The high Price of Parts and dealer differences
 

I bought 2 Smartkey's This week for my 1998 E300. At MB of San Diego I paid $158.60 plus tax and $31.05 +tax for the steel key. Today I ordered the same 2 items at MB in Carlsbad (about 25 miles north of San Diego) and paid $122.50 and $22 for the steel key.
Simple math tells me that 158.6/122.5 means I paid nearly 30% more at MB San Diego. The premium for the steel key is just over 40%. In Carlsbad I also purchased a TURBODIESEL trunk emblem for $45 that I balked at buying for $58 at MB of San Diego because of the nearly 30% higher price.
Is it common for dealers to have 20, 30 or even 40 percent difference in pricing ? I guess I already know at least part of the answer but thought it might be worthwhile to open up this topic for some discussion because even with the best pricing these parts can be very exspensive. My hope is that using dealers with the best prices will in some way discourage the highest price dealers.
What do you think?
Paul


1998 E300

I live within 15 and 25 miles, respectively, from two large Benz dealers. I have not seen such wide disparity in prices.

They are both overpriced in my opinion.

I guess the items that you wanted are essentially dealer only items so you did not have much choice.

When you said they charged extra for the steel key, is that the key that slides in and out? They charge extra for that?

Danmed greedy SOBs!!! :rifle:

Yes, the two pieces are sold as seperate parts.
Paul


1998 E300

Back in the 70's almost all dealers charged "suggested list" for parts & then OUR USA government called that practice "PRICE FIXING".

SO now most dealers double(some even more than that!) their cost on a part & that is what you pay! ONE of the bigger dealers has a variable scale that will multiply their cost by upto 300% on small items!

This from a google search on america's largest super yachts:

19. EXCELLENCE III | L: 187'10" Y: 2001
Name a car, and chances are Herb Chambers sells it—or to be more accurate, one of his numerous New England dealerships sells it. He has what’s reportedly the largest dealer network in the region, and in her first year on the charter circuit, his yacht, Excellence III, proved to be a favorite. And no wonder, considering her sky lounge converts to a theater (with Surround Sound, naturally).

Herb Chambers is the local big ticket stealership her in Boston. Same one that quoted me $910 to change out my MAF.

Charge your custmers that much Herb and you can buy yourself your Excellence IV, but then again maybe they'll all wise up and leave you crying in your Dom Perignon...

Good for him. Charge as much as the market will pay. Besides 187ft is more like mid size these days.:D

If you can- find a dealership which will sell you the parts for MBUSA suggested wholesale prices. They are out there!


Michael

Mercedes Genuine Parts
 

Try www.Mercedesbenzgenuineparts.com
Many of their parts are even cheaper than Autohauz Arizona and Importec. They do charge a 5% shipping and $8 handling fee, but their parts are genuine MBZ parts.
I am NOT associated with them in any way.

Try fcpgroton.com. Same parts that the stealer charges ten times for. Great for BMW, Saab and Volvo also for those that have what I consider "others". No affiliation here, just happy with service and price.
Chris

Thank you all, for the suggestions and the alternative sources. I think I posted the original as small protest against MB of San Diego's pricing in comparison to Hoehn MB in Carlsbad, CA (25 miles outside San Diego) who I patronized again Today.
Thanks all, Paul


1998 E300

Guys, I work for a M-B dealer and pay cost + 10%...and I can still do better online if I take the time to snoop around.

I find this practice very common. Fast lane pretty much sells special parts they order at list. That saves me a bundel from ordering them from my local dealers.

On the bright side, I actually did walk int a dealer a few weeks ago an purchase one part for uinder $1.00 US. I belive it was $0.88 for one of those little yellow rubber ignition wire numbered bands.

John Roncallo

Fast Lane is our good parts source
 

Again I say .... check parts needs in our Fast Lane service, before paying a dealer's higher prices .... many of the items owners pay to have installed can be handled "DIY" with a screwdriver or two and some basic guidance. A MAF sensor is a good example; can be bought at reasonable prices and takes five minutes to install.... I don't have any axe to grind for Fast Lane; just have gotten extremely good service and prices from them over the last couple of years for my 3 Mercedes.