Friendly Honda

I took the car to get my air bags replaced due to the recall. The service people were rude, I stood around waiting to check in … The guy looked right at me standing there and picked up the phone and ignored me. It seemed a personal call. I asked that my door locks be looked at and they told me there was no problem. When in fact there still was. When I filled out the lengthy survey and complained. And rated them low, I got no response. Waste of time and a reflection of their arrogance.
I just got a call from Friendly telling me my Element is probably due for service. It was a sales recording. This is outrageous!!! I never agreed to them using my phone for sales calls! Junk call. I have also been getting emails from them and I am unable to unsubscribe, so I have responded to those email requesting I be taken off their list… I STILL get emails. Their sales tactics are over the top.
They lost a potential customer– when I need a new car I’ll go elsewhere.

I dropped almost $ 200 yesterday to have my AC repaired– for a vehicle I purchased 6 months ago.
I’m told since it’s a 2010 that it’s not uncommon for the AC system to need a recharge, that freon will be added and that NOTHING appears to be mechanically wrong. I’m also told dye was added so that «if I have any problems in the future it will be easy to fix». Less than 24hrs later my AC is blowing hot. I call back– obviously furious that I dropped $ 200 for nothing– and am told «we added the dye bc inevitably it would blow hot again and now we can find & fix the leak». So I ask how much another «fix» is going to cost (as I was under the impression it was FIXED yesterday) and am told it is $ 55+ to look for the splashed dye + parts & labor for any repairs…
Mind you– my husband and I dropped 30k only six months ago on TWO vehicles… now I drop another $ 200 for a «fix» that actually fixed nothing…
Had I known I would have been charged $ 200 for dye, I would have purchased it offline, found & fixed the leak myself and have gone ELSE WHERE for the recharge.
PS– I attempted to speak with the sales rep who made commission off our 30k purchase 6 months ago (in hopes she could help me out) … *shocker* she no longer works there.

Carlos Scaloni at Friendly Honda was a joy to work with as we came to the decision to trade in our Kia and lease our new Honda Odyssey. Actually, the entire team we worked with at Friendly Honda was knowledgable, helpful and provided an excellent service. And I can’t really say that about too many car sales teams. Before going with the Honda Odyssey, we visited other dealerships and were turned off by the pushy approach or lack of knowledge. And at Friendly Honda we appreciated the laid back but confident and knowledgable demeanor. Thank you FRIENDLY HONDA!

Sold me a Hyundai that was a complete lemon. First the transmission went, 2 days after I bought it. But they fixed it. Then the car had a cracked coil, and it coulda blown up cause that is where the gas meets the electricity, but I had that fixed. Then it had a weird thing were it shot arcs of electricity out the bottom. I took it to hyundai, and they had never seen anything like it. Turns out the repairs conducted by friendly when the tranny went did not attach the grounding wires, and a frayed belt was casing static build up hence the arc. So the car could have exploded 2X. So after much yelling, and me putting much work into the Hyundai they gave me a really good deal on a CRV. So they did finally come through in the beginning and end. Took 7 months though, and I had to fix the coil.

The purchasing experience was fantastic and we could not have asked for a better sales person. The customer service at the service department at Honda has gone down since we first purchased our family’s Hondas in 2007. The service department has left a lot to be desired in the last 2 years. We always schedule our maintenance (including oil changes) and will leave the vehicle for the day. We typically request that the cars be ready by the time we leave work to be picked up (~5PM). Our cars have not been ready by the requested times during the last few instances and there have been additional charges added to the service invoices with our initial approvals (did not address in this review). By the 3^rd instance, we finally voice our concerns about our vehicles not being ready by the requested time only to be told by the service manager that it does not matter what time you drop off the car. The manager told us that «someone» should have explained the policy to us and that you have to specifically request that ALL of your services be done by a specific time in order for them to «maybe» meet the request. The manager also emphasized that walk ins will be accommodated first over the appointment makers. The electronic system they use to schedule services will estimate your service which will provide a time frame for the services to be completed and that will allow the service department to wait until that time before your car has to be picked up to perform the service. For example, if your service will only take an hour and you requested your car be done by 5PM. This allows the service department to wait until 4PM to actually bring in your car and conduct the service. So if there are additional services this could potentially extend the service beyond the requested time. For families and individuals that heavily rely on 1 vehicle this is absolutely not acceptable. We have had to make special arrangements to get to and from work because our vehicles have had to be kept longer for our last couple of services. These situations have caused major headaches and although, the Honda service department was quick to attempt the address the incident, we have ultimately decided that we will not be returning back to this dealer.

