Complaint Review: Walter's Auto Sales & Service [Mercedes] - Riverside California
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- Author Not Confirmed
- Walter's Auto Sales & Service [Mercedes] 3213 Adams St. Riverside, California U.S.A.
- Phone: 909-688-3332
- Web:
- Category: Auto Repair Service
Walter's Mercedes Walter's Auto Sales & Service [Mercedes] ripoff Riverside California
*Consumer Suggestion: A/C systems never only need freon
*Consumer Comment: I love people with no clue commenting on auto repairs
*Consumer Comment: Don't be too quick to judge!!!!!
*Consumer Suggestion: Linda, at first I thought this would be one of the few rip off reports where I could take the side of the shop, UNTIL I READ YOUR UPDATE
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To Whom It May Concern:
This is a two-part commentary. The first part of this letter explains what occurred in August 2003 and the bottom part of this letter contains the update.
On August 8, 2003 I left my Mercedes 1984 190 E at Walter's Mercedes at 3213 Adams St., in Riverside, CA for the purpose of having the air conditioning system filled with Freon. When I picked it up the next day, the system was still not blowing cool air so I returned it for additional investigation. I was informed that the necessary repairs would run some $1,800. Declining the repairs, I picked up the vehicle on August 12, 2003.
A few miles after I left Walter's Mercedes, I found tucked under the radio console, two straws, and a receipt for 2 egg McMuffins and 2 cartons of milk from the McDonald's near the repair shop on Indiana Ave. Furious that someone from Walter's had taken my vehicle for a joyride, I returned to the dealership to have a little conversation with the manager.
The manager had the audacity to call the mechanic into the office in order to face his accuser. Completely flabbergasted by the manager's action, I did not have the internal fortitude to question one, why was MY car used for the detour to McDonald's and; two, in what manner was it driven (i.e. gunning, popping wheelies, racing)? Nor, I was I able to render the tongue-lashing that the manager should have given the mechanic. The mechanic did admit to a breach in professionalism and apologized for his actions, but as I told the manager, this is a matter that should have been between supervisor and subordinate.
The manager seemed to think that a mere apology should suffice for all my inconvenience and trauma. It took a good bit of cajoling on my part to secure a paltry $75 in service credit.
On August 14,2003, I sent off a letter to the owners of Walter's Mercedes describing what had transpired, but they never did reply.
Update 2004
Not wanting to invest $1,800 in repairs as recommended by Walter's Mercedes, I mothballed my 190 E for a few months. At the end of January 2004, I took it to M& B Mercedes Shop (909-943-3541)in Perris, CA. For $300 M & B conducted a FULL inspection of the air conditioning system and the compressor, and found nothing wrong other than the fact that my car needed Freon.
So it appears that when I left my 190 E at the Walter's Mercedes dealership in August 2003 for the purpose of having it filled with Freon, the mechanic was so consumed with the joy ride to McDonald's that he forgot to attend to the Freon. I paid some $277.00 to Walter's Mercedes for absolutely nothing.
Linda
Lake Arrowhead, Florida
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/07/2004 07:02 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/walters-auto-sales-service-mercedes/riverside-california/walters-mercedes-walters-auto-sales-service-mercedes-ripoff-riverside-california-83091. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#4 Consumer Suggestion
A/C systems never only need freon
AUTHOR: HP - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I hear this all the time, "I just needed freon" which is false.
A/C systems are a closed system that are only low when there is a leak. In most cases there is never just one leak and most A/C systems, especially with a Mercedes, can be very costly.
$1800 to fix the A/C on a Benz sounds more than reasonable depending on where the leak is.
The second shop did you a dis-service by saying it "only needed freon". In fact, per EPA guidelines, shops are not supposed to add freon to a leaky system. It can be very time consuming to locate leaks even before any repairs can begin.
I wish more people would educate themselves before pointing fingers at service shops.
I have no connection to this shop, in fact I found this complaint while searching for feedback while considering the use of their services.
