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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Mercedes Benz C-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience
647 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:13 PM
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Replying to: zyndurai1 (Aug 23, 2007 7:34 pm) I used to work for BMW as a product specialist and am now with Mercedes. Living in Germany, we don't seem to have too many problems with identity theft as that culture is comparatively honest as opposed to the states. At BMW when the license was taken, (we didn't photocopy it but scanned it into the computer directly) it is for the sole purpose of entering you in a database called autobase which provides a couple of things. First, it's a record of your visit to the dealership so if you are interested in the car and do return to purchase, your info links you to a specific client advisor who is familiar with your needs. Secondly, it is usu. required (whether by dealership/state policy, varies)if you want to take the car for a test drive, it's a verification of a valid license. This is to cover the dealership in case of an unfortunate incident such as the car being wrecked/stolen on the test drive. In the state of georgia, if you are viewing real estate or even an apartment, a license or picture id is required and left secured during your "viewing" as a precautionary measure in case the realtor or landlord is murdered (apparently this has happened enough to necessitate the practice). Your assigned client advisor should have explained that point to you. I can't imagine why he wouldn't have. While i cannot condone his unprofessionalism, let it be known that some of the "old school" sales people may react that way due to their feeling that "time is money" and if you're just kicking tires, you may not be seriously looking to buy which is your prerogative. Showing any sign of apprehension obviously set him off into his defensive mode of "this person thinks i'm the enemy" which is a common classification of people in sales. AGAIN let me emphasize, i don't condone his attitude towards you. Most highline dealerships do not usu. pressure people but there is always the exception to the rule. Ideally, he should have explained why the license data was necessary and to reassure you even show you the process. Secondly, if there is a product specialist around, you can always ask them for info such as a brochure and perhaps even a walk around (usu. there are open vehicles in the showroom) If the dealership allows, you can usu. talk to them without feeling they are trying to sell you. I used to be a japanese car fan (honda crx's, nissan z32 tt's) but when i started driving BMW's, i've never looked back. In Germany, an E46 3series coupe was about a $5000 premium over a loaded Accord Ex with the difference being the safety features (DSC, side curtain airbags). Bear in mind that while the japanese cars are a good product, the German approach is somewhat different. German automanufacturers subscribe to the ideal of logic and performance with innovative tech, while the Japanese seem to focus on intuitiveness and reliability with gadgets galore. Neither approach is incorrect, just different schools of thought. The reason i love the Germany cars is, after 10 years of driving the autobahns, you appreciate the braking and driving dynamics of german cars vs. the japanese ones. German cars are engineered to run at triple digit speeds all day long (which might explain why they languish in the states.) and brake without issue. Compare an Acura TSX braking system to a stock bmw. (no i'm not going to count the brembos available on the z's and the wrx's) Finally to address the points of dress or racial stereotyping, unfortunately, that is the world in which we live. People do perceive others using certain standards. But that in itself is subjective. In Europe, people do tend to be a bit dressier and while races are very distinct, cultures seem to be more appreciated for their uniqueness. (you should ask my iranian friend how he feels, living in the states). As a person of asian descent myself, it was a very rare occasion i ever felt that my race was a factor but moreso, attitude and how you present yourself. Well i've gone on way too long. If there are any questions regarding Mercedes that i may assist you with, don't hesitate to ask. I've been off these forums for a while but looking to jump back in! This also applies to others who may need some details about Mercedes or BMW's. I'm in the North Atlanta area. Regards all, Mit freundlichen Gruessen (to my fellow german speakers) Greg (oberpfallz on the boards)
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Replying to: zyndurai1 (Aug 23, 2007 7:34 pm) |
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Replying to: zyndurai1 (Aug 23, 2007 7:34 pm) If you were selling your $35000 car, I bet you won't simply hand over the keys to a potential buyer for a test drive. Put yourself in the salesman position and think about how you would feel if the other party is suspecting your motives from the get go for no reason.
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Replying to: mogul2 (Sep 22, 2007 7:50 am)
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Replying to: vinnyny (Sep 22, 2007 3:03 pm) Having said that, the sleazy used car dealer that you mentioned did let you know about the credit check before he actually ran it. I agree it is unnecessary to check credit when paying cash but the point is you will be made aware of before they actually check it.
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Replying to: mogul2 (Sep 23, 2007 4:34 pm) |
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Replying to: oberpfallz (Sep 09, 2007 1:18 am) email: hindous06  hotmail.com
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A reporter from a national newspaper is hoping to talk to consumers who have been shopping for a European vehicle (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi or others) and have found them to be more expensive because of the Euro exchange rates. Please reply to ctalatiedmunds.com no later than Monday, October 1, 2007 with your daytime contact info.
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I am shopping for one of these in USa and as noted here, there are not really any great deals on them, as they seem to be selling. But are people really paying full MSRP for the? I HATE the process of buyinhg a car...i ALWAYS feel like i got ripped off somehow. I think the C300 is proiced faily, but am i being a real schmuck if I pay sticker price? MIke
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Replying to: mhalliday (Sep 28, 2007 12:48 pm) |
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