When the Fast Lane web site says a starter is $202 and a core is $75, is the $75 in reference to a refund for returning your bad starter?

I believe so. The core is to help in the recycling of the old parts, so that they dont go to waste, they will get rebuilt most likely and then sold as a rebuilt/remanufactured unit.

Kind of like getting $5 or so back on a new car battery for turning in your old one.

The same would apply to the starter or anything else with a core charge.

Alon

Ashman is right on.

So you're saying pay $202.00 for the alternator and get $75.00 back after you return the bad one? Net cost, $127.00?

For the record, I called the Benz Bin to clear this up. As listed, the starter would have a net cost of $202. You must also pay a "deposit" of $75, which will be returned to you on receipt of your bad starter.