Mercedes-Benz of Fresno

:: $600 “Programming” Charge? Charged More Than Double for a Key (No KEYLESS-GO) — $989 → $1,281 While Other Dealers Charge ~$500 :: My experience with Mercedes-Benz of Fresno Charged More Than Double for a Key (No KEYLESS-GO) — $989 → $1,281 While Other Dealers Charge ~$500 :: My experience with Mercedes-Benz of Fresno for a replacement key raises serious concerns about pricing practices. My vehicle was towed to this dealership through Mercedes-Benz 24/7 roadside assistance (provided by Mercedes-Benz USA, not the dealership) because it was the nearest authorized location. Since I did not have a spare key, I was effectively dependent on this dealership, which significantly limited my ability to compare options or seek alternatives. I was initially told the cost would be about $750 for the key and $239 for programming (roughly $989 total). After that, I was told the price could be as high as $1,731. The final bill came to $1,281.63, including $600 labeled as “programming.” Presenting a higher number first made the final price appear discounted, even though the original estimate was significantly lower. To verify whether this charge was reasonable, I contacted other authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships. I received quotes of approximately $527 and $592 total for the exact same VIN-specific key, including initialization. This means I was charged more than double what other authorized dealerships charge for the same key and service. -------- What “Programming” Actually Means in This Case It is important to understand how dealership-issued FBS3 keys are provisioned. For vehicles like the W221, replacement keys ordered through Mercedes-Benz are VIN-specific and pre-programmed at a central facility before shipment. The immobilizer data and pairing information are written before the key arrives at the dealership. The dealership does not generate this data locally or perform board-level programming. The standard process consists of verifying ownership, ordering the VIN-assigned key, receiving the pre-coded key, inserting it into the EIS for initialization/synchronization, and confirming operation. In practical terms, this is initialization of a pre-programmed key—not programming in the engineering sense. No EIS removal or key generation occurs at the dealership. Given this, substantial “programming” labor charges raise reasonable questions about what portion reflects actual technical work versus administrative handling—especially when the supplied key does not restore the vehicle’s original functionality. -------- I was also informed by another authorized dealership that these keys are VIN-specific and typically come pre-configured, with the dealership primarily verifying ownership and initializing the key. Given this, a $600 “programming” charge raises serious concerns about how this service was priced and explained. I was not informed in advance that the replacement key would not support KEYLESS-GO functionality. This was only disclosed after the transaction was completed. During the process, I also received conflicting explanations regarding the key order, including references to Tennessee and delays involving Germany, which added to the confusion rather than providing clarity. Communication with the service department was extremely difficult. Calls and emails were not answered or returned in a timely manner. I had to go through the sales department just to get a response. The only explanation given was that they were “very busy,” making it impossible to obtain timely clarification. I attempted to resolve this directly, but did not receive a clear or satisfactory explanation. This matter has been escalated through both a credit card dispute and a complaint with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. If you are considering similar work here, obtain a written estimate, confirm the final price in advance, and compare with other authorized dealerships before proceeding. More

Russell was an awesome salesman and more than willing to work with us for my 19 year old son to get into the Tacoma he needed for his duty station in Montana. The manager and him worked together to get us work with us for my 19 year old son to get into the Tacoma he needed for his duty station in Montana. The manager and him worked together to get us where we needed to be and were more than fair. On top of that Abraham, our finance guy at the dealership, worked magic and made for a great conclusion to my son’s first buying experience. I felt they were fair and honest and I will be giving them more of my business in the future. More

I give Sales Rep Russell C. 5 stars. He made sure the fabs got new batteries. I purchased a used Mazda this past weekend. He has also assured me that an issue I noticed would b 5 stars. He made sure the fabs got new batteries. I purchased a used Mazda this past weekend. He has also assured me that an issue I noticed would be looked at if I brought it in. I give the dealership 3.75 stars. Although the contract says the LoJack is an "option," it was not optional and added what to me is a significant amount to the total cost of the car. Online it states the price was a certain amount, but it did not say there was an added cost for the already dealer install LoJack. That should probably be stated online or factored into the price shown online and at the get-go during the appointment. Overall, though, I got a fair deal for a car I like. More

Have no complaints. They worked well with us to get us as close to the deal we wanted. Both of us left not fully satisfied ie they dint get the highball and we didn't ge They worked well with us to get us as close to the deal we wanted. Both of us left not fully satisfied ie they dint get the highball and we didn't get the lowball meaning we all won. They made enough to keep the lights on and we left with the car we wanted and money still in the bank. Will go back for next car. Shout out to Russell and Eric More

I bought a 2022 Mercedes. The vehicle itself as for running has been great, but the interior has been terrible. I first noticed that when I would vacuum the backseat, the car The vehicle itself as for running has been great, but the interior has been terrible. I first noticed that when I would vacuum the backseat, the carpet would come out. I spoke with the dealership about it. The first time I took the car into be maintenance they said they would look into it conveniently they kept forgetting about it. The same thing happened around the seatbelts. The leather kept ripping I noticed with only having grandchildren in the backseat periodically. I spoke with them about it and it took over six months to finally get them to fix that still trying to work on the carpeting. I spoke again with them about it. They told me they would fix it. They've ordered the carpet and they would give me a call when the carpet came in guess what? No phone call nine months later I've gone back in and now they tell me that it would be fraudulent if they had it fixed. In other words, I'm lying I will never buy another car from Fresno Mercedes nor will I have work not under warranty. More

