TeleAid ... a contract that keeps going!

I bought a new E320 [my 5th MB] in July 2000 with an extended warranty. When delivered, the car had a few Quality Control problems*. Amongst the non-working items at delivery: the TeleAid systems, that would not function properly when the dealer tried to program it: "it is only a software problem, a 'software patch' due next month will solve it". Long story short: the problem was never fixed.

With a new car, you get a one year complementary TeleAid subscription, but they still 'need' you credit card data. In June 2001, I received a letter from TeleAid-MB asking for a new card number because the one they had on file was expired. I wrote back that I did not want the service, because my TelAid system was not working. They somehow manage to charge the expired card for more than $200. I called TeleAid-MB: they said they will refund; refund never came. In june 2002, I wrote again asking for a refund and confirming I did not want the service; to my surprise, they charged me on 7/5/02 for $240. In June 2003, I wrote again asking for two refunds [2001 & 2002]: they called me saying they will refund ... but to my astonishment, I was charged again on 7/3/03 for $240. Most the letters were USPS certified.

Anybody out there with a non-working TeleAid ? Any story of similar TeleAid 'contract' that would not die ?

*Amongst the QC problems [NFY: not fixed yet, FN: fixed now]: a 4x2mm2 bubble in the center of the windshield [NFY], leaking Conti's [FN], dead AC thermostat [FN], bad wiper [FN], lot of dead bulbs in the dashboard [some NFY e.g. cruise control lights, others FN], upholstery threads [FN], remote key [FN], funky numbers in the LCD [NFY], protruding plastic seals between body parts [some NFY, some FN], etc. Most of the QC issues were documented in a letter to MB dated August 00. I guess my expectations for an MB car were too high ;)

News from TeleAid, an MB subsidiary.

E320QC: "Following this post, I got a call today 8/1/03 at 1:30 PT from MB; my cancellation letters were not taken into consideration ... because my wife name in on the contract ;). They offered to refund 2002 and 2003".