Parkside Auto Care

We took our Subaru into Parkside last week because our AC wasn’t working for longer than 30 to 45 minutes. Parkside said a part needed to be replaced because it was leaking fluid and D from Parkside was confident that the problem would be solved with that. It would be expensive, but the problem would be solved. Today, a few days later, was the first day we used our car and the AC worked for 10 minutes before hot, humid air started pumping through. I called Parkside and left a voicemail about what happened immediately.
We paid Parkside $ 750.00 for the AC to be fixed and it’s as if nothing was done to the car at all. Parkside said their work was guaranteed. My husband trusts that Parkside will fix the problem without charging us more, so my fingers are crossed that they’ll stand by their work. We believed all the rave reviews here, so I wanted to add my experience to this list of reviews, too. I’ll update this review with the outcome after we visit Parkside on Monday, but at this point our car is unusable on a summer weekend because it’s so hot out… and we’re out $ 750.00. At this point, I’m disappointed with Parkside, but I hope my review changes. I understand mistakes can happen, but since we’ve paid $ 750.00 and D was fully confident what the problem was, I am hopeful they will fix the problem without any additional cost to us. Stay tuned.

Found Parkside on Unilocal,having no idea of where to go — other than wanting it to be near the Atlantic Ave. DMV (we were transferring our registration, and needed to be inspected soon after). Charlie was so helpful and attentive, and the neighborhood offers good cafes/​restaurants/​shops to kill time in while your car is serviced. Will be going back for future needs!

Car inspection. Timely, professional and oh so courteous!

I had a great experience here. They were friendly and happy to explain things to me. Everything was straight-​forward and easy, and they didn’t overcharge me.

I can’t say enough about the service and quality at Parkside. I’ve been here twice now for an oil change and to check out some ignition issues I was having. Both times the guys advised me not to invest in any parts unless the issues persisted. Most recently, I took my car in because my check engine light had come on, and I was advised to put higher quality gas in my tank inside of doing some expensive diagnostic, which totally resolved the issue! When I went to pick up the car, I was told it would be no charge and to call back if it happened again! The guys at Parkside have completely gained my trust – they really give great quality service and without trying to sell expensive add-​ons. I won’t take my car anywhere else!

My review is a few days late but I wanted to be sure the work was complete.
On a perfect sunny day my brake lights decided to quit working on me. Having received a ticket, and repairing it previously it still didn’t work. My job is driving intensive and I can’t afford to lose time being stopped every few miles for defective lights.
I called in the middle of the day and was able to be seen, have my car repaired, and be on my way. The staff is courteous, honest and highly knowledgeable in their craft.
I’m just someone who has his own mechanics out in queens, I go to one shop and that’s it, because there’s a level of trust professionalism made with years of rapport and the fact that it’s a community based business.
Parkside will definitely be getting business from me and referrals for anyone who needs a good mechanic.

So nice. So.nice. They answer when you call, see you when you need, and are so respectful and nice.

The roads in New York City will kill your tires, for sure. I was driving in Brooklyn doing errands and got a flat tire. I called Parkside and they were still opened. I drove along 4^th avenue, going slow and made it safely to Parkside with no damage to the car. In a short time, they were able to change the tire,
These guys are the best and treat me like I’m part of the family. If anyone needs to have their car repaired, I would highly recommend you go here. You will not be sorry.
Thank you again Charlie, Charles, Jr., D and the rest of the guys.

This is one of those Unilocal reviews were I wish I had more stars to give, for five stars is just not enough!
Not only is this place conveniently located but the guys at this place are unbelievably helpful, kind, funny, caring, the list can go on and on. I had a good feeling from the moment I got on the phone with D at 7am on a Monday morning. Felt like I was talking with a trusted family friend.
I love Parkside and will def be using them again and recommending them to anyone and everyone.

