u/Heavy-Condition-29

Disastrous experience at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Is this the new corporate standard?

I’ve owned and serviced Mercedes vehicles for years, which is why this experience was honestly shocking to me — especially from a luxury brand dealership where professionalism and customer trust are supposed to matter.

After servicing my vehicle at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido, I received a text from dealership staff offering to purchase my vehicle for $65,000. Before driving to the dealership, I specifically asked them to confirm the amount. They requested my VIN and mileage, reviewed everything, and then responded in writing:

“Sam we are going to give you 65k. when can you make it in?”

An appointment was then scheduled for me to come in that same day.

Based on that written confirmation, I rearranged my schedule and drove to the dealership expecting the transaction to proceed professionally. Instead, once I arrived, I was told the GM would not approve the offer and the dealership refused to honor the amount they had already confirmed in writing.

What bothered me most was not simply that the number changed — I understand valuations can move. What bothered me was the process and the complete disconnect between the written confirmation and what happened once I arrived.

If the offer was still pending approval, contingent, or unofficial, why explicitly confirm the amount after reviewing the VIN and mileage and then ask me to come in?

This is exactly the type of behavior people expect from stereotypical high-pressure dealerships — not from a Mercedes-Benz dealership representing a premium luxury brand.

I’ve already escalated the matter to Mercedes-Benz customer relations and dealership ownership because the experience felt completely inconsistent with the level of professionalism and transparency I would expect from the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Curious if others here have experienced similar situations with Mercedes dealerships recently, or if this was just an isolated case.