MB Roadside Assistance changes? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jim B. · #16 12-20-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

So, if your MB breaks down, they'll tow you, but only to an authorized dealer? $omehow I $u$pect that the free tow i$n't $o free after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I suppose that you will want me to lend you my phone too so you can call my competitor?

Here we go again, arguing for the sake of arguing.

You know darn well, that he means that the Roadside Service is being used a lot of times to gin up business in the Mercedes Benz service departments, many of whom charge $175 an hour and up, for shoddy work, misdiagnosis, and overselling, by Service Advisors paid by a complex formula based partly on how much "repairs" they can write up for the hapless customer.

It is vividly illustrative as to why far too many car dealers have rotten reputations in their service departments and the public hates them, Independent shops can compete successfully, and the dealers can keep swindling new suckers, all the while with factory permission. Complainants get the same old story from Mercedes Benz (and other car dealer service departments):

"Oh we are sorry, we can't help you, because our dealers are independent businesses and they can set their own policies and practices.."

So how come do you make comments such as this all the time?

aklim · #17 12-20-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Here we go again, arguing for the sake of arguing.

You know darn well, that he means that the Roadside Service is being used a lot of times to gin up business in the Mercedes Benz service departments, many of whom charge $175 an hour and up, for shoddy work, misdiagnosis, and overselling, by Service Advisors paid by a complex formula based partly on how much "repairs" they can write up for the hapless customer.

It is vividly illustrative as to why far too many car dealers have rotten reputations in their service departments and the public hates them, Independent shops can compete successfully, and the dealers can keep swindling new suckers, all the while with factory permission. Complainants get the same old story from Mercedes Benz (and other car dealer service departments):

"Oh we are sorry, we can't help you, because our dealers are independent dealers and they set their own business policies.

So how come do you make comments such as this all the time?

Here we go again. Stating rubbish for the sake of stating it.

Where do you expect that they tow you to, FOR FREE? As a franchise owner, I would have to pay MB a royalty, probably based off a percentage of what I make. Why should MB tow you FOR FREE to their competitor who kicks NOTHING back to MB? If you want to do that, why don't you get your own tow service to do it? Let me see if I understand you. You want me to tow you FOR FREE so you can spend money at some other shop that I have no financial interest in? Would you like me to buy you coffee while you wait at my competitor's shop too?

And I have had ridiculous estimates from independent shops too. Oh, they are a few bucks cheaper but just as ridiculous. Now what?

Maybe it is to get you pissed, maybe it is because I didn't have my coffee or maybe, just maybe, I happen to believe that NILIF? Just as a wild guess, maybe I agree with their policy of giving you a free tow because they want to steer you towards their shop where they get a piece of the action. It is a new feature, is it not? You don't have to take it, do you?

Jim B. · #18 12-20-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Here we go again. Stating rubbish for the sake of stating it.

Where do you expect that they tow you to, FOR FREE? As a franchise owner, I would have to pay MB a royalty, probably based off a percentage of what I make. Why should MB I tow you FOR FREE to their competitor? If you want to do that, why don't you get your own tow service to do it? Let me see if I understand you. You want me to tow you FOR FREE so you can spend money at some other shop that I have no financial interest in? Would you like me to buy you coffee while you wait at my competitor's shop too?

And I have had ridiculous estimates from independent shops too. Oh, they are a few bucks cheaper but just as ridiculous. Now what?

Maybe it is to get you pissed, maybe it is because I didn't have my coffee or maybe, just maybe, I happen to believe that NILIF?

Did you know that if you are stranded over 75 miles away from a Mercedes dealer and you call MB Roadside, they won't even send out a tow truck from a dealer?

They send out the nearest local tow company to you, they contract and pay THEM, to tow your car to the dealer, BUT first, any tow truck, either private, or from the dealer, will first try to fix your car or get it running on the spot?

A few times, over the years, with a dead battery that was old, we told Roadside to simpy bring a new Mercedes Benz battery along, and we would pay for it, and for them to install it.

And they did. And we did. Never more costly than a battery installed at the dealer, and saved a trip there too. A lot of those tow truck drivers are good mechanics too.

I bet you have it all wrong anyway, you are so busy arguing for the sake of arguing.

Mercedes Benz does NOt make their dealers pay anything for Roadside participitation. The manufacturer pays the bill and reimburses the dealer.

It's good customer service, and the dealer gets the benefit of business in the service department they would not get. Win/win for dealer and manufacturer. SOMETIMES a win for the customer.

But it's being cut out, or curtailed, by the funding source.

