Dealership Discount?

[E93067]

Anyone know how one might qualify for a dealersip discount? I buy alot of parts from the dealership and have noticed that some people get a discount?

[drbrandini]

I use to buy parts under my old girlfriends fathers business name. I usually got at least a 20% discount.


He ownes a small body shop.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by E93067

I buy alot of parts from the dealership . . .

Why?

Repair shops get discounts as resellers. Some dealers offer discounts to club members, like the MBCA group.

[Richard Eldridge]

Assuming that you can't find the parts you need at FastLane or one of the other indy parts suppliers, you can get Mercedes Parts from Caliber Motors in LA at a considerable discount. If you don't live near them, they will ship.

Some dealers will give a 10% discount to MBCA members, but check first and bring your membership card.

good luck finding and funding those parts!

[deanyel]

I think he's asking about getting setup as a wholesaler or shop by the dealer. I know someone, a multiple car collector who did manage to get set up as a wholesaler by the dealer. He did quite a bit of business, developed the relationships, ask for it, and they gave it to him. I think policy varies from one dealer to the next. I would think most dealers are going to require a tax ID number although it doesn't necessarily have to be an automotive business. A lot of dealers give an MB club discount, most commonly 10 percent, of course some of them are jacking up the pre-discount price above the MB suggested retail price. Caliber is a good place to buy dealer items. For non-dealer items you're generally better off elsewhere.

[Richard Eldridge]

I don't exactly know what he is looking for, but I agree with you 100% on where to buy parts.

Here in Miami, a parts house called "Finish Line" sells good quality parts (Hengst, Mann, Knecht filters, though not your choice) for quite a bit less than the same parts carried by Discount/Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone or Pep Boys.

They seem to be identical to the parts sold by the dealer, other than they don't have the tristar logo.

[manny]

I usually walk up to my friendly dealers partscounter, tell them I'm there for the 50 % off Sale, and shame them into giving me anywhere from 10 - 20 % off.

[mike690003]

Originally Posted by Richard Eldridge

I don't exactly know what he is looking for, but I agree with you 100% on where to buy parts.

Here in Miami, a parts house called "Finish Line" sells good quality parts (Hengst, Mann, Knecht filters, though not your choice) for quite a bit less than the same parts carried by Discount/Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone or Pep Boys.

They seem to be identical to the parts sold by the dealer, other than they don't have the tristar logo.

I used to shop at Finish Line all the time, until I sold my car. I know George, Eugene, Ernesto etc. They are pretty good with prices. I saved a lot of money shopping there. It is a cheaper alternative to the dealer.

Back on topic: I think you should find a pal who has a shop, or works at a shop. Let him order the parts, and you go there to pick them up. That way, you save money, and shoot your pal a 6-pack.

[davidmash]

As a member of the MB club here in Dallas / Ft Worth, they give us a disscount on the first 10 days and the last ten dayds of the month. Ususally we get the parts whole sale I believe.

Sweet deal on stuff you need right then and don't want to wait for the mail.

[bwheitman]

Also if you are a member of the MBCA you can call Park Place from anywhere in the US and they will ship to you at wholesale! check out their site and give them a call, you will be surprised how much better the price is, I am usually overwhelmed by the discount, you can see it on the invoice, and it is lower than any place I have seen online. www.parkplacetexas.com They have a 800 number too. I have never been given the wrong part, and the fact that I spent over 7k in parts last year that is something to say, Also when not in stock they get it out of the parts distribution center in Ft. Worth, so it is the next day, and best of all it is genuine Mercedes Benz! I got a set of rotors off Ebay for my 129 thinking I was getting a deal, when they arrived, it said, "Made in China" for some reason I just can't seem to bring myself to install them. Brakes are kind of important, especially with a 4500lb 129 chassis. Good Luck and Happy Benzing!
Brian

[deanyel]

You've got to watch these Park Place "wholesale" prices though - they are sometimes higher than the Caliber discounted "retail" price, and they are always higher than shopping the same part in the aftermarket - when available. They are a good source - but if you want the best price you need to shop price, not lingo.

[E93067]

Thanks for all the usefull information.

Doesn't look like I'll be getting a discount from the dealership anytime soon. They don't give a discount to Mercedes Club Memebers, looks like you have to be a parts dealer or repair shop of somekind. Thats what I was told at the service counter? Oh well! Don't suppose there is anyone who falls into that category in the SF Bay Area that might let me know next time they plan on buying some parts and perhaps I could get a discount? Its a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to try

I was also suckered into those vented rotors on E-bay-- I thought $39 bucks for both front rotors how can I go wronge? When they arrived they had made in China stamped all over them and the metal looked questionable, it had a greenish tinge like it was molded from a mixture of cheap metals. I could not bring myself to install them either.

[haasman]

I have found going and talking directly with the Parts Department Manager does wonders.

Tell 'em what you want. Ask them to help you. I have developed a great relationship that way for parts I can't get through this site.

Haasman

[bwheitman]

If your dealership doesn't offer discount to members, they need to. Get ahold of your local MB board, I think you have one. Check out the MBCA website and have someone on the board contact them. Dealerships absolutely understand the power behind the club, and the loyalty to the brand. If your parts counter guy says no, I bet the manager has something different to say, because he knows better. All of the dealers in DFW offer at least 10% off list, Park Place offers Wholesale for the first 10 days of the month, so the purge valve I bought Monday would have been $170, but I only paid $96. If you can't get your local dealership to help you and you have shopped around, give Park Place a call at 888-204-5506, ask for Paula, or Doug. Tell them you are a member, they will ship to you. We have the best relationship with our dealer, when you drive up to the service bay and they see that MBCA logo, believe me, you get attention. If you have trouble getting in touch with your board let me know, the North Texas section is always willing to help other members. Also there is a National office that is very helpful as well.

[Jackd]

I get all (most of) my parts from the local MB dealer.
They have a policy whereby they give everybody 10% discount on all parts costing less than $200. or 15% off parts costing $250. or more for cars that are 10 year old or older.
I don't even have to ask for the discount.