The Cosmic Tap - Latest Comments in Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Anthony Rea — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:51:19 -0000

I live in the Western Mountains of Maine. I surfed the web and landed at Herb Chambers Danvers, MA. I was looking for a 15 passenger van (still am). When I clicked on pre-owned it gave me a lot of options at great prices. @ $3,000.00 less than competition. I decided to drive there (@3 and 1/2 hour drive). Mike from Westborough got my online inquiry and called me as I was driving down. I told him I had my truck with plow attached (in October) and my title in hand and ready to make a deal. When I arrived in Danvers, MA I was told there was no Mike there and the vehicles were in Westborough (another hour away). The dealers all share the same internet inventory but don't inform you of that. I went to Westborough where I was told that because they had "SMART" prices there was no room for haggling. The salesperson also told me that they could not give me book value on my trade because they had already discounted the price of the van. To summarize...Herb Chambers lowers their price to lure you in, but discounts your trade to make the money back. It comes out the same as any other dealership. I heard a bunch of lies about them listening to what their customers want and they have a no hastel experience. NOT ! As I was driving back home to Maine, I received a call from the dealership asking me how everything went and was I satisfied. I was enraged. I told them about my having to drive eleven hours, the $100.00 gas and wear and tear on my truck with a plow attached, the inconvenience, and the attitude of the manager who did not even try to work out a deal as well as possessing no tact as a salesperson. I was scammed. I also told them that discounting a trade is dishonest because if you were to go in with a barrel full of money, they would have to honor their price (or maybe not?). Why is it OK to recoupe their loss on a trade...because they can? They should have just been honest with me and told me to stay home. I WAS SCAMMED!

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Name — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:23:44 -0000

I have a new 2009 SLK Mercedes Benz. In less than 1000 miles the GPS/central control system screen went blank. I took it in for service and was told that I ruined the system by dropping coffee on the unit which friied a circuit board. The cup holder sits above the GPS and there is nothing to prevent coffee spills when going over bumpy roads in this tightly sprung car. They want $6,000 to replace a unit that costs #2,800 when ordered new. They reuse to discuss it and so I am taking them to arbitration. Considering the more than one million I have spent with this organization you think they would have gone to bat with MB for a good customer.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

too bad — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:22:20 -0000

how rude and insulting...you might be a happy herb employee, but with an attitude like that, you've done more to hurt your cause than help.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Undisclosed Sender — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:05:37 -0000

I applaud your effort/s / challenge of 'fighting the good fight'! Keep up your noble effort/s! Thank you.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

thomasjpeters — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:52:18 -0000

I found 2 seperate hangars open to anyone( a terrorists dream) at the Waterbury Oxford Airport,CT ( Key Air ).I made sure they were secure,called the State Police,FAA,TSA,Homeland Security,Herb Chambers(he has a Gulfstream 450 and was a shipmate on the U.S.S.Lake Champlain(CVS39). I was forced by Key Air from their hangar where I was working for a tennant as a Pilot. I was thanked by Herbs secretary for letting him know about the bad lack of security. I had to retire. Just getting Social Security. Filed lawsuit against Key Air. Judge Droney dismissed my case a "Frivilous". Our troops are dying and Droney thinks
everything is " frivilous". Herb has his plane on charter with Key Air I found out later. Somebody got their ass chewed and I lost my job for securing the hangars ! I was working for AC Aviation.
Any thank you's can be addressed to: Thomas J.Peters,11013 Fuqua St.,#163,Houston,TX 77089
I was an FAA Safety Counsellor,ATP Pilot with 40 + years exp and A&P Mechanic

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

frankiez — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:59:04 -0000

I used to work for a dealership in Rhode Island several years back. Worse job of my life. We were encouraged to basically lie, cheat our way to sell and were pressured to work bell to bell everyday inc days off. If you took your scheduled day you basically signed your own death warrant as the contempt from managament and other sales team members was overwhelming. I was told during my training that the "Documentation fees could never be negotiated or waived as it would open the Herb Chambers Auto Group to a potential lawsuit. When I asked why I was told all his dealers charge those fees and it had to be consistant. I asked then what are the fees for and was told by my GM, gas for Herb's yacht. I quit after a few months as I could not stand how I felt ripping people off all the time and the joy those I worked with took in screwing people over.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

cfick — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:24:15 -0000

Hi i just bought a Jeep at herb chambers and i was talked into buying the extended warranty (250 month for 12 months) for a 3 year ext. warranty....any experiences with this extended warranty....i bought a used jeep with aprox 75,000 miles

