Planet Honda

Planet Honda is a large operation. It is well run and highly efficient which benefits the dealership more than the customer, but overall benefits both. Due to the size of the operation, if it weren't ru highly efficient which benefits the dealership more than the customer, but overall benefits both. Due to the size of the operation, if it weren't run well, it would be total chaos. Now, with any business, they are there to maximize sales and profits and you can't fault them for that. They are professionals at what they do and they have every angle covered. No matter how good you think you are in the car buying arena, they are better at the game. The reason is simple. They have "layers" of negotiators (salesman first, manager next, etc.). The salesman can get up and walk away from a negotiation and go talk to a manager...who will come to you with the purpose of adding pressure and making you feel like the deal being offered is a once in a lifetime opportunity and may not be offered again. This is NOT a scam, but uses the same tatics as a scam....i.e. first create an urgency (limited time deal) so you'll make an uninformed decision. This is where they have the advantage as nobody wants to miss out on "the best car deal ever". Basic psychology. As the buyer, the pressure is on you and only you as you are empowered to make your own decisions (unlike the salesman who has to talk to a manager). Obviously, nobody is forcing you to buy and you could walk away anytime, but you wouldn't be there if you didn't want or need a new/used car. This is the game and they play it well. My low ratings of this dealer have nothing at all to do with the above. That's the car business. My problem with Planet Honda is what I call the "Planet Honda machine". It's all about getting you into the showroom so they can start playing the game. After all, they can't make a sale unless they get you there. They could care less about any inconvenience and expense to you to get to the showroom as they feel they will be able to confuse the issues enough to sell you a car. Now for my personal story with this dealer.... I was trying to take advantage of the "cash for clunkers" program. A limited time offer, with a deadline approaching. One of the requirements of the government were a full year of ownership of the clunker vehicle. The proof being asked for were the current and last years vehicle registration cards and the current and last years insurance cards. I had the insurance cards, but only had the current year's registration card as I toss out the old when I get the new card. I was told by the salesman that an old card could be obtained for a $19 fee that would be passed along to me. I had no problem with this, but it would take 3 business days to get it. This was on a Saturday and the clunkers program was ending on Monday. Ok, so even though I had a qualified clunker, I couldn't take advantage of the program. Bummer, but I'm ok with that. I believe the dealership could have worked it out, but I don't believe they wanted to and didn't think twice about my time and expense of getting to the showroom. You see, I had received an internet quote of which I was happy with. I didn't even try to negotiate the price down. All I wanted to do was show up and purchase the vehicle. I showed up on Friday evening (I'm backing up a day), only to be told that due to the limited time left on the clunkers program, the only way they would be able to make the deal would be for me to pay list price. I don't fault the salesman for the unethical decision to renege on the deal, but he should have given me this news prior to asking me to drive 45 minutes to the dealership. This cost me 1.5 hours of driving (round trip) and 30 minutes in the showroom on a Friday night. Yeah, just the way I wanted to spend my Friday evening. I declined the offer and left. On my way home, the salesman called me on my cell phone and informed me the dealership had reconsidered and was now willing to honor their deal if I would come back the next morning. I agreed and went back Saturday morning at the agreed upon time. Guess what? Another problem (my lack of last years registration card). Ok, I understand their concern about not being reimbursed by the government, but they knew on Friday evening I didn't have this piece of proof (that's when they told me it would cost $19 to get it). So, now that I'm in the dealership I was subjected to all the normal dealership games. They offered me $1500 for my trade even though the clunkers program would have given me $4500 for it. Was this a deal???? They insulted my intelligence. Then, the other old tricks to create urgency (car prices go up every quarter, you'll never beat this price again, shortage of cars due to the clunkers program will cause cars to sell at a $2 - 3K premium to the sticker price (I'm still laughing at this one), etc.). And the final attempt to blow smoke in my face and distract me from the clunkers program was another favorite argument of the dealershiips......the sales tax advantage of trading in a vehicle. On a $1500 trade (the value of my clunker), that amounts to $105 tax savings yet the manager was using a $500 savings in his arguments. He knew he was skewing the numbers and knew when the contract was written it would be overlooked/forgiven. The bottom line on the whole experience was they wasted my time and gas money, and for this reason alone I'm rating them as low as my conscience will allow. I wanted to take advantage of the cash for clunkers program, but lost out. I'm ok with that part, but I didn't have to also lose time and money just to play the game. My suggestion is to use Planet Honda for an internet quote, then take that quote to other Honda dealers and ask them to meet or beat the deal. I'm 100% sure you'll get more personalized treatment without getting caught up in the Planet Honda machine that has one purpose.....pump out as many sells as possible as quickly as possible. If you want to invest in a profitable dealership, look for one like Planet Honda, but don't buy your car there. By the way, part of their "system" or "machine" is aggressive follow-ups by phone calls or emails or whatever. The follow-up may be from anyone in the dealership (whatever the "machine" calls for) and it will be a polite, professional, and possibly even apologetic. But, just remember, it has only one purpose...to get you into the showroom....again or for the first time. They don't mind wasting your time or expense. It costs them nothing.....except the bad press from people like me who operate on priciples and ethics first. More

