My thought as well, serial lease swappers are essentially moving iron for the manufacturers as a similar as a small-time brand-specific broker.
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Looking at lease transfers as a completely separate department is wrong. There is a department for it; however, I am sure with DMV closures etc it was causing elevated call/inquiry volume to their general triage line as you can’t speak directly to someone in transfers. I am sure folks would call daily or more for updates based on the attitudes here, clogging up their call center.
They may be breaking even with their lease transfer fee. I had done the math for a much shorter and simpler backoffice process and we were charging $195 to break-even.
I cannot believe your statement. If a 3 year MB lease ruins somebody’s financials, that person should have never got under this financial responsibility at the first place. MB is a luxury brand. Luxury is not a need. It is a want.
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LOL, I’m sure people who financially speaking shouldn’t have gotten into a MB lease is half of their sales. MB is an aspirational brand and plenty of people uncomfortably stretch into a lease to have one.
I’m sure in the future MB will allow it. Too many factors at the moment. Sucks for those wanting to get out now though.
Some of these “luxury” cars were leased for the sole purpose of putting on Turo, with very little ability to pay for them without that rental revenue. Not sure if that counts as “aspirational”
So if after you lease a car you come into more money, do you go to MBFS and hand them more because they really cut you a “deal” initially to get you in the car? I assume the answer would be no…
In any case this is an unprecedented time and a tough situation for many, other ways to seek relief for liabilities, suggest those be explored
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That’s at least a better plan than the people thinking 20-30% of their income on car payments is a good idea.
I see now, so some of these lease transfers were potentially people leasing to rent them out in Turo (which is against standard lease terms). Trust a handful of people to ruin something for everyone else
Back in April/May, there were plenty of Turo discussions and even vehicles that were on Turo posted on the LH Private Transfers topics. BMW allows sub-leasing on their leases; you just pay an additional fee for it. Haven’t heard of any other lessors or captives allowing that though.
Mercedes had a class action lawsuit against them for a faulty part inside a motor that went bad after the warranty, and the class won (well, technically Mercedes settled). Was there a legal contract for that part not being faulty?
Yes, its called tort law. If there is a harm or injury done willfully or negligently that causes a damage, there is a legal expectation for that to be resolved.
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Could you not argue ending this program was done willfully and negligently and caused financial harm to many?
You could, but torts is for physical or mental injury, contract law is for financial issues
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I don’t see how anyone could successfully claim wilful negligence and grave harm over stopping to offer a courtesy service.
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From the article you posted:
This Mercedes-Benz engine defect class action lawsuit was originally filed in 2012 by plaintiffs Majeed Seifi and Tracey Deakin, who allege that certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles were equipped with engines containing defective gears that would wear out prematurely without warning. This alleged engine defect would cause the “check engine” light to turn on and cause the car to misfire or stop driving all together. Repairs for this engine defect typically cost Mercedes-Benz consumers several thousand dollars and required them to go without a car for several days in a row.
The plaintiffs further allege the automobile company knew of the Mercedes-Benz engine defect since 2007, since during that year the company distributed service bulletins to its dealers on how MB technicians should diagnose and replace the allegedly defective engine parts. However, Mercedes-Benz allegedly did not inform consumers of the defect at that time and instead concealed the engine problems.
So there is that, and they settled.
It’s pointless to continue to argue this on a message board. If you believe you have standing to sue, bring a copy of your lease agreement to a lawyer in your state and see what they think, and let us know.
I know at least one who will might the case: Lionel Hutz
IANAL and I’m always glad to be proven wrong.
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Yes please let us know what a lawyer says. Maybe while we’re at it we can start a class action lawsuit against Mercedes for requiring us to make our monthly payments.
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I’m starting a class auction lawsuit against BMWFS and all other lessors that don’t let you walk away from your lease at any point, period.
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I thought this was a dead topic. But agree with all who say a lawsuit is pointless. Honestly if you find a lawyer who takes your case report him to the Bar Association because he’s stealing your money.