Auto Dealers
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Bernardi Honda
When I was car shopping several years ago (yes, my Honda is still purring along quite nicely), I went to Bernardi and test-drove a car. But when I asked them for their best price, they refused to give me one. They said since I was "still shopping", it would be a waste of [their] time (i.e., if I found a lower price elsewhere, I'd never come back, and price isn't everything). They told me to shop around and come back to them for a price when I was "ready to buy."
I walked out then and there, and never went back. They were right, price isn't everything, and bad attitudes are a deal-breaker for me.
I bought at a dealer north of Boston, but have recently started servicing the car at Herb Chambers in Westborough. They seem competent enough, but aren't good at returning phone calls.
Service everywhere has gone WAY downhill.
Patricia McQueen 10/4/07
As I have stated previously regarding Bernardi, my wife and I went to check out their used cars in 2004. We saw one we liked, and then watched in amazement as they required a set of jumper cables to get the car started. As far as I know, that car could still be on their lot.
Also, you asked if they are fair. With all due respect, give us a break. Like any other business, car dealers exist to make money. If anyone is naive enough not to ask for a discount or for a better loan rate, then you are giving them a green light to rape your finances. Their salespeople, much like those at any car dealer, are justifiably looking out for their finances and commissions. Your finances, once you qualify for a loan or a lease and drive off the lot in your new car, are your problem, not theirs. Finally, one person's definition of fair will differ from everyone elses. Welcome to the world.
Tony Siciliano 10/4/07
Next time try Boch Honda in Norwood for your warranty. I got a Boch Toyota, and the service there (right next door) is terrific. My sister got some service at their Honda place, and it seemed to be just as good. Open Sunday Mornings at 9am too (with free coffee & a large screen TV with theater seating....pretty good and they get you out ASAP).
Went to Bernardi Toyota when I was going for this car (Aug/05), before I went to Boch. They took my keys to look at my old car, while I was talking with them about a used one they had. Guess what....they wouldn't give me back my keys!!! I had to REPEATEDLY threaten to call the POLICE before I got them back. Needless to say, I told them to hold their breath until I came back...
Can you BELIEVE that???
Dan Wiener 9/6/07
Bernardi Honda is a dishonest Honda dealer. They absolutely refused to honor my lifetime warantee on my muffler/ tailpipe on a Honda del Sol purchased at Balise Honda in West Springfield. I had the work receipt and I had my original dealer call the Bernardi representative to tell them that I had in fact purchased and installed new factory warrenteed parts from them. My previous dealership representative was told by Bernardi that they would honor the warantee; they called me and told me not to worry. But, when I returned to Bernardi to get the exhaust fixed I was again told that the warrantee would not be honored and they quoted me a repair fee of over a thousand dollars. I can't remember the exact amount but it included a new factory Honda muffler and tailpipe - which I already had life time warentees for. I drove from Framingham to West Springfield and had my Honda del Sol repaired - new exhaust for free (excluding the 70 miles of gas / tolls / and time).
btw, while I was at Bernardi I happened to notice an ederly woman crying because they installed the wrong stereo system and they were billing her for more than she wanted to pay.
I will never bring my Honda Civic to Bernardi for repair.
Robin Kolnicki 9/6/07
Two years ago, following an oil change, the service guy tried to tell me my '93 Corolla's radiator was rusting and needed replacing b/c, afterall, I had 150K on the car. When I told the guy that the radiator was actually a replacement and only two years old, quickly he went dead silent -- like a deer in the headlights. Clearly he hadn't actually inspected the radiator. I looked at it myself later and found no rust whatsoever. That outfit is good for oil changes and the free carwash, but don't trust them any further than you can toss them for anything else.
Matt Elliott 9/3/07
I am finding the same problem with Bernardi Toyota!!! The last few times I've gone there they have tried to tell me I need something I don't for well over hundreds of dollars. The last time I went there they tried to tell me I needed a new water pump. I took my Camry to another mechanic on Route 135 and he put it up on the lift and looked all around. Bernardi had told me it was leaking! There was no water to be found.
Judy Patterson 9/4/07
Bernardi Honda is a bad apple. They told me I needed a new steering column. I took my VW Passat to a local mechanic who tightened the steering column. A tall friend of mind had moved the wheel forward when she was driving it and hadn't tightened it down properly when she moved it back. This was four years ago now, and the car has never needed a new steering column. When I told the mechanics about their mistake (and by the way, a new steering column costs $900), they shrugged.
So I would say NEVER use Bernardi Honda/VW. They also had a habit of installing wiper blades which cost a fortune and generally lasted about eight months. . .
Sybil E Schlesinger
MetroWest Subaru
948 Worcester Road, Natick
I've had my 2001 Forrester serviced regularly at Natick Subaru, now Metrowest Subaru, and have found them to be fine for oil changes and routine maintenance, but expensive for big things like tires, brakes, etc. When I needed new tires, they quoted me a price that was more than double that quoted by Direct Tire, and after researching the two different tire options, I discovered that the quality was identical. Similarly, they've been telling me for at least a year that I'll need new brakes "soon," but an independent mechanic said that the brakes were just over 60% worn and that I could "watch and wait."
I was very happy with the service at Direct Tire, and they gives you loaners for big jobs like brakes or having all 4 tires replaced, which is a huge help.
Nomi Sofer 09/04/2007