May be it was brought up before but, do you guys have any items from MercedesShop? i.e. T-Shirts, decals, tags, caps, etc. I would be interested in some, if the price is right.

Would likewise be interested, especially if the "price is right". Perhaps some items for the opening of MBAutowerks this spring.

I would like a decal for my car or perhaps a baseball cap. After all, if I had a sticker on my car fellow members would be able to recognize me.

I think something that would be nice would be one of those round badges that you clip on your grille, like those high-mileage badges that M-B gives you. It can be done very tastefully.

love the idea of a mercedesshop badge! i love the way those look on the grill of a mercedes.......and what better than to have a mercedesshop one? if the corporate guys are reading, hook it up! it'd be great. if not, a static cling window sticker for sale would do:D
william

I would readily purchase a MercedesShop grille badge.

I would definitely buy a grill badge. A couple of them as a matter of fact.

ATTENTION:

MercedesShop owners and principals! I have a contact for you for all of the promotional materials you could ever want.

Just go to: http://www.vernoncompany.com. They are the largest, and the best company for customized promotional materials in the world.

And, if you want to set up a promotions department, plan marketing strategies to utilize promotional materials, get suggestions for effectively selecting the right items and for using them to your best advantage, we could do a trade-out...

well how about a replacement laurel wreath badge which says mercedesshop.com instead of Mercedes-Benz. :) hehe now that would be killer.

It would also be killer if you could get a simple window decal that mounts on the inside and is removable hehe. :)

And how about custom embriodered floormats, car covers, etc etc.

:) hehe

Alon

Another "HOT" item would be a fender cover, like when you are working on your car, with the MercedesShop logo. Patches would also be nice...

of the mercedesshop.com tag on the front of your car Bill :)

Jim
'95 E320
'97 CRV

I vote for the replacement laurel wreath (good one, Ashman), license plate frame, and static cling window sticker. Although a commemerative
"MercedesShop
Atlanta Mercedes Gathering
AMG"
T shirt in black with silver letters would find a buyer as well! ;)

[Edited by JCE on 01-28-2001 at 07:40 PM]

Make shipping easier to Canada!!!!!!

We have been talking about this and now I guess it is time. This is something I have been wanting.

I want my tag to look like this

___________________
MercedesShop
.com
___________________


And the logo at the bottom

Or we have talked about having the wrench logo on the whole tag.

Input is wanted!

i agree with jce,& ashman,duck muck, i very classy grille badge with a laurel,[similar to some of the classic MB ones]
would be an awesome item to offer!!!

put me down for at least one.

bill and donnie please keep us posted.

thanx

I think a static cling that is the MercedesShop wrench would be cool. Also, I think the fender cover idea is excellent! I'm using the ones for my Corvette on my MB, so one that says MercedesShop would be really nifty!

If you go to the search engine and type in 'window stickers' you will find the discussion earlier and the results! Grille badges would also be great.

TobiasMB
4 MBs

hows this for the grille badge design. :) hehe

I thought of these to replace the existing laurel wreath badge on the grille. :)

http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mswreath1.gif
http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mswreath2.gif

I like em both hehe

Alon

Ashman: My wife and I voted - we like # 2 better, but in a different color (burgandy? red? black?) with the chrome badge to make it more noticable than the stock blue and chrome badge. :D

hehe I just threw the wrench one in there just for comparison. I do agree that color matched to your cars would be cool, and if the chrome really looked chrome. hehe

Not much I can do about the color changing without spending the time to recreate the whole thing from scratch, but you guys get the idea I was going for. :) hehe

if they made em, I'd buy one for sure. its just something that people wouldn't notice, but it would be very cool when they did hehe :)

I'll see what I can do about colors

But I'm not promising anything.

On another note, I'd love to see MBshop.com mouse pads or MB Autowerks Mousepads, T-Shirts, Pens, Mechanics Jumpers, patches, fender covers, toolkit pouches for the factory tools, etc etc. :)

Alon

Maybe something along the lines of:


http://www.warewolf.net/jelliott/mswreath2.jpg


or something similiar, on chrome? Probably have to change the wreath style and shape of the star and pebbled background so that 8000 German lawyers don't land on the site :( ! Maybe even have to change the shape of the badge from round to a hex bolt shape ;)

Hows this attempt? :)

http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mswreath3.gif
http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mswreath4.gif

Alon

I kinda like it. even if as a logo for the MBshop site. :) hehe

But seriously, I'd put it on my car if they made it. :)

Alon

I like JCE's red one. It will be like the MB badges but will make people look twice and actually read it. It looks great.