What an exciting experience! These men were all so wonderful and such a pleasure to do business with. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a new or used car to go here. I always go here for m wonderful and such a pleasure to do business with. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a new or used car to go here. I always go here for my cars and I will continue do so, thanks so much! More

i always wanted a cr-v and with the fantastic help of frankie and fernando my wish came true. the color and model i wanted was not at the union showroom so frankie found it at it's sister store and 2 day frankie and fernando my wish came true. the color and model i wanted was not at the union showroom so frankie found it at it's sister store and 2 days later- i got my car. the price was great and they made me feel so comfortable with my choice that if and when it comes a time when i need another car or if i know someone who does- planet honda is the place to go. More

Our GMC lease was expiring. I have a friend who drives the Pilot, and I liked it. She suggested the dealership to go to. The experience with both these gentlemen was very professional. We test drove the n the Pilot, and I liked it. She suggested the dealership to go to. The experience with both these gentlemen was very professional. We test drove the new pilot with Mr. Wyne, he went over everything, making sure we understood all the features. The only thing left for us to do was to pick the right Pilot for our needs, and the color, again Mr. Wyne was very instrumental in listening to us and what we needed, we thank him. We than spoke with Mr. Raza Rind he set everything in motion for our lease, My husband and I were amazed with Mr. Rind's service, all the paper work was done in a quick manner, making it so easy and pleasurable. Professional, friendly service at a wonderful price is exactly what we received at PLANET Honda, your slogan "Where buying a car is fun" is so very true. We picked up our Pilot sooner than expected. We thank Mr. Raza Rind and Mr. Kaleem Wyne for all of their wonderful knowledge and exceptional Customer Service. I have been telling everyone to go to see them at Planet Honda. Do love our new Pilot. Thanks again, Mr.and Mrs. Paul Zebro More

Since writing my initial review, my main concern about my refund for my extra contracts (Gap, Extended Warranty, etc.) has been resolved by the wonderful Ms. Gail Lynn. Thank you for your prompt attention t refund for my extra contracts (Gap, Extended Warranty, etc.) has been resolved by the wonderful Ms. Gail Lynn. Thank you for your prompt attention to my concerns! Her handling of getting that refund to my auto finance company was a 5-star customer service experience. Conversely, I'm sad to say that my sales experience left much to be desired. I came in with excellent credit (a score of over 800) and expected it to be a breeze. Instead, it was a hassle. The young salesman and his manager even tried to hit me with a bogus $3000 premium on top of the sticker price for my Insight. At the time I was negotiating the deal, there were 10 Insights on the lot and 5 more in transit. The "premium" fee was nothing but an attempt to further line the dealership's pocket. I had resort to conversation about supply and demand and explain that I'd be rolling advertisement for this new vehicle by taking one off of their hands. The ironic thing is that I've owned this car almost 3 months and have only seen one Insight on the road to date...mine! On the bright side, I love my Insight and am proud to be a Honda car owner and lessee since 1995! I simply hope that Planet Honda will, one day, become a place that lives up to it's slogan...."Where buying a car is fun." In my case, that sentiment was truly laughable. More

THE BEST CAR DEALERSHIP IN THE WORLD IF I COULD I WOULD BUY A CAR FROM HERE EVERYDAY. PLANET HONDA MAKES YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME,THANKS TO EDDIE AMORIN. Ed Amorin is the most professional and dedicate BUY A CAR FROM HERE EVERYDAY. PLANET HONDA MAKES YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME,THANKS TO EDDIE AMORIN. Ed Amorin is the most professional and dedicated manager at any dealership that you can find! He really cares and tries to work with you while negotiating your deal. You are not just buying a car you are entering a relationship with a wonderful, loyal, ethical person. It is so difficult in this day and age to find people of his caliber and fortitude. This Honda Dealership is the best in New Jersey,they dont push to buy anything you don't feel comfortable with. The best thing is that they gave me a excellent price something that I could afford financialy. No Regrets, Keep Rolling PLANET HONDA OF UNION NEW JERSEY. More

I have personally bought and/or helped others buy about a dozen cars in my life so far, and my experience at Planet Honda in Union NJ was among the best I've had. I assisted a family member in purchasing a dozen cars in my life so far, and my experience at Planet Honda in Union NJ was among the best I've had. I assisted a family member in purchasing a new Odyssey, and the deal involved multiple trade-ins and financing. Teddy was friendly, professional and energetic - he stayed until 11:00pm going over every aspect of the van to make sure we were comfortable. Teddy was not put off (as some salespersons are) when I pulled out my Consumer Reports pricing sheet, and accepted a very reasonable offer which worked out for all. Finance Manager Raza was also able to explain all financing terms plainly to guide us into making the proper decision. An excellent experience - I will visit Planet when my family needs another car (which unfortunately for them will be ahwile now because we all drive Hondas now!) Thanks Teddy, Raza et al. More

The customer service and friendliness was a great asset to Planet Honda. It was an enjoyable experience purchasing a new vechicle with the salesmen and employes. I will highly recommed your dealership to to Planet Honda. It was an enjoyable experience purchasing a new vechicle with the salesmen and employes. I will highly recommed your dealership to my friends and family Thank you, Bernadette Perna More

Ed Amorin has to be the most professional, dedicated and sincere manager that ever was! You are not just buying or leasing a car...you are entering a relationship with loyal, compassionate and ethical hu sincere manager that ever was! You are not just buying or leasing a car...you are entering a relationship with loyal, compassionate and ethical human beings. It is so difficult in this day and age to find people of his caliber and fortitude. Frank Talarico is an energetic, smart and caring sales rep. Look for these gentleman when you go to Planet Honda. You will not only be satisfied; you will be floored by the great treatment. More