The service department used to be great and I have never wanted to take my car anywhere else but unfortunately things have really gone downhill in recent years. I’ve slowly become more and more unhappy with their customer service and attention to detail. My first brand new car I purchased from them in 2005 and had nothing but great service the whole time. In 2012 I purchased a certified used car and after only having it for about 5,000 miles my breaks needed to be replaced and they wouldn’t even give me a break on the price to fix it even though I didn’t have the car for very long. After that the service was slow and it was harder to make appointments. Recently I called because my car was making a terrible noise and they told me they couldn’t see it for a week. Brought it to another place and my breaks were shot again and after closer inspection of the car there were so many things that Friendly Honda didn’t do that they were supposed to do while fixing things in my car. They definitely had cut corners on things. I was going there because I felt comfortable with them that they weren’t taking advantage of me even if I was paying a little more to get my car serviced at a dealer. I was totally wrong.

Buying a car here was so easy. Not only was the entire friendly Honda staff very helpful and accommodating but also super friendly. We loved buying a car with Tom Muff; he made it so carefree and effortless. And we left with a car that we adore. A week later the maintenance required light came on in the car, so I took it back to Honda and they remedied the problem within minutes of my arrival. I don’t have a singe complaint. Thank you friendly Honda!

Car buying/​leasing is probably one of the most annoying things to go though. It can completely take the thrill of getting a new car away from you for sure. Friendly did a great job at making it an easy, quick process.
My wife had to return her CRV and was interested in upgrading to a newer/​better equipped model or a HRV. Upon arrival we were told that they were understaffed (typical Sunday apparently) but they would keep us posted and even let us test drive whatever we wanted without a sales rep! We took the HRV out for a spin on our own — less headache of having a sales rep interject with comments while you’re trying to get a feel for the car.
Once we returned a rep greeted us promptly and the process was off. Through some negotiation we were able to get the price where we wanted it and on terms that we were comfortable with. The sales rep was great — not overbearing or pushy in the least. From signing on the dotted line to walking out was around an hour or so (I dealt with far worse when I got my car recently at a different company dealership). All of the details were handled well and explained thoroughly
Highly recommend Friendly to those seeking a new Honda. In case you’re wondering… She went with another CRV

This is my second experience buying a new car at Friendly and I’m just as happy now as I was the first time. Excellent service and good pricing can be expected.
The sales team is first rate and I find their service department to be straight forward and reliable as well.

I’ve now had the opportunity to add purchasing a car from Friendly to my experiences here, after servicing my previous car here for 11 years. Their service remains first rate. I still don’t appreciate how strongly they encourage customers servicing their vehicles to pursue «a vehicle upgrade» (translation, buy a new car). I didn’t initiate my new car purchase in that way. I started with an online service from which local Honda dealers would then call me with car availability and prices. Of the results, Friendly Honda called me back first and had the best fit, plus they beat the asking price. Part of that was because I bought a 2015 car when they were trying to clear the lot for 2016’s.
Their sales staff does adopt a more no-​pressure approach, though you will, of course, get the sales staff enthusiasm: things like how everything is great about the car, everything you say is wonderful, etc. When it came time to close the deal, including that inevitable visit to the sales manager, there were no high-​pressure pitches. They simply showed me a list of options I could take, and a second list of optional extended warranties.
They’ve also implemented Friendly Rewards, a program I will be using for this car, with discounts and perks.
My overall experience with Friendly continues to be good.

Beware of the sales dept. They will up-​sell you on a warranty and tell you that it is a win win situation because if you do not use it you will get the money back. They don’t tell you in the 5 pages of fine print it says you must keep your car for 7 years or 100,000 miles to get your money back. I was going to purchase a new car today but because I would not be able to get my money back on the extended warranty I will now be keeping the Honda untill I reach 100,000 miles and I will not be going back to Honda. My next car will be the RAV 4