I hope I can afford four of 'em.

So, when are these items going to be available? I'm really interested in any of them.

Just a caution :)
Long ago I had a BMW and the car club designed a logo using
the BMW logo. BMW was all over them for using and modifying
a copyright logo. Eventually the club had to change to a new design.
Anyone using the MB logo should check with them in writing, to be sure there aren't any future problems.

Otherwise looking forward to what comes of this effort.
:)

Just get me anything! Plate frames, stickers (any type) and badges. Just make sure the site is ready for an influx of new members when this stuff becomes available....

In terms of the grille badge, maybe we should move away from the laurel/M-B badge look. First, as mentioned before, we may have legal issues with M-B. Furthermore, we've already got enough of 'em all over our cars. I was thinkin' that maybe we can make it simple, yet tasteful, and build off the http://www.mercedesshop.com theme of blue, red, black, and white. If we can incorporate these colours into it, I think it would look quite nice. I don't think we should have that "globe" in the badge though...it doesn't really "fit in", and looks a bit childish. I think "simple" is the key...

right on,
move away from the classic, and prevelent, mercedes-benz laurel logo. how about some kind of classy merc. shop crest/shield type design.... i dont have anything to design it, but i like the idea of a 'coat of arms' look
william

JCE, did a really nice thing by making a Mercedesshop license plate for his car. Just look for the Performance paddock, and the picture thread.

Ashman, JCE those designs were really really good.

Well I have a new one in the works, will be similar, but you will like it. IT will not contain anything that is on the original mercedes one, but the shape and intention will be similar, but not the same. Gimem a day or two, and believe me I think you will like it. :)

There will be no laurel wreat, no conventional star like in the middle, and it will be done with several colors for fun. :)

hmmmm if I had a selection of mb factory paint colors, that would rock even more. :) hehe

I'm getting giddy at the thought of how it will look.

I can't say anything more though hehe Its gonna be a good surprise for you all.

Of course its just going to be some computer artwork, but you will definately like it.

Alon

Ashman

The sample grill badges look great. The cost might be too high however if produced in small quantities. MBCA offers a grill badge for $19.95 with a nationwide membership.

hehe yeah but we are talking about a grill badge that Members of Mercedesshop.com can put on their cars. :)

Alon

Still working on it, it's Starting to take shape

Count me in on the grille badge idea. I currently have a MB 250,000 KM badge and a Stuttgart coat of arms badge. Eventually I'll buy a badge from MBCA. I wonder how many badges is too many, before you block off the air to the radiator? Eitherway, I like the merchandise idea especially a grille badge.

Heres the latest so far. Trying to figure out what to do on the sides. and color would be changeable but lets see what you think?

Should the globe go by by?

Do you like the wrenches making up the center star?

Let me know,

Just enjoying messing with it and want it to be perfect even if it takes me weeks. :) hehe

Alon

http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mslogo1.gif

Well I've made many many variations on the above. I'm going to post a link to a simple webpage I setup for it. theres too many to post in here.

Check it out.

Let me know your thoughts or ideas.

The sides I used several MB Stars with faint circles. looks cool I think.

I can change the red ring color to any color, I just left it the red color because it looks nice.

I tried to come up with some interesting designs for the center behind the wrench star where the globe was on the above one.

I kind of like the grill ones or the flag ones

http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/logos

Alon

I like the one at the bottom, the German flag. It would be colorful to have it mounted on the grille of my car. Being it that I am in US Air Force we wear different colored ribbons on our uniforms. We some times call it the "salad". Different colors of distinction if you will. Badges of honor, and who wouldn't be proud to be associated with the fine folks at Mercedesshop/MB Autowerks, and all those here who help each other with their Benzes.

How about MercedesShop.com embroidered Tube Socks? :) J/K

Ashman, I think these Grill badges you are working on are great!

Top three picks in this order would be:

1) Globe - I like the fact that this one symbolizes a World membership.

2) German - Hey, it is what it is.

3) Wide Grill - Looks just right, not to busy.


I do like the Checkered Flag one as well, but Mercedes doesn't really represent that image in the North America.

How about a design with a 300D up on jacks with the oil being drained (hot oil change of course). :) Maybe with Larry Bible down there on his back doing the change! LOL

Sorry Larry , I hope you don't mind of my making light of the Oil Change thing, I just had to. With the Topsider vs. Hot Oil Change debate going on it just seemed ripe for the picking.

