Review of Beamer Auto, Aaron Lane, Clinton MD
I rarely write…read morereviews, and I especially dislike leaving negative ones, but auto repair is expensive, and it all comes down to trust. I've been taking my vehicles (BMW X5 and Mercedes E350) to Beamer Auto since 2022. Up until recently, they consistently provided good service at a fair price. Unfortunately, my last two experiences have completely changed my opinion.
About 8 months ago, I brought in my X5. Communication was poor--I had to call several times just to get updates and an estimate. Since I trusted them from prior service, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and chalked it up to a bad day.
This last visit today, with my E350, however, was unacceptable. I emailed in advance detailing the issues and received a confirmation for a 10 AM appointment on Thursday, September 18. When I arrived, the front desk person (Aaron) asked me to repeat everything instead of checking the email. I explained two issues:
1. The driver seat not returning fully upright (a sensor recalibration Beamer had fixed for me two years ago).
2. The passenger side headlight was flickering and going out intermittently.
I was told I'd get a call with an estimate. Hours passed with no update. I called around 3:30 PM, no answer, and their voicemail was full. Eventually, they called me back but admitted they hadn't even looked at my car yet. Approx 4:30, I called again, because they close at 5:30. This time, Aaron said they wouldn't get to it that day but promised it would be checked first thing in the morning.
The next day, still no call all morning. Frustrated, I drove 40 minutes back to the shop around 1 PM to pick up my vehicle. My car was sitting exactly where I left it. After waiting while Aaron looked at the computer and asking me the same question again about my car, I was told they couldn't fix the seat issue and that I'd need to go to the dealer (even though they had repaired the exact same problem less than two years ago). Then he incorrectly stated it was my driver-side headlight that was bad, when in fact it was the passenger side--the issue I had clearly outlined multiple times.
Despite their lack of communication, inaccurate assessment, and the fact that my car hadn't moved, I was charged $158.75 for a diagnostic check. Based on my experience, I don't believe they even looked at the vehicle.
After three years as a loyal customer, Beamer Auto has lost my trust and my business. If you're considering them, proceed with caution--buyer beware.
