a private sale price, but with the benefit of full consumer rights against a dealer as a bonus.

 

[MercedesDriver]

It’s no secret, I did post the details back on the first page in post #12

What do to? (Car purchase hassles)

Must have missed that one.
But still, anticipation remains. Hope everything goes well.

 

[Will]

Had the phone call at 9am this morning. Car is all fixed (!) and they’re collecting it from
MB today, so ready to be picked up either tomorrow or Saturday (depends on when I can get over there)

It’s going to be strange seeing it after 6 weeks..

Still undecided how to approach the £500 issue. Haven’t paid anything else yet, hasn’t been mentioned since the other week. I do have a couple of ideas - not sure whether to pay it all in full then argue later or see how they are when I go to collect it.

Fingers crossed again!

 

[DSM10000]

Had the phone call at 9am this morning. Car is all fixed (!) and they’re collecting it from
MB today, so ready to be picked up either tomorrow or Saturday (depends on when I can get over there)

It’s going to be strange seeing it after 6 weeks..

Still undecided how to approach the £500 issue. Haven’t paid anything else yet, hasn’t been mentioned since the other week. I do have a couple of ideas - not sure whether to pay it all in full then argue later or see how they are when I go to collect it.

Fingers crossed again!

Why would you pay and then argue?

After they way they have behaved do you seriously think they would pay up? They WANT you to pay.

 

[Abb]

Some light at the end of the tunnel for you Will. I would play it by ear. If they bring it up, I owuld be arguing the toss with them, parting with the £500 as a last resort (I only say that as you have expressed how much you want the car).
I would think if you do end up paying the £500, you have got two hopes of ever seeing it again unfortunately.

Best of luck on collection day and hope it goes as smoothly as it can

 

[BaldGuy]

Just pay it Will and enjoy the car....buy a birthday cake for it as it feels like a year has passed

 

[gaz_l]

Will, it's the car you want and the £500 will soon be forgotten. Life's short and then you die.. pay up, move on and smile every time you put your foot down. I really hope the car's a good'un after all this.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Peter103]

Just buy the bloody car!

 

[John]

Say you will meet them halfway and offer £250...

I still don't understand how they will make more from an auction than they would selling it to you at the agreed price.

 

[BlackC55]

Will, it's the car you want and the £500 will soon be forgotten. Life's short and then you die.. pay up, move on and smile every time you put your foot down. I really hope the car's a good'un after all this.

Cheers,

Gaz

this ^^^^^^ is the best comment I have read on here. yes, its not an ideal situation but good things come to those who wait (very patiently mind) and your only here once, if you really want something....

Natacha

 

[Alex]

Had the phone call at 9am this morning. Car is all fixed (!) and they’re collecting it from
MB today, so ready to be picked up either tomorrow or Saturday (depends on when I can get over there)

It’s going to be strange seeing it after 6 weeks..

Still undecided how to approach the £500 issue. Haven’t paid anything else yet, hasn’t been mentioned since the other week. I do have a couple of ideas - not sure whether to pay it all in full then argue later or see how they are when I go to collect it.

Fingers crossed again!

Be unpredictable. NOW walk away and demand a compensation for moral damages.

 

[tbourner]

this ^^^^^^ is the best comment I have read on here. yes, its not an ideal situation but good things come to those who wait (very patiently mind) and your only here once, if you really want something....

Natacha

You're only saying that cos he's gonna bring it down for a checkover and you want a look and listen

 

[BlackC55]

You're only saying that cos he's gonna bring it down for a checkover and you want a look and listen

i am saying it because am I stubborn cow and I would scream and stamp my feet until the cows came home if I realy wanted something

 

[horatio]

Don't pay it, they'll back down. The car is depreciating while they wait to find another buyer and it's a dead time of year for selling anyway.

 

[BaldGuy]

i am saying it because am I stubborn cow and I would scream and stamp my feet until the cows came home if I realy wanted something

Poor poor Graham.....

 

[Will]

Why would you pay and then argue?

After they way they have behaved do you seriously think they would pay up? They WANT you to pay.

On the basis that they might have taken payment for goods/services not as agreed.

They told me the £500 I need to pay is on the basis of MB charging 6 hours labour for diagnostics and that they had a £1500 bill to pay before the headlight was ordered/fitted, which was going to cost an extra £1000+, hence them asking me to contribute. This £500 apparently amounted to approximately half of the headlight cost and the further 3 hours labour for fitting the headlight - 9 hours in total, which I don’t believe is true.

I spoke to a little birdie at the dealer who has very kindly informed me only 3 hours labour was charged in total for everything (and at a greatly discounted rate) which included the previously carried out diagnostic work and that they fitted the headlight at no extra charge - to be included in those 3 hours already billed for. I can actually prove this too...

In fact the total invoice for everything - the service which they’re supposed to have been paying for, the new headlight itself, labour, previous diagnostic/coding work and programming the new headlight was for less than they have told me the headlight and labour to fit it was going to cost.

I’ll mention it to them and see what they have to say, not too worried in all honesty but I might ask my credit card company what they suggest if I’ve been charged an extra £500 over what was originally agreed on this basis. Also the deposit I’ve already paid was taken specifically for the car at the original purchase price too, not the increased amount they’re asking me for, which also happens to be exactly £500.

Likewise I have no hesitation in speaking to the guy who originally leaned on the dealer principal to make contact with me a few weeks back, to see if they would like to help. Failing that I’m happy to explain to them that it could affect their reputation if people know the truth about how they operate - not that I intend to do that but it could stir them into action - after all if they’ve done nothing wrong they’d not have anything to worry about...

I’ve already mentally written the £500 off anyway, but as I’ve said before I want to pay for and collect the car first so it’s actually mine before causing any fuss. Worst case I don’t get anywhere and just chalk that £500 up against the cost of the service they’ve paid for, and just swallow the 5 week plus delay for collection.

Best case I get to keep my £500 - to me a few minutes speaking to them or my CC company (or a message to the main group contact) is worth it, I don’t generally earn £500 that quickly.

They also promised a full tank of fuel, hope they’ve remembered that!

In view of the way they’ve handled everything I don’t think I need to maintain a particularly good relationship with them. It would be unlikely for me to want to visit them ever again.