Don’t buy from Mercantile Europarts Inc. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ksing44 · #1 05-31-2003, 09:17 AM

Don’t buy from Mercantile Europarts Inc., because it could turn in to a nightmare like it did for me. I purchased an S600 style Avantgarde grille. They sent me a broken grille, they double charged my VISA, and then they refused to fix the double charge without formal paperwork from VISA. I made numerous phone calls to Mercantile Europarts and VISA, I wrote numerous emails to Mercantile Europarts, I have done all the formal paperwork with VISA, and I registered a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau, but I am still waiting to have the double charge corrected. In addition, they charged me a substantial restocking fee for the returned broken part. DO NOT BUY FROM MERCANTILE EUROPARTS !

They currently use this website (http://www.mercedesbenzparts.com/ ), but they have changed the name twice since I made my purchase. They have also changed their email address and when I contact them they tell me to use another new address that doesn’t work. I think this is a very shady operation and that they may be selling stuff from the back of their car or a garage in a back alley in Florida. Don’t get suckered like I did. DO NOT BUY FROM MERCANTILE EUROPARTS !

stevebfl · #2 05-31-2003, 09:34 AM

Just curious, what is a E320 SE?

I wouldn't get to worked up over the charges. They obviously can't collect if you won't pay. MC facilitates stopping payment in consumer affairs. it just don't happen in an afternoon.

ksing44 · #3 05-31-2003, 09:51 AM

SE was the indication for Special Edition on documents from the dealer, but there are no letters added to the outside of the vehicle.

I didn’t know about the double charge until I received the VISA bill and I can not just underpay VISA. I had to notify VISA and they told me to contact the retailer so that the retailer would correct the double charge. VISA also told me to begin to document any interaction with the retailer for future evidence in the event that it was not fixed. I followed the directions, the retailer refused, so now I have gone down this path.

RKreutzer · #4 05-31-2003, 07:33 PM

Hi ksing44,

whenever I have a problem with a vendor and have paid with Visa, I write a letter to the vendor stating the problems (in your case part broken and charged twice) and call Visa to decline payment. I will return the part registered and insured and fill out the form that Visa will send me. I do not pay Visa the disputed charges as I do not owe that money (not even the restocking for a broken part) but insist on Visa not paying the vendor either. (They collect from you first before they pay.) Has always worked for me and is the main reason why I pay with credit card whenever I have doubt about a vendor.

You should have no trouble getting the 2 charges reversed BY VISA, not the vendor, if you have proper documentation.

Good luck

Reinhard Kreutzer

PS: I am no lawyer, but next time just state the facts about your experience, which we all appreciate.

ksing44 · #5 05-31-2003, 08:05 PM

Your strategy about not paying VISA sounds like a better method. That way VISA has a vested interest in fixing the bill. I do feel like I am on my own with this, although I have everything very well documented and I have filled all of the appropriate paperwork with both VISA and the Better Business Bureau. I think it will work out in my favor, but I think it would have been better to refuse payment with VISA. Thanks for the tip.