They are thinking, We don't care about the owners of those 25 year old jalopies, the 10th owner of some ratty looking 1978 300D who is too poor to buy a $55,000 CLS500, we don't want to waste money towing cars like that with such stingy owners, and besides, most dealers don't want to work on cars that old, many service techs only know how to use the OBD II testers you plug into computers.

Lots of them weren't even born when those old Mercedes jalopies were new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Maybe it is to get you pissed, maybe it is because I didn't have my coffee or maybe, just maybe, I happen to believe that NILIF?

I dunno, man.

I used to have a wife who loved arguing to the ends of the earth, for the pure and simple joy of arguing.

I have no doubt that she is still doing it somewhere, day in, and day out.

Whatevs.

aklim · #19 12-20-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I bet you have it all wrong anyway, you are so busy arguing for the sake of arguing.

Mercedes Benz does NOt make their dealers pay anything for Roadside participitation. The manufacturer pays the bill and reimburses the dealer.

It's good customer service, and the dealer gets the benefit of business in the service department they would not get. Win/win for dealer and manufacturer. SOMETIMES a win for the customer.

They are thinking, We don't care about the owners of those 25 year old jalopies, the 10th owner of some ratty looking 1978 300D who is too poor to buy a $55,000 CLS500, we don't want to waste money towing cars like that with such stingy owners, and besides, most dealers don't want to work on cars that old, many service techs only know how to use the OBD II testers you plug into computers.

I used to have a wife who loved arguing to the ends of the earth, for the pure and simple joy of arguing.

So you keep trying to say. Perhaps if you say it 3 more times it might actually come true. You never know.

Lets take that apart for a bit, shall we? MB gets a cut of the dealer's income. Most franchises do pay a bit back to the parent company. So, you want the manufacturer to pay the bill, reimburse the dealer (money going out) and not get a cut to pay back for their expense, is that right?

So if they tow you elsewhere, you will spend the money elsewhere. What is their gain? That might be why they are not doing such things. When I got them to bring me a battery, they brought me an MB battery. It profited them. I don't expect them to give me an Interstate or Delco battery if that is my preference.

If it doesn't make financial sense, what do you expect them to do? If people like you want to avoid the dealership, why do you expect them to do anything for you since there is nothing in it for them? You don't want to buy their parts, get their service, etc, etc, what's in it for them?

Well, I'm sure it is all her fault and I can assure you that I am not her posing as somebody but that is about it. I suppose if I don't want you to say that about me I should simply acquiesce to your point of view?

Skid Row Joe · #20 12-25-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I'm hurt/offended. I didn't receive the letter. Maybe they're trying to ditch me.

However, from reading the new rules and reg. on the Net, if what I read was accurate, here's how I understand it:
If you bought the car new, your car is Grandfathered in as my car is, regardless whether or not you ever spend parts or repair money with an MB authorized dealer.

What I am not clear on is if your MB is Grandfathered in if you bought it used from an authorized MB dealer.

HO HO HO!

Letter from Mercedes-Benz came Christmas Eve. Confirming the additional benefit, in addition to the already free fuel, jumpstart, and spare tire changing service - for my bought-new Mercedes-Benz:

Towing to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership

Jim B. · #21 12-26-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

So you keep trying to say. Perhaps if you say it 3 more times it might actually come true. You never know.

Lets take that apart for a bit, shall we? MB gets a cut of the dealer's income. Most franchises do pay a bit back to the parent company. So, you want the manufacturer to pay the bill, reimburse the dealer (money going out) and not get a cut to pay back for their expense, is that right?

So if they tow you elsewhere, you will spend the money elsewhere. What is their gain? That might be why they are not doing such things. When I got them to bring me a battery, they brought me an MB battery. It profited them. I don't expect them to give me an Interstate or Delco battery if that is my preference.

If it doesn't make financial sense, what do you expect them to do? If people like you want to avoid the dealership, why do you expect them to do anything for you since there is nothing in it for them? You don't want to buy their parts, get their service, etc, etc, what's in it for them?

Well, I'm sure it is all her fault and I can assure you that I am not her posing as somebody but that is about it. I suppose if I don't want you to say that about me I should simply acquiesce to your point of view?

Not only do you love to argue for the pure joy of arguing, you also INSIST on having the last word every single time, no matter WHAT.

But this time you won't.

You lose.

Welcome to "ignore".

Buh-bye.

aklim · #22 12-26-2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

What I am not clear on is if your MB is Grandfathered in if you bought it used from an authorized MB dealer.

I would confirm it with them. At first, they told me that I wasn't covered unless I spent $100 at the service place. Told them that I bought it from a dealership and they said they would check into it. Called me back the next day and confirmed it.

Being the trusting soul that I am, I called them 2 days later and they confirmed I was.

