January 14th, 2021
In May 2020 MBUSA and MBCA rolled out a new and improved new car purchase or lease rebate program for MBCA members. Since rolling out this program, the club has benefited from the addition of over 3,000 new members. In addition, dealers utilizing the rebate program have also benefited from the program by selling and closing on an equal number of new car sales and leases.
However, MBUSA Fleet Sales has been monitoring the sales results and have noticed that an overwhelming number of new sales and leases have been customers who joined the club and received their control number on the same day they purchased or leased their new Mercedes. This was pointed out to us in a recent call with the MBUSA’s Manager of Fleet Operations; “it is apparent that the dealers have misunderstood the intent and conditions of the rebate program which was specifically designed for existing MBCA members.” The loophole was that potential clients could go to a dealership and join the club, apply for a control number, and immediately get the member rebate on the same day.
To close this loophole effective Jan 14, 2021, customers going to a dealer and wishing to avail themselves of the member rebate must be able to show proof that they have been an MBCA member for a minimum of 30 days. If a potential buyer cannot provide this validation, they will not be allowed to participate in the program. Potential buyers who join the club and try to obtain a control number on the same day they join will be blocked from obtaining one as their membership date will be verified against our database. MBUSA will be notifying all dealers of the change in the rebate program beginning next week.
If you have friends and family who are considering purchasing or leasing a new Mercedes-Benz encourage them to join the club now so that they will be able to qualify for the Member Rebate program.
If you should have any questions, please review these FAQs.