Herb Chambers in Boston/MA

[jmh]

I thought I'd share my experiences with Herb Chambers and other dealers I'd had the 'pleasure' to deal with over the past years ....

Herb Chambers has one of the worst reputations in the New England area and I have not been impressed with their service or sales department. However many folks are buying their BMWs at HC as it's the largest volume dealer in NE and they can't get rare BMW models (4.6/4.8/M5 etc...) much easier than most other dealers. However they often try to charge a premium for sought after cars (they tried to get 15k$ over list for my 4.6) . Their trade-in values are way below any other BMW dealer.
Their service department has a very bad reputation and I've never had my car serviced at HC, I asked them if they'd fit the ///M steering wheel before I take delivery of my X5 but after I was told they'd charge me 640$ for the install I decided to spend the 20 minutes and do the installation myself.
There are many other horror stories such as a M3 being stolen from the lot and HC didn't notice until days later etc....

There are much better dealers in the Boston area such as BMW of Peabody, Foreign Motors West or Tulley in Nashua/NH

- Jan

[plopsi]

Service was absolutley horrid when my X5 was towed in after having some transmission problems at 5900 miles. The service advisor, Marco Di Stefano, is a complete jerk. I will never deal with this dealership again. He seems like a very lazy person and didn't want to go the extra mile to help me out.

I had initially asked for a loaner car or some sort of assistance for me to get around, seeing that my car was imobile. He told me that in order to be provided with a loaner, I would have had to have purchased the car at their dealership. Ok, that's understandable.

So I asked if my car could be towed to the dealership I purchased the car at, with no charge, in order to get the loaner. He tells me I would have to call them up. I asked him if he could provide me with the number (BMW of Peabody), and he tells me, he doesn't know the number and I would have to call 411. I didn't want to get charged for dialing 411 on my cell phone so I asked if I could get my car keys to get back into my car, where I had the buisness card for my dealership. He tells me that the keys are in the car. I was thinking to myself, what the f*ck?? I just walked into the service dept with the guy who parked my car, AND HAD THE KEYS WITH HIM. Then all of a sudden, he decides to tell me, "Oh, let me just get the number for you." Didn't he just tell me he doesn't know the number?!?! He lied to me 2x within 1 minute: he had the keys, and although he didn't know the phone number BMW of Peabody, he could have easily looked it up within 5 seconds.

After I talked with my own dealer and confirmed that loaners are complimentary at the dealer you purchased your car from, I had no choice but to leave the car at Herb Chambers. The guy then recommends me to take the train back home. If I was to do that, it would have taken me 2 hours to get home, transferring from multiple subway trains and buses. At that point, I was just too upset, walked out, and had a friend pick me up.

Besides that scenario, the guys's tone of voice while I dealt with him was not accomodating at all. Their service area is just plain sh*tty, at least compared to BMW of Peabody. Expect me to file a complaint and for me to give them a horrible review when BMW calls me up to do a customer satisfaction survey.

This whole ordeal was perfect with BMW Roadside Assistance and the tow truck company and driver, up until I stepped into Herb Chambers BMW.

-end

[X5Jay]

I bought my X at BMW of Peabody and for the last 1.5 years, their service has been impeccable. Kay is my SA and she is incredibly responsive and accommodating.

[NOC]

As many BMW of Peabody customers, I highly recommed them for any problems you come accross, service or anything else.
My first purchase with them was my '99 M3 and Rob (service) would go out of his way to make me feel 100% satisfied. The only thing I did not like about them was their parts dept. The guys there seem like they have a problem with helping customers, but it is their job and they need to try harder.
The reason why I bought my X5 from HC was because of the price and I knew the sales rep. Sheraz. From the moment of delivery of my X5 I have taken it to BMW Peabody and they have treated me as if I bought the X there.
I would drive the extra miles to feel more comfortable and at ease with a great staff that is concerned about my satisfaction and getting me my car back on time, or if not giving me a loaner for however long it takes for them to fix mine.
Next BMW I buy, I will def. get it from BMW Peabody.

[Halpseuse]

Hello every1 Just wanted to say hi!Been reading this forum for long now and decided to register at last and maybe provide comunity with some helpful infoCheers!

[RPX5]

WOW! Funny (long) story for me as well with HC Boston. I bought an 2000 328ci from them, beautiful titan silver coupe, manual trans, great car. I was 18 at the time, just walked in and knew exactly what I wanted, traded in my 99 328 sedan, and made a deal for the 00 coupe, manual trans was the kicker. It was supposed to be certified, new tires, replace brakes, etc. etc. I picked it up, the tires were like bologna skins, brakes were squealing, i drove it 30 minutes home, showed my dad what I did, (he was very mad, i should have been saving my money) he gave the car a once over and drove it right back to HC. Dropped it off and we didnt pick it up till everything was truly "certified." Time to pick it up 4 days later, and I'm very excited, took the train to the HC, waited around for an hour after my appt. time, they drove my car around, valet guy says "oh shit, ya it was just hit, we'll take care of it though." There was a nice size dent in the driver rear quarter panel. Back on the train, back home, f'n pissed. Finally pick it up, everything is good, I go home very excited. 1 month later, very loud squeaking noise coming from the rear end when i shift, took it to BMW Peabody, talked to Rob, yup, rear sub-frame needs replacing, it isn't covered under CPO. OUCH! Fought herb chambers for 4 months, finally they paid to fix it. Eh longer story shorter, bought my X at BMW Peabody, take it to Centennial Drive local for service, everything is GREAT now

[MGRMLN]

My brother had his e39 530i hit in the door at Herb Chambers while it was in for a routine oil change. The f*cking SA tried to tell him it didn't happen there. Luckily, another customer came and told him (in front of the SA-oh snap!) he was lying since he saw the whole thing happen. Even when totally busted for lying, the guy spouted attitude! Unbelievable!

Best way to get some reaction is to use the owner's circle area on the bmwusa.com and send an email to NA. They WILL get back to you.

[gregwx5]

My X5 was purchased at the BMW Gallery in Norwood, I have had a great experience with them, and my service advisor Steve Almieda helped me out a lot, even little things like being charged for extra oil during an oil change...small things but it shows he cares and pays attention.

[HBSRA10]

I've had terrible experiences with Herb Chambers Boston MA BMW dealership service department. Was lied many times (discovered it later). I wouldn't recommend Herb Chambers. Too bad they have monopoly in the Boston area (they also bought Foreign Motors West in Natick).

[appaguedip]

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