Test drove a Nissan Cube last year and was assigned Bob Schweizer as a sales consultant. Everything was going well, and I had decided to put cash down on the car because I was sick of others buying out from underneath me. In all honesty, I had made the mistake of acting too soon. The car had mechanical issues, such as pulling to the right and needing a windshield replaced. This was all things they had failed to mention to me when testing it out. Who needs to know your product when you can just throw keys at prospective buyers? After giving it a day or two of extra thought, I decided to pull the plug and get my money back.
Here’s where it gets spicy:
It took weeks to wrestle $ 100 back from Friendly Honda. Several phone calls, hoops to jump through, and stress throughout the whole process. My parents called them and Bob dug his heels in, and he so wonderfully said, «Your son is an adult, why doesn’t be talk to me?» And that’s the sign of bush-​league service, folks. The finance guy came in and tried to sell me on a more expensive warranty, and expressed that I wouldn’t even notice the higher payment when spread out enough years. I’d like to see the last time that guy worked an hourly wage job to save up for a car, so that he might recognize the sheer arrogance of that attitude. Remember, just because you give a firm handshake and a smile doesn’t mean you’re able to relate to a customer. We could go into an impassioned rant about customer service, but you get the point. The money finally came back, I went elsewhere, and I couldn’t be happier.
Like they say in business «any feedback is good feedback», so I sure hope that Friendly Honda shapes up their act so that deplorable, arrogant, and downright poor service doesn’t become a habit. Otherwise, the only redeeming quality they have is the complimentary drinks cooler and comfy chairs to wait in. My review ranks in at 0 stars, but those creature comforts bump it up to a 1.
So pop open a soda, kick back as they give you the ‘ol song and dance of basic car salesmanship, and try to make it through there without losing your mind.

I live on Long Island and went upstate to get my 2015 Honda Fit. The reason being that this dealership is so professional, so helpful and I got a great deal. Justin was great and the whole process was completely smooth which I cannot say for other times I leased a car.

Just walked out of the service center without my repair. I booked my appointment this online through
when I arrived this morning there was no record of my appointment. After the employee searched for my info for a couple minutes I told him I’d made the appointment online and he said sometimes that system doesn’t work. He started to input my information and I ask about the loaner I scheduled when I booked the appointment. He said I’d have received a confirmation if something was available. I thought when I received the email confirming my appointment with loan that would suffice. As I had to be at work in fifteen minutes I had to leave without my service completed. I think I’ll be using Curry Honda from now on.

As an out-​of-​towner, I would normally expect to be made into easy prey by a car dealer’s service center. As I will be leaving town as quickly as I entered, the incentive of developing an ongoing customer relationship is just not there. That said, my experience at Friendly Honda was — well, the exact opposite. I received kindly and concerned service, including an attempt to keep the bill low, as the temporary fix required follow-​up once I returned to my home 300 miles away.
THIS IS A GREAT PLACE to get your car fixed! Fair, honest, Rich, the service advisor, really explained things and even followed up with an email to inquire if I made it I made it home ok!
Concerned service by grown-​ups who actually care about people. That’s what I found. I am almost tempted to find excuses to go to the Hudson Valley whenever I need car maintenance or repais, as no dealer in my area measures up to Friendly.
They are great!

Once again Ron Alexander, Colin O’Brian and Kim went above and beyond to get me into my CRV. They were both very polite, patient, and worked diligently to get me into my 2011 CRV.
These two epitomize Friendly Honda.
Thank you gents
PS this is my 6^th car I have bought through Friendly Honda. I will not go anywhere else.

I love my 2014 Honda Civic! My 2011 lease was up and Justin work with me on my new lease. Justin is very Honest and hard working sales consultant and i thank Justin for his help. From the service dept and sales area you see the staff hard at work. My next car in the Future will be at Friendly Honda and anyone is looking to test drive a Honda. stop by Friendly Honda.

Terrible used sales service. I drove over an hour to test drive and buy a Nissan Rogue. The car was in very good condition, but it did have high mileage for it’s year. The man who greeted me at the desk initially (after several minutes) rolled his eyes and seemed disinterested in helping. Danielle, the woman who I had spoke to on the phone, was very nasty and kept boasting that «I’ve been doing this for a long time, five years!» and «I’ve sold 4 cars today.»
She refused to work with me on the purchase of the car, and had quite an attitude. When I told her that I would take my business elsewhere, she said «That’s the wrong attitude to have», but refused to backtrack and work with me. The condescending demeanor was too much to bear.
The nail in the coffin was when the «person evaluating my car» was going to give my $ 1,200 dollars for a Jeep worth $ 3,000.
Here’s a suggestion: Take the Friendly off the sign out front.
Do not recommend.

My wife purchased a used Accord from sales associate John Grega about three weeks ago. The process was very smooth and John was more than accomodating towards our needs. It’s very rare to find any employee at a car dealership willing to go above and beyond for their customer. To address the customer’s needs instead of filling their pockets for that inevitable commission. I say this because it is well known that buying a car is one of the most stressful purchases one could make. The process is quite easy here.
Our salesman, John and our finance manager, Paul Hoffman, don’t just give you excellent customer service; they represent the true meaning of it and they grasp the concept of «customer first». People in the immediate area are fully aware of the reputation that Friendly Honda holds. I strongly recommend working with John Grega and Paul Hoffman if one is searching for a pre-​owned Honda.
Don’t waffle with your decision. If you want a Honda, new or pre-​owned, be there now.

No thanks!