Colonial Honda of Dartmouth

Deceptive pricing practices! Beware hidden and costly fees. Advertises manufacture certified vehicles on-line and in the lot HOWEVER, when we got there were told the cars are only "certifiable," had not fees. Advertises manufacture certified vehicles on-line and in the lot HOWEVER, when we got there were told the cars are only "certifiable," had not actually gone through the 150 point inspection process and to receive the actual certified warranties there is an extra fee. Our salesperson told us, on the test drive, this fee is anywhere between $600 - $895. When the offer came back from the manager the price to purchase the "certified" status was actually $995. Despite being advertised as certified, these vehicles are only actually certified until you opt to purchase this at an extra cost. It was not included in the original sticker or internet sales price. I overheard another salesperson describing this to another customer while we were waiting, so I assume this is standard practice at this dealership. Anywhere else I've been, if the vehicle is certified, it is certified, and the cost of certification is already rolled into the advertised price. Then there were taxes, which we of course expected, and an exorbitant dealership restocking fees of 600 some odd dollars. We were told they offer competitive pricing, which is in reality a thinly veiled attempt to get you in the door and then tack on all the extras. We travelled a great distance (2 hours), assured a "deal could be made in person" after making an offer on a used vehicle we were interested in. This was after repeatedly asking whether or not it was reasonable to expect the price to come down at all on an attractively priced used car and if it was worth our 2 hours down, 2 hours back, and everyone's time to come in. When we got there, the price did not come down at all, we found out the car was not actually certified as advertised, and there were added on fees. After all of this, their attractively priced/advertised car ended up being thousands more than an identical car with less miles, located closer to our house. So, buyer beware and be sure to ask about their certification process prior to considering the actual price of the car. I understand the object is to get you in the door and there will always be fees, but I did not appreciate the deceptive practices or wasting 6 hours of my time which could have been avoided by them being upfront. More

I went in with my newly purchased Honda (bought in Rhode Island), to get a new sticker and intending this to be my new service center, as I live in MA. I had to wait about 15 minutes before anyone even too Island), to get a new sticker and intending this to be my new service center, as I live in MA. I had to wait about 15 minutes before anyone even took the time to check me in. Peter Slota's name was on the slip, so I'm assuming it was him that I dealt with. I also bought some touch up paint, and told of my intentions to be a regular customer with Colonial. I LOVE my Hondas, and have been a Honda owner since 1996. I proceeded to wait in the waiting room for about an hour, finally going to check to see what was taking so long.....I'd never waited that long for a sticker. As I rounded the corner, Mr. Slota jumped up and said "I was just going to get the paperwork now!" I thought...okay. No big deal. He takes me to the cashier, where I pay....and the payment included the paint, which was only being ordered. I was not crazy about paying for something I didn't even have yet, but did so, anyway. Then I get in the car to drive home. I notice my license plate protectors, with the name of the dealership I purchased the car from....were laying on my passenger seat floor. I did not give anyone permission to touch those covers. There was no reason for those covers to be removed, for an inspection sticker. And, if they were removed for any reason, they should have been put back on. Or replaced with others, if Colonial had an issue with my Majestic Honda protectors. This car is not brand new....but it was brand new to me. Everything on that car belongs to ME, and I found it petty and unprofessional that the service techs would do something so idiotic. While maybe a joke to them, it made me wonder how much more "joking" went on while my car was being serviced. In short, I lost my confidence in this dealership. I sent an email to Mr. Slota, letting him know what I was upset with.....at least, expecting some sort of response back. It would have gone a long way toward earning my respect and trust back. Instead, I heard nothing. I was told they would call me when my paint came in. They didn't. I had to call them, and chase it down. As I left, I saw Mr. Slota sitting at his desk.....no recognition of me, at all. I was going to go up and speak with him, but I was too angry and let down to bother. It may not seem like much, but this behavior (and lack of response back) has cost them my patronage. I will choose another certified dealer (likely, Seekonk) and will never recommend Colonial to anyone else. I have several family members and friends who are long time Honda owners and lovers. We are loyal to the makers, but not to this dealer. A big disappointment, for me, as I've had nothing but raves for other dealers I've done business with. This one is a bad apple in the bunch. Update: The very next morning, after I posted this review, my phone rang. It was Mr. Slota. This is how the conversation pretty much played out: Me: Hello? MS: I just got your message on my desk this morning.....I am so sorry to hear that you were not pleased with your experience! Me: Mr. Slota, I sent my message to you over a week and a half ago. MS: Oh, sorry about that. I took the week off....you know, my daughter going to college and all. Me: (hmmmm, well you are back at work this week....have you not checked your messages? You are the service MANAGER, after all?) Me: (here, I proceed to remind Mr. Slota about the things that upset me....the most, being the license plate protectors. I know, simple thing, right?? Hey, they were my first plate protectors, and I thought they were all that and more!) MS: I'm SURE our technicians would never remove your protectors because they were from a competing dealer, and leave them on your floor! It is probably because they needed to take them off to do the state inspection. It might be MA state regulations. I'm not sure. Me: (Mr. Slota, aren't you supposed to be somewhat familiar with this stuff?) Well, they do not obscure ANY part of the license plate...or the registration sticker, Mr. Slota. So, I don't think that is the case. Unless they needed to inspect the metal edge rim of the license plate, itself? That makes no sense. And, if they had to remove them, they should have put them back. MS: Well, we sure have learned a lesson! I am going to have a meeting with my technicians (ya, right) and this lack of communication between the technicians and myself will be resolved. We don't want this to happen to our customers! How can we earn your trust back? I'm sending you a voucher for a free oil change. I'm going to sign off on that, and I will send that right out! Can I just ask one thing? Can you go back, and change the review you left? Me: I will do that, Mr. Slota...I will look at it. Still waiting for the voucher, or any work of apology or...anything, from Mr. Slota. So, yes, I am looking over my review, and verifying that this dealership is one to avoid, folks. More