Bernie's Garage & Body Shop Inc.

07/08/11

Rude, rude, rude

by cl61 at Citysearch

Someone asked why the reviews seem to be good or bad, nothing in the middle. I can tell you why, the owner has a Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde personality. I took my car in for a repair a month ago and had a great experience. Yesterday, I called to inquire about a paint job. I could hear the owner coming to the phone saying, "you have got to be kidding me." When I spoke to her, "she said the charge would typically be $100, but she didn't have time for that crap." I'll find somewhere else to take my business to.

05/31/11

Just don't

by hfp at Citysearch

Just don't go here. $3,000 later: my car is a mess.

Car overheated out of nowhere. Blew headgasket.

New engine.

Still overheating.

New Radiator.

Still overheating when coolant gets low: which is once a week!

Drop car off: they say it's fine: they even drove it 5 whole miles! I said keep looking. 3 days later:

They say there is no leak/they can't find it.

my father and I turned the car on when we got home, lifted the hood, and radiator fluid was spraying out everywhere. wtf.

I'm out 3 grand and my car is running WORSE than when this whole thing started (in November. i am writing this in June)

Do. Not. Go. Here.

11/30/10

not the best

by DRC76 at Citysearch

I have had three experiences with Bernie's. First was some body work and they did an incredible job.

Second was an oil change-they charged me $3 to fill up the windshield washer fluid (which didn't need filling up).

Third (most recent). I needed new timing cover, sway bar links, inner tie rods and alignment. I went to a dealer and the price was high. I asked Bernie's if they could beat the price and if I truly needed the work. They said yes, I needed the work and they could beat the price by $50. So I dropped my truck off there on the 17th. I went away for Thanksgiving week and came back on the 29th (Monday). They had said it would be done by Wednesday the 22nd. When I got there to pick it up they said it is not ready (basically a misscommunication b/w them and the dealer). Why the heck didn't they call me?? B/c of this delay I was late for work (so was my partner) and I had to reschedule 3 meetings.

When I picked it up this morning I told them next time they should call me if there is a delay. They said "sorry" and then proceeded to charge me $1,326 for the work. They could have at least given a small (5%) discount for the inconvenience they caused me. I wouldn't be writing this review if they had.

But I will never take my truck there again and I will encourage others not to take their vehicle there. It is a shame b/c I would rather give my money to a local place than a dealer or chain shop, but not if they act like this.

01/23/10

$950 spent, and still problems!

by AmericanGirl55 at Citysearch

I am reading all of these good reviews and wondering if I was on the same planet and then I see one that seems to match my daughter's experience. Initial visit to Bernies $550 this past November, car gets home, battery light appears after installation of belts, car dies, battery drained, new battery on (another $100 bucks) and car dies again, bring it in thinking they either overtightened the alternator belt or misdiagnosed the problem and they say no - all of a sudden it is the alternator! Another$240, just this week and here's the kicker - when she picks the car up the goofy guy says "Uh your oil light is on, that can be okay or it can be really bad" I wish I was there because I would say "Aren't you a mechanic and hasn't it been here for a few days and shouldn't you be familiar with this car already since you took the engine apart to put on the belts?" I have no confidence in this shop. I have asked for the receipt to be faxed to me, the $550 one that my daughter paid cash for and I have been told "it can't be found". What do you think this means? And this place was recommended to my daughter. I don't understand the inconsistencies with the reviews, how so many had such wonderful, low priced, quick or free repairs when my daughter is paying a lot of money that still has problems. I can only assume that the good reviews are either 1) relatives or 2)fakes. I am taking this further.

• Pros: None that I can think
• Cons: disorganized, bad diagnostics, etc

01/19/09

Great service

by Brown555 at Citysearch

I had a minor car problem and brought my car to Bernie's expecting to have to wait until the next day to get it fixed. They fixed it on the spot without any wait, and the problem was so minor they didn't even charge me.