Skid Row Joe · #23 12-26-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I would confirm it with them. At first, they told me that I wasn't covered unless I spent $100 at the service place. Told them that I bought it from a dealership and they said they would check into it. Called me back the next day and confirmed it.

Being the trusting soul that I am, I called them 2 days later and they confirmed I was.

Just a hunch - but I would expect that if you bought an MB pre-owned (used) from an authorized MB dealer - that you could always get them to waive the towing fee to their location if serviced there - if just across town.

Here's another (local) individual MB dealer benefit:
Park Place MB, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. provides a free loaner (a new C-Class) when you have a scheduled service appointment with them for your MB of any age, bought anywhere.

Ewing's ******** MB, Plano, TX. does NOT offer the same free loaner car deal when out-of-warranty.

aklim · #24 12-26-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Just a hunch - but I would expect that if you bought an MB pre-owned (used) from an authorized MB dealer - that you could always get them to waive the towing fee to their location if serviced there - if just across town.

Here's another (local) individual MB dealer benefit:
Park Place MB, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. provides a free loaner (a new C-Class) when you have a scheduled service appointment with them for your MB of any age, bought anywhere.

Ewing's ******** MB, Plano, TX. does NOT offer the same free loaner car deal when out-of-warranty.

I know it will at this point since my MB was bought from a dealership USED. Let me get back to you after the new year when I call them again to make sure it is covered. At this time, they say it is since it was bought (whether new or used doesn't matter) from an MB dealership.

Skid Row Joe · #25 12-26-2010, 01:32 AM

Using indys here in DFW, is what I intend to do from now on. JimmyL turned me on to a guy that works out of his house (garage) but the guy lives 40 miles from me.

There's almost no way I'll pay either of the two MB dealers to work on my old MB diesel. I'd rather drive it to TylerH's indy in Wichita, KS. 325 miles, before I'd pay an MB dealer's rates.

In fact, I'm prolly going to have Tyler's indy body shop in Wichita, KS take out a fender crumple from the 300 ETD one of these weeks.

The point being, I'll drive 7 hours each way for a good indy that won't slaughter me on price - if they are highly recommended!

Getting back to the topic - I think a local tow in Dallas-Fort Worth costs prolly $75-$80 bucks - just a guess.....

aklim · #26 12-26-2010, 10:24 AM

I have used indies with good and bad results. R&R of the engine fan clutch, for instance. I noticed the indie mashed the fins while the last time I used a MB shop, they didn't. MB shop has the correct tools, indie doesn't always. When they don't, they will try to muddle thru and get it close. I don't like close.

My problem is I don't have WIS because I have Win 7 running and my copy of WIS doesn't play nice. That means I have no way to see what the procedure is and what the tools are. Therefore, I have to rely on trust. I was treated very well by my dealership. They let me watch and talk to the techs. One of their techs left and went to an indie shop that specializes in MB. He was my tech of choice so if he said they had the tool, I am willing to go on that. Since he has left and they don't let me watch, I become very skeptical.

My experience has been that it doesn't matter if it is indie or MB shop. It is dependent on the tech working on the car. If the indie is $15 cheaper than an MB shop, would I drive several hours out to the middle of BFE if all things are equal? Not a chance. My time is worth something. Should there be a failure, and it happens to all sooner or later, what are my options? Drive back there to resolve it? What if the car is not drivable? Tow it 325 miles for a resolution? I wouldn't unless there was SIGNIFICANT money involved. If he charged $1000 and the MB shop wanted $5000, maybe. Otherwise, I can't see how the math works out.

I have used quite a few indies because my Powerstroke and Vette are so far from stock, dealerships don't want to work on them and I can't blame them. I have also seen indies try to gouge me so I can't say they are any better. Besides, they are run by people and they have to make money to keep the lights on so the too can do the same stupid things as a dealership. I have found that the best way is to find a tech you can work with. In my case, it has to be a mod friendly tech.

Matt L · #27 12-26-2010, 11:28 AM

Have you tried WIS in a virtaul XP machine?

Be warned that adding the virtualizer role to Win 7 prevents hibernation or sleep.

Hatterasguy · #28 12-26-2010, 01:13 PM

$100 over 18 months is nothing, its just to keep those cheap old diesel owners from overusing it.

Jim B. · #29 12-26-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

$100 over 18 months is nothing, its just to keep those cheap old diesel owners from overusing it.

I have kindling and large wooden crosses for sale, low prices, act fast, buy now, won't last !!!!

aklim · #30 12-26-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

$100 over 18 months is nothing, its just to keep those cheap old diesel owners from overusing it.

Isn't an alignment worth at least that much?