Want: sales consultant recommendation in SF Bay Area (sob story too)
I've been following this forum since I placed my deposit on an SLK32 way back in November, but haven't had (enough of) an occasion to post until now, so I hope forum members can help me out.<br>
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I'm looking for sales consultant recommendations in the SF Bay Area, but even more specifically, at either Smythe or Stahl. I think the revelation of unallocated SLK32s in Monterey instills a sense of 'smaller list' at Stahl, so I'm willing to go farther for that.<br>
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I've been a 7-year customer of Autobahn Motors. I decided that I wanted either an SL or a BMW (8-series or M3). I went to several MBZ and BMW dealers, and one guy at Autobahn was the only guy that would talk with me about buying an expensive car (I looked pretty young at the time, being a successful Silicon Valley type before all the dot-com hype). Anyhow, he also didn't flinch when I told him that I wanted to buy the SL500 by just giving him my home address, SSN, and signing the release to do a credit check. Now seven years later and having bought several MBZ cars from him with the same parameters, Autobahn Motors has changed ownership a couple of times and has undergone a radical service-ectomy. I placed my deposit on a CLK55 very early and was told that I was in the top 5 allocation, and by the time they had been delivered to people for two months (at least four units) I had not yet even placed an order. My salesdroid tried to make it up to me by offering a 'now available' CLK55 which was close to how I wanted it, but not exactly how I would have ordered it. It was apparently originally ordered for some 49er whose salesman basically puts him (and a bunch of other 'celebrities') at the top of the allocations for every hot model; then when the orderer ends up not wanting the car, they become available. I thought this was total rubbish, but was assured at the time of my CLK55 delivery that this policy was changing (and the deposit was going to change from $1000 to much higher). So, I went ahead and didn't cancel my deposit for the SLK32. Suffice to say, I've not been asked to place an order yet, although again at the time I was told I was 'top of the consumer allocation'--basically 'first in line'.<br>
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Anyhow, I'm now going to get refunds on my deposits on the SLK32 and G-class (and add SL55), and place them elsewhere. Would anyone like to make some points with their sales consultants, and give me a recommendation? I'd really like to hear from those who have had very good attention: constant updates, calls, etc. Maybe I'm just small fish at the dealership I go to, but one of the main reasons I switched to MBZ from Japanese cars was because I felt the service was better. So much for that.<br>
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Thanks for any info.<br>
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-f<br>
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I had good luck with 2 Mercedes from Autobahn, but since Sonic bought them, they seem to be in pinch-penny mode. Eliminating more and more of the little perks that made owning a Mercedes special. They're messing with the sales consultants too, by whittling at their perks. That's driving them to cut back on the service they are willing to (or have time to) provide. I'd love to find a dealer who acts like they really want my business when I set out to buy my next car.<br>
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Write a letter to MBUSA, and CC the dealership... <br>
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"basically puts him (and a bunch of other 'celebrities') at the top of the allocations "<br>
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Isnt this against MB's policies?
patricia yates at stahl was by far the best sales rep i have ever dealt with. no bs and knowledgable. great follow up. at the time i bought the 320 they had 2 unallocated slk 32's. courtesy in chico has one, and i got a call from von housen in sacramento.
Hyatt Auto (MB), and Calgary BMW. Because of my experiences there, I will never take my business there ever again. Sad thing is, Calgary BMW is the only BMW dealership in town, and that is one big reason I haven't owned a BMW for a long time.<br>
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Sucks to be young...<br>
Bought our SLK 320 and SLK 32 at Smythe in San Jose and have dealt with Bruce Chellino at Smythe European (408)983-5200. He is a great guy and I would recommend him highly. I would also recommend Ford Congleton as a service advisor at Smythe. We also have an ML430 that was purchased in VA and Smythe has always given us great service on all our cars, regardless of where they were purchased. Just a note, Bruce is going on vacation starting Aug. 1 for 10 days.
I live a mile from Autobahn and went up to RAB in Marin!
Autobahn, as I've written before, SUCKS! 'nuf said. And I know about bad sales service too from Merc. of Long Beach.<br>
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RAB was quite the opposite of these horror stories. I've posted previously how great they were with my 320. Kept me fully informed, acted extremely straight up, etc. Now, I originally dealt with Alex Lawson (415) 454-0582, who is now the sales manager. He was very professional and accomodating. The gentleman who handled the final transaction has since left, and was replaced by Jenni Durein (415) 531-9764. I was going to get the 32 through her until I had to cancel. I don't have extensive experience with her, but she seemed to follow the RAB model.<br>
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Although it may be further away than you were thinking, I would suggest giving them a call too to see what they have. I give them top marks in both their sales and service depts. Perhaps call Alex who will have the most information. Tell him Dan from San Mateo recommended you call (If that doesn't ring a bell, tell him I'm the one with the Sapphire 320 with the Style 203 AMG wheels and he definitely will then) and I'm sure he'll be able to give you straight information.
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