USAA Mercedes Discount: An Easy Way to Buy a Mercedes
Are you a member of USAA? The financial services and insurance company that provides services to past and present U.S. military members and their familes. If you are, you are eligible for very aggressive fleet pricing on your next Mercedes-Benz vehicle through the USAA car buying program powered by ZAG.
Discounts on new 2010 Mercedes-Benz models range from $1000 to $5000 depending upon the specific vehicle.
I’ve posted the original press release from the USAA website below. If you are a USAA member it’s something worth taking advantage of. It couldn’t be easier. You go to USAA, chose the Mercedes-Benz model you want to buy, they apply the USAA fleet discount to the vehicle price and assign a “unique offer code”.
When you walk into Feldmann Imports with your offer code there is no negotiation, no price to discuss, you’re essentially saying, this is what I want, this is what I’m going to pay. To be honest, it’s as easy for us as it is for you.
USAA and Zag Team up with Mercedes-Benz USA
Original Press Release Date: July 1, 2009
On July 1, 2009, Mercedes-Benz USA, USAA and Zag launched a program in which Mercedes-Benz offered additional savings up to $5,000 off the price of new Mercedes-Benz car purchases to USAA Members through the Zag-powered USAA Car Buying Service. These additional savings, which are on top of the current special member pricing, rebates and other incentives and are exclusive to USAA members, assisted hundreds of members in searching for and purchasing a new Mercedes through the Car Buying Service. In total, the program helped members save more than $6.7 million off of MSRP including exclusive member incentives for new Mercedes-Benz purchases. And, since the USAA Car Buying Service program launched in 2007 it helped members save more than $200 million off of MSRP including special member incentives. The program also helped Mercedes-Benz increase its market share within the luxury vehicle segment.
“We’re always looking for ways to help our members save money. This generous discount, on top of special USAA member car buying pricing, gives our members the perfect opportunity to buy a luxury car at a fantastic price,” said David Bohne, USAA Federal Savings Bank President.
When members use the USAA Car Buying Service to configure their new Mercedes-Benz, they will get a guaranteed up-front price for the car they have selected along with a unique offer code. The offer code and incentive can be used at any Mercedes-Benz dealer in addition to any other savings and dealer incentives which are being offered — saving USAA members even more.
This exclusive offer began July 1, 2009 and is effective for a minimum of a year.
About Zag
Zag has created a better way to buy a car. Zag operates a robust auto-shopping, research and pricing technology platform that saves buyers money by concentrating group buying power, while providing a superior car-buying experience by presenting guaranteed up-front pricing and a no-hassle delivery process with a select group of dealers. Zag provides its platform on a private-label basis to affinity buying groups, such as USAA, AAA, Overstock.com, American Express, Liberty Mutual, Administaff and Capital One Auto Finance. Zag is based in Santa Monica, Calif.
Mercedes Benz of Baltimore salesman said my 83 yr old mother was not eligible for $4,000 USAA Incentive on E350 she purchased in May because she paid in cash, did not finance. This guy assisted her with phone call to USAA to verify insurance was in place. Sales manager who reviewed and approved paperwork noted to my mother the relationship between USAA and military service members. My mother was active duty during Korean War. When I generated the buyer service certificate under my USAA profile, same sales manager was identified as point of contact for USAA buyer service sales. My beef with this guy is that he does the incentive sales and should have recognized her eligibility. While on the phone verifying insurance was in place, they could easily have asked the USAA rep for a certificate number. I only told my mother about the $4,000 overcharge following a conversation with the sales manager that ended with him assuring me it would be taken care of the next day. It’s now been a week and my mother is asking when can she expect to receive the check. The sales and finance manager have been dodging my calls. Really takes the joy out of driving such a nice new car. You would think after accepting $58,000 someone would at least show you the respect to return your call.
Thanks for sharing your experience (and that of your mother) at MB of Baltimore George. If this actually happened the way you describe its pretty sickening.
The main reason I am such a fan of the USAA program is that it is easy to create a great experience for the customer. Usaa dictates the price and the discount, everyone can hold their heads high, it is set up to be as transparent a car buying experience as is possible. I’m amazed this even happened, and the fact that you’re phone calls are being dodged, like it will all just go away, deplorable.
If you ever need another new Mercedes, I’ll pay your air fare to Minneapolis to pick up your new car and you, or your mother, can buy it from me.
Dave – I’m a USAA member and I can get to the ZAG site, but I’m not getting the same pricing under invoice as described. Am I missing something about how to get the certificate? The deal I show is about 1K over invoice, but even the Benz dealer told me that they normally see 2K under. Thanks for this post to inform others of this benefit.