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  #1  
Old 11-30-2007, 10:37 PM
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MB Service Campaign

I recently had my E320 in for replacement spring perches. The drivers side was starting to separate. MB agreed to cover 50% of the bill which I am thankfull. I also had them do a wheel alignment and they replaced the lower balljoints and front swaybar links.

Since this was the first time I had my car in for service the MB dealership performed several Service Campaigns. When I looked at my bill I was charged for these Campaigns. Is it customary to be charged for service campaigns or should these be free of change to the customer?

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1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles
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Old 12-01-2007, 02:58 PM
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On the face of it, it seems as though the dealership tried to recoup the other 50% that MB agreed to pick-up.

can you describe the parts that were replaced under the campaign?

it seems that when you take a car in for service you sign a repair order or write-up that connects you to the service printed on the write-up , usually the dealership will contact you, and get an O.K. if different work is needed beyond what is described on the original write-up.
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Old 12-01-2007, 03:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern View Post
Is it customary to be charged for service campaigns or should these be free of change to the customer?
All Service and Recall Campaigns are covered by MBUSA Warranty. It doesn't matter how old the car is, or how many owners it's had. No charge, end of story. Read your receipt carefully. Let me know which Campaign(s) were performed.
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Old 12-01-2007, 06:51 PM
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The first campaign is #2005-020003 Harmonic Balancer. I told the dealer that I had already replaced the harmonic balancer, my E320 is an early build 1998 the harmonic balancer went before they were even thinking about a campaign. The balancer checked ok. Total charge $95.90 of which $34.50 was the actual inspection the rest was listed as labor.

The second campaign is #2000-100002 Cavity Wax. They applied sealing compound to the longitutinal frame. Total charge $80.50 of which $15.40 was for the sealant.

Since this was the first time I had my car in for service I am new to MB Service Campaign's. I was not even aware that there were outstanding campaigns on my car. (Acura sends me letters notifying me of potential problems with my wife's car suggesting that I take it in for a free fix).

When I took the car in I also said that I wanted a wheel alignment done. When the Tech looked at the car they found that the lower balljoints were worn, the trans connector guide bushing needed replacing and one of the cats was rattling. I approved the balljoints and trans connector bushing but not the cat since the estimate was $800 and no codes were present to trigger the check engine light.

Since I only paid $628 for both spring perches I feel that the dealer charges fair prices but if I am not to get charged for service campaigns then I expect to get a refund.

The service writer asked why I don't take my car in for service since I have owned it for past 8 years. I explained that when my car was at 80K miles I called about making an appointment to have the trans fluid & filter changed. There reply was that they do not recommend this service nor would they perform it. I decided at that point that if they don't want to maintain my car the way I wish to maintain it then I will do it myself. I also pointed out that I started using Mobil 1 0W40 long before Mercedes started recommended it for FSS cars, I also change my oil every 6K miles.

The service writer responded that he understands my point.
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1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Last edited by Southern; 12-01-2007 at 06:59 PM.
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Old 12-01-2007, 07:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern View Post
The balancer checked ok. Total charge $95.90 of which $34.50 was the actual inspection the rest was listed as labor.

The second campaign is #2000-100002 Cavity Wax. They applied sealing compound to the longitutinal frame. Total charge $80.50 of which $15.40 was for the sealant..
Something’s wrong. You shouldn’t have been charged anything. Perhaps they made a billing error. It sounds like the work was billed out as though it were a “customer pay”, as opposed to “warranty pay” job. They owe you some money.
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Old 12-01-2007, 07:57 PM
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Thanks for the replies, I was hoping it was a billing error.

I tried calling the service writer today but did not get a call back. I will try again on Monday.

My car rides much better now that the worn suspension parts are replaced.
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1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles
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  #7  
Old 12-02-2007, 12:33 PM
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add up each line total and make sure it totals up to the grand total you paid- I think the campaigns will still show a total on the repair order but that total is to be paid by MB, not you, even though it still shows on your bill, if they did it right, total cost for those repairs should be zero.
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Old 12-03-2007, 07:21 PM
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The mistake was on my part. The printout was stapled out of order so when I was adding up the line items the balljoint repair listed the part cost only and the labor was on the top of the sheet before so I didn't associate the two.

Now that I read the invoice again it is very clear since they put all of the warranty charges on a separate invoice (which was stapled out of sequence with the non warranty invoice). Thats what I get for not having my car serviced regularly at the dealer.
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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles
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  #9  
Old 12-03-2007, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern View Post
......Thats what I get for not having my car serviced regularly at the dealer.
Be careful. Statements like this might get you banned!!!

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