Are all dealers this rubbish?

Six6siX

Six6siX

Six6siX

Soldato
Joined
25 Nov 2004
Posts
4,788
Location
Hertfordshire
Or is it just Mercedes Watford?

I needed a replacement front tow cap cover (mine seems to have vanished). So I tried to call them last Wednesday morning shortly after the parts dept. opened and didn't get an answer. Fair enough, I'll try again later.

I tried every few hours for TWO DAYS to get through to the parts department on the phone and not once did anyone answer. I eventually called and went through to the new car sales department (which surprise, surprise, picked up straight away :rolleyes:) who informed me that they couldn't transfer me and that I needed to call back...great.

So on Friday, I had the opportunity to go down to the dealer and after a long while standing around like a lemon, I finally got someone's attention and spoke to someone from parts who said they'd order it and it'd be there Saturday and they'd call me when it arrived. Yeah right.

So it's now Wednesday and I STILL haven't received a phone call to say it's there and there's no point calling them to chase it because they don't ******* answer their phone. :mad:

Previously, I'd ordered all parts via Inchcape Mercedes online but their system is 'down' so I tried my local dealer - luckily I haven't paid for the part yet so I might just give up on them and try to call Inchcape to get it ordered.

I just don't understand how, in general, the motor industry can be so indifferent to people that WANT TO GIVE THEM MONEY!

I know it's only a £20 tow cap cover, but that shouldn't matter.

/rant.
 
Six6siX said:
Or is it just Mercedes Watford?

I needed a replacement front tow cap cover (mine seems to have vanished). So I tried to call them last Wednesday morning shortly after the parts dept. opened and didn't get an answer. Fair enough, I'll try again later.

I tried every few hours for TWO DAYS to get through to the parts department on the phone and not once did anyone answer. I eventually called and went through to the new car sales department (which surprise, surprise, picked up straight away :rolleyes:) who informed me that they couldn't transfer me and that I needed to call back...great.

So on Friday, I had the opportunity to go down to the dealer and after a long while standing around like a lemon, I finally got someone's attention and spoke to someone from parts who said they'd order it and it'd be there Saturday and they'd call me when it arrived. Yeah right.

So it's now Wednesday and I STILL haven't received a phone call to say it's there and there's no point calling them to chase it because they don't ******* answer their phone. :mad:

Previously, I'd ordered all parts via Inchcape Mercedes online but their system is 'down' so I tried my local dealer - luckily I haven't paid for the part yet so I might just give up on them and try to call Inchcape to get it ordered.

I just don't understand how, in general, the motor industry can be so indifferent to people that WANT TO GIVE THEM MONEY!

I know it's only a £20 tow cap cover, but that shouldn't matter.

/rant.
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I'd say the parts and servicing dept. are a bunch of lazy sods who cant be bothered to answer. Maybe they have the radio on too loud? Maybe they are just short staffed and very busy servicing cars?

It would be worth dropping the dealer manager an email letting him know your frustration or if you can be bothered, tweeting Mercedes or something.
 
As above, contact the boss man or spam FB/Twitter. That's pretty poor service!

Isn't there another dealer nearby you could order from?
 
Good idea about social media. I might give that a go.

I even gave them the full part number with colour code but didn't think to try a body shop - anyone recommend one around St Albans/Watford?
 
Mercedes stoke parts have always answered fine.
Also, I'm sure I've been transferred through from Reception to the service department to discuss my car then on again to the parts department to enquire about a wind deflector.

You'd imagine they'd at least be slightly similar in that regard.
 
If you've got the part number and colour code just order it from a parts supplier online?
 
scaza said:
Mercedes stoke parts have always answered fine.
Also, I'm sure I've been transferred through from Reception to the service department to discuss my car then on again to the parts department to enquire about a wind deflector.

You'd imagine they'd at least be slightly similar in that regard.
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You'd have thought so - but the person I spoke to was adamant they couldn't transfer. They took a message for someone to call me back but guess what didn't happen :p

tom_e said:
If you've got the part number and colour code just order it from a parts supplier online?
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Maybe my google-fu failing but I can't find an online supplier (other than Inchcape) that sells it - its A21988500269197
 
I must be unlucky as I've never been to a parts department in "any" dealer who is at best "adequate" or better. All mine (BMW/Audi/Ford/Peugeot) have been absolute dog crap in every imaginable way.

Now I know there must be some good ones about as I keep hearing about them but I've just never had the good fortune to meet them.
 
Hmm that is odd behaviour, try calling another dealership and have them send the part to you?

My local Toyota dealership have an awesome parts department. They take my orders in person, over the phone and via email and get back to me promptly with updates etc, even if I'm just getting quotes and not buying
 
Rainagul said:
Hmm that is odd behaviour, try calling another dealership and have them send the part to you?

My local Toyota dealership have an awesome parts department. They take my orders in person, over the phone and via email and get back to me promptly with updates etc, even if I'm just getting quotes and not buying
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My Toyota dealership is really good too, it's one thing I'll miss for sure !

Have only used the Volvo dealership in Gloucester once so far for a spare part and I did get through on the phone and got the part as and when I wanted it so it's all good so far.
 
Personally I have never come across a bad parts department up in Sheffield so far. Everyones gotten back to me, ordered in parts on time, given discounts or beaten prices as requested.

But calling every few hours for 2 days? Are you sure they just didn't get ****ed off with you and started to just ignore you?
 
Stood about like a spare ***** in the BMW one until they got a guy to come out. That may have been because the place was getting revamped and it was a bit all over the place.

Used a multi dealer parts desk for my old Nissan and got stuff fine and last week was calling round Vauxhall dealers for a hose.

Fir st guy just said they didn't have it, could get it for Tuesday(it was sat am). Second guy sounded so relieved I had a part number, didn't have the part but told me who had it and when they closed.

Haven't managed to get to the stage of getting things cheaper sadly!
 
opstrat said:
what model mate?

http://www.partsformercedes-benz.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=tow
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W219 / CLS. Can't see it on the list :( but that's a useful website, thanks! Could come in handy for other things.

pepsilol said:
But calling every few hours for 2 days? Are you sure they just didn't get ****ed off with you and started to just ignore you?
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:p Well, slight exaggeration - I think I tried first thing in the morning, late morning (11am), then about 3pm on both days. Hardly excessive and they didn't answer any of them...
 
Sadly in my quite extensive experience over many years most dealers will let you down, from first walking in to servicing over a cars lifetime, it's more often than not a story of fail. I have fairly high standards it must be said, but I am rational and give people the opportunity to make a bad thing good but so often they just make bad, badder. The odd one or two stand out, but from big dealers to small independents most of slap hazard and crap.
 
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