Jonathan Martinez

Ripping off the eldery - DONT GO HERE I recently visited a Mercedes-Benz dealership to get help diagnosing an issue with my car key. I explained the problem and was told I needed a new key, which th visited a Mercedes-Benz dealership to get help diagnosing an issue with my car key. I explained the problem and was told I needed a new key, which they offered to order for me. At no point was it made clear that the key would cost approximately $400. I only realized this after I had paid, and I immediately requested a refund — but was told it was not possible because the key was “specific to my car.” The key was eventually delivered while I was out of the country for several months. When I returned and tried it, I discovered the original issue remained unresolved. On top of that, my car battery had died, and AAA had to replace it. I returned to the dealership to ask for help again, and was told I should have gone to the “service department” instead of “parts.” They refused to assist unless I paid an additional $289 fee to have the issue assessed. Each time I’ve tried to explain the situation, the dealership simply points to the paperwork I signed as their reason for denying a refund. However, I was not properly informed of the cost or what I was agreeing to at the time of purchase. As an older customer unfamiliar with dealership processes, I reasonably believed I was in the correct place and that staff would guide me appropriately. Instead, I was sold a $400 key that did not fix the issue and now face additional charges just to have the problem evaluated. I feel I have been misled, overcharged, and taken advantage of. I am requesting either a full refund for the key or that the dealership fix my key issue at no additional cost. I believe this resolution is fair, given the poor communication, unclear cost disclosure, and lack of support provided. UPDATE TO POST 2/27/26 I have already filed a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs – Bureau of Automotive Repair to help resolve this issue, as my elderly mother is on a fixed income and needs a reliable car to transport herself and her veteran husband to medical appointments. An investigator from that agency visited the dealership on our behalf and was told the dealership would not issue a refund, offer any discount, or make it right unless she paid an additional service fee. This is beyond upsetting. In further research, I’ve found that this dealership has multiple complaints and appears far more focused on its bottom line than on its customers. DO NOT GO HERE. More

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Ripping off the eldery - DONT GO HERE I recently visited a Mercedes-Benz dealership to get help diagnosing an issue with my car key. I explained the problem and was told I needed a new key, which th visited a Mercedes-Benz dealership to get help diagnosing an issue with my car key. I explained the problem and was told I needed a new key, which they offered to order for me. At no point was it made clear that the key would cost approximately $400. I only realized this after I had paid, and I immediately requested a refund — but was told it was not possible because the key was “specific to my car.” The key was eventually delivered while I was out of the country for several months. When I returned and tried it, I discovered the original issue remained unresolved. On top of that, my car battery had died, and AAA had to replace it. I returned to the dealership to ask for help again, and was told I should have gone to the “service department” instead of “parts.” They refused to assist unless I paid an additional $289 fee to have the issue assessed. Each time I’ve tried to explain the situation, the dealership simply points to the paperwork I signed as their reason for denying a refund. However, I was not properly informed of the cost or what I was agreeing to at the time of purchase. As an older customer unfamiliar with dealership processes, I reasonably believed I was in the correct place and that staff would guide me appropriately. Instead, I was sold a $400 key that did not fix the issue and now face additional charges just to have the problem evaluated. I feel I have been misled, overcharged, and taken advantage of. I am requesting either a full refund for the key or that the dealership fix my key issue at no additional cost. I believe this resolution is fair, given the poor communication, unclear cost disclosure, and lack of support provided. UPDATE 2/27/26: I saw the dealership’s response to my original post, and it’s clear they’re just trying to save face — their statement is simply not accurate. The truth is, they declined to assist in any way unless I paid them additional money. I’ve already filed a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs – Bureau of Automotive Repair, and an investigator confirmed that the dealership refused to offer a refund, discount, or resolution unless more fees were paid. This experience has been extremely upsetting, especially since the car was purchased for my elderly mother, who is on a fixed income and relies on it to transport herself and her veteran husband to medical appointments. After learning this business already has multiple complaints, I want to make others aware — this dealership does not stand behind its customers or its word. More

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Ripping off the eldery - DONT GO HERE I recently visited a Mercedes-Benz dealership to get help diagnosing an issue with my car key. I explained the problem and was told I needed a new key, which th visited a Mercedes-Benz dealership to get help diagnosing an issue with my car key. I explained the problem and was told I needed a new key, which they offered to order for me. At no point was it made clear that the key would cost approximately $400. I only realized this after I had paid, and I immediately requested a refund — but was told it was not possible because the key was “specific to my car.” The key was eventually delivered while I was out of the country for several months. When I returned and tried it, I discovered the original issue remained unresolved. On top of that, my car battery had died, and AAA had to replace it. I returned to the dealership to ask for help again, and was told I should have gone to the “service department” instead of “parts.” They refused to assist unless I paid an additional $289 fee to have the issue assessed. Each time I’ve tried to explain the situation, the dealership simply points to the paperwork I signed as their reason for denying a refund. However, I was not properly informed of the cost or what I was agreeing to at the time of purchase. As an older customer unfamiliar with dealership processes, I reasonably believed I was in the correct place and that staff would guide me appropriately. Instead, I was sold a $400 key that did not fix the issue and now face additional charges just to have the problem evaluated. I feel I have been misled, overcharged, and taken advantage of. I am requesting either a full refund for the key or that the dealership fix my key issue at no additional cost. I believe this resolution is fair, given the poor communication, unclear cost disclosure, and lack of support provided. UPDATE TO POST 2/27/26 I have already filed a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs – Bureau of Automotive Repair to help resolve this issue, as my elderly mother is on a fixed income and needs a reliable car to transport herself and her veteran husband to medical appointments. An investigator from that agency visited the dealership on our behalf and was told the dealership would not issue a refund, offer any discount, or make it right unless she paid an additional service fee. This is beyond upsetting. In further research, I’ve found that this dealership has multiple complaints and appears far more focused on its bottom line than on its customers. DO NOT GO HERE. More

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