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Fly On The Wall — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:40:19 -0000

Foreign Motors West is no longer, it was sold to The Herb Chambers Company over 2 years ago. Tom Mix (the late former owner) would be sad to see the way Mr. Chambers has taken it. Yes, FMW was employee owned and we needed to sell and good thing we did or we would have lost our investment dollars, the car biz is tough now. Most of the long time employees of FMW are now gone, weeded out by the new GM. My take on a Herb Chambers dealership, hostile work environment, this can not be good for the consumer. If a employee does not meet their numbers, they could be fired, so it's sell sell sell. So do your homework before you buy a vehicle, know all the rules, be firm and don't be bullied into buying something you don't want or need. And when you get that survey call/card, think before you answer and be fair, someone's job is on the line ( I have seen it happen ).

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

carsalesguy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:30:09 -0000

Until recently I sold cars. I worked for Herb Chambers' years back. I am surprised to see these postings. Herb Chambers would be on the phone personally making things right when stuff went wrong. I worked for a lot of dealers. As far as the big guys' he was more customer friendly than any. But either way, he can't watch every employee, their job is to make money, use your heads, the business office is where you get hurt when you don't. The business manager is usually the highest paid and greasiest. Best advice, check your local credit unions' rates and do a little bit of price research b4 you go anywhere. Oh and be nice! I have never once been bullied into a deal, If I had to give something away, it was to someone who was nice to me!

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

deirdre138 — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:00:59 -0000

I had a recent experience that left a bad taste in my mouth. To be fair I will start with the positives. The first sales person I met who took me on my test drive was very accomidating, helpful and friendly despite being a brand new employee she was fantastic. The senior sales person I dealt with on my first visit there was also helpful in that he was respectful to the time limits I had set for being there. I was able to negotiate a pretty good price and a pretty good APR. When I called off the deal the business manager and salesperson exercised restraint and were not rude to me like other peoples experiences I see listed here. Here is the negative. It turns out that in the beginning of the transaction despite my repeated questions for clarification we had a complete misunderstanding on the value of my trade-in. Which instead of taking 2,000 OFF the price of my car, added 2,000 to the amount I was financing. The phrasing was strange and I thought they were offering me more than my trade in was worth. In reality they were offering me much less than it was worth. I walked out on the deal about 5 minutes after the dealership closed for the night and they stated they could not return my deposit until the cashier returned the following day. The paperwork that I did sign stated that I was intitled to a full refund since no finished contract had been made or signed by either party. I called the next day to just touch base and confirm that the credit had been made to my account and was told by the sales manager that he couldn't find the paperwork, which seemed fishy to me. I called later and he said he still couldnt find it but he would talk to the sales person and call me back immediately to let me know it was taken care of. I called back after not recieving a call from him and was greeted by rudeness but told that I should see the refund post in a couple of days. I can't help but feel like they are screwing around with me here. I have called my bank and by my accounts having worked in retail I should have seen a pending transaction come through by Thursday and have not yet. Hopefully it is coming through soon. My bank says to wait until Wednesday and if it doesn't post by then they will launch a fraud investigation and refund my money. That's one thing Bank of America is good for! What I learned from this experience. 1) Keep your deposit as cash on the table. 2) If somethine seems too good to be true, it is. 3) If there is something that the wording is fuzzy on, ask them 100 times and 100 different ways till you fully understand it from all angles. 4) If they screw around with you too much you can always call your bank, the attorney general, the news.... and bitch on the internet!

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

shannonhodge — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:26:38 -0000

i went to greg coats in louisville ky i took my 2001 eddie bauer expedition in to trade in , i picked out a 2005 expedition xlt i filled out credit app they sold my trade in, in 3days and 44 days later not approved they sold my car ,want there car back and for me to take bus home , what should i do ? kay

