Mercedes-Benz of St. Charles

I had been shopping for a slightly used car for about 2 months and I had searched high and low. I considered MANY makes, test drove several of them, and I had my eye on a 2013 GLK for sometime. I test drov months and I had searched high and low. I considered MANY makes, test drove several of them, and I had my eye on a 2013 GLK for sometime. I test drove one and had a less than desirable experience at a much closer Mercedes Benz dealership (in Chicago, where I live). So it was with some hesitancy that I phoned MB of St. Charles to inquire about a GLK they had advertised on their website. Carol Bucaro answered my call and she had the perfect mix of niceness and professionalism...and she actually LISTENED to me. After being played by many auto salespersons in the past 2 months (especially the MB folks in Chicago), her genuine professional demeanor was refreshing to say the least. Perhaps more importantly, she followed through with an email that outlined the package of the car I was interested in, and within a day, I got a detailed record of all estimated costs (including my expected trade-in value, money down, monthly payments at 60 months as I requested) that we had discussed over the phone. Wow, something in writing...and to my liking. Carol understood that my coming into St. Charles was a good 45 miles for me, and that she didn't want to waste my time. I had heard things like this from other salespersons recently, but I decided to take a chance and pay her a visit. I'm certainly glad I did. My visit was quite surreal in several ways. First, I got to take a look at the 2-13 GLK while my vehicle was inspected for its trade-in value. The 2013 GLK I looked at looked really good to me, and I have to admit I had visions of seeing key scratches, finding out there was some accident, that the Premium Package was missing several essential qualities, etc. (or some other problem) on the way to the dealership. Why? Because I had some false promises by other salespersons; especially the folks at my local MB dealership in Chicago. I was a bit leery going to St. Charles because of the "Premium Package" that was advertised; and that such packages are advertised on the internet at other dealerships even though one finds out that they are NOT complete packages. However, the GLK I was purchasing was LOADED; it had everything as advertised (and a couple extra bells/whistles) and the only thing missing was a sunroof (which I knew going in). Second, I quickly found out my car was worth what I was told over the phone; no problems there. Third, I was asked if I wanted to proceed with the purchase, and off we went. They were making changes right there and then; no games. Fourth, the actual quote of my monthly payments was a few dollars LESS than the estimates I received via email. I met with Gene Woods to discuss financing, and quickly discovered I qualified for 1.74% financing (a quarter point better than my lender's rate). Gene was very informative and made some good recommendations regarding service options and extended warrantees that made sense to me. It didn't hurt to learn that he rescues dog in his spare time (I'm a big dog lover, and we quickly exchanged some pics of our "boys"). I might add that I had considered getting an after market remote start installed, something that costs about $1400 (through the iPhone). However, Gene informed me that I may NOT want to get this option because it typically causes problems with the electronic system. Imagine that; dissuading a customer from spending money out of concern for the customer's best interest. Most others would tack on as much as they could in order to get a few dollars more on the purchase/finance. By the way, I just remembered that the MB sales manager in Chicago told me that my taxes would be approx. $4400 on a 2013 GLK that was listed for about 40K. However, Gene pointed out to me that my taxes (I live in Chicago; they're high!) are not based on the listed price, but on what I owe after down-payment and trade-in...which was CONSIDERABLY less than what the Fletcher Jones folks told me! Professionalism (not the pretentious fluff), honesty, prompt and legitimate service, graciousness, and a down-to-earth personal touch sums up my two hours at this dealership. I won't hesitate to contact Carol and Gene in the future. I hope they'll be around in the next 4-5 years when I consider upgrading to a newer model. Lastly, let me say a few things about me. I'm an academic and I engage in scholarly research and teaching. I tend to take a critical view on things. I've owned VWs for over a decade, and my local VW dealership lost my business because to put it succinctly, they were not straight-forward with me recently and I was displeased with VW's customer service. I've never been into status symbols, and frankly, I kind of thought Mercedes Benz was just that...until I did some research and discovered the 2013 GLK (used/low miles) with the options I got was the perfect car for my needs. After driving it for a couple weeks, I couldn't be happier. Like all my friends who own MBs have told me, it is a "solid" ride, and I think it's the smartest car I've ever driven. It's definitely worth paying a little more. In closing, Mercedes Benz of St. Charles won me over, and I look forward to doing business with them in the future. If you live in the city, it would be well worth the trip. More

A wonderful purchasing experience. Andrew was professional, knowledgeable, and fun. He took all the time I needed to teach me the features. I highly recommend Mercedes Benz of STC and specificall professional, knowledgeable, and fun. He took all the time I needed to teach me the features. I highly recommend Mercedes Benz of STC and specifically Andrew. More

Fast, Friendly, & accepting of my child while we wanted! They paid attention to my questions and tried to handle all by request. We will be back for future service needs! wanted! They paid attention to my questions and tried to handle all by request. We will be back for future service needs! More

Good people, best dealer I've been to, would do it again. I would recommend this dealership to anyone looking for a MB, price not bad either. again. I would recommend this dealership to anyone looking for a MB, price not bad either. More

I Had to have the next warranty service done. I went in, waited while I had the work done, and left. Nothing else to report. waited while I had the work done, and left. Nothing else to report. More

the service as always, was great. I was in and out. I was able to get a loaner car so it did not affect my day at all. able to get a loaner car so it did not affect my day at all. More

Having just taken delivery on my new Mercedes E350 Cabrolet and thinking about what a wonderful experience I had dealing with Craig Falkenthal, Mark Saltzman, and Gene Woods. I just had to write a qui Cabrolet and thinking about what a wonderful experience I had dealing with Craig Falkenthal, Mark Saltzman, and Gene Woods. I just had to write a quick note to say thank you to everyone involved From start to finish the entire new car process was completely smooth and seamless. The new facility is state of the art and the service and warm comfortable atmosphere makes the new car buying process a big WOW !!! I was shown several different models and given the opportunity to drive several different cars to test the various feathers that I was looking for. Presto, the E350 cabrolet was eveything that I was looking for. Once the selection was made,, I was given a great , fair deal. Everything was handeled in a smooth and professional manner..I drove out of that dealership with the top down and a big smile on my face. :-)) What a great experience. Thank you to everyone involved. You certainly will get my future business. My best regards. Dr Ted Gehrig More

As always - five star service. Work performed and timeliness of work always sets a bar other dealers can't meet. Car is always returned clean and folks always make sure they have taken care of all timeliness of work always sets a bar other dealers can't meet. Car is always returned clean and folks always make sure they have taken care of all items to my satisfaction. Great job - once again ! More

Great service. My husband and I truly enjoyed the experience of getting a new car. Carol, Craig, Gene and everyone at the dealership was super helpful and very professional. Overall, it was a very p experience of getting a new car. Carol, Craig, Gene and everyone at the dealership was super helpful and very professional. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. We will continue to bring our car to that location for servicing and we will recommend the place to our family and friends. Thank you Mercedes of St. Charles! More

My vehicle was recently purchached as Used and is still under warantee. I called and scheduled an appt to come in so the vehicle could be looked at., etc. Erv ensured my vehicle was examined bumper to bum under warantee. I called and scheduled an appt to come in so the vehicle could be looked at., etc. Erv ensured my vehicle was examined bumper to bumber and patiently addressed my questions, concerns etc. Very nice guy! More