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Whitaker Buick GMC
Forest Lake, MN
123 Reviews
Whitaker Buick GMC is a family owned and operated dealership dedicated to making your vehicle shopping and ownership experience enjoyable! Our philosophy is to treat you as we would a guest in our home, and we always want you to feel comfortable when visiting our dealership. Whether searching for a New or Pre-Owned vehicle, or looking for Service or Parts information on your current car or truck, we offer a professional, straightforward and hassle-free experience.
We are proud to be the ONLY dealership in the State of Minnesota to have won the Better Business Bureau's 'Integrity Award', which recognizes select few businesses with the highest standards of ethics and conduct. The BBB has also given Whitaker auto it's highest grading possible, an A+.
The Whitaker Buick Company started business in 1954 on University Avenue in St. Paul. At just 30 years old, founder Bill Whitaker was among the youngest GM dealers in the country. His attention to personal service and emphasis on integrity led to sales and service leadership for the Buick brand in the Greater St. Paul/Minneapolis area and beyond. With the departure of dealerships from the crowded confines of inner city locations, current President Steve Whitaker moved its operation to FOREST LAKE in 2006.
Located just 4 miles north of the I-35E/35W junction, Whitaker is easy to find at the intersection of I-35 and County Rd 2 (Broadway Avenue).
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Hours
Sales/Showroom
Monday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Service
Monday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Parts
Monday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
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Showing 123 reviews
February 15, 2012
My experience with Whitaker was very good. Dan made sure that all my wishes/ features on my new vehicle were met. The vehicle I wanted wasn't on the lot. They had to search for those features and locate the that all my wishes/ features on my new vehicle were met. The vehicle I wanted wasn't on the lot. They had to search for those features and locate the vehicle and then have it brought to the Whitaker dealership in Forest Lake. I really appreciated all the effort that was put into to making this transaction happen... You have one very satisfied Customer . I definitely would recommend Dan and the dealership to others that are interested in purchasing a vehicle. Thanks for everything !!!!!!! More
by Lehnen
Employees Worked With
Dan Fryman
February 11, 2012
I went to Whitaker on a Thursday and met with a salesman named "Roger". I explained to Roger that I have a process when I purchase a vehicle. 1. I am looking for very specific vehicles and I narrow my se named "Roger". I explained to Roger that I have a process when I purchase a vehicle. 1. I am looking for very specific vehicles and I narrow my search down to 3 from doing research online. 2. I call to see if the vehicle is available to take in for a test drive and get inspected. 3. While I am getting it inspected, please look at my vehicle that I will be trading in to see how much they will offer for a trade in. I don't want to haggle on price, just give me the best price on the vehicle that you can minus what you can offer for trade in and I'll make my decision from there. I will drive the other 2 vehicles on Friday, and make my decision on Saturday. Roger informed me that he would like to let me know how much they would offer on a trade if I decide that I want the 2008 Yukon. I told him no, because how much they offer for the trade will determine if I want that vehicle because the other vehicles are similar in price. I asked him to please get a trade in value while I am gone, he agreed. I took the vehicle to Goodyear to get a prepurchase inspection and they found a few typical things wrong with it and gave me an estimate of $2,200.00 to fix the problems. I returned to the dealership and sat down with Roger. He said that they would offer me $5,000.00 for my trade in, I was asking for $8,000.00. I showed him what needed to be fixed on the vehicle and told him I wouldn't be buying anything today because I wanted to test drive the other 2 vehicles. If they are willing to fix any of the mechanical issues on the car or reduce the price because of the problems, great, if not, it doesn't matter, just please email me a final sales order with the best price possible so I can evaluate all 3 before purchasing. Roger immediately told me that he doesn't work that way and wants to see what he can do to get me the vehicle today since I drove all the way up there from Prior Lake (1 hour away). He asked if I would wait 4 minutes while he talks with his manager about seeing what they can do with the trade in. I told him that I wasn't going to wait and asked him to just email me with the final offer price. (One of my pet peeves is how long you sit at dealerships) He went on about how he's personally bought over 30 vehicles and it just doesn't work that way, the whole process takes time. I told him I don't care if he thinks it doesn't work that way. That's the way I want to do it. He told me that he doesn't email and that he will call me on Saturday to see what I decided. I left with a sour taste in my mouth from a pushy salesman. I test drove the other 2 vehicles and they offered $6,000 and $7,500 respectively. All of the vehicles that I drove were w/in $500.00 of each other for purchase price, so the trade in was a big factor for me, but I didn't want any of them to know that. I received a call from Roger on Saturday morning. He asked me if I still wanted the vehicle, I responded by telling him that I would be talking to him if I wasn't. I asked him for his final offer and he told me he would check with his manager and call me back. 5 minutes later I received a call from "Doug" his manager. Doug was wondering what my decision on the price was and that he doesn't normally