Really great service. Came in for a quick car inspection. Owners son spent time explaining what will need replacing in the near-​future, why, and what type of materials he recommends to improve the longevity of the car. Will definitely come back for those repairs.

Snowpocalypse 2016 was eminent. There was talk of school and business closings and all were waiting with baited breath for the incoming storm. Suddenly I realized we had basically no food at all, and worse yet, no beer. A trip to the grocery store was in need and stat, but much to my dismay my car would not start. I called for a tow but naturally it took an eternity for the driver to get to me as the rest of humanity was also on the road (most likely on food/​beer runs) and by the time the tow got to Parkside it must have been close to 6pm. I was stressed, they close at 5 and I really try not to be *that* person. Charlie simply could not have been cooler about the situation and actually stayed at the shop waiting for my car.
The next day bright and early (t minus 18 hours to snowmageddon) I got a call with all the details I needed and my car was roadworthy before noon. Groceries were had, beer was purchased and I was safely parked back at home before rush hour with plenty of time to spare.
As long as I live in Brooklyn these guys are my go-​to auto shop, open and trustworthy and they do it right.

After talking to Charlie I am considering purchasing a car so I can get it tuned up and inspected. Sounds like a real stand up guy and what is better in ever changing NY to have a father and son business thriving. Beep Beep.
GULIA

These guys are amazing. They go the extra mile time and time again. My problem was reoccurring and through their research (lengthy I might add — hours of phone calls) they discovered that this reoccurring problem was the result of a recall that they basically tracked down the only person at Toyota National (b.c local had no clue) that knew about the recall. As long as my car is moving, I will keep bringing my car back to Parkside.

From my first point of contact to the end of a very complicated electrical repair, the guys at Parkside were fantastic. They explained their process, diagnosis, and summary in plain and unpatronizing fashion. They’re all friendly and courteous. Communication was clear and they reached out with significant updates in timely fashion. The rates are fair. What more could you possibly want? Parkside is now my go-​to mechanic.

