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JH Barkau & Sons Inc
Freeport, IL
221 Reviews
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221 Reviews of JH Barkau & Sons Inc
July 18, 2026
Buying a used vehicle is a gamble no matter who you buy it from. Nobody selling used vehicles spends a ton of money on them. They shine them up make sure hopefully the basics are good. But we all know how it from. Nobody selling used vehicles spends a ton of money on them. They shine them up make sure hopefully the basics are good. But we all know how people take care of vehicles, and high millage brings with it a potential for a money pit vehicle people just dump into the used car market. Its always best to spend the dime and have a local mechanic inspect it before purchasing. Barkau like most used car businesses sells good late model vehicles, and they also sell bargains that look great but probably will have maintenance items needed down the road. I've bought vehicles from Barkau that needed tune ups, brakes, and other routine services. They seem to spend more time on making the appearance look the best than mechanically doing much. Rather typical of the market where people see a nice shinny vehicle tends to impress more than anything else. As they always say, looks can be deceiving. Used to be years ago when people traded vehicles at lower miles you could count on a decent used vehicle. With people keeping vehicles longer we see more issues buying used vehicles. It's up to the buyer to make sure they are buying a safe and reliable vehicle. Don't count on anyone else to do that for you. More
by ILresident
Employees Worked With
Tim Border
July 15, 2023
Seeking a good used vehicle to serve as our 2nd vehicle & a "Daily Driver" & although we initially liked the salesman who was helping us it was painfully apparent that he: A. Felt as if we hadn't done our " a "Daily Driver" & although we initially liked the salesman who was helping us it was painfully apparent that he: A. Felt as if we hadn't done our "homework" before walking onto the Freeport lot. B. Made 3 COMPLETELY disingenuous statements. We're still looking to buy a vehicle but will go somewhere where our intelligence won't be insulted. More
by lawiebenga
Employees Worked With
Unknown
June 28, 2021
This place was a joke. My wife and I went to look at a Trailblazer that they had on the lot. Vehicle was missing a door trim piece, the front grille clips were completely broken off, and there were a few Trailblazer that they had on the lot. Vehicle was missing a door trim piece, the front grille clips were completely broken off, and there were a few codes. When we inquired about this, we were told "well we already went to the junkyard and bought some of the wrong pieces so you're out of luck." Seriously. But that was OK, we know that at the price point we are looking at, it wasn't going to be perfect. Went into the office to talk numbers as we were willing still purchase. Told them about the trade in and the salesman went to talk to the finance manager. Comes back and says "my finance manager suggests you try and sell your trade to your neighbor instead." Seriously. Just an all around NEGATIVE experience with a finance manager that clearly needs an attitude adjustment. More
by blackdog6763
Employees Worked With
Chad Piefer
December 21, 2020
Our 16 year old daughter bought a vehicle from them and it turned out to be junk. Its a very unsafe vehicle. I would think Barkau's would care about the safety of a child. it turned out to be junk. Its a very unsafe vehicle. I would think Barkau's would care about the safety of a child. More
by luandri810
Employees Worked With
Randy Duchow
March 29, 2019
Treated like family We were allowed to take our time and be very choosy. It's a big decision, a big purchase. This is not the first time we have done business with Pa We were allowed to take our time and be very choosy. It's a big decision, a big purchase. This is not the first time we have done business with Pat Gillespie and Barkau's. They will always have our business because they go above and beyond what other dealers do, even after the sale has been made! You won't go wrong giving them your business!! More
by SherrieAnn
Employees Worked With
Colin, Pat Gillespie
February 07, 2019
It was great! My experience with the people at Barkau was great. I had to find a vehicle quick because my Caliber just didn't want to move -- and Pat made it happe My experience with the people at Barkau was great. I had to find a vehicle quick because my Caliber just didn't want to move -- and Pat made it happen. I brought home my vehicle yesterday -- in crappy weather, no less, and I love it Thanks, Pat, for taking care of us. And I will recommend Pat and the Barkau dealership to anyone I know looking for a vehicle. More
by Pope
Employees Worked With
Colin, Pat Gillespie
December 06, 2018
Laid back and honest We were looking for a truck with very particular features at just the right price when we ran across one online at J.H. Barkau & Sons. It was a 2 1/2 We were looking for a truck with very particular features at just the right price when we ran across one online at J.H. Barkau & Sons. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive from where we live, which initially left us wondering about what we could expect for our experience. I'm glad we went because the trip was very much worth it! Pat Gillespie was very personable and genuine throughout the entire process. The values for both vehicles were spot on and required absolutely no negotiation which was really refreshing as that hasn't always been our experience with past dealers. Pat answered any questions we had, was never pushy about the sale, and gave us plenty of time and room to make a decision. Other dealerships could learn from Pat. Outstanding experience from start to finish. I would certainly recommend working with Pat and J.H. Barkau & Sons to anyone. More
by PDCWisky85
Employees Worked With
Pat Gillespie, Louis Lorenz
December 02, 2018
Great Experience We have bought from Pat in the past and as soon as we started looking for a "new" car for our daughter we went right to Pat Gillespie, he took the tim We have bought from Pat in the past and as soon as we started looking for a "new" car for our daughter we went right to Pat Gillespie, he took the time to find out what we really wanted and worked with us and our crazy schedules. He went out of his way to get us what we needed and even told us about a factory recall on one of our previous vehicles and got us right in to get it fixed! More
by Zeya2312
Employees Worked With
Axle the wonderful canine greeter , Pat Gillespie
November 28, 2018
Talked about problem everything is ok. Have the problem solved. So if there is a problem talked it out they will try and fix it for you. everything is ok. Have the problem solved. So if there is a problem talked it out they will try and fix it for you. More
by Shopaholic
Employees Worked With
Jim Barkau, John Corrigan
