I have been to Ell-Bern 5 or 6 times now and have been very satisfied with the service I have been given. Although, the guys are not extremely personable they are definitely quick and efficient. I've been in 3 times for an oil change (with Groupon card), once for an inspection, once for front breaks, and once for and oil/change and what I though would be new rear breaks.
OIL CHANGES WITH GROUPON: I have had a great experience at this place. The 3 oil changes were with a Groupon I had purchased (3 oil changes for $30), although they don't love getting these Groupon coupon cards, they were more than accommodating with the oil change service. When I called, they gave me an 8:15am time slot for the next day or so, and charged a $3.50 cash fee (for a service fee I believe) each time, and they were able to get me in and out the door within 20 minutes or so of my appointment time. (Groupon users just make sure to read the fine print on the card to make sure your car is eligible for service, and the guys at Ell-Bern will service your car).
FRONT BREAKS/INSPECTION: When I brought my car to have my front breaks done, they had the car ready the same day for $450 total AND they even pointed out that on the Groupon card there was a 10 or 15% discount coupon I could use on this service which was a great point out by them! And the time I brought it in for an inspection I was a 'walk-in' and they inspected it right there and then for $29.
OIL CHANGE/REAR BREAKS: Most recently I brought my car in for an additional oil change (no groupon card) and for them to check my rear breaks since they were squeaking and I though I needed new ones. However, the guys here were very honest with me in telling me that my front and rear breaks both looked good and the squeaking was just due to heat build up which was covered under my front break warranty from my previous visit and would only cost $125 in labor rates to clean up, but the clean up would have nothing to do with the safety of my breaks, it was just whether or not i wanted to get rid of the noise. They DID NOT pressure me AT ALL to get the sound fixed, and they allowed me to make the decision and were clear that not fixing the sound would not jeopardize the safety of the breaks. So I decided to save the $125 in hopes the sound will wear off eventually. They didn't event charge me a labor cost for the time they spent inspecting my breaks. When I went to pick up my car, both guys were there to greet me, they gave me an explanation of why breaks tend to squeak and told me it was pretty normal in the humid weather for breaks to sound this way due to this dust/heat build up on the breaks, and again ensured me the safety of my breaks were perfect. The other guy commented on how he could have sold be rear breaks, (which I completely would have believe since that is what i though I needed in the first place), and he assured me that that is not his style of business, and would not do that to a customer. At this point I reiterated my appreciation of their honesty and that they did not in fact try to screw me over because they totally could have, and that this is how they build loyal customers because when in fact I do need those rear breaks I will definitely be going back to Ell-Bern!!!!!!!!!!!
OVERALL: I was really pleased that they did not take advantage of the situation and try to make a buck off of me. If it weren't for that initial Groupon, I probably wouldn't have known about this place. They definitely gained a customer via the groupon deal, as well as their knowledge, efficiency and honesty, and I will definitely be returning to Ell-Bern for all of my mechanical needs. read more