work like this because he doesn't like to "play games". I informed Doug that Roger never emailed me a final offer like I had asked or even told me what the final purchase price would be. Doug told me $23,200 and asked what I thought. I told him that the another dealer came in lower than that. He asked what the price should be for us to close the deal. I told him that he said his best offer was $23,200 so that's it. He asked if we could talk about it and I told him no. Once he realized that I wouldn't be purchasing from them he got a tone and attitude in his voice that was extremely rude. I ended up buying an identical vehicle from another dealer that offered $7500.00 for my trade in and was very happy with the purchase. I would not recommend Roger as a salesman, or Whitaker as a dealership as manager "Doug" did not represent management well. Roger and Doug are the epitome of the typical "game playing, price haggling, let's see how bad you really want this vehicle" salesmanship that is the sole reason I hate purchasing vehicles. More
by jjl6677
Employees Worked With
Roger and Doug
January 29, 2012
Whitaker Dealership feels like family. the friendliness is so amazing. I believe they really worked at finding the best vehicle for me in my price range. They weren't pushy or hard core sales. Jerry is re is so amazing. I believe they really worked at finding the best vehicle for me in my price range. They weren't pushy or hard core sales. Jerry is really good at knowing the features and functionality of many vehicles. He definitely does his research. More
by karenacarlson
Employees Worked With
Jerry Dreckman
January 10, 2012
Every aspect of our experience with Chris Novak and Whitaker Buick was wonderful! Chris was so helpful in giving us all necessary details regarding the car and its condition. We especially appreciated Whitaker Buick was wonderful! Chris was so helpful in giving us all necessary details regarding the car and its condition. We especially appreciated the FaceTime tour he arranged as we live 400 miles away from Whitaker and were interested in "seeing" the car prior to making the trip north to get it. Once in Minnesota, all of the individuals we worked with were extremely friendly and helpful. We also greatly appreciated the special attention Chris and the others paid to our children! Chris went with us on a test drive and gave us a detailed walk-through of the car so, prior to leaving the dealership, we knew exactly how the vehicle and all of its many functions worked! Chris has also made himself available several times after our leaving the dealership to answer questions and to see how we are liking the vehicle! More
by jhannibalshaner
Employees Worked With
Chris Novak, Bob Flinn, Mary Miller
December 23, 2011
Chris was very helpful, understood what I was looking for, provided alternatives, and was very honest and direct. He knew I was crunched for time and did all he could to expedite the purchase and trade- for, provided alternatives, and was very honest and direct. He knew I was crunched for time and did all he could to expedite the purchase and trade-in of my vehicle. He has since contacted me a few times for follow-up on my new vehicle. He's one of the best salesmen I've ever worked with! All of the people in the dealership were friendly and helpful. More
by karetess
Employees Worked With
Chris Novak
December 21, 2011
MY WIFE AND I FOUND JERRY TO BE VERY PROFESSIONAL.HE EXHIBITED A CARING WE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED WHEN DEALING WITH OTHER SALES STAFF. HE KNEW THE WORKINGS OF THE MODEL CAR WE PURCHASED. HE KEPT US INFORME EXHIBITED A CARING WE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED WHEN DEALING WITH OTHER SALES STAFF. HE KNEW THE WORKINGS OF THE MODEL CAR WE PURCHASED. HE KEPT US INFORMED IN A TIMELY MANNER AS WE AWAITED FOR DELIVERY OF OUR CAR.JERRY LEFT ME WITH THE FEELING THAT WE WERE SPECIAL AND NOT JUST ANOTHER CUSTOMER. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT AFTER MEETING THE OWNER STEVE WHITAKER THAT HE TOO MADE US FEEL SPECIAL. I PLAN ON SHARING THIS EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS THAT ARE IN THE MARKET TO PURCHASE A CAR.RON/BARB ZABILKA More
by RZABILKA
Employees Worked With
Jerry Dreckman
December 14, 2011
Bob worked with us to design the right lease arrangements and after factory warranty on two occasions just to get it right. A very pleasant experience, when most new car purchases are not. Chris worked w and after factory warranty on two occasions just to get it right. A very pleasant experience, when most new car purchases are not. Chris worked with us on a flawless delivery and has followed up twice to make sure we knew everything and was satisfied. We are very satisfied to date. More
by rvnelson
Employees Worked With
Chris Novak and Bob Tanner
December 06, 2011
Jerry was the best sales person I think we have ever worked with. He did not make us feel pressured at any time and he was there every time we need something. Jerry went well and above what was expected worked with. He did not make us feel pressured at any time and he was there every time we need something. Jerry went well and above what was expected of a sales person. We would give him the highest Recommendation. More
by maltavilla
Employees Worked With
Jerry Dreckman
December 05, 2011
This is my second vehicle from Whitaker's my third from sales staff. love the dealership and employees. They make you feel at home. Thank you. sales staff. love the dealership and employees. They make you feel at home. Thank you. More
by dgoedtke
Employees Worked With
Dan F Bob F Bob Doug
November 23, 2011
Chris Novak was superior in working with me to find a solution to my need for good & safe transportation. I would highly recommend Chris & Whitaker Buick to my family & friends. Thank you! solution to my need for good & safe transportation. I would highly recommend Chris & Whitaker Buick to my family & friends. Thank you! More
by Dorothy Mae
Employees Worked With
Chris Novak
