Howdy, all - from a longtime reader and sometimes poster.

If you all will entertain me, I need to post a gripe about an unpleasant
Mercedes Dealership experience here in the Detroit Area.

I've got a '74 240D (yes, with an auto trans and LOTS of patience).  Over
the past few months, I've sucessfully ordered pieces/parts from my local MB
Dealership, Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Yesterday, when I went in to place an order for replacement wiper blades for
my fine brown taxi, I was greeted with a new face (and a new attitude) at
the MB Parts Counter.  When I produced the original Cardex for my vehicle
(to meet the VIN request of the young man behind the parts counter - the VIN
request was something new to me) he asked if my car was European.  Being in
somewhat of a mood, I retored "no, it was built in Chicago".  The look on
his face was priceless.  I then continued on, pointing at the German
Language Writing on my vehicle's Cardex and answered honestly this time,
"yes, it's German".  He then stated that I had to go through MB Classic to
order my wiper blades, and that they (at the Dealership) could not order
them for me due to the fact of the age of my vehicle.  When I stated that
just the week before, I'd ordered and picked up a replacement headlamp
retaining ring for my old Benz, the Gentleman's reply was "whomever you
dealt with took a chance, and we're not supposed to order parts without
using the VIN - and we can't use your VIN becuase it's European".  Having
been in contact with MB Classic before, I stated that MB Classic simply
provides current part numbers, and that they (MB Classic) do not take parts
orders themselves.  What was really the kicker was the fact that the parts
counter clerk that helped me the week before was standing in the background
(along with two other parts folks by now) watching the whole scene, saying
nothing and definately avoiding eye contact with me at all costs.  My order
was completely refused by my local Dealership, and I returned home in
disgust (of course stopping at Starbucks on the way for some caffiene
reinforcements).

Upon returning home I immediately called MB Classic and explained my
situation.  The rep on the phone asked if he could ask where I was from.  I
replied "Detroit".  His response was "oh, let me guess - Mercedes-Benz of
Bloomfield Hills, right?".  He went on to say that he alone takes usually
five complaints a month from disgruntled older MB owners such as myself
regarding MB of Bloomfield Hills.  He then gave me a name and number of a
supplier in Anahiem, CA that he gauranteed could help me order my simple
little wiper blades.  He was right; the cat in CA was more than gracious,
offering me $10.00 below the cost that I would have been charged locally for
the wiper blades, and threw in 2-day air shipping as well!  He was laughing
on the phone with me, saying how ironic it is that "someone from Detroit -
the Motor City is forced to call a dealership on the other side of the
country just to order parts for his old MB".  He also stated that he himself
has spoken to many disgruntled customers of the local Dealership here.

How sad it is that a Company that offers 24/7 roadside assistance to ANY
owners of their vehicles of any year or condition treats their customers in
this fashion. . .  To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement.

<sigh>

Thanks for your patience,

- Bill
'74 MB 240D
'66 Porsche 912