#3 Consumer Comment
I love people with no clue commenting on auto repairs
AUTHOR: Robert - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, December 04, 2005
"But when you wrote that in the end ALL YOUR CAR NEEDED WAS FREON, YOU JUST SHINED THE LIGHT ON THIS DIME A DOZEN RIP OFF SHOP!!!
If these morons didnt even add freon, (which is the first step in checking out an ac system)"
Great. I'll try that next time. A car comes in with no cold air. I'll just force as much freon into the system as I can. The compressor still hasn't come on? Put more in it. HOLY MOLY! Stop. You're killing me with your brilliance.
Adding freon is one of the last steps. How much do you add if you don't know how much is in it already? How do you know freon is the issue, and not an electrical problem? You don't. Any number of issues could be causing the sytem to not work properly.
If it does need freon, why? It leaked out, that's why. Fix the leak or drive without A/C, your choice. My air blows cold. Adding freon to a system that leaks is meaningless, and in the case of cars that use R-12, illegal. I am sure you'll find some screwball who'll do anything for a buck to add a can to it. Cans aren't professional, and neither is patching a problem instead of fixing it.
BTW, a 190E rides like a buckboard, and has less interior room than an Escort. It's the Benz version of the Cadillac Simmaron. That was the Caddy that was really a Cavalier. Joyride? The only joy comes from getting out of the car and knowing someone will pick it up soon.
#2 Consumer Comment
Don't be too quick to judge!!!!!
AUTHOR: John - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, December 03, 2005
As the owner and head mechanic of an independent Mercedes shop, I think these individuals are being unfair and biased.
You probably have a freon leak! You declined to fix the leak. When you "moth balled" the car, the freon probably leaked out again.You people are so quick to point the finger at shops and so slow to take responsibility for the condition of your vehicle. Once it leaks out again you will relize the freon didn't fix your car.
It is necessary to road test cars to verify repairs. It's not enough that cold air comes out the vents with the car stationary, the car must be driven to make sure the aux fans are working etc. If the pressure gets to high, or the charge is not right, the compressor may cut off or self destruct. People who are not educated about how these systems work should not comment.
I can also testify on behalf of almost every Mercedes tech out there when I say that a 1984 190 E is not a car we would consider joyriding in. You owe that tech a debt of grattitude, he allowed himself to be seen in your car in the McDonalds drive through. I would be too embarassed to stop. You have a 21 year old money pit. Fix it or sell it!
#1 Consumer Suggestion
Linda, at first I thought this would be one of the few rip off reports where I could take the side of the shop, UNTIL I READ YOUR UPDATE
AUTHOR: Bradley - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, March 07, 2004
Linda I almost would have told you to show a little mercy until I read your update, then you PROVED THEM BEYOND ANY DOUBT TO BE JUST ANOTHER RIP OFF SHOP!!!
I know it made you mad, as it would anybody, to find out the "mechanics" were not only driving your car, but eating in it as well!
But I could have at first given them the benefit of the doubt that they were "road testing" the car to make sure the ac was putting out correctly. But they should have not done this without your permission, and this was not absolutely necessary as the ac will still blow cold air (in time) sitting still.
But when you wrote that in the end ALL YOUR CAR NEEDED WAS FREON, YOU JUST SHINED THE LIGHT ON THIS DIME A DOZEN RIP OFF SHOP!!!
If these morons didnt even add freon, (which is the first step in checking out an ac system) then THEY HAD NO REASON TO BE OUT ON THE ROAD, AND YES THEY WERE JOYRIDING IN YOUR BENZ.
Nice of them to offer you a 75 dollar credit, when they were planning to RIP YOU OFF $1800.
Plus they already ripped you when you had them "put the freon in" the first time.
Its a shame that someone would even think of charging $1800 for something that you used to be able to do at home with a couple cans of freon.
In the future you might want to "convert" your car to the new "friendly" freon. I think you can still buy this stuff and do it yourself or get a male friend to do it for you.
Regardless I would still turn these jokes in to the local BBB for what its worth.
Thanks for the story.
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