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July 24, 2002 (Wednesday)
"THE OFFER" |
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12:30 - While I was at a supplier,
the mobile rang - it was yet another person, who called me: Mr.
Wayne Desrosiers, General Sales Manager at Lone Star Inc. (Calgary). |
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He offered me to lease
a "new" 2002 model - with no down-payment at a monthly rate of
$820.00 (including GST). He
explained in detail, that this amount was calculated on a non-profit
sale and non-profit lease arrangement. |
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Personally, I think this is an
insult: I am loosing all my equity in the old vehicle, and
Mercedes-Benz and Lone Star Inc. (Calgary) expect me to pay now
$200.00/month more on a 3-year lease than what I paid over the last 3
years? I am loosing the extended warranty and in a little more than
one months it is an old car because in September the 2003 models are
out. |
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This suppose to be a non-profit
deal. Let's calculate that: |
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| The currently
leased vehicle has a buy-out value of about $36,000.00. I did
not see any 1999 ML320 Elegance on Mercedes-Benz dealers under
$42,000.00 - a net profit of $6,000.00. Plus the extended
warranty, for which I paid $2,500.00 + GST, plus some extras
my car had: Privacy Glass, Bose Sound System - adding another
$1,500.00... We are talking non-profit? |
| The new car
lists @ $55,600.00 with a Buy-Out value of let's say
$36,000.00. Finance/Lease charges apply for $20,000.00 plus
the depreciation. Mr. Desrosiers wants to sell me that @ 820.00/month X 36 months =
$30,000.00. This is based on suggested retail price - The
interest rate is about 6% - far above that what the automotive
industry advertises - and this
supposed to be a non-profit deal? |
|
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Anyway - finally I was being
asked, what I am willing to pay, I mentioned briefly my expenses, I
had (outlined in
Dollars and Cents) and why I got
into this car (outlined in
Why a SUV). The car was practically for over 2 months on their
lot for repairs, why I can call this car legally a "LEMON"
for 2 different instances. My offer was $300.00/month with a buy-out
of $30,000.00 and a 18,000km/year limit, and I believe this offer is
more than fair. |
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After talking with Mr. Smith, I
was under the impression, that we are going into the right direction
- this is not getting us anywhere, and I will re-evaluate my options
under the topic "DISCUSSION BOARD". |
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|
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I don't want to be called
negligent, or or blamed for not contacting the right people; so I sent another
email to Mr. Kennedy in Mississauga, informing him about the process
of my case: |
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Dear Mr. Kennedy,
unfortunately I am
getting the impression, that Mercedes-Benz is not interested in
solving my problem:
The sales manager of
Lone Star Inc. (Calgary) called me today on my cell-phone, to make
me an offer for a lease: It is $200.00/month higher, than what I
paid for the last 3 years. I hope, you will understand, that I see
this as an insult.
Since I did not hear
anything from you, I have somehow the impression, that
Mercedes-Benz is not really interested in solving my problem. But
to keep you updated: My car is still in repair. The last I heard -
the A/C compressor had to be exchanged again - in less than 5
weeks the second time.
After Mr. Arnold
Smith (Lone Star Inc. (Calgary )) called me, provided me with a
courtesy car and invited me for a meeting, to see himself if my
complaints are substantiated, I got the impression, that we are
going somewhere; but the phone call today destroyed all my hopes.
I hope you are
not upset, that I posted my opinion on the web site
http://ml320.ca.
I am confident, that I put just the facts on these pages plus some
explanations. I do not think that I was flaming or rude in any
way. Is it too much to ask to get some respect, response and an
acceptable offer in return?
Your point of view
would be highly appreciated.
Regards
Bernd Boesemeyer
B&B Computing Inc.
|
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My car is
done! - after 5 weeks |
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