It’s when things go wrong you learn the true character of a company. Parkside Auto Care does decent mechanical work, but when they damaged my car things didn’t go well at all.
I brought my formerly pristine, 11-​year-​old Lexus to Parkside for radiator work. When I picked it up, I noticed a few small, sharp dents in my driver’s door (see photo). A review of my dash cam video and impact sensor data showed that the damage occurred in Parkside’s facility at 2:15pm on 11÷23÷15. I pointed it out and they accepted responsibility for the damage. I’ve had this kind of event with another car twice in the past, and those garages simply paid the repair estimate. But not Parkside – their attitude turned it into an unnecessarily difficult and contentious ordeal.
Parkside suggested a body shop they know, but for which I could find little information and only 5 reviews, 3 of them negative. I declined and told them that I’d like to use Sam’s Auto Body in Dumbo, a well-​known, highly respected business that is an official repair shop for Geico, among other insurance companies. Their estimate was $ 952.98. I sent it to Parkside.
In the message I received from Parkside’s AOL email address, they DICTATE the terms of payment. Not suggest, not consult, but dictate in extremely patronizing terms that require me to assume the risk of the repair.
They stated «Upon completion of the job and in accordance with the estimate, I will pay Sam’s Auto Body shop directly.
I will meet you there when you pick up your vehicle to ensure your satisfaction before payment is made.»
I replied to Parkside that I don’t need them to ensure my satisfaction nor accompany me to Sam’s. Frankly, that’s creepy and intrusive. I simply want to be paid for the damage, at which point I’ll happily release Parkside from any obligation, and I would deal directly with Sam’s. It’s my car and my business alone.
Parkside then responded with an old schoolyard bully tactic – blame the victim. They implied that I was being dishonest, and granted themselves a $ 300 discount:
They stated, «your insistence on being paid directly, led me to question the accuracy of your estimate. As a result, I consulted with my insurance company and I took the time to contact several auto body shops whose estimates were all in conflict with yours. The numbers I was given by three other shops range from $ 584.00 to $ 640.00
Therefore, it seems that we are left with the following options:
–I can make a check payable to you for $ 650.00 for which I will still require you, upon payment to sign off as I previously requested on any further liability or obligation on my part.
–Or you can deal directly with my insurance company.
As our mutual goal here is to expedite both the repairs and the payment, these are the only terms I feel comfortable with.»
Not a word of apology, no attempt to discuss anything, just bullying, accusatory statements. «I will require», «these are the only terms I feel comfortable with” – that encapsulates Parkside’s attitude.
I have no obligation to use the cheapest shop, and the party that’s at fault has no say in where the repairs will be made. Sam’s Auto Body is well known, and the integrity of their estimate is easily verifiable. The funny thing is that Parkside’s own labor rate is considerably higher than that of Sam’s Auto Body. Parkside also forget that I was their customer and just paid them over $ 1,000 for less work than the body repair requires.
I’m at a loss as to how to resolve this, since dialog is obviously not working. They said to use their insurance company, but provided no information about it — not even a name. I discussed it with two people. The first, my lawyer, said it’s simply not worth suing for this amount.
Then I spoke with is my wife’s uncle, a priest. Though I’m not especially religious, I respect his spiritual point of view. He wrote me a note: «Don’t judge. You don’t know their troubles or what makes them behave this way. If they’re not at peace, fighting won’t help. Instead, forgive and pray for them. You may lose money, but you’ll gain peace.»
I’m not sure that I’m going to actually pray for them, but that did give me a bit of perspective. It’s true that I don’t know their issues or motives. What I do know is that I have no room in my life for toxic people or bullying behavior, and that this event has been occupying way too much of my time and energy. I may not get compensated for the damage Parkside caused, but I also won’t have to ruin the holidays by dealing with so much negative energy.
If you want to use Parkside, you’ll probably be fine, they’re good mechanics. Just hope that nothing goes wrong.
UPDATE:
Today (¹²⁄₉) I received Parkside’s insurance information. Will update again if the situation changes.
UPDATE 2: (¼/​16) Finally settled with insurance company.

I had to bring my car in again for an oil change and brake pads and rotors. The guys were able to service my car the same day I brought it in, they were very professional, and extremely trustworthy.
Again, I would recommend these guys to anybody looking for an honest, no-​nonsense auto repair shop.
As an added bonus, the shop is conveniently located to several coffee shops, pizzerias, shops, and restaurants — so you can easily pass the time waiting for your car to be repaired.

I visited here twice for NYS Inspection.
Charlie was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Talked about a lot of personal interests each other, it was bunch of great conversation I never expected (who’d expect great conversation 15−20mins in hectic car service shop, he was really busy at that time but he was very kindly taking all my questions and answered).
This place definitely going to be my regular service shop :)
Thanks a lot Charlie!
Best,
Jason Seung. Hong (Subaru Outback 2015)

I needed an NYS inspection urgently since the one in my windshield already expired. I called in at 7am and Charles gave me a last-​minute appointment for 730am, 15 mins after that i was on my way home with everything taken care of. Amazing service and great attitude. Highly recommended.

Came in for an inspection. I didn’t have an appointment so I had to wait just a few extra minutes, but they got it done lightnng fast and I was on my way. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful as well.
I haven’t been here for any kind of significant work, but I’ll certainly consider them if I ever need some. I was very impressed.

These guys are top notch. I wouldn’t feel safe bringing my car anywhere else in Brooklyn. They treat you like family when you come in. Their business model seems to be more about building loyalty with customers than trying to squeeze every penny out of their customers. It’s a good business model because I won’t take my care anywhere else.
They are completely upfront about all charges when you come in and they call you before doing anything extra that they didn’t anticipate. In addition, they’ve done simple things on my car for no charge (like installing a license plate bracket). They’re just genuinely honest and nice guys.
Their shop is located between two other shops on the same block, so make sure that you have the right place.