Charles River Saab

Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Charles River Saab:
I'm looking for a used, high-quality car for my son. I've visited several dealerships in the Boston area on my hunt. I was unimpressed with the customer service at this dealer for my needs. I really want to be wowed and I was not. Nice selection, but customer service needs to be a priority.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Charles River Saab:
terrible attempted purchase at CRS today - they do not disclose the doc and prep fees until the end of the negotions .....................................................................................................................................

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Charles River Saab:
I have brought both my 1992 900 Turbo and 1991 9000 Turbo to be serviced at charles river. They have an excellent service staff, who are all friendly, helpful and fair. The work they have done, which has ranged from simple things to jobs like changing the clutch in my 9000, has always been done well. When I get my car back it is always as clean, if not cleaner, as when I dropped it off. I have had nothing but good experiences at charles river and would recommend them to anyone.

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Reason for Visit: Sales (New)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Charles River Saab:
Looking for left over new 08 Saab. Saw their ad in Globe, saw $6500 dealer discounts on manual Saab 9-3, called & asked if they could match that on an automatic. Said they could, but when I made the trip from Maine to dealership, they didn't ("you're comparing apples to oranges, and its just not going to happen"). Subsequently wrote up deal after increasing the discount which seemed fair. From that point forward, it seemed that they did not want to do the deal. To get the discount, they said I'd have to be a member of a credit union (I was); they dinged my wife's credit score by offering a better bank rate, processing the app, then finding out the bank doesn't even do business outside of Mass; they said they could not accept an electronic payment direct from USAA (which they could and did 7 days later); said they had no knowledge of a $750 USAA rebate, which is prominently displayed all over USAA website for ALL customers (I finally called GMotors, they called dealer, who said they knew all about it ???)- this took a week; they repeatedly dragged their feet on paperwork and logistics, did not prep car for delivery on two separate occasions, gave misinformation, continually had so-and-so "out today" which dragged completion of the deal even longer, etc. After 2 weeks, I cancelled deal which they didn't hesitate to argue about, and then they refused to give me credit back on my card for $500 deposit I had made two weeks previously. When I called about it, the excuse was that the sales manager was on vacation for 2 weeks and he was the only one who could authorize a credit. Next, I left several messages for the General Manager of this and two sister dealerships (Boston Volvo and Volvo of Norwell), who at first did not return my calls. I researched the company on the web, tracked down the owner's number, and left a detailed message on his assistant's voice mail. The GM called me back within an hour, apologized and talked for over 40 minutes, profusely acknowledged their mistakes, and tried to save the deal. Sorry.......... The owner never did call back, even though his website is splashed with his personal quotes on the importance of customer service and their "great reputation".

In over 30 years of buying new cars (14 that i remember), this is absolutely the worst experience I have ever had. I don't know if their ineptness is genuine, making this group the most lame rubes I have ever encountered, or they are especially adept at acting stupid. DON'T EVEN WALK INTO THIS SORRY EXCUSE OF A DEALERSHIP!!! This dealer is part of Village Automotive Group which also includes Saab of Norwood and others (google the website if you must).

BTW, I got the same deal at another Saab dealer 20 minutes away who closed the deal and delivered the car within a few days - a very professional transaction and experience!!

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Charles River Saab:
I normally take my car here to be serviced if anything is wrong with it, but I never will again. After returning my car for a faulty battery which they replaced the car had to be towed back in the very next day because there was a problem with the alternator. That is something they should have checked when I had it towed in originally, since they are directly related. They had the car for about a week. Also when they didn't know I had an extended warranty they quoted me $1,100.00 to fix the alternator but when my extended warranty company called them it turned out to be around $353.00. I feel I was taken complete advantage of.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Charles River Saab:
I serviced my car here and it was an awful experience. Not only did they charge me a ton (more than competitors) but I had to go back 5 times to fix the same prob!!!They gave me attitude when I returned each time, tried to tell me there was no issue

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Reason for Visit: Sales (Used)

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Charles River Saab:
I bought a used Saab from this dealership that was a used Saab. I purchased a 6 year warranty at time of sale. However within 3 months of my purchasing the car the front brakes failed, I had the car towed to the dealership closest to my house since that was 5 miles away vs this dealership was 35 miles away. When the work was completed I found out my warranty was BS. I questioned CR why this wasn't covered under the "new car warranty" that I purchased and they said that breaks don't count and since I had my car fixed at a competitor they weren't going to help me. Don't buy a car from this dealership you're better off going anywhere else if you're set on a Saab. This company is difficult to work with and they don't respect their customers after they purchased the car.

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Reason for Visit: Sales

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Charles River Saab:
Wonderful experience. I was there on a very busy day, but the sales staff is very engaging and calm. They actually brought a bunch of customers together and did sort of a group overview of a bunch of cars. We did have some one-on-one time, but the gourp method gave us all the chance to not feel as pressured and we could hear the questions and concerns of other customers. Some of the sales people are no longer there, but this dealership has a very low turnover rate as the overall sales manager, Oscar, is very easygoing and apparently fun to work for. They are also great about showing you exactly how much they are making on the car, so you know you are not getting ripped off. The sales team makes the same amount no matter how much they sell the car to you for, which makes negotiating so much easier. If they have the car you want, they will make sure you get it to a price within your budget. My car of choice used to be Audi, but I had too many transmission issues with my A4 Turbo that I finally gave up and went to Saab after my pickly grandfather made the recommendation.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: Yes

My Review of Charles River Saab:
I serviced my 1991 Saab 900T at this dealer for 4 years, after purchasing it used in 1996. I only had one issue (they installed new tires without re-aligning/setting toe), but they fixed the problem by eating half of the total cost, and performing the alignment. Aside from that, they always provided high-quality servicing. Their service representative/team model is exceptional, and Stephen Lopes and Pierre B are a pleasure to work with. Since then, I have not had as good a dealership experience anywhere else, for Saabs or Volvos.

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Reason for Visit: Service

I recommend this dealer: No

My Review of Charles River Saab:
From Sales to Service, this dealership is terrible. Tried to screw us with free 30k service coupon (oil changes, etc) at time of sale and then would not honor said coupon when time for service. Had to threaten to sue in order to make things right.<br>Service is terrible. I had to go back several times to fix problems, that were never really fixed right. To this day the car is not running right. They always try to add more repairs on as well, e.g. alignment, brakes etc. even when not needed.<br>Don't go here, not worth the time nor money. Charged me $47 to look at the brakes.

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