Dolores Russell

I am sharing this detailed experience in the hope that it may help others avoid similar issues when purchasing a vehicle remotely. In July 2025, we purchased a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz online fro may help others avoid similar issues when purchasing a vehicle remotely. In July 2025, we purchased a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz online from Mercedes-Benz of Massapequa (NY) without physically inspecting the vehicle. We relied on the “Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned” designation and assumed the required 165-point inspection had been properly performed. The vehicle was intended for our son, who attends college in Florida; we reside in Colorado. We arranged for the car to be shipped from New York to Florida and paid the dealership directly for Colorado taxes (approximately $2,000) as well as an additional $180 to a third-party service the dealership recommended and outsourced registration to. We were assured this company would handle all registration requirements, obtain Colorado plates, mail the plates to our son in Florida, and send the title to us in Colorado. The promised shipping date was delayed, we had not received any documentation or paperwork from the dealership and the New York temporary tags expired. The dealership’s only proposed solution was to “cover any tickets” our son might receive. After weeks and many attempts by me to get information, the dealership’s title clerk eventually contacted me and stated that “the third party and the DMV have everything they need”. I happened to be at the Colorado DMV attempting to resolve the expired temporary tag issue myself. DMV staff confirmed that no paperwork had ever been submitted on our behalf. The following day—only after my direct involvement—a package containing the title and bill of sale (we paid cash for the vehicle) unexpectedly arrived, enabling me to complete registration and plating in Colorado myself. All tasks we had paid the third-party service to perform were never carried out. I requested a refund of the $180 fee but received no response. Most significantly, purchasing the vehicle sight-unseen proved to be a serious mistake. Because the car did not ship on the original schedule, I was not present in Florida when it was delivered. Upon delivery, our son did notice visible cracks in the rear bumper but reasonably assumed—since this was a certified vehicle and we had already signed all paperwork—that the damage had been disclosed to us. The dealership’s photos had conveniently cropped just above the damaged area, and no mention of bumper damage appeared anywhere in the listing or certification report. When I visited Florida last week, I saw the cracks for the first time myself and realized they had never been disclosed to us. As a Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, body panels are required to be free of cracks and significant damage under the official 165-point inspection criteria. Additionally, the windshield was severely pitted with a large star-shaped impact that had begun to crack—the original OEM glass. I had the windshield replaced at my own expense before leaving Florida. I have contacted Mercedes-Benz USA for clarification on whether these conditions are permissible on a certified vehicle and am awaiting their response. While I would like to give Mercedes-Benz of Massapequa the opportunity to make this right, our experience with shipping delays, registration mishandling, lack of follow-up, and the undisclosed damage has left little confidence that they would responsibly respond appropriately. This purchase has been an unnecessarily stressful, time-consuming, and expensive ordeal. I strongly advise anyone considering a remote certified pre-owned purchase—especially across multiple states—to personally inspect the vehicle (or have a trusted third party do so), verify every detail of the certification process, and handle all registration and titling independently rather than rely on dealership-recommended services. More

Report | Print

The dealership / sales team are great to deal with. Extremely professional . Every one lived up to their commitments Extremely professional . Every one lived up to their commitments More

Report | Print

I had the food fortune of having Albert Salib as my sales consultant. Albert was not only knowledgeable about the product but also very kind, caring, patient, and sensitive to my needs. He made the entire pr consultant. Albert was not only knowledgeable about the product but also very kind, caring, patient, and sensitive to my needs. He made the entire process of leasing my first Mercedes smooth and enjoyable from test drive, through paperwork and taking my new car home. I can't say enough good things about Albert and Mercedes-Benz of Massapequa. Will definitely recommend to friends and family. More

Report | Print

I had a great experience at mercedes massapequa, Albert Salib is very nice honest person, he goes above and beyond and took his time getting me the car I was looking for,he is very respectful person and no Salib is very nice honest person, he goes above and beyond and took his time getting me the car I was looking for,he is very respectful person and not pushy at all, the whole process was so amazing and easy going, if you looking for a new mercedes don't hesitate to go to Albert, can't thank him enough for everything Thank you Albert! Highly recommend! More

Report | Print

I had the most amazing experience purchasing my first MB. I was so fortunate to have Albert to guide me through the entire process. He made the process effortless, no drama no fuss. He treated me like I w I was so fortunate to have Albert to guide me through the entire process. He made the process effortless, no drama no fuss. He treated me like I was family, like his little sister. He was so knowledgeable, honest, answered all of my questions. But most importantly, he was sooooo kind, funny, had a genuinely welcoming personality and a beautiful smile. He even called me the day after my purchase to follow up on how I was doing . Albert is one of a kind...a true gem. More

Report | Print

Professional services, for the sake of customers. The problems raised can be solved. Finally, I bought my favorite car smoothly The problems raised can be solved. Finally, I bought my favorite car smoothly More

Report | Print

This is 2nd car I have purchased through Amanda (3rd from dealerhsip). Again Amanda's service was amazing. The dealership continues to be top notch. I forget his name, but even the tech person who helps set dealerhsip). Again Amanda's service was amazing. The dealership continues to be top notch. I forget his name, but even the tech person who helps setup the car & teach you its features, was amazing. Unusual ffrom my experience form other dealships, the finance person was very helpful and patient. Overall 5 stars. More

Report | Print

I had the pleasure of working with Albert Salib. He was kind, trustworthy, and thoroughly explained the answers to my questions. He broke down the prices for each car for me so I could decide which He was kind, trustworthy, and thoroughly explained the answers to my questions. He broke down the prices for each car for me so I could decide which car was best for me. I didn’t feel like I compromised anything at all. Thanks again Albert for your kindness and hospitality ! More

Report | Print

Ness was great and very friendly through out the process. I would definitely refer friends and family members. I would definitely refer friends and family members. More

Report | Print

Amazing all around service from beginning to end, Albert Salib was the absolute best! He worked with me and my husband, listen to our wants and needs. We both had different SUVs in mind and Albert showed us Salib was the absolute best! He worked with me and my husband, listen to our wants and needs. We both had different SUVs in mind and Albert showed us a SUV that wasn’t on our radar and it was the PERFECT SUV. As soon as we saw it I knew it was the one. He worked out all the details and made our dream vehicle fit in our budget. Thanks Albert!!! More

Report | Print