It's really quite simple. They stay in business because they provide service comparable to most of their peers. People have come to accept this level of service because they assume that they have little alternative. They will not attempt to go to five different mechanics, each potentially worse than the last.

The only solution is for people to absolutely refuse to patronize service establishments that provide such poor service, even if they must drive 10 minutes out of their way to find better service. This is not an easy task to accomplish. We, as a group, have sufficient knowledge to quickly recognize technical capability that is not up to par. The general public does not.

Brian,
Thats not the only solution-----a lot of people here DIY simply because they KNOW what was done, or not done. And they know who to blame, or to thank. On some jobs it also quicker than waiting for someone else to butcher your car.

Clearly, I was referring to those people who do not have the technical capability or the resources to do it themselves. These would normally be the people who patronize such repair facilities.

You are quite correct that, provided one has the skills and resources, repairing the vehicle oneself is the most appropriate alternative.

Most folks (customers) I see at the dealer wouldn't know a muffler bearing from a Johnson Rod. They have no idea when the dealer is taking them for a ride, and from the looks on their faces when they pay the inflated bill, they don't care.

There is lots of pressure for the service dept to maximize profits. The selling of the new cars is not very profitable anymore, so the parts/service area is the money maker. They need to "churn 'em and burn 'em" to keep cars moving in and out with profit maximizing services that consist of inspections. Real diagnosis work takes time, effort, and puts move-em out jobs on hold.

Same at the parts counter. Many new dealers I see would rather sell you a watch than a flex plate.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

When I go out with my wife, most idiots think she is my daughter
It's my grey hair, she colours hers'

__________________
Nachi11744

I color mine too I stop every once in a while because it irks me to pay $$$ to sit in a salon chair for 3+ hours every eight weeks, but the gray is unflattering and makes my hair look dried out (not to mention making me look like a geezer), so after a good showing of roots I break down again. Speaking of which, it's about that time again...

No more roots

Speaking of the original topic: Friday, while dropping the old man off to the fantastic indy mechanic recommended by both mikemover and djugurba (wow, Reliance Car Care Center is like Mercedes mecca!!), we discovered that the ignition tumbler I had ordered through Atlanta Classic Cars did not match the locks in the rest of my car, as the key for the tumbler didn't work in any other locks. This would be because the dealership typo'd the VIN from the copy of the registration I gave them. It took three calls to them this morning on breaks from class to get them to understand that the part number wasn't wrong, the part was the correct part, only the VIN was wrong. I kept saying it, and the guy kept explaining to me that the part numbers are ambiguous, they must have ordered the wrong part, and he'd call Mercedes Monday to work it out. I said, what use is ordering a different part if the VIN is wrong? I read my VIN to him, emphasizing the incorrect digit, and the guy says, "yeah, that's what we ordered." I said, "Then why is the VIN on this part that I'm holding wrong?" He paused a while, the light went on in his head at long last. "Ohhhhhh, I see, we'll take care of that right away, I apologize!"

This after the guy didn't hear what I was telling them plain as day for a full thirty minutes; what's up with that anyway? >

So, anyone want to place bets on whether my fourth drive out to the dealership will net me an ignition tumbler that matches my other locks?

geez, i hope so..

__________________
72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

My opinion may not be popular on this subject but here goes. I have had 2 MB's. I got fairly lucky with one and the other cost me so much that I could have been driving a viper all those months with the cumulative money spent on repairs. I kept trying to justify it because I really liked the car. Some of us here are/were keeping the dealers pockets full.

So my first suggestion. [EDIT- does not apply. I saw the pics- nevermind]
Nevermind, looks like it's a 3rd car and a classic anyway. Keep the MB.

My second suggestion is ditch the jeep. Jeeps have very bad reliability and the dealerships treat you like a distraction at best.

Then, go out and buy a (not hyundai) Japanese built car or a BMW if you want more character. The dealerships I have encountered are a night and day difference and the reliability is outstanding. I have a really great car with 80% of the character of the Benz (BMW) and its never in the shop! If they screw up my oil change (never have) they will BRING a loaner to my house and tow the vehicle...and apologize.

p.s. Believe it or not though, I saw the pics of your cars and really like them. The MB? Excellent choice. Classic indestructible but getting on in age. Third car? Yes. /Daily driver? No, for the above reasons. The Jeep? I love the body style and the powerful V-8's and sound but bad value and reliability. Both cars I could get sucked into, lol. Wish you the best of luck with both.