MB of Gainsville parts ordering.

[samiam44]

I wanted to a do a quick writeup for Darvin Fletcher and the team @ MB Gainsville.


I've been using MB of Gainsville exclusively since they were suggested to us by Clark71? Darvin has really comethough today. I got a kit from him last week on a oil cooler seal replacement kit. Not sure if you know how much fun this is-but it's buried deep under well- everything. The wiper transmission/motor assembly even had to comeout, down pipe. Lots of fun.

While it's deep- it's fairly easy being new. Nothing was frozen and nobolts broke. But I did take apart a few more things than the dealer techs and lost a nut, damaged the down pipe clamp bolt, etc. So It was a quick call and we stepped through the pdf on what I needed. All got promptly mailed in Fedex to arrive today, so I can finish this beast over the weekend. Great service. I think he's the manager of the parts department so he got some years of experience. Very familar with our 036s.

Give them a try!

dfletcher@mbofgainesville.com

352-642-1872

I'd suggest an email + a phone call. Email is good if you need EPC data to help find your part.

 

[nocfn]

Darvin is great to work with over the phone. His former spvr and himself scrounged me parts from dealers in Germany that were nla in paragon. Saved my restore.

 

[Ntrepid]

Darvin is fantastic to work with and very conscientious to the needs of people like us who are caretakers of these mechanical beasts. I have spent many a time working with him over the phone and email. He has even responded to me on his off days (not setting an expectation but realize he takes pride in his job) and (unnecessarily) apologized for not getting back to me soon when he was on vacation.


Robert

 

[mikeym]

Wanted to chime in and share my great experience with Darvin.

Not only a real person to talk to if you want to know about order but same benefits as 25% and free shipping makes it a great place to order parts. And, in some cases he has given overnight shipping at no extra cost to make sure that I have part before the weekend to get my project done.

 

[Trae]

Been using Darvin for years with good results.

 

[LWB250]

I think a lot of the "old line" dealers have people like this who appreciate DIY'ers and respect our abilities and efforts to make things as easy for them as possible.

22 years ago I walked into Precision Motorcars, now Mercedes of Tampa, and told the counter guy that I bought several thousand dollars a year in Mercedes parts, and I would like to buy them from him. How could he help me?

That was the beginning of a wholesale account and a 21 year friendship with a guy named Steve DeGennaro, now retired. Right behind him was Barbara, who handles the retail counter these days, and Mike, who is on the wholesale counter in the back of the house. These people have always gone above and beyond for me, no matter how trivial the need. Steve said I challenged him with my searches for little rubber bits and things like that. Their collective knowledge and the willingness to dig into the dark corners of Paragon, or even call Germany when things were really sketchy, can't be beat. I can call with a part number and the last eight of a VIN and they'll verify the part even if I don't ask. I can text them orders and not even have to call. They'll fax me diagrams when there's a question. They'll VOR (overnight) parts for me when I'm in a pinch.

I can't say enough good things about them. They're true professionals at what they do, and they take great pride in their work, as they should. I go out of my way to send hand written letters of recognition about them to their management, both local and corporate, on an annual basis.

Does buying from the dealer cost me more? Sure, even with a wholesale account there are plenty of times I could get an OEM part for less. I figure the difference is the surcharge I pay for the level of service I get.

Be sure to give these folks an "atta boy!" as often as possible. Take a few minutes and drop their management an email about what a great job they do. We're privileged to be able to enjoy the services of these fine folks.

Dan

 

[mikeym]

To add to what Dan said, I was looking for a plastic part that attaches to the engine bay to hold the main harness for my E320. Naperville cancelled the order and told me that it was NLA.
Local dealer told me that 6 other dealers in the country had the last stock but they won't do a transfer. Called each one of them but they won't ship out of city unless you have a wholesale account with them. The list on the part is about $7 and Phoenix dealer wanted $13.

Darvin not only got the part the transferred from the Phoenix dealer but also shipped to me. Net cost to me. 25% off list for $5.xx.

To me that's service and earning my business. Not like cranky people at Naperville who get angry if you call to check the status on your order and it is not Renee answering the phone.

 

[DerFuror]

Wish I was so fortunate. In addition to the demise of EPC, I've been unsuccessfully able to contact/get a response to my inquiries from either Gainesville or Naperville at all this month via website, email or phone. Need confirmation of VIN-specific parts. Can't get it. Unable to order.