Ross



[Edited by roas on 01-30-2001 at 10:28 AM]

Ashman, in addition to a love of MBZ automobiles you have a flair for graphic design. My picks of the sample grill badge choices are:

1. US Flag - with fewer but larger stars
2. German Flag
3. Checkered Flag

I like the red ring color. The actual badge would need to be produced on quality heavy metal like other badges. It would look nice on the other side of the grill from my 250,000 km award.

ashman,
i'm diggin the german 'colors'. it goes well with the circulor patern of the badge. teh flag looks off....you know, having a horizontal undernieth an obviously round motif. just my input. keep up the good work. also like the wide grille.
william

Glad to hear you guys are enjoying them as much as I am in making them. :) hehe

I'll keep trying to come up with new ideas for the inside... :)

Alon

I personally like the checkered flag. Perhaps someone cold set it up so we can vote for the design we like!

Kuan

I like what you are doing with the logos. Very creative. I am glad you are enjoying it so much. The crumpled metal was very unique. The triangular GDR flag one looks militant African-American! MB-X! I like the American flag motif, but it wouldn't sail with the international set, like Mbenz and AucklandGuy, etc.

So, how about a Mollweide's Homolographic Projection of the earth? You know, oval, instead of round. You can't see "Down Under" on the round one. Maybe on a "gear" shaped badge like the older grille badges? I think that the Stuttgart one on rickjordan's is probably like that. If you try this idea, just don't make it as huge.

However, all that having been said, and at the risk of inflicting heinous "Buzz Kill" on you (as if), I am concerned, strictly for legal reasons, that they still look too much like the factory trademark. I called MBUSA to ask some questions about potential legal problems on the pretext of being interested in using their logo for a small local "fanclub".

First, I was told by the Mercedes rep that while the use of the "Silver Star and Laurel" is, in fact severly restricted and violations of it's use are seriously prosecuted, I should ask MBCA how they are able to use the "Silver Star and Laurel". I then was told that for any additional information on the subject, I would need to contact MBUSA's legal department in writing. MBCA members?

I am also wondering what the guys who own this website think about all of this. After all, they did put some effort (and research?) into designing the logo they already have, and as such, have created an identity that is unique to the MercedesShop website.

Finally, the inclusion of "AutoWerks" may politically be a good idea, but practically, if I understand correctly, AutoWerks will be a repair facility in Atlanta that I, being in California, will never use. Additionally, just the fact that you would be including the name of a for-profit private business on the logo would definately create serious legal issues with Mercedes.

Alon, keep up the design work, it's cool, and fun to look at. And always remember, "Illigitimus, Non Carborundum" :D

[Edited by longston on 01-30-2001 at 04:45 PM]

Longston is correct about keeping the size of the badge in mind when designing one. The Stuttgart coat of arms on my grille is actually rectangle, but it's attached to a gear shaped backing. It's made of brass, that's chrome plated, so it will never rust. It is about 3 1/4 inches in diameter. I think the better size would be the same as the high mileage awards. I think there about 2 inches.

Just a little tale. Longston's call to MBUSA is illuminating. The guy who works on my car now was once the local dealer service manager. His shop used to have the word "Mercedes" in the name. It was the only shop name around here that used "that" word. Naturally, spitefully so I'm sure, the local dealer sued him. MBUSA supported the suit. There were some manueverings etc., and the bottom line is that a settlement was reached which required my guy to rename his shop. In exchange, MBUSA agreed to provide him, exclusively among all independents in this area, with all service bulletins and diagnostic and repair training for his techs on the current generation of MBs. The same stuff that goes to the dealer's shop. The other independents in this area will be SOL and at a competitive disadvantage when the current cars start coming off warranty, because they won't have the diagnostic stuff and the training my guy will have. MBUSA settlements have to be approved at the home office in Germany. Daimler went ballistic when they heard about the settlement and there was more litiguous crap. Bottom line, my guy gets the stuff, changed his shop name but probably nearly went out of business due to the cost of this whole thing. He had to spend a great deal of time in court, in depositions, etc., instead of running his facility and diagnosing for idiots like me. There was a significant cost to his business.

MB can afford to be ruthless, so while I want a grille badge too, I don't want one that's going to cost anybody his shop and, therefore, his dream.

Oh, by they way, the owner of the local dealership recently opened a fake "independent" service facility on the other side of town from the dealership. It has the word Mercedes in the name and a big, gleaming silver star out front.

Ok, well I'm just making computer graphics for fun here, and enjoying doing it.

