Problem Getting Deposit From Smythe Mercedes
 

I made a deposit of $500 in 97/98 with Smythe Mercedes, which is the San
Jose area on Steven's Creek Boulevard. (I had thought of getting an ML, but
decided against it later.)

I started calling them around 2001/2002 about getting back my deposit, but
got no action. The fellow I dealt with, Rich McLeod, has since left.

Recently, I decided I had to go in there. I went in there, filled out a page
of paper giving my current address, and a few days later I was told my check
was in the mail.

Went in there around July and spoke to a Trey (Friedman?) who I had spoke
with on the phone previously and had gotten a lot of encouragement but no
action. This time I made the mistake of telling him I planned to leave town
due to job issues.

A few weeks later I called and spoke with a Paul Aruba, who I believe is the
manager of sales. He had me speak with his assistant, who claimed that she
had sent a check to the old (work) address, that preceded the new address
info I had given them, but would send one to the correct address.

That was a couple of months ago. Still no check.

Any ideas what I should do next?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Gerard Gold

(408) 996-0338



P.O.B. 2584
Cupertino, CA 95015

Forget about the salesmen, they aren't paid to solve your problems.
They'll tell you anything.

Call the county's consumer assistance office.

Some years ago I bought a used Porsche 928 there. They took my money
quick enough but then couldn't deliver its title - for months. I finally
called the (then) owner, Mr. Smythe, and things were resolved a few
weeks later.

The dealership is now owned by one of the mega-dealer chains.

Forget about the salesmen, they aren't paid to solve your problems.
They'll tell you anything.

Call the county's consumer assistance office.

Some years ago I bought a used Porsche 928 there. They took my money
quick enough but then couldn't deliver its title - for months. I finally
called the (then) owner, Mr. Smythe, and things were resolved a few
weeks later.

The dealership is now owned by one of the mega-dealer chains.

Tell them they have 5 business days to get a check to you or you will
file a complaint with the DMV. Most DMV offices have an enforcement
division. It is usually hidden in the back or upstairs but anyone can
direct you there.
A number of years ago I made deposit with a Honda dealer with a set
date for delivery (the day after the next ship was arriving). Another
Honda dealer that I had visited called me to ask if I had made a
purchase yet. When I told him the details he said that the next ship was
not due until two days after I was supposed to get my car. When i
determined this was true and found a better and more immediate deal from
this dealer I called the first place to cancel the deal.
Promises and excuses followed. the sales rep who sold me my car made
the DMV suggestion. Two days after I filed the complaint a refund arrived.

Tell them they have 5 business days to get a check to you or you will
file a complaint with the DMV. Most DMV offices have an enforcement
division. It is usually hidden in the back or upstairs but anyone can
direct you there.
A number of years ago I made deposit with a Honda dealer with a set
date for delivery (the day after the next ship was arriving). Another
Honda dealer that I had visited called me to ask if I had made a
purchase yet. When I told him the details he said that the next ship was
not due until two days after I was supposed to get my car. When i
determined this was true and found a better and more immediate deal from
this dealer I called the first place to cancel the deal.
Promises and excuses followed. the sales rep who sold me my car made
the DMV suggestion. Two days after I filed the complaint a refund arrived.

It's easy to get a refund you are intitled to.
Go in and ask for the manager. Tell his the story, and then say I feel you
should assist me in getting my refund. When they say "We will get you a
check cut right away" say thenks and then find yourself a chair and sit in
the middle of the show room and say "Thanks, I will wait". You will surely
get your check very quickly. By the way if anyone ask why you are sitting
in the middle of the show room, tell them. That will speed up the process
for sure.

Paul McKechnie
84 500SEL

"Gerard Gold" > wrote in message
news:yjWdd.283980$MQ5.135340@attbi_s52...
> I made a deposit of $500 in 97/98 with Smythe Mercedes, which is the San
> Jose area on Steven's Creek Boulevard. (I had thought of getting an ML,
but
> decided against it later.)
>
> I started calling them around 2001/2002 about getting back my deposit, but
> got no action. The fellow I dealt with, Rich McLeod, has since left.
>
> Recently, I decided I had to go in there. I went in there, filled out a
page
> of paper giving my current address, and a few days later I was told my
check
> was in the mail.
>
> Went in there around July and spoke to a Trey (Friedman?) who I had spoke
> with on the phone previously and had gotten a lot of encouragement but no
> action. This time I made the mistake of telling him I planned to leave
town
> due to job issues.
>
> A few weeks later I called and spoke with a Paul Aruba, who I believe is
the
> manager of sales. He had me speak with his assistant, who claimed that she
> had sent a check to the old (work) address, that preceded the new address
> info I had given them, but would send one to the correct address.
>
> That was a couple of months ago. Still no check.
>
> Any ideas what I should do next?
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Gerard Gold
>
> (408) 996-0338
>
>
>
> P.O.B. 2584
> Cupertino, CA 95015
>
>