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

lucysandini — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:56:36 -0000

ya sure WTF. And how did they get your number posting on this website? Nice try Herb.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

lucysandini — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:43:51 -0000

I have been given the run around and lied to several times on the cash for clunkers program since I attempted to buy an Elantra on 7/27/09 from their Auburn location. For example they changed the negotiated price once I disclosed I had a clunker. They told me at 1st my vehicle didn't qualify and then reversed themselves once they realized I wouldn't buy a new car if it wasn't under the program. I still don't have my new vehicle and now I can't get back my title to my old vehicle.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

janice23 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:24:36 -0000

LETS JUST HOPE YOU DID'NT GET SCAMMED IN FINANCE, IT SEEMS THAT IS WHAT THEY DO TO EVERYONE, TRUST ME I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

janice23 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:09:57 -0000

THIS IS A WARNING TO ALL FUTURE CUSTOMERS OF HERB CHAMBERS DEALERSHIPS! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PURCHASE THAT YOU CAN MAKE IN FINANCING THAT WILL LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATE!!!! I WAS SCAMMED AND TOLD THAT MY INTEREST RATE WOULD GO DOWN FROM 8% TO 5% IF I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY! I FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING YOU CAN PURCHASE IN FINANCE THAT WILL LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATE, IT WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN 5% TO BEGIN WITH, THEY JUST LIE TO YOU AND TELL YOU THAT IT IS HIGHER SO YOU CAN PURCHASE THINGS AND THEY CAN MAKE MONEY OFF OF YOU. DO NOT FALL FOR THEIR SCAMS!!!!

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

saritahendelman — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:25:50 -0000

Aren't u lucky! Wish I could say the same.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

saritahendelman — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:19:50 -0000

I'd love yo join in. I bought a Rav4 from them in July 03. In Jan 06 the car was totaled in accident. I have been trying to get the money for the extended warranty since. Well here I am in July 09 and still no refund. I emailed Herb Chambers directly. I thought with his response that the matter would be taken care of quickly. So after no response from the Auburn dealership that he notified,I sent another email to Herb. Shortly thereafter I got an email from the Sales manger in Auburn. I took a friend along on Thursday and met with the Sales Mgr. That as u probably have guessed was a total waste of time. Incompetence abounds. After having a discussion he offered me half of the contract back. But, (wait here comes the punch line) If I wait until next July, I can have it all Back$1203. Well needless to say, that didn't appease me. Also the gm was not there. I was told to come back at 5 to meet with him. Well, guess who wasn't there> Yep no gm. Must have been a real loooooong doctors appt, from10.30 on. Then (I know) I'm told that even if he were there and could help, the checks are locked up at 4pm. So why oh why was I told to come back? Well, Herb has til 1 pm. tomorrow. After that I go to the Attorney General and Investigative reports on CH 4,5,7.
I find that is is impossible to have a warranty or contract on an item that doesn't exist. And yes, I submitted proof from the insurance co that the car is demolished.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Name — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:36:48 -0000

I just want to say thank you for all of the Herb Chambers information good and bad. I wish others did the same.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

tim — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:28:37 -0000

Last week went in to herb chambers toyota in auburn, looking for new vehicle for my daughter the experience was terrible the salesman lied the managers were yelling i think the general manager was yelling it was terrible, very unprofessional.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Mike — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:27:29 -0000

I couldn't disagree with you more! I purchased my Honda S 2000 from the Herb Chambers dealership on Commonwealth Ave and was treated with the utmost of respect. I've had my S 2000 in for service and found the service department to be fantastic!

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Boston20 — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:59:47 -0000

I will never set foot in a HC Dealership. I asked the Volvo dealership to sign an agreement that he would not sell to HC, he laughed. While I was in the showroom another customer came over to me and shared his HC horror story

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

Shari — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:01:33 -0000

Mack,

Go to Dealer Rater.com and search out the Prime Motor Group...You will find that they are a truly reputable company that take customer and employee satisfaction to a a whole new level...I wish you luck in your search. The automotive industry is a rewarding and exciting industry and I have enjoyed it for over 20 years!

sdoran@primemotorgroup.com

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

CodyRidley — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:13:34 -0000

So, all of Chambers' customers should come here to complain and then sit patently waiting for a positive experience to come their way? Sounds a bit fishy to me. Or more like a fake ass response.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

CodyRidley — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:10:13 -0000

Based on what I'm reading here - you could either go in and try to make a difference, or seek employment with another more reputable auto group.

Re: Herb Chambers complaint, commentary & update

CodyRidley — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:05:12 -0000

Herb Chambers' company is responsible for these dozens of complaints and frankly, I'm happy to have found this site while searching for the dealers name. It's an excellent example of the power of the Internet and I'm happy that an article written nearly four years ago continues to be relevant in the eyes of Google.

Have you actually searched for their name before? It's sickening just how many paper thin sites are out there. It makes finding legitimate information like this next to impossible.