[BenzFan]

How many dealerships have you shopped?
When I was serious about shopping the CLA the best offer I had was 38K on 41065 MSRP.. Which is not bad, but the sales person lost me when she tried to sneak in a 299.00 "vehicle prep fee". Sorry but I am not paying 300 bucks for a car wash. (The markup per this dealer was 6%)
Point is SHOP 3 -4 dealers, even dealers that may be a little further away from you. And be pushy because discounts off MSRP are out there.
Or if your set on having the CLA and you’re not a single younger guy like me paying off college loans.. I say go for it at MSRP.

I think everyone should avoid having the dealership wash and/or detail their car. Better to take your car to a real detailer after taking delivery, it will actually get you better bang for your buck and stretch your dollar.

After working at a few dealerships and seeing the quality of their washes and detailing, I would never advise anyone to go their.

 

[jboomer]

I think everyone should avoid having the dealership wash and/or detail their car. Better to take your car to a real detailer after taking delivery, it will actually get you better bang for your buck and stretch your dollar.

After working at a few dealerships and seeing the quality of their washes and detailing, I would never advise anyone to go their.

That’s the thing this was not even detailing. This was to remove the protective wrap from the car, put in the floor mats, top the fluids off, then wash/wax. That’s part of the dealership’s normal operating expense. lol

 

[fastlane]

That’s the thing this was not even detailing. This was to remove the protective wrap from the car, put in the floor mats, top the fluids off, then wash/wax. That’s part of the dealership’s normal operating expense. lol

$300 for all of that at a Mercedes dealer sounds just about right?

 

[jboomer]

$300 for all of that at a Mercedes dealer sounds just about right?

No its not about right...

Unless the dealer has done something above and beyond basic preparation, refuse to pay it... its the cost of doing business...

 

[fastlane]

No its not about right...

Unless the dealer has done something above and beyond basic preparation, refuse to pay it... its the cost of doing business...

consider the cost of fluids, the MB's labour rate, time, products used, etc.... it's more than it should be but on a Mercedes level, it's expected

 

[jboomer]

consider the cost of fluids, the MB's labour rate, time, products used, etc.... it's more than it should be but on a Mercedes level, it's expected

Here is what most car buying advice experts say about it.

prep fee: The dealer preparation fee is assessed to cover the cost of preparing the car to hand over. This one's pretty bogus. The factory covers the prep fee. Ask precisely what this charge entails.

 

[Tonyride]

Prep fee is bogus. When you buy a bike from a bike shop they don't expect you to pay for them to put the bike together for you and make sure it is safe to ride. When you go to a restaurant and order something off the menu, they don't charge you for cooking it, putting it on a plate, and making it presentable. When you go to the supermarket and buy fruits and vegetables they don't charge you for washing them, packaging them, and putting them on the shelves. All that is prep work and the expense to do that is included in the price of the product.

 

[BenzFan]

Prep fee is bogus. When you buy a bike from a bike shop they don't expect you to pay for them to put the bike together for you and make sure it is safe to ride. When you go to a restaurant and order something off the menu, they don't charge you for cooking it, putting it on a plate, and making it presentable. When you go to the supermarket and buy fruits and vegetables they don't charge you for washing them, packaging them, and putting them on the shelves. All that is prep work and the expense to do that is included in the price of the product.

haha good way to put it.

one of my buddies that bought a C6 Corvette told me since he wanted the car in a rush they delivered it to his house without even having a PDI done. he got it with all the plastic and everything a car right off the truck from the factory would have on it.

Sure beats paying hundreds extra for something we can do ourselves.

 

[Giovanni S.]

So we are being scammed. That is the best way to put it. But tonyrides story is the best lol

 

[CLA45AMG]

I have actually decided to wait until December (best time of year to buy a new car) want to see how the numbers pan out on sales of the CLA.
As of right now even finance or leasing residual numbers are not available.

Correction: December is a good month to buy any remaining 2013 vehicles.. Since the CLA is a 2014 model year don't expect MB to highly incentive this vehicle.

 

[CLA45AMG]

How many dealerships have you shopped?
When I was serious about shopping the CLA the best offer I had was 38K on 41065 MSRP.. Which is not bad, but the sales person lost me when she tried to sneak in a 299.00 "vehicle prep fee". Sorry but I am not paying 300 bucks for a car wash. (The markup per this dealer was 6%)
Point is SHOP 3 -4 dealers, even dealers that may be a little further away from you. And be pushy because discounts off MSRP are out there.
Or if your set on having the CLA and you’re not a single younger guy like me paying off college loans.. I say go for it at MSRP.

You shoulda taken that deal.

 

[lisabenz]

Ok guys.. so I plan to go tomorrow to finally do my diligence and look at a CLA AMG 45. What should I expect in terms of "best price"?

Lisa

 

[Tonyride]

If you're going tomorrow then expect to be disappointed as the CLA45 AMG isn't available until November.

 

[CLAJoe]

She should be able to do a pre-order though right? They should take a deposit...


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Tonyride]

She should be able to do a pre-order though right? They should take a deposit...


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Yes, she could've pre-ordered months ago but can't check one out until November when they're in the showrooms.

 

[lisabenz]

Yes, she could've pre-ordered months ago but can't check one out until November when they're in the showrooms.

That's the plan! Going to try and use some charm and see what kind of price I can get. Wish me luck!

Lisa

 

[Tonyride]

That's the plan! Going to try and use some charm and see what kind of price I can get. Wish me luck!

Lisa

Lots of luck. Please let us know what the negotiated price ends up to be along with your list of options/packages.

 

[lisabenz]

Lots of luck. Please let us know what the negotiated price ends up to be along with your list of options/packages.

Well, that was an awful experience, in more ways than one.

So, first, I went to Benz of Miami (167th st). I waited over 30 minutes just to talk to someone. I finally ended up going to the front desk and demanding to actually speak to someone. I can summarize what happened as follows:

"Hi, I am interested in the 45 AMG"
"We don't have those yet in stock, sorry."
"I know that, can you tell me when they're coming in?"
"Nope, no idea."
".. can I get a brochure?"
"Nope, sorry, we don't have any."
"Ok then. Bye."

Needless to say I walked out of that dealer, and am seriously considering not dealing with Mercedes after that. They were disengaged and disenchanted.

Note: I am on two other mercedes cla forusm where I tried to get some help as they have people in that area.. I don't know if they are just sexist on one of the sites, but they actually wrote "LOL" at my questions, and made me feel very stupid when I asked for help. I am by no means a car expert, I love cars, I love old mercedes as you all probably remember, but I am so glad I found a home on this forum and you guys have been so great. You guys are tolerant of my stupid questions and have been really helpful.

If you guys know of a better dealer in the florida area to go to, I'd rather not feel like a "dumb blonde" when I go in and talk to these guys again.

Disenchanted. ~Lisa

 

[CLAJoe]

That's awful Lisa. I've personally gone with my sister to dealers because she's had similar experiences. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

If you want, I'm sure one of us can contact a dealer for you and strong arm them a bit, defend your honor as it were.

Anyway, I don't mean to make light of it. I'm also glad you found us here. Don't worry about that other unfriendly forum.. we're here for you!

Joe

 

[Tonyride]

It's too bad that you were treated that way. Just so you know the MB dealer near us didn't take my father very seriously either at first. Despite their poor attitude, my father did end up buying an E-Class from them. I, on the other hand, will never put up with that. Now we have about half a dozen MB dealers within a 50-mile radius I can take my business to.