It's easy to get a refund you are intitled to.
Go in and ask for the manager. Tell his the story, and then say I feel you
should assist me in getting my refund. When they say "We will get you a
check cut right away" say thenks and then find yourself a chair and sit in
the middle of the show room and say "Thanks, I will wait". You will surely
get your check very quickly. By the way if anyone ask why you are sitting
in the middle of the show room, tell them. That will speed up the process
for sure.

Paul McKechnie
84 500SEL

"Gerard Gold" > wrote in message
news:yjWdd.283980$MQ5.135340@attbi_s52...
> I made a deposit of $500 in 97/98 with Smythe Mercedes, which is the San
> Jose area on Steven's Creek Boulevard. (I had thought of getting an ML,
but
> decided against it later.)
>
> I started calling them around 2001/2002 about getting back my deposit, but
> got no action. The fellow I dealt with, Rich McLeod, has since left.
>
> Recently, I decided I had to go in there. I went in there, filled out a
page
> of paper giving my current address, and a few days later I was told my
check
> was in the mail.
>
> Went in there around July and spoke to a Trey (Friedman?) who I had spoke
> with on the phone previously and had gotten a lot of encouragement but no
> action. This time I made the mistake of telling him I planned to leave
town
> due to job issues.
>
> A few weeks later I called and spoke with a Paul Aruba, who I believe is
the
> manager of sales. He had me speak with his assistant, who claimed that she
> had sent a check to the old (work) address, that preceded the new address
> info I had given them, but would send one to the correct address.
>
> That was a couple of months ago. Still no check.
>
> Any ideas what I should do next?
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Gerard Gold
>
> (408) 996-0338
>
>
>
> P.O.B. 2584
> Cupertino, CA 95015
>
>

Paul wrote:
> It's easy to get a refund you are intitled to.
> Go in and ask for the manager. Tell his the story, and then say I feel you
> should assist me in getting my refund. When they say "We will get you a
> check cut right away" say thenks and then find yourself a chair and sit in
> the middle of the show room and say "Thanks, I will wait". You will surely
> get your check very quickly. By the way if anyone ask why you are sitting
> in the middle of the show room, tell them. That will speed up the process
> for sure.

A friend did something similar while having trouble get a minor
problem fixed on a new car. He took the car to the service department,
told them them he would wait in the showroom and to page him when it was
ready. He got very prompt service.


--
To reply via e-mail please delete 1 c from paccbell

Paul wrote:
> It's easy to get a refund you are intitled to.
> Go in and ask for the manager. Tell his the story, and then say I feel you
> should assist me in getting my refund. When they say "We will get you a
> check cut right away" say thenks and then find yourself a chair and sit in
> the middle of the show room and say "Thanks, I will wait". You will surely
> get your check very quickly. By the way if anyone ask why you are sitting
> in the middle of the show room, tell them. That will speed up the process
> for sure.

A friend did something similar while having trouble get a minor
problem fixed on a new car. He took the car to the service department,
told them them he would wait in the showroom and to page him when it was
ready. He got very prompt service.


--
To reply via e-mail please delete 1 c from paccbell

Gerard Gold wrote:

> I made a deposit of $500 in 97/98 with Smythe Mercedes, which is the San
> Jose area on Steven's Creek Boulevard. (I had thought of getting an ML, but
> decided against it later.)
>
> I started calling them around 2001/2002 about getting back my deposit, but
> got no action. The fellow I dealt with, Rich McLeod, has since left.
>
> Recently, I decided I had to go in there. I went in there, filled out a page
> of paper giving my current address, and a few days later I was told my check
> was in the mail.
>
> Went in there around July and spoke to a Trey (Friedman?) who I had spoke
> with on the phone previously and had gotten a lot of encouragement but no
> action. This time I made the mistake of telling him I planned to leave town
> due to job issues.
>
> A few weeks later I called and spoke with a Paul Aruba, who I believe is the
> manager of sales. He had me speak with his assistant, who claimed that she
> had sent a check to the old (work) address, that preceded the new address
> info I had given them, but would send one to the correct address.
>
> That was a couple of months ago. Still no check.
>
> Any ideas what I should do next?

Get a clue. Anyone who leaves a deposit and then doesn't even try to
get it back for 3-4 years, needs to acquire some common sense. I'd
chalk it up to experience and move on.


Matt