Brown Honda

Reviews 3

AN

Andrew Ruppert

I’ve been coming to Brown Honda for simple maintenance (oil changes, replacing light bulbs, etc) for a couple years, and even started bringing my Jeep in to Brown Jeep for the same type of stuff recently. Yesterday will be my last time going to Brown for service. I took a Civic with ~55k miles on it in to get a taillight fixed, and figured to get the oil changed since I was already there. After waiting, a technician brought out my air filters, claiming they needed to be replaced; along with a list of things they were recommending I get done. Transmission fluid flush, brake fluid flush, and a battery service (due to corrosion building up around the plug). I denied everything, and requested they just do what I asked, I am familiar with the fluid flushing requirements and cleaning a battery, and like to check on things myself before taking them to get fixed (if I am unable to do so), and since I came in for a specific reason (purely out of convenience); that is all I wanted done. They completed the job, I paid, and tried to leave; but my car would not start. The battery had died in between them parking my car, and me walking out to start it. After informing the technician about the battery, he said he had “misread the paper” and I actually needed a new, quite expensive battery because they tested mine, and it was dead. I declined again (I’ve replaced many batteries myself and decided to skip out on the labor cost), and opted for the jump instead. One of the first thing I noticed was the headlights and brights were both turned on and the AC was on full blast, draining the battery. I probably should’ve checked that before attempting to start it, but considering they were all off when I arrived and handed over my vehicle, I didn’t think twice. After I got to my house, I checked all of the fluid levels and color quality, and learned everything was fine. I even double checked the “multi-point” inspection sheet that comes with the receipt, and was surprised actually to see that all of the “recommended services” were all categorized in the “Checked and OK” section. I cleaned out the air filters and the corrosion of the batteries/plugs, and then removed the battery and took it to be tested. Upon getting it tested, it had almost three times the charge Brown had told me, and I was informed, there was absolutely no need to buy a battery at this point. I returned home and reinstalled it; and everything was working fine. I also checked all my previous service receipts and saw that my wife and I had a transmission fluid flush on the vehicle already…nine months (and maybe 10,000 miles) prior. I’m not saying that expensive (the transmission fluid flush, the one we already had done runs over $200); unnecessary “repairs” were recommended, that certain services were overcharged ($30 for cleaning the corrosion of the battery), and I’m not saying that the battery was drained after I declined these services in order to get me to purchase a brand new one (at a 50% markup)…but I’m also not saying that didn’t happen. I expected to be barraged with things I didn’t need, that’s understood by taking your vehicle into a shop to be serviced; and all I’m suggesting for other clients is to maybe get a second opinion if something seems unnecessary, and don’t feel obliged to spring for a certain service that they “highly recommend,” without checking into it yourself or having someone you know familiar with cars give you a second look.

AL

Alex Esposito

I had an appointment here a couple days ago to address two recalls on my vehicle. The dealership recently sent me a coupon for an oil change & multi-point inspection so I decided to opt for that service as well while I was waiting. Once they finished and they were ringing me up at the register they presented me with a receipt that had no information about the multi-point inspection. I asked for the inspection checklist because I know my vehicle has some type of fluid leak and I was eager to find out exactly where and what it would cost to repair. The clerk at the register couldn’t find an inspection checklist for my vehicle so she asked the service advisor. He seemed to have difficulty finding one as well, and after a few minutes produced a checklist without a single problem noted. I thought this was strange and explained to the service advisor that just the previous day I parked in my garage for a few hours and after moving my car I noticed some kind oil on the ground where the car was parked. He asked me if the A/C was on. I told him it was not and that my A/C didn’t even work. He said something along the lines of “well the guys didn’t tell me they saw any leaks”. I thought it was strange but didn’t think too much of it. As I drove away, I started thinking “Well what about my exhaust leak? Shouldn’t that have shown up on the checklist?” (I have a couple small holes in my exhaust manifold. I know for a fact because I tried to plug these holes myself with Thermosteel a couple years ago but it only worked temporarily. The exhaust leak is audible and my cousin actually teases me about my car sounding like a go kart when I accelerate). So I checked the inspection checklist and sure enough there’s a line item named “Exhaust system” and it has a check mark in the green box indicating there are no problems. This really raised my suspicions so I closely reviewed the rest of the line items to find “Windshield condition” also with a check mark in the green box. Well this was all the evidence I needed to know this was a BS checklist because I have a foot long crack in my windshield (picture attached). I think one of 3 things may have happened yesterday: 1 – They didn’t perform the inspection. 2 – They performed the inspection and genuinely missed all the problems with my vehicle. 3 – They performed the inspection accurately but produced a BS printout when they couldn’t find the original. My guess is #1, but needless to say none of these scenarios bode well for them. I thought about going back and asking for the inspection to be performed again, but I decided against it because 1) they already proved to be untrustworthy and/or completely inept & 2) do I really want to hand my car back and take the risk of a mechanic loosening a belt, poking a hole in a hose, or generally doing something to retaliate for calling them out on their poor service. Oh well, lesson learned….I won’t be going back there again. I just hope they actually performed the other work they were supposed to. Especially the recalls which can be life threatening!!! If youre thinking about taking your car here I strongly advise you against it, especially if you dont know enough about cars to check them on their BS.

LL

lloyd williams

It was with some hesitancy that I even considered Brown Honda. I had submitted a request to USAA and Brown was not one of the three dealers I was referred to, even though two of them were a greater distance from me than Brown. So I had to ponder why they had a falling out with USAA. Couple that with the fact that some of the reviews here are not exactly glowing... In any case, though Im in a fringe listening area for Charlottesville, I frequently listen to a CHO radio station, so Ive been exposed to many Brown commercials. After receiving the three quotes, I found the same vehicle online at Brown and requested the internet price, stating that I had three USAA price quotes. The response I received, while not the lowest, was competitive. At that point, due to some external factors, I had to park this for about three weeks. In the ensuing time, I received many communications from all four dealers. And I have to say that I was most impressed by the ones from Robert Fones. So when the dust settled around me and I was ready to proceed, I decided to start with Brown and give the local company a chance. When I arrived at the dealer, I was greeted by Stephen Young. My antennae instantly sprung to red alert because I had not communicated at all with him. But it was explained that Mr. Fones did the internet solicitations, and then passed prospects onto sales. I thought that a bit odd. In any case, we got down to business. I knew this was not going to be an easy deal to consummate, because I was trading in a car for the first time in years (1984 to be exact, I normally pass on cars to my progenies or sell them). I had a 2012 Civic that I could not comfortably fit in & drive after a two-level ACDF - and I wasnt going to give away a new car to my children! Anyway, after some preliminary paperwork we went out to the Accord, while my Civic was inspected. I was quite happy with the way the Accord drove (it was a coupe w/ manual transmission, so it was very much like my Civic only bigger). So the fun started. As I predicted, it wasnt easy. But I have to say that I believe Mr. Young made it as bearable as possible without all the silly games that are sometimes played. Eventually we reached a deal, I signed some more paperwork and made arrangements to pick up the car the next day. The next day my car was ready & prepared exactly as promised by Mr. Young. He is definitely a detail-oriented person. I was passed onto Rachel Schley for the paperwork, something I always dread. Somehow, by keeping up a light banter, Ms. Schley managed to plow through all the paperwork without the process being onerous. Then It was back to Mr. Young, who took me out to the car & very patiently spent a significant amount of time running through all the features that were new to 2013. Im very satisfied with my dealing with Brown Honda and their employees. I have no hesitancy in recommending them. I will certainly start with Brown Auto for future needs.