I am super Disappointed with the overall culture and customer experience as a first time customer. Upon taking my vehicle to the dealership for an oil change I will admit I expected a little more engage customer experience as a first time customer. Upon taking my vehicle to the dealership for an oil change I will admit I expected a little more engagement from the team. I wasn’t greeted by anyone until my advisor approached my car. When I sat in the lounge awaiting the service completion I observed other guests being greeted and offered snacks and beverages staff coming in and out of the space talking with them. However ironically no one made contact or bothered to say hello. Finally I engaged Ali and shared my concern in that I had watched him bounce around in the space and take initiative to offer beverages and snacks to other guest and not once did he ask me. Fed up with the experience I finally asked him if there was a reason this was so? He apologized and said that he was sorry that it happened that way. Instead of taking ownership and turning around the situation I found it disgusting that Ali passed blame that the location was working on the culture there, had decreased staff and was working on the space in general. Hear me well it doesn’t matter what excuses were given or why members did not take time to make eye contact or create a better customer engagement but your lack thereof was felt by a first time visitor who will identify another service provider even if I have to drive further. To spend a nickel with anyone let alone almost $200 today on an oil change and receive the lack of service and engagement is absolutely horrible. Super disappointed won’t be returning and will spread the word to others. Honestly I was told not to make the appointment but I figured it would be different- so sad it wasn’t. More

I would like to give a shout out to Mike B from Service advising as he perfectly embodies the three principles of being disingenuous, dishonest, and apathetic. He is everything that is the antithesis of cu advising as he perfectly embodies the three principles of being disingenuous, dishonest, and apathetic. He is everything that is the antithesis of customer service. Mike was uninterested and disingenuous when I told him I wanted to take my broken car to another service location because the service quote Mercedes gave me was too expensive considering how old my vehicle is. He gave me no other options, nor did he try to work with me, and instead I was given a look of disdain and treated as if I was stupid. I was fortunate enough to have met Mr. Lamont who was concerned for my broken sounding car and my safety, and did his best to negotiate the price with me and ultimately convinced me to keep my car with them for service. BUT I regret that choice. When I had ultimately decided to go ahead with the repair on a Wednesday, I had been told it would be ready by Friday by Mike. When Friday came by, no one from Mercedes reached out to me about the status of my car and I had to call them myself to ask what was the situation. It was only when I had called that Mike told me only the parts had just came through and my car hasn't been worked on yet, so it would not be ready until the following Monday. When I mentioned to him that he was the one who told me my car would be ready by Friday when I originally decided to go ahead with the service, Mike not only gaslighted me but denied that he ever said that. There was no accountability to even admit his own mistake or miscommunication. As a result of his miscommunication, this has costed me several days worth of Uber/Lyft rides. Lastly, on the day of pick up, as if it were even remotely appropriate, Mike had thought it would be smart enough to make a joke about my financial status given my employment. "Oh, if you're a [my job], why didn't you just pay the full price then, haha" I shouldn't have to explain that everyone comes from different backgrounds and I didn't come to Mercedes to have to explain my own financial situation to anyone and be looked down on. I came to Mercedes because I have before in the past to other Mercedes service locations (not the Fresno one) and I care for my car that I have been driving and dependent on for a long time. Mike has demonstrated to be apathetic to any customer given his reputable history of repeated terrible reviews here on Google. Unless I am blind or someone cannot read, it is amazing that he still has a job there at Mercedes. It has been clear that someone has not learned "if there is nothing good to say, then just shut your mouth." Mr. Lamont thank you for your customer service. It is something that Mike has yet to learn and add to his vocabulary. I hope you plaster this review next to his desk as a reminder of how much of a great employee he is and how much he means to Mercedes. He truly goes above and beyond treating his customers poorly. It's amazing that he is one of the first faces you will see if you try to bring in your car for repair. I would rather have driven my broken car and crashed than to be serviced with Mike. This is just utterly very unprofessional service, especially at a Mercedes dealership. I would NEVER come back again because of how degrading and irresponsible Mike was. More

DO NOT BUY HERE. One of if not the scummiest dealerships I’ve ever dealt with. Make sure you check your wheels they love to do cheap half xxx repairs on them. Yvette One of if not the scummiest dealerships I’ve ever dealt with. Make sure you check your wheels they love to do cheap half xxx repairs on them. Yvette Vega will ghost you as soon as anything comes up. Eric Souza will act like he is helping you and will go ahead and do CHEAPEST possible option to get you out of their way. Armand will refer you to the WORST shops possible with the cheapest and most unprofessional results and then ghost you as well. Not even a single check up. I signed a due bill to remove the smoke smell from the vehicle we purchased and so far all I’ve gotten was a broken lamp and a ruined headliner. I repeat DO NOT work with these people. Yvette, Eric and Armando, HORRIBLE. More

BEWARE! !! Reject the overpriced LOJACK…Almost EVERY car in the market these days have sophisticated computers & come with anti-theft devices / built-in GPS a !! Reject the overpriced LOJACK…Almost EVERY car in the market these days have sophisticated computers & come with anti-theft devices / built-in GPS and/or “black-box”…Especially a TESLA. Dunno about buying a new car at Mercedes Benz of Fresno, but I’m guessing it’s the same experience & they try to slide-in the marked-up LOJACK. My sales reps were Denise & Rohit. More

We just traded our cls amg 65 for a GT amg55 and Mehti was very helpful He knew the answers to many of our questions. We had a very positive experience . We thank the entire team We have been custome was very helpful He knew the answers to many of our questions. We had a very positive experience . We thank the entire team We have been customers for over 19 years More