ChucksTL_RENAMED

Wanted to suprise her for Xmas as she was getting to hate her old Blazer for various reasons. She has a really good job so getting one wasn't too much of a stretch. She got to liking nice cars when I bought the TL in '00. So two weeks before the holidays I go looking at used 5 series Bimmers and new 3 series as she likes them, but even used they seemed really high priced and they were calling low mileage 50 , even 60 K miles. Low mileage to me is 20K miles, so after three different dealers I give up. Now keeping in mind that car companies spend millions in advertising each year, I stroll into a MB dealership to see if any used C-class cars are within reach. This is in a small town in Maryland, they have seven used cars out front and about 20 new, that's it. So the two guys on duty that night are 18 yrs old and the salesman, about 22. Not finding anything used that is the right combo (color and options etc.) We start to talk about C240's. So I take two different C240's out and also a C320 but found it too expensive for me and just barely faster than the C240. So they had a C240 there that had what my wife likes in it, so we started the second hour haggling and so forth. After two hours total time at the dealership it is now 7PM and I'm starving but keeping quiet. Remembering my comment above about advertising expense, about that time the 18 year old walks out and says " We've fixed some macaronni and cheese in the back, would you like some?" I was so hungry I would have eated dog food so I said "sure" and he brings out ON A PAPER PLATE Mac and Chs and a piece of someones bithday cake and some coke in a DIXIE CUP! I mean it was so funny, here I was in my first MB dealership in my whole life to buy a USED car and I'm eating this high class meal (ha ha) but the guys were so likeable it was great. I fealt like I was a valued customer, so we spent more time going over all the details of the car and I bought it.

Then when returning to get it home I noticed all the big guys were there as it was daytime. The big manager thanked me and said something like "What did you like about the car that got you to buy it?" Well I thought a second and just had to reply " It was the macaronni and cheese dinner!" You should have seen it, he had the most bent out of shape look on his face!!. Sorry to be long but maybe less TV and magazine adds and more hot dogs or something would help sales! Thanks. Oh and she loved the car, very quiet and smooth but alittle small.

TheModMole

Thats pretty funny Most people would consider that a "good" buying experience rather then the overdressed anal retentive salesmen that kisses your ass to get at your wallet.

KavexTrax

that is classic. always the go-the-extra-mile sales people in the right situation to capitalize.

Congrats on the purchase.

Scrib

K-R-A-F-T

bkknight369

lol thats cute

KCheng

Loseit

iTrader: (1)

that is cool. i am very loyal to businesses who atleast "appear" to go the extra mile for me. It is that whole "feel good" thing.

Congrats on the purchase

astro

it's the little things that make the biggest differences!

SilverCL225hp

I feel happy for you and your wife also.

cmark

good story

Nihilistan

Imagine though the story those guys are telling. "Yeah, I got this guy to buy a C240 by giving him some mac and cheese. Cha-ching!"

Seriously, good story. A down-to-earth approach in sales is refreshing after dealing with some pompus pricks you tend to encounter at "luxury" dealerships. Best part is she was happy w/ it.

-- Nihil

acura_service

Chuck, did you get the 4-matic? i think the c240 is a great car, not a powerhouse, but not slow either, they sell very well at our dealership, i know what you mean about the c320 , (lots more money)

as a mercedes benz service advisor, i really don't see major problems with them

ChucksTL_RENAMED

Acura-Service.....thanks for the response! No I got the plain jane RWD as it was affordable, color Desert Silver. Didn't want the added weight or cost of the AWD. Really like the bright interior lights and trunk lights MB uses when jumping in the car at night. And that 8.5 qt oil capacity was a suprise too.

acura_service

The tires seem to wear quickly on them,(not uneven, just smooth - but check for any abnormal tire wear early so it can be corrected) so rotate often, a rotation is included in every b service (2nd service) along with dust filters, and wiper blades, your first service should be somewhere between 10-14,000 miles, you can check it by pushing the up arrow twice to display remaining milage untill service is due, it can be done under warranty as long as remaining milage is 2,000 miles or less or it can also come up by time if you don't drive that much in a year

again congratulations, dessert silver is a nice color

oh and btw, i've seen crash test films on mb's, you bought yourself a very safe solid vehicle - enjoy

and don't forget to ask the service department about pickup, delivery and loaner cars