This is a first. Don't like it.

Pissed.

 

[gsxr]

Derf, if you use a real computer at home (Windows or Mac, but not a tablet) you can install a full EPC (and WIS, if desired) and do all your own part lookups, VIN-based. It does require that you lean how to use the EPC and read footnotes to confirm fitment though. I just bought a 2018 version EPC+WIS from a seller in the UK to upgrade my 2012 version, which was working fine for all things 124/210 related, but figured I'd better upgrade while MB is migrating to XPISS (details here).

 

[gerryvz]

Is the EPC down for those who have subscriptions? Mine ran out about 3 weeks ago and I’ve not renewed it in anticipation of the new one.

As of three weeks ago, you were still able to renew the old one per the same process.

 

[nocfn]

Im good, I keep trying to renew, and when I cannot I send a message via email and they extend my subscription by thirty 30days. I have been doing this since 8/1/2018.

 

[DerFuror]

...while MB is migrating to XPISS.

"XPISS"...that's awesome. I'd like to be xpissed with my parts info & parts in hand.

I have an older EPC +WIS version on disc somewhere. I didn't re-up my online subscription after the $75 upcharge was implemented. Didn't think I'd need it if I had several Parts Dept contacts to verify the part numbers for me. Guess I'll dig it up or procure a newer version.

 

[DerFuror]

I'm officially "xpissed" now. Got thru via phone. Darvin is always great to deal with. Critical brake parts ordered & should arrive in a few days. Looking forward to re-doing all four corners.

 

[Trae]

Update! The parts manager at Gainsville Mercedes has discontinued our "chat board" discount.

We now pay normal rates, minus a 10% discount, plus shipping.

Darvin has been very good to us over the years, but their parts manager has put an end to our discount.

 

[nocfn]

Most unfortunate.

 

[sheward]

I have a good size order to place. Thank you for letting us know.

drew

 

[Trae]

There has been a lot of Naperville MB ordering over the years. Does anyone know their current status?

 

[gsxr]

There has been a lot of Naperville MB ordering over the years. Does anyone know their current status?

All I know is the code 500EPROMO gives 50% off ship costs. Edit: Not sure if there's a minimum purchase required.

But I don't know if they are back to normal business, not cancelling orders, no extended processing times, etc like there was in spring/summer 2020 due to COVID. I've been buying from my local dealer, or occasionally from one of the other RevParts vendors.

 

[Ricardo]

Last order from naperville (within the last week) I tried the promo code 500EPROMO and it didn't seem to work.. shipping was only $10 so I didnt fuss...

 

[gsxr]

Last order from naperville (within the last week) I tried the promo code 500EPROMO and it didn't seem to work.. shipping was only $10 so I didnt fuss...

It still works, but maybe there's a minimum purchase required now?

 

[Ricardo]

It still works, but maybe there's a minimum purchase required now?

View attachment 129967

 

[Ricardo]

Hmmm thanks for the ss will have to make sure I’m not typing with the fat fingers

 

[mikeym]

Is Naperville still offering 25% of list price?

 

[gsxr]

Is Naperville still offering 25% of list price?

Yup. Not the best pricing out there, but free or reduced shipping often made up for it. If there is a RevParts dealer closer to where you live, you might find a better deal. Try MB Beaverton in Portland area, they're probably the closest to WA.

 

[mikeym]

Yup. Not the best pricing out there, but free or reduced shipping often made up for it. If there is a RevParts dealer closer to where you live, you might find a better deal. Try MB Beaverton in Portland area, they're probably the closest to WA.

I thought 25%-28% off the list was the best price available. That’s what I had seen on many online sites that look like Naperville’s site.

How low have you seen or do some dealers give “cost+“?

 

[gsxr]

I thought 25%-28% off the list was the best price available. That’s what I had seen on many online sites that look like Naperville’s site.

How low have you seen or do some dealers give “cost+“?

MOST of the dealers use a cost-plus matrix, with higher discount on more expensive items. Dealer cost can vary depending on the part, but some items can be 30-40% off MSRP.

Only a few, like Naperville, give a fixed discount off MSRP regardless of dealer cost.