Run Away!! ---
I am a local business owner in Berlin, and the last thing I want to do is speak negatively about another local business. However, my experience with Bridge Auto Group has been simply unacceptable (I'm 50 years old, and this is only the second online review I've ever written in my life).
I will stick to the facts, as my emotional take on being spoken to as a moron or uneducated consumer is irrelevant for this example. This example is simply about Vlad (owner), KNOWINGLY RUNNING AN UNFAIR BUSINESS.
For the record, when buying a used car, you run a risk. Duh. I get it. I AM 100% UNDERSTANDING OF THIS, AND HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IT.. There's a certain risk, I know it, I took it, and I got burned. I bought a long-term crappy car. It's MY fault. Rusted out undercarriage, and several steering things that need attention (my other car is a 2-seater rear-wheel drive... I bought the truck because I needed something safe for winter driving).
However, I was promised face-to-face by Vlad and Ron (Service Manager) that EACH CAR GOES THROUGH A SAFETY INSPECTION before the car is sold. This is clearly a lie.
I bought the car knowing the risks, but confident I could trust what Bridge was telling me. Had a friend look at it and tell me it needed new brake pads and rotors--- no problem. I want the car to be safe. I'll take it in and pay to get it fixed right away. No problem; just some brake pads and rotors.
Independent local reliable mechanic, with no dog in the fight, puts it up on the lift.... besides the WHOLE THING being RUSTED OUT (again, that's on me), they tell me the truck should have "never been driven off the lot for "SAFETY'S SAKE"... BOTH FRONT CALIPEERS BROKEN, FRONT LEFT WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE AND WON'T SPIN FREELY, pads, rotors and a front tire that had the inside portion spun so you couldn't see the wear bar showing.
It was $1600 of repairs to make it "SAFE TO DRIVE". This is what I asked Vlad to reimburse me for.... I'm going to swallow the OTHER $1700 ($3300 total) to make it a solid car (fix broken sway bars/struts/lower control arms, but FAIR BUSINESS says Bridge should reimburse me for the immediate safety repairs!!! He has repeatedly refused.
I spent over $10,000 on the truck, and was told it was a safe truck to drive. I then signed a ghetto looking form that said the warranty is only 1-month on Power Train only... I know. I signed it, and by the letter of the law, Bridge owes me nothing.... But local business Karma has a funny way of working things out.
I am immediately having to put $3300 into a vehicle to make it a functional Rust Bucket, and Vlad wants to KICK A MAN WHILE HE'S DOWN. All I want is the $1600 back I spent additionally on top of the sale to make the truck safe!!! He already made his money off of me by selling me the vehicle that was supposedly safe. Yet after several exchanges via email and text, and a face to face meeting with me today (12/6), he has decided that it is good business for him to keep his $1600, not keep his promise, and treat a paying customer unworthy of fairness
I trust Vlad is about to learn a very valuable lesson in treating people fairly when doing business in the Berlin/Voorhees neighborhood. I will be printing, framing, and posting this review at my reception desk that is 5 minutes away from Bridge Auto.
Pictures of receipts, rust, mechanics notes, and a video of the stuck wheel to follow).
From the slick talking salesman who told me, "I've had 4 calls about this truck this morning!!" (his sales associate told me the truck had been there for 2 months), to the Service Manager not listening and giving rehearsed answers, to the sales staff and mechanics sitting around the showroom vaping, to the owner trying to talk in confusing circles about how he drives his kids around in his used cars; C'mon. This place has it all. Straight out of a movie making fun of used car dealerships.
I will be telling anyone who asks, DO NOT BUY A VEHICLE FROM BRIDGE AUTO GROUP!!! read more