No one ever said these were actually going to be used for anything, I just happen to like the idea.

Now as far as the legal matters go, yes I do assume one would have to discuss the use of such an item with Mercedes-Benz. Though I would have to think that mercedes would actually like it and enjoy it too, there will always be some sort of legal deal that someone will come up with. Remember we live int he USA, King of Frivolous lawsuits. There are so many lawyers here I would think there has to be a lot of legal work to be done, or maybe just applying for licensing. I do kow people sell license plate frames and all, and I see independent shops with Mercedes and the MB Star and such advertised on them. I have not seen many independents with mercedes int he name, but I do know of a few which use abbreviations etc.

Now as for the MB Autowerks, well since this site is run by the guys who own MB Autowerks, I felt it only right to pay them respect by adding their shop name to the badge. Their hard work has gone into creating Mercedesshop.com and their hard work and time is going into making a beautiful service center for mercedes automobiles.

Since I consider MB autowerks as a part of Mercedesshop.com and vice versa, I felt it would work very nicely.

The Text can easily be changed on future drawings if everyone so desires.

I myself am in california, and I know I wont have the advantage of taking my car into MB Autowerks for a service by Benzmac.

I do know that I love this place... :) and if they like it, even for novelty purposes, then I have done my job. :)

If you want I'll put together some with different text, its not that hard to do.

How about instead of MB Autowerks, we put your Member name. :) Longston ont he bottom hmmm now that would personalize it to you and you would probably dig it. :)

or we could put state names there or anything.

Also please do remember this is something that may never actually be made. but as long as we are on the subject, I thought it would be fun to put some pictures to the dreams of some of us. :) hehe

I would use the badge made int he same size as the current laurel wreath badge on the front of the grill. :) I think a discrete change such as that would look very cool. :)

Alon

Alon, I think a grille badge the size of the one on the grille shell may be a bit too small to get much detail in it. Like I mentioned before something the same size as the high mileage badges would be perfect.

I don't mean to be a killjoy.

Well, not towards you, anyway. I do enjoy parking my 300E right in front of the Von Housen Motors showroom (when I'm looking at the new models or picking up a lightbulb or Mercedes cap) with the license plate frame that says "Mercedes Service Center" which was the old name of the shop their former service manager now owns. His departure from Von Housen after 30 years there was less than amicable.

My choices are:

Narrow grille (looks cleaner).
German colors.
The Globe.

Hopefully if the logo is sufficiently altered the badges can be done without legal difficulty. Even though many of the members will never have their vehicles serviced by Autowerks, there is no problem in advertising the other half of the house which allows this wonderful site.

I know we have a Barrister or two among us, maybe they have some words of advice on how to proceed.

CRAP! I knew my comments would be somewhat unwelcome, and unpopular. That's ok, I've never been afraid to be controversial... :) Well, folks, representing the viewpoint of the Prince of Darkness isn't an easy job, but as Super Chicken always told Fred, "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it..."

But my last intention was to even skightly dampen the spirits of the "ashman". I apologize, I tried to be as diplomatic as I was able, but facial expressions and vocal tonalities don't transmit well in print sometimes, even with smilies.. :D Maybe you didn't get the "latin" reference, Alon?

I still think that It's respectful to seek the input of Donnie and the other officers of the corporation. And my advice about AutoWerks wasn't meant to be insulting, just realistic. I have some experience dealing with licensing, trademarks, and copyrights. I also have some experience dealing with large international corporations. Trademark infringement isn't a "frivilous" lawsuit. When you're dealing with a corporation the size of Daimler-Benz, it's stone cold serious as a heart attack while lost in the Antarctic.

Has anyone recently checked-out what Daimler-Benz owns in the way of vehicle manufacturers? I mean, aside from Chrysler, and Mercedes Benz?. You might be surprised to find out that they own Setra, a very high quality heavy bus manufacturer, White Western Star, a very high quailty heavy truck manufacturer, Thomas buses, who make school buses our kids ride in, along with several other divisions that just might surprise you...

Once you align a for-profit venture with an internationally trademarked logo without written notarized permission, in even the remotest way, you are looking for trouble. My local Independent garage told me that they once ran a 1/32 page ad in a racing program at Sears Point. The ad ran once on one Sunday. Three weeks later they had their only call resulting from the ad. It was a "cease and desist" call from Mercedes' legal department! The owner of the shop told me he once even got a letter from Mercedes telling him he couldn't use the hyphenated version of the name in his advertising, and he doesn't work on any other kind of car!

As far as licensing, despite what some may think, I doubt if even half of the stuff you see for sale is legitimatly licensed by Mercedes Benz, if even at all. There are a LOT of pirates out there, people! Besides, even IF there was a license available from MB, I think that the costs would be highly unrealistic for this purpose. First, the initial cost of the license itself would be prohibitive. Then most, if not all licensing agreements call for a percentage of sales, and set very high minimum sales quotas.

And ALON! No, I wouldn't want my name on the bottom of the grille badge! Or, state names, birds, flowers, astrological signs, or pet names for your car either. (Although I do like David's, "Liesl". Ist schoen... :D )

Besides, when you have promotional items made to order, you have them made in as large of a quantity as is reasonable to offset the initial costs of producing them in the first place. So more than one variation is unrealistic. Although a "mood" grille badge might be cool.

I will now retreat to my wine cellar before you all start throwing wrenches and used car parts at me...

we are just trying to have a little fun.

you might try lightening up... [at least here]
some people can't however.

i guess mere mortals are not as far along as you are.

no one else is admitting to owning a aerostar...

longston,

I didn't at all take your comments as an insult. I always welcome the objective side to what I am talking about.

I was using frivolous lawsuits as a reference to the abundance of lawyers in this country, not as a reference to a trademark infringment case which is a much much more important and serious matter.

Trademark infringment is a serious crime, I should know I have a client who deals with copyright and trademark infringment lawsuits everyday.

I am merely pointing out that I made those for fun, for my enjoyment and others. I never said they were going to be made into badges, and I never said they were going to be sold anywhere.

In reference to the MB Autowerks, I still stick to what I said before. I put it there to pay homage or respect to the ones who broght us this site. And While I wont be able to benefit from the excellent service to be found at MB Autowerks, I still appreciate and look up to them for what they are trying to accomplish.

I always enjoy reading every post here just about, and I don't see what you are saying as being insulting or trying to rain on anyones parade. I see it as you just reminding us of the one thing we probably don't want to hear about, that it can't be done. :) hehe

But in all fairness, People were talking about badges before I even made them, I was merely trying to put imagination into picures for everyone to see. I am sure you did like them even for novelty reasons, or just because they looked cool.

We shouldn't be arguing or fighting here... Lets Leave that up to the Lawyers... heheh Just kidding of course. ;)

I also said that The text could be changed.

I will now say that I also put MB Autowerks there because I couldn't think of anything better to put there. :)

In anycase, I did not take anything as an insult. I cannot speak for others, but I agree with you about the trademark thing. I probably should have been more clear about that before.

I might just see about actually making a real one and putting it on my car.

I got a Question about the whole trademark thing though, perhaps you can answer this for me Longston. Would it be illegal to actually make one of these and not sell it or advertise it or anything, but just to give to a few friends for them to dow ith what they wish? I would think the trademark would be infringed regardless though. would just making one and somewhat distributing be an infringment if its between friends and not being used for profit? Would this be correct or totally wrong?

Remember feel free to set me straight, I welcome criticism and I take from the cristicism to better myself as a person. If its bad criticism I will usually just brush it aside, but if its good criticism, I'll jump at the chance to use it to better myself.


Alon

[Edited by Ashman on 01-31-2001 at 12:04 AM]

Maybe to pick out a bottle of wine to bring to the grand opening?
Y'all relax, have a German beer, or a glass of wine (don't foget to extend pinkie), and let the dust settle. After all is said and done, we will see what has become of our wishes. If nothing has happened in a while, then we'll raise hell again, and see what happens. And we'll just keep doing that until we get what we want! OK? OK!

-Larry
(spoken in a relaxed manner, with my feet up on a desk, and a now empty bottle of (german) beer, next to me. No malicious or sarcastic tones to be heard.) (seriously, I am not being sarcastic, I just believe that the smileys wouldn't have sufficed in what has apparently become a heated debate)

May I suggest a nice Sauvignon Blanc? From any of the California Vineyards, of course.

Chilled slightly.

mmm, mmmm. Good stuff Maynard.

scott and everyone else

i aplogise for my remarks in previous post.
they were personal,sharp,unkind and definetly UNCALLED for.

i was wrong.

please accept

We have thought alot about the subject of product infringement(sp?). The ONLY one I can find is the name. The logo does not have a circle around the star, so therefore it is legal. If there is a problem down the road, I guess we will deal with that when it becomes a problem. I hope it never comes to that. I just want to do things correctly the first time unlike some dealers out